Getting induced

maddisonwallace · July 2015

Okay, so my dads girlfriend is a midwife. She's not one of those hippy dippy all natural people, her own daughter had a hospital birth, but she is SUPER anti-induction. Can anyone tell me legitimate pros and cons of it? Any personal experiences?

Edit to add: I'm on the side of I would only be okay with getting induced if it were absolutely medically necessary. I'm not okay with getting induced to fit a doctors time schedule. But when even would it be considered necessary?

jessielynn1 · July 2015

I definitely wouldn't agree to be induced to fit anybody's schedule. I was not induced with my first but I did have to be induced with my second. I developed gestational diabetes and baby was getting too big. I trusted my doctor and she told me it was best for me and baby. I was induced at 37 weeks although there was more intervention then I had originally wanted I was able to deliver without and epidural just got a little help to get contractions going.

Snoopylovesbelle · July 2015

If there was a medical issue that endangered you or the baby. Pre-eclampsia or something of that nature is a reason

mamaksweez · July 2015

My sister was induced with her first because he was 2 weeks late so they did an u/s and he hadn't grown in the last week (or 2?). She was induced and ended up laboring for like half a day and then having an emergency c-section because baby quit responding.

With her second she went all natural (vbac) and everything went smoothly.

amyelise25 · July 2015

I've been told that I will be induced if I go more than a few days past my due date because I'll be 40 and the chances of an 'unexplained fetal death' triples in older women. The doctor said that it's just safer to be cautious because of my age. That's an acceptable reason for me.

kmo8986 · July 2015

My water broke at 38 weeks. I went to the hospital, they let me try to labor for like 6 hours and then started me on pitocin. In the end everything turned out ok, but I was in (active) labor for 26 hours before baby came. I would never voluntarily be induced. If they told me there was a medical necessity, obviously I would. Just have heard way too many instances that didn't turn out like mine, where induction leads to c section.

UptownPearl · July 2015

My mom had to be induced with my brother. He was 2.5 weeks late and she was losing fluid which is dangerous for the baby. She labored but couldn't deliver and had an emergency C-section. She had to have C-sections with the 3 that followed. In her case her issue was that she carried her babies too high and couldn't get us low enough to naturally deliver. I hope that doesn't happen to me!

My friend had to be induced early because her blood pressure got high which is also dangerous.

I also believe in going natural IF you can. There's nothing wrong with medical intervention for the safety of the baby or mother. You just need to have an open mind to all the possibilities. Have a birth plan, then accept it might get totally thrown out the window.

mollyj931 · July 2015

I was induced with both of mine. The first I was overdue and my blood pressure had got up a little bit and my second I was overdue and I wanted to have my doctor deliver me and it was the last weekend he was delivering patients.
I was more than 3 cm dilated going in and was a good candidate for an induction. Both went great. Pitocin is nothing to mess around with though and both deliveries they started me on very slow drips. I had two great experiences with inductions but I'd love to go into labor by myself this time.

xomeredith · July 2015

My SIL had her son last month. She was a week late and they thought he wasn't growing so they induced her. She didn't have any problems. They started Pitocin at like 11 that morning and baby boy was born at almost 7 that night. She said it was easy. Everyone's experience is different. Some people find they had no problems and some people might hate it. I only want to be induced if medically necessary. She was the same, but doctor said they had to.

steph_pegasus · July 2015

I realize that she might be biased, but if your dad's gf is a midwife why don't you ask her what the pros and cons of inductions are? She'd probably have some interesting insights...

kducharme · July 2015

I was induced at 41 weeks with my first and it was a very long proces! I started my induction Saturday morning and gave birth to my daughter Monday morning. The induction itself wasn't too bad, but the pitocen they pump into you is awful! I'm definitely hoping to avoid that this time around

Sovvy · July 2015

StephPegasus said:

I realize that she might be biased, but if your dad's gf is a midwife why don't you ask her what the pros and cons of inductions are? She'd probably have some interesting insights...

This.

sck601 · July 2015

I was induced with my first and if this baby is overdue, then I'll be induced with this one too

Jessdub10 · July 2015

I was induced at 39 weeks for high bp, and like @kducharme it was a long process. Went in on Monday dd came Thursday morning. They tried every trick in the book, not just pitocin, and I was literally exhausted by the time it was over, and was lucky to be able avoid a c-section after all that. My friend had her dd at 41 weeks within 10 hrs of being induced - baby was just ready. Everyone's different, but I'm hoping to avoid being induced ever again.

jeanbug12 · July 2015

I was induced with my first at 41 weeks. After almost 2 days of labor and 3 hours of pushing I had c/s. With my second I refused induction and went into labor just shy of 42 weeks and had a successful VBAC, only 7 hours of labor! I never want to be induced again!!

