Induced at 39 weeks?

jenlb03 · July 2012

Anyone else being pressured to induce at 39 weeks due to AMA only? My OB office is telling me that "they will not allow me to go past 40 weeks" because of my age (I will be 40 at delivery). I am kind of annoyed by this as I had an unmedicated birth with my son and was hoping to do the same this time.

leffe1 · July 2012

No. I brought this up to my Dr. and he said "you have got to be kidding me". I guess he feels it isn't necessary unless there are other issues.

lauriedupuis · July 2012

All I can say is that I've been under the care of 3 different practices during my pregnancy - we're talking different cities, different states. Every one of them said going past my due date was not a problem, it would only be an inconvenience as I would be monitored more closely and required to come for appointments twice weekly from 40 weeks on. As long as there were no problems, I would go until baby decided he was ready.

Regardless of age, Harvard studies have proven that the normal gestation period is not 40 weeks, but 41 weeks and 1 day. Being induced at 39 weeks for no real reason is completely unnecessary.

Just a question, how will they not allow you to go past 39 weeks without an induction? I mean, you do have to consent to that. I hate it when doctors use language like that because they are not God. We are, and should be, in control of our own health care decisions. Guidance from the doc and assisting with care plans, yes. Intervention in an emergency, yes of course. Demanding we consent to defensive medicine because it's more convenient for them and lessens risk for malpractice suits - abso-freaking-loutely NOT.

carladillon · July 2012

I am a repeat c/s, with a history of pre-e and now GD. So we scheduled my c/s at 39 weeks exactly. I could have scheduled it later - it's just the day we happened to choose.

HOWEVER - if I had the option of a VBAC, or didn't have a c/s the first time and the only factor was AMA, then no - I would not go along with that. Not without the doctor showing me some hard facts that me or the baby was in danger. If there was evidence supporting that directive, then I would consider it - I certainly wouldn't put me or the baby in danger. But yeah, if the only factor is AMA - then no. And why 39? Why not at a minimum 40?

kirac · July 2012

Never heard of it. I went 10 days past due date and opted to be induced. They told me the latest I could go would be 2 weeks - but you have to go monitored a few times a week. Never heard of 39 weeks!!

mama2many · July 2012

I think the push to induce, regardless of any reason except extreme medical danger, is absurd. Tell them no.

jessandandy09 · July 2012

My dr. did push for me to be induced at 39 weeks. I said "NO" I want this baby to come when she is ready. He said he would not let me go past 41 weeks (I am 35) I said fine and infact scheduled induction for 3 days after my due date ~ this was the day that worked best for me in the week between 40 and 41 weeks. Lucky for me baby girl decided to make her appearance on her due date! I wish you the best of luck and urge you to do what is best for you. However research it a bit. Studies have shown that in women of AMA especially at 40, the placenta fails to continue to support life so it is common to be induced after 40 weeks (but not 39!!!!)

RachelG1016 · July 2012

Instead of an induction can't they strip your membranes or something else that would encourage natural child birth?

I never hear of anyone having that done anymore and it seemed to work well to get childbirth going naturally.

stever · July 2012

I think it depends on the doc. I saw a doc few weeks ago who said she wouldn't want me to go past 40 weeks. I saw another doc today - the guy who delivered DS so I've got a soft spot for him - who said he saw no need to induce me anytime soon.

melly918 · July 2012

Maybe you can ask for an ultrasound around 38-39 weeks just to rule out any potential complications. I had one at 40w5d and the amniotic fluid was very low so I had to go in immediately for an induction. I plan to ask for an ultrasound earlier to check on this.

kristin7701 · July 2012

I hate to bring up such a sad topic but the rate of stillbirths really increases after 40w for women over 40. I think it's because the health of the placenta starts to decline.

Believe me, I am all about med-free birth. I went 2 weeks overdue with my 1st, hoping to go into labor on my own (I was 34 at the time). My second came 1 day after his due date and I went med-free. With this PG, I see a fairly liberal group of midwives and their hard and fast rule is 40 and 40. If you are 40, you have to deliver by 40w. Because of the increase in risks to my baby, I am down with that.

uctracy@yahoo.com · July 2012

I was induced at 39 weeks not because of AMA but because my son was already close to 10 lbs and I had had some issues with gestational diabetes. My doc has mentioned placental health as a key reason to induce at my age (assuming I don't have other issues this time around). Good luck.

Adi · August 2012

I can understand the doc not wanting to go past 40 weeks because the placenta can start breaking down (which is more likely to happen the older you get), but the doc shouldn't be pressuring you to induce. Tell him no if you aren't interested, and there are no other issues.

Now, I've elected for a VBAC even though 2 months ago my doc was 100% willing to schedule a RCS for me at 39 weeks... and when I handed him my form he smiled and told me congrats because he believes that's the best choice, but he warned me that we have to "schedule something" if I'm not in labor by 40 weeks, and due to the previous csect, they can not do anything to ripen my cervix if it's not effeced.(my doc has a form listing risks for both, and I have to check a box and sign it with a witness...)

Samidez · August 2012

Total nonsense! You are no more 'high risk' at 40 than at 39. If you had an unmedicated delivery last time I say screw that. My OB let me go 10 days late with my DD...and it also was an unmedicated delivery...that lasted 43 minutes from start to finish! This time I'm actually hoping for the early induction since I wouldn't likely make it to the hospital on time. However, in your case, I say stick to your guns!

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