Inducing early... Opinions?

mamaraffe · March 2015

So I'm a teacher and my insurance ends August 31. I can get on my husbands but it would be very expensive for us because his insurance isn't at good. my due date is September 4th and in wondering if I should talk to my doctor about inducing at 39 weeks which would be August 22nd ish. Opinions? I'm honestly just hoping to naturally go into labor around that time.... So much to think about.

WDDCH · March 2015

Well you asked for opinions so... I don't believe in inducing early for non-medical reasons. Some docs will and some will not. It can be harder on you and harder on baby. Inductions do increase risk of cesarean.

I wish I had a nugget of wisdom about the insurance/money issue. I personally know two people who had this happen. I would maybe call the insurance company and talk to them to see what can be worked out on that end.

mamaraffe · March 2015

Closer to that time I may just have to be trying all those natural remedies

hrossi253 · March 2015

I was induced at 39 weeks for medical reasons, and it took FOREVER. I really wish I had been able to do it more naturally. I ended up going into the hospital on Tuesday and not having my son until Thursday morning. So it was hard to be there that whole time. Obviously, if you can go the full 40 weeks, it's better for baby even though they're technically full term at 39. Here are a few great articles about "going the full 40!"

https://www.health4mom.org/zones/go-the-full-40

https://www.39weeksfl.com/40-reasons-to-go-the-full-40/

bpv101283 · March 2015

That's a tough one. I wouldn't induce for non medical reasons. Can you get on cobra for a month? What are you going to do after the 31st? Do you qualify for subsidies? Just because you can get on your husbands, doesn't mean you have to. You can shop the healthcare marketplace through the ACA.

WDDCH · March 2015

ashfritsch said:
Closer to that time I may just have to be trying all those natural remedies

If you do go the induction route, go the route of least intervention. Obviously the choice is most certainly yours and you should do what you feel is best. If you do prefer to be induced that last week in Aug and you are dilated, ask for a membrane sweep, then have them break the water. If baby is high up this does pose a risk (cord could come out first, aka cord prolapse, and immediate cesarean result) but I think the risk is small if you lay still until baby descends enough. Once they confirm the cord isn't in danger of being crushed you should be able to get up and move and labor if you wish.

I hate Pitocin. If it were me I'd put that stuff off as long as possible. Good luck!

Mufflerlove · March 2015

Can you even do that? My practice won't induce until 10 days late and my babe was 9 lbs 10.5 oz.

It's safer to not induce early unless medically necessary. I wouldn't consider it.

MrsT05 · March 2015

I was induced 10 days early with my DD due to high blood pressure. It was so hard on me being in labor and on the epidural for so long. With DS my water broke and labor was much faster and and much easier on me. I will do everything possible to not be induced this time as well. My sister however is a teacher and chose to be induced both times, and didn't have any issues with it. I would check with your dr though to even see if it's a possibility.

missliz53 · March 2015

Definitely check with your doctor, but I personally wouldn't induce early unless there is a problem. I'm a vet tech and I've delivered lots of animal babies, including horses. In my experience, even if they are late, they need the extra "baking" time. We see a lot more problems with babies that have a scheduled c-section, or where mom is induced. Plus I've heard that you have a harder labor when you are induced and more pain.

jwebbbber45678 · March 2015

Why does your insurance get canceled?

urfcerin · March 2015

That's a tough call. Of course it's ideal to not need an induction but no one understands your financial situation better than you. I'd talk to your doctor and get his or her opinion. I went into labor 10 days early with my son and he was just fine...a honking 9 lb healthy baby. This time will be a scheduled csection at 39 weeks, and I assume baby will be fully cooked by then.