Monilee1017 · July 2015

I can't tell you all the pros and cons I can just tell you my story. I was induced with my first. I was 7 days past my due date and had very high blood pressure the last two months. It was not to fit anyone's schedule as my office had 8 doctors and the one who sent me in wasn't mine, the one who induced me wasn't mine and the one who delivered wasn't mine. By mine I mean the person I saw once a year for a pap smear, but I saw all doctors while pregnant as it is the office policy. Long story short I was induced, my water broke, I was contracting but I never stopped contracting and the doctors were afraid my uterus was going to rupture. They stopped the drugs but I didn't stop the contractions and I had a c-sections. Longer story shorter the c-section went horribly wrong and it was the worst thing I every experienced, except of course for the fact that I got my beautiful baby out of it. I often wonder if I never was induced if I would have been able to have the baby naturally. But nothing I can do about it now, I survived and so did my baby.

linzetti · July 2015

I was a high risk pregnancy with my son due to a heart condition I have (high risk this time too). I love my high risk OB and really wanted him to deliver my son. I had an induction scheduled 3 days after I was due. I was 1cm dilated. They did cervidil overnight then started pitocin in the morning. I made absolutely no progress the entire time but had painful contractions on the pitocin. I was on pretty high doses of pitocin in the end. They never broke my water or gave me an epidural, I knew those were points of no return that would result in a c section if I didn't progress. They gave me a break from the pitocin to get some sleep the following evening. I woke up in tears begging my OB to let me go home. He didn't hesitate to agree. Went in on a Friday evening around 6pm and let the hospital still pregnant Sunday morning. Went into labor naturally on Thursday (a week and a half late) and my OB delivered my son.

I got talked into the induction because of my high risk situation. Told myself I won't do it again. Hope to not be faced with that decision again. Same OB this time around and I want him to deliver this baby as well.

CaraBoonie · July 2015

My mom was induced with both me and my sister (not my older brother though), for no real medical reason, we were oh-so-slightly overdue and she was sick of waiting, basically. She had no risk factors or medical issues (she was 28 with me, 32 with my sister, and had a previous "natural" birth with no complications), she just wanted one. And she had no issues with it and says she doesn't at all regret it. But I know that's not the norm necessarily, and in general she tended to have what others would consider easy births (here's hoping the genetics that helped me get preggo in one try also apply to labor!)

maddisonwallace · July 2015

je&moeder said:

StephPegasus said:

I realize that she might be biased, but if your dad's gf is a midwife why don't you ask her what the pros and cons of inductions are? She'd probably have some interesting insights...

This.

I actually have asked her! Her main concerns were having seen women who were told they 'needed' to induce because they were slightly overdue like some of these ladies, when really it was to fit better into the doctors schedule. Also like many of these ladies, she said it usually leads to a mass of other medical interventions that snowball into a c-section. At that point I wasn't really sure if she was just kind of going all conspiracy theorist on me type thing or if anyone had actually had that happen to them. Another concern she had was that she believes that doctors/surgeons are trained to believe that what they do is necessary even when it's not (like what happened to a PP on here who was induced but later went into natural labor on her own).

So basically, I love her to death but I wanted to know stories from y'all that you have actually experienced Pros and cons other than your FTM personal beliefs (shout out to other FTM).

steph_pegasus · July 2015

Well if you're hoping to do a natural birth then discussing with a midwife is a great idea. They are well known as providers who tend to avoid medical intervention.

At this point in the game I'd say it definitely doesn't hurt you to start researching, and others' experiences are a great way to do so.
I would recommend waiting until you're a bit further along to start writing out a birth plan though, because there are all kinds of complications that can arise much later in pregnancy.
And from first-hand experience, it really is devastating to have all those plans completely derailed by an unforeseen complication.

DianaL92 · July 2015

My issue with doctors is that if the tell me it is a medical emergency (even if it is not) I would have to believe them. That is why I have chosen to only see midwives during my pregnancy and for my labor because they push for all natural as long as it is safe. So I feel like if my midwife tells me it's time to get induced, she's telling me the truth. I'm not saying all doctors lie about medical emergencies during labor, but the high statistic of emergency c-sections in the US is alarming.

