Weird OB appointment

peachmuffins · May 2012

I really like my OB but he said something at my appointment today that made me side-eye him a bit. I've had a 100% normal pregnancy so far... average weight gain, no GB, no pre-e, i've been more pukey than the average woman but nothing horrible. So today when he was like "ok lets talk birth plans do you want to schedule an induction or c-section... or just go natural we can do whatever you want just let me know when you're ready. It gave me pause because I always thought that unless you were late or had complications inductions/c-sections were something reserved unless necessary but it was just offered like candy. Is this something that's normal now for OBs to do?

He did say he wouldn't let me go past 41 weeks, which seems to be pretty normal from what a lot of TB women have said about their OBs. But pre-scheduling an induction or c-section for no medical reason 4 weeks in advance seems odd.

venussapphire · May 2012

Wow, definate side eye earned there.

I know inductions are a lot more common in the states then in canada, but that seems really early to start asking if you would like one.

giggles0918 · May 2012

That's very odd. My Dr hasn't said anything yet but the hospital I'm at refuses to induce you unless it's medically necessary but won't stop labor if you're 35 weeks or after.

abbyhannah8 · May 2012

I would run far away if my Dr said that. In the beginning of my pregnancy I asked what his thoughts on inductions and C sections were and thankfully he said he only does them if they are medically necessary. At one week over due he will do an induction unless I am really dead set on a natural birth, then he will let me go two weeks over but that is the absolute deadline and if baby is a no show then he will induce. I am personally not comfortable with going a more than a week over do so as much as I want a natural birth I will do the induction if I go late. Doctors these days are way to knife happy and more concerned with getting home for dinner at 6 then letting your body do its thing.

Mycrimsonheart · May 2012

I'm not surprised, over the years OB's have moved towards using medical interventions for convenience rather than necessity (for both themselves and the patient).

I see an office of MW's because as long as everything went well (so far it has woot!) I would want to aim for a natural birth.

I wouldn't be too worried about your OB though. It sounds like he just wants you tell him what kind of birther you plan to be (with the list of various options he gave). There's a lot of women out there who would say yes to a c-section or induction if they could. Just be very clear at your next appointment what you want.

AndromedaEclipse · May 2012

That is really sketchy. I wouldn't be happy with that. My doctor doesn't do an induction unless you're 42 weeks if you're having a "normal" pregnancy. Unfortunately, though, it's becoming the norm to "plan" your birth right down to the time you want your child born.

tuki06 · May 2012

I think it's odd that he is talking about that if this is your first child and there is no indication. I have high BP so there is no way they are going to let me go past my due date so I am schedule 4 days early for my induction, but I've got issues lol. Could he have meant to schdule them for once you're overdue that way you have the date set if you should need it?

Daisy22 · May 2012

That's kindof odd. I know my practice will let you be induced at 39wks if you are 3-4cms already but if not you have to wait until 41wks.My hospital doesn't allow induction or c/s before 39wks unless medically necessary through. My practice never goes to a c/s through unless you have a medical issue that warrants it (and that doens't count big baby). I don't know like I said I think it's odd

peachmuffins · May 2012

venussapphire:
Wow, definate side eye earned there.

I know inductions are a lot more common in the states then in canada, but that seems really early to start asking if you would like one.

I'm starting to wonder if this is his normal style of care or if it has something to do with the fact that his twins are due the same week I am...

Daisy22 · May 2012

peachmuffins:
venussapphire:

Wow, definate side eye earned there.

I know inductions are a lot more common in the states then in canada, but that seems really early to start asking if you would like one.

I'm starting to wonder if this is his normal style of care or if it has something to do with the fact that his twins are due the same week I am...

That definitely changes things in my opinion. Does he have partners? Do you know who does his patients if he can't? I would be find these things out. Of course I'd still wiat it out but you need to be prepared for him not to be delivering your baby.

JuneBugBaby2012 · May 2012

My doctor said something similar last time too. I asked if he would be available the whole month (as a joke) because we really liked our experience with him. He went and got the calendar and told me the dates he's on and said "We'll set you up early the day I'm on and have this baby by the afternoon". I thought that was really strange. No thanks! As much as we like you, I'm not going for an induction unless I have to.

peachmuffins · May 2012

Daisy22:
peachmuffins:
venussapphire:

Wow, definate side eye earned there.

I know inductions are a lot more common in the states then in canada, but that seems really early to start asking if you would like one.

I'm starting to wonder if this is his normal style of care or if it has something to do with the fact that his twins are due the same week I am...

That definitely changes things in my opinion. Does he have partners? Do you know who does his patients if he can't? I would be find these things out. Of course I'd still wiat it out but you need to be prepared for him not to be delivering your baby.

I'm ok with him not being the one from the practice to deliver, I've met the other 2 OBs and I also know they have good reputations because a lot of people I know use them for pregnancy and regular OBGYN visits. Even if he's not the one catching the baby I know I'll have someone competent there from the practice.

babyruth88 · May 2012

I talked to my dr about induction and how things work etc. he said he wont let me go past 41 weeks and that he will induce if I chose to at 39 weeks if im dialated at a 3 etc. he said its to uncomfortable etc if I am not starting to dialate etc. it seems like he was just trying to figure out what your plans are and how you want things.

amberleeb · May 2012

I was offered an induction at 39 weeks if I am favorable and everything on my growth u/s looks good next week. That is due to having Pre-e and postpartum pre-e last time and a super fast labor. I told dr how nervous I am about making it to the hospital in time.

chouli77 · May 2012

Sounds like he caters to the posh moms. Too bad.

FutureNichols · May 2012

Mycrimsonheart:
I'm not surprised, over the years OB's have moved towards using medical interventions for convenience rather than necessity (for both themselves and the patient).

This is true. A friend of mine's OB did the same to her. She not only gave him a side eye but a WTF look as well. The doctor explained that they just like to have the options in place just in case. She had a normal delivery, natural, but it was good to know that the option was there. Just keep going as you should. It is good to know your options, but make it clear what you want.

telyn · May 2012

Just to be a sort of devil's advocate and speak for the doc, he didn't say he wanted to induce you, he asked what you wanted.

Medicine is a service industry and there are many women who want an induction/scheduled section. He gave you an option, becuase your pregnancy is going so well he did not forsee any complications. Now, obviously he hasn't gotten to know you very well or he wouldn't feel the need to ask, because you would have made your feelings well known. My point is that he wants you as a patient and wants you to refer more patients to him, so he was telling you that he is open to a dialouge about your birthing plan- not a set up script of what he wants. Not what is convenient for him.

I used to live in a town were EVERYONE got induced by 40 weeks- you could not go over if you wanted to. If you refused the induction, the ob practice just dropped you. Told you to head to the ER if you had any indications you were in labor. It was a small town, they were the only practice (2 ob's) so they could be militant. I was so glad when I got a job in a big town with a great hospital for women. My S'sIL were not so lucky, but they both wanted to be induced earlier so they don't see it as a failing.

Props to your doc for talking to a patient about her care instead of forcing his view of birth on her.

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