Being Induced

kayla0503 · May 2015

Hi ladies!
I am currently pregnant with my 1st child and I'm due June 1st. My doctor has informed me that if I don't go into natural labor by the last week of May he would like to induce me so I don't go past my due date since some risks go up after that time. My husband is a little nervous about this because of risks that he's read online about being induced. I was wondering if anyone had any insight on this and if it's something that we should do.
Thanks!

kayla0503 · May 2015

I will be 39 weeks at the time he wants to induce.

bwow615 · May 2015

My thought is if there isn't a medical reason for the induction, then forgo it, and wait till you go into labor on your own.

Katerina&Baby · May 2015

Not sure what risks you're referring to but I assume that they are specific to your pregnancy and that he explained them to you guys - if not, it's time for another conversation. Without knowing what risks of you're talking about, it's hard to weigh in on what we would do in your situation - can you provide more detail? In general, I would be wary of anyone who wanted to induce me prior to my actual due date without some REALLY good reasons for it.

klkonwi · May 2015

This thread has actually been beaten to death. Please search the threads on page 2 I believe.

Katerina&Baby · May 2015

klkonwi said:
This thread has actually been beaten to death. Please search the threads on page 2 I believe.

I think you're talking about the Hospital Study thread, which did have some great opinions on pre-due date induction in general but people's opinions were focused on whether to have a pre-DD induction without any medical necessity. It sounds like OP's doctor has some specific concerns (again, not clear yet as to what her particular risks are for carrying to a full 40 week) that wouldn't be addressed by that discussion. Also, any discussions about induction post-DD would be similarly inapplicable. I'm all for not repeating threads but I'm not convinced that this question doesn't deserve its own post.

klkonwi · May 2015

Obviously we don't need a list of her medical history because her and her doctor ultimately should decide her impending induction or not.

I think the hospital study thread gave a million and one opinions on induction. I don't really care to discuss in depth opinions on medical needs for induction because it'll turn into the exact same thread........... Ppl will tell her pros and cons and some will prob go ahead and tell her not to listen to her doctor because inductions are evil. Lol I just can't with this again. There are plenty of great opinions already stated.

OnWayto3 · May 2015

@kayla0503 Like others have said, it's really difficult for us to weigh in without knowing more... Are the risks specific to YOUR pregnancy, or just an overall sense that people shouldn't go over their due dates? If the former, do you agree with the dr? If the latter, I would be very hesitant. I've heard of doctors wanting to induce for a variety of their own personal reasons, such as going on vacation during a woman's 40th week, etc, etc. To me, these don't serve as a valid reason... especially since your husband is reluctant as well. However, we need to know more before giving an educated answer.

Katerina&Baby · May 2015

Obviously OP has to make this decision for herself with the help of her doctor - I don't think anyone would suggest that she let internet strangers make medical decisions for her. However, while I agree that OP can find a general list of pros/cons to induction, if her question is "here is why my doctor feels like I should be induced prior to my due date - id like opinions on whether you would feel that the risks of an early induction outweigh the risks my doctor has identified of me waiting until I carry to 40+ weeks", which is a very different discussion.

A while back someone's doctor wanted to induce her (or schedule a c section - I can't quite recall which) a few weeks early because she lived pretty far from the hospital and had a history of very fast labors. That discussion did not devolve into an "all inductions/csections are bad/good" but rather was a thoughtful talk about how others would weigh the relative risks if they were put in the same situation. That is the type of conversation that I think would happen here if OP chooses to elaborate on the particular rationale her doctor has given for wanting to schedule a 39w induction.

klkonwi · May 2015

Agree to disagree. This is a huge medical decision that no one on the internet SHOULD really weigh in on. But that is my opinion based on the way the other threads have gone.

cmcards83 · May 2015

Unless you're high risk (diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, low fluid, etc) it sounds like your doctor has a vacation he's trying to make.

As @Katerina&Baby suggested, you should probably have another conversation with your doctor and have him list the reasons why he thinks you should. Don't let him pressure or fear monger you into induction. Due dates are notoriously inaccurate. Your baby knows when and how to be born without the need for unnecessary medical intervention.

Yes, while none of us know your medical/pregnancy history and it's none of our business, I definitely feel that you should have the birth that you desire and arm yourself with enough information to make the informed decision that's best FOR YOU and baby.

May I suggest Chapter 6 of Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth about Going into Labor for a little guidance. All of her chapters are heavily cited so you know she's not making a biased assumption on any particular subject. No need to buy the book, go into a Barnes & Noble, peel it off the shelf and read it.

Good luck and I wish you a beautiful birth.

Knottie64157109 · May 2015

I was induced with my first and it was pure hell. I won't be doing it again.

awolfff · May 2015

I've been told that even ACOG says it's okay if moms go to 42 weeks before induction- provided there are no medical reasons. I'd question being induced as your due date is much more of an estimation than actual date the baby must be born by. Also, I've read the average first time baby comes around 8 days late. If you and the daddy are not comfortable with inducing, I say ask tons of questions (i.e.- why is this your recommendation, what are the risks if we go until 42 wks(or however many weeks you are comfortable with, Ect..). It does no harm asking and who knows? Maybe there is a valid reason or explanation for induction that soon? If not, they can't force you into doing anything! Best of luck to you.

CurlyMom78 · May 2015

My doctor suggested being induced a few days before but she definitely does not want me going past my due date because of my age and of my GD. We are discussing it. Which I think we'll do a few days early because I'm not crazy thinking about cleaning up my water breaking,worrying about the dog, driving in possible rush hour traffic...

jesscmv · May 2015

I would take the advice my doctor gave me. If I didn't trust my doctor I would have found a new one. Just my opinion, no hard feeling!

Want a personalized experience?

Being Induced

Re: Being Induced

Choose Another Board

Search Boards