MamaGooGoo · July 2015

My doctor told me that he never lets his patients go past their due dates because "nothing good happens past the due date." He went on to explain that the placenta starts to break down around 40 weeks and that obviously causes problems. I don't see what's wrong with waiting a few days past the due date, but if there were any medical emergencies with me or the baby I'd definitely want to be induced. A few years ago there were 5 teachers at my school that were all due within 2 months of each other. 4/5 were induced and they each ended up with c sections. Just from stories I've heard, it seems like you're more likely to end up with a c section if you're induced. I also think it's super exciting the last couple of weeks waiting to go into labor. I had lots of contractions in the weeks leading up to it being the real thing, so I thought it was fun wondering "is this it this time?"

Emott13 · July 2015

Agee with most pps. There are lots of reasons for induction other than time frame. I developed preeclampsia with DD and I was 24 hours away from hitting 37 weeks, which is when they try to wait to induce because of lowering of risk to baby, and they would have induced if I hadn't gone into labor naturally. High BP, gestational diabetes affecting baby's health and the safety of delivery, and being overdue (my doc waits until 41 weeks to induce because that's supposedly when fluid levels for baby become unsafe) are all legitimate medical reasons to induce. Basically, any doc can suggest it but you're under your own power medically. If anyone mentions induction to you, make them give you the full details of why you should, and if you don't feel that it's a valid reason, get a second opinion or call your midwife. It's also a good idea to ask you OB what his induction rate is/what reasons he would induce for at your next appointment. It can give you an idea of where he stands on the issue before it even becomes an issue.

SummerOH · July 2015

It CAN lead to a c section, but I think her saying it USUALLY does is inaccurate. I think, statistically, the risk of c section is still fairly low. In fact, a recent study concluded that modern inductions may REDUCE the need for a csection when done appropriately (interesting study..Google induction c section rates and it'll pop right up!). While I think her concerns were valid 15-20 years ago, I simply don't see it in my area. Doctors are hyper aware of it and most refuse to do them unless they are medically necessary (this is coming from the experience of 5 friends who are L&D and NICU nurses in my area, as well as various friends who have had babies). So it may just depend on your area.

I think being strongly anti anything is a bit misguided when it comes to birth plans, since so many things can happen. Just do your research and, above all, find a doctor you trust who is open to your wishes.

tinne004 · July 2015

I was induced at 40 weeks 4 days. My OB gave me the choice, since I was already 3 cm dilated but no contractions. She said it was up to me, and there was no pressure. I chose to induce based on my personal schedule, despite some of my friends and family flooding me with warnings and negative experiences.

I had a great experience- labor was only 8 hours, and I got an epidural about halfway through. I do consider myself extremely lucky, and I would consider induction this time around as well if I'm in a similar situation.

KaraEpp16 · July 2015

mamaksweez said:

My sister was induced with her first because he was 2 weeks late so they did an u/s and he hadn't grown in the last week (or 2?). She was induced and ended up laboring for like half a day and then having an emergency c-section because baby quit responding. With her second she went all natural (vbac) and everything went smoothly.

I'm so glad this ended on a happier note. Your sister is a trooper.

skfg · July 2015

I was induced at 39 weeks bc I was on blood thinners. My cervix was high and closed - not ideal for induction. If my OB had his way, I would have had a cs. He was pulling that card since 36 weeks. It was a long labor and lots of pitocin. All worked out, hoping for labor to occur naturally this time.

sherks11 · July 2015

I was induced partially because of being on blood thinners and partially for being past my date. The original plan was to induce at 39 weeks because of blood issues but because I wasn't dilated at all, they hesitated. Finally at my 40 week appointment I told the nurse practitioner I was done and for her to schedule me. I ended up having a 10 lb baby and thank god I pushed for induction because she could have been even bigger! Btw I had her naturally, the only reason the doc started to bring up a section is because I had to push for over 2 hours and he didn't know if I could get her out bc she was so big. Nothing medically went wrong because of inducing.

CaraBoonie · July 2015

@sherks11 Thanks for pointing out baby size too! My brother was also a big baby, which played into why my mom wanted to induce with me and my sister...she was afraid if she left us stewing too long we'd be as big as he was, and he was in the NICU for a bit due to some complications with him being so big (I know they need foreceps to get his fat-ass out, lol)

mollyj931 · July 2015

Another thing most Drs look at for inductions are The Bishop score. This looks at how favorable you are for an induction (dilation, effacement, etc). Most Drs aren't going to induce a 0% effaced and dilated mom "just for scheduling" purposes.

Statistics of inductions to c-sections rates are hard to decipher because many times there's no way of knowing if that mom could have delivered vaginally not induced.

With more early dating ultrasounds done now Drs know exact dates better than before. Complications can occur past 40 weeks. Will they always occur? Absolutely not, but the risk goes up. I know my dad was always nervous by the end of my pregnancies.