LouLouLove · March 2015

As many others have said, I would not induce for non-medical reasons (and your doctor likely won't). That's a tough situation with the insurance, but I would explore your options since you have some time. I actually heard a story on NPR a while ago about how they were kind of redefining "term" and now considering 37 weeks "early term" rather than "full term". Basically there is a lot that happens at the end of pregnancy, so if you can, I would keep the baby in until it's done cooking.

adtaylor2015 · March 2015

I would not induce for non medical reasons. I was induced (38 weeks) with my son and I really wish it wouldn't have been necessary. My body was not ready to labor. I wasn't dilated at all. Thankfully it didn't take as long as I've heard it usually does. 12 hours from start to finish. I would try to find an alternative if possible before going that route.

Jenten810 · March 2015

urfcerin said:
That's a tough call. Of course it's ideal to not need an induction but no one understands your financial situation better than you. I'd talk to your doctor and get his or her opinion. I went into labor 10 days early with my son and he was just fine...a honking 9 lb healthy baby. This time will be a scheduled csection at 39 weeks, and I assume baby will be fully cooked by then.

My son was 8 days early and 9.5 lbs. May I ask why you're having a scheduled c-section? Was this advised by your doctor?
My doctor mentioned I may need one as well if this babe is measuring the same size, but I'm adamant about letting things happen as they may.

karebear2301 · March 2015

Just curious, what are your plans for insurance after August 31st? You are certainly going to want coverage for your postnatal care and LO's pediatric visits.

bmolson1 · March 2015

I would probably plan to do cobra for at least the next month. Even if you have LO early you'd need time to let your new coverage kick in.

mamaraffe · March 2015

jweber4747 said:
Why does your insurance get canceled?

I decided to not renew my contract for next year. My husband and I decided that I should stay home with the baby. I would ultimately probably transfer to his insurance but his doesn't have very good maternity benefits. It wouldn't cover very much where as mine would cover almost everything since I have met my deduction already.

quincysmommy · March 2015

I would only induce if it was medically necessary. I got induced at 37 weeks and it was 57 hours before my doctor declared a failed induction and I was given a c section. My doctor this time around was talking about not letting me go past 38 weeks. I will have a scheduled c section this time around. But to do it because you don't want to have to pay out of pocket is ridiculous.

snikai · March 2015

I would be very surprised if your doctor would allow you to be induced early and being induced isnt a small thing. Can you get supplemental/private insurance? Or is there a chance you would qualify for medicaid? Medicaid is quick to insure a pregnant woman who doesn't have insurance!

jwebbbber45678 · March 2015

You could renew your contarct and use up your sick days until you've given birth and then resign, you are allowed at least 12 weeks off without losing insurance, there could be a way to keep your job but not go in, such as using disability or a doctor's note.

megzz1984 · March 2015

I am in the exact same situation. I am also a teacher not renewing my contract. My insurance also ends August 31st. I ask my dr at my last appointment about inducing early. She said that a huge medical bill would definitely be a reason to consider being induced a week early. She did say that being induced can increase your chances of needing a c section. She also said we will talk about it again when it gets closer to that time. There is always the chance of going into labor before it's a problem. I plan on doing everything natural I can to make that happen.

ReneeJ2011 · March 2015

I do not think getting induced early for non-medical reasons is a good idea but you must decide what is best for you an your family. That being said before you agree to an induction ask her what your Bishop score is. I copied a picture in of how it works with a description below. If you have a good bishop score then I say whatever you deem best. If your score is less then 5 I would really try to look into other options, but of course you won't know this until a lot closer to time.

Knottie00400192 · March 2015

You should definitely look into COBRA and look into your states medical system that they offer for pregnant women with no insurance or insurance that doesn't cover all of your prenatal expenses. Maybe you can save some money and just purchase private insurance for the last quarter of the year. Or renew your contract and then resign. You don't owe your former employer anything. You have to think about you and your baby.

nattn · March 2015

I had to be induced for medical reasons with one baby and I had another naturally. After going through both, there is no way I would ever opt to be induced unless it was for a medical reason.