Should you schedule an induction out of fear? Nope! But know that most good Drs aren't going to suggest an induction just because it's easier for them.

erincjackson · July 2015

I looks like I might be an odd ball. All 3 of my deliveries were inductions before my due date.

My son who is almost 10, I had 2 failed inductions. One at 37 weeks and one at 38 weeks, it was my first child and with no family support and little knowledge of what I was getting myself into I agreed. The Dr. was concerned that due to my size and how big he was measuring that if we didn't induce early I wouldn't be able to deliver him vaginally. So, I agreed, my second failed attempt at induction my water broke right before I was discharged so I stayed and he was born after 12 hours of hard labor and 2 hours of hard pushing. He also came out "sunny side up", which made my delivery even harder. (8lbs 1oz)

With my 8 yo, it was pretty much the same story, I was talked into it by my SO and Dr at 38 weeks. She definitely needed to stay in longer, she had a speech delay with I contribute to premature delivery. (8lbs 3oz)

My youngest who is 2 yo, was a scheduled induction at 39 weeks, I was dilated to a 4 and my husband who worked 3rd shift was already off work due to me being in the hospital the night before with back pain and contractions. It was the easiest delivery (6hrs. from admission to birth) and completely natural minus pitocin. (8lbs 2 oz)

I won't agree to induction this time unless it is 100% medically necessary.

Blueyedsky · July 2015

My mom got induced with 4 out of 5 children and it caused problems for all of them. Her body and baby weren't ready every single time. This resulted in 48 hour labors, and babies having to stay in the hospital for 2+ weeks jaundiced. Each doctor she went to after kept saying "oh you were induced last time, let's do it again" and it took until the last baby for her to refuse and let the baby come when it was ready. Turns out my brother was the healthiest of all of us.

MommaB16 · July 2015

This post let me think of another question I want to ask my doctor! Thanks!
Question: why, 20 years ago did they let mommas go weeks past their due dates, by regular practice. And now, that's no longer the case?

FTM, and I am against being induced. I have heard of bad stories, but no horror stories. I just personally believe that women's bodies were made to deliver babies, and on their own. At some point too much medical intervention is too much.
When I told my mom I was pregnant, she told me that I was due May 5th. I never knew that! My birthday is May 17th.... And I turned out great ; ).
I do believe that inducing, and forcing our bodies to do such an intense job when it wasn't ready itself, will lead to a harder labor. And I don't want to chance it. If my doctor closer to my due date or after recommends inducing.... I will be asking for a second opinion. If medically necessary of course I will be induced, but never to just be able to close my chart.

indibidule · July 2015

FTM here too. I don't want to be induced if absolutely possible to avoid. The only reason I'd consider it is if my blood pressure were getting too high or if I were way past due and baby was getting too big to deliver vaginally. I have a friend who went to around 43 weeks with 3 of her 4 pregnancies and babies were just fine. No problems w/ being that far past due.

claireloSC · July 2015

MommaB16 said:

This post let me think of another question I want to ask my doctor! Thanks! Question: why, 20 years ago did they let mommas go weeks past their due dates, by regular practice. And now, that's no longer the case? FTM, and I am against being induced. I have heard of bad stories, but no horror stories. I just personally believe that women's bodies were made to deliver babies, and on their own. At some point too much medical intervention is too much. When I told my mom I was pregnant, she told me that I was due May 5th. I never knew that! My birthday is May 17th.... And I turned out great ; ). I do believe that inducing, and forcing our bodies to do such an intense job when it wasn't ready itself, will lead to a harder labor. And I don't want to chance it. If my doctor closer to my due date or after recommends inducing.... I will be asking for a second opinion. If medically necessary of course I will be induced, but never to just be able to close my chart.

I wonder if they didn't know about placenta deterioration yet? That's why they don't let you go past 40 usually now, because it does pose a health risk to the baby. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postterm_pregnancy

ETA: Of course the risk isn't right at 40, just the placenta starts to age the baby needs to be monitored often. Of course, if you don't know your conception date exactly it can be a little premature. I personally know my exact conception date, so I'll know for sure when I'm at 40 weeks.

CBWifey · July 2015

My dr wanted to induce because I went over 40 weeks. She would have induced at 41 weeks, but my gut kept telling me to try the medication free options, so 3 days before 41 weeks I opted for the membrane sweep, hoping I was "ripe" enough that it would work. I also did 3 acupuncture sessions leading to that. Within minutes, I was in labor, and 24 hours later DD was born medication free. I am grateful for this experience. I did get Pitocin after all, but it was because I had hemorraging after birth, so to stop the bleeding.

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