When I was induced, the whole time I was in labor was pretty awful. I had to have my water broken for me, I had to have pitocin, I was vomiting a good part of the time, and I had a very hard time pushing her out. I almost had to have a c-section. DD was born and even though it was only a few days before my due date, she looked a little premie. She was jaundice by that evening and even after we left the hospital, we had to go back SO many times over the next few weeks to get her blood tested, it was completely awful for her and us. I don't know what problems, if any, we would have had if I hadn't been induced, but that route is absolutely something I would never choose.

kajordan09 · March 2015

I agree with pretty much every else above - I would never induce unless it was medically necessary. You need to do what's best for baby, that is to let the baby come when they are ready to come. I imagine that a big medical bill is a tough pill to swallow, but the potential for complication to arise due to early induction is an even bigger pill to swallow when you consider the potential effect it could have on you and your baby.

I agree with PP in that you should consider Cobra, or just get on your husband's insurance, but the other thing you can do is talk to your Dr's office and the hospital that you will be delivering at and see if you can work out some sort of payment plan. A lot of hospitals are happy to work with patients as long as they just ask!

A third option, and I'm not sure if this is your thing or not (nor am I saying this is for everyone), but consider a home birth. They are SO much cheaper than a hospital birth.

Good luck!

vjlanier · March 2015

I agree with the ladies suggesting COBRA. I had the same issue last July but I had to worry about getting a D&C covered and not labor. It wasn't cheap but paying `$400 for a month of insurance was much better than the $6,000 surgery bill that I would have had. With my first I was induced on my due date due to gestational diabetes and I am doing everything I can to not have diabetes with this pregnancy so I can go into labor naturally. Inductions are painful! I had a awesome nurse but that Pitocin was horrible! I was in almost blinding pain until the epidural and then it was smooth sailing from there (had baby boy less than 45 mins later) I have a tendency to tense up when I'm in pain so my own muscle reactions to the contractions were keeping me from dilating. Talk to your insurance company and start saving up some money now for the COBRA for the month of Sept. You won't regret it.

Texascat · March 2015

So do you plan to have insurance after the baby is born? I am in a similar situation but I will probably switch to private insurance (obamacare) either right before or right after the baby is born. My cousin had her baby without insurance and was surprised at the affordability. Hospitals will offer discounts for non-insured just like they negotiate with insurance companies. They will also work out a payment plan with you. I think waiting until baby is ready is best, you will avoid a long labor, stress to the baby, and possible complications from coming too early. Good luck with this tough decision!

6kidscount · March 2015

I was induced early with my third being I was a single mom and had to arrange a sitter. It depends on your doctor what they are willing to do most won't do it.

trj724 · March 2015

I definitely would not be induced unless it was medically necessary and like others have said most doctors won't even think about induction until at least 41 weeks, I know mine doesn't. With my first I was induced at 42 weeks and it was still long and miserable and I hope to never have to go through that again. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

v1wwo · March 2015

On the end it's really up to you. Talk to your doctor and look in to COBRA and your husbands insurance.
A friend of my was in the same situation and went in to delivery with out insurance at 41 weeks. She had complications and had to have a c-section. The bill ended up in the upper $20,000. Some people can pay that with out a problem some can not.
We all dream of an awesome / romantic delivery. But we all have to be realistic and do what we are able to do. In the end of it all you still get a beautiful baby.
So once again. Talk to your doctor and hospital. Look in to insurance options and pick what is right for you.

curnow · March 2015

Please look into cobra. Paying for a month of cobra will be much cheaper than paying for the delivery! Most doctors will not induce early for nonmedical reasons becaus it does have increased risks.

dulcineasnicklefritz101 · March 2015

My mom told me I was born a week early because her doctor had scheduled his vacation on her due date, and he wanted to be the one who performed the cs. ... I guess if the doctors okay with it.... maybe you could.... but I'd also call the insurance and talk to them. Cobra is a good idea. But talk to doc too.

chrystalscarlett · March 2015

I am in the exact same situation with work and I was told by my work I won't be able to cobra the insurance. I am a teacher and am not renewing my contract next year and am due sept 6th. My insurance ends August 31st.

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