Weird hospital offer for induction...

slp213psu · August 2015

I was out to dinner with friends last night, 3 of 6 of us are pregnant between 30 and 38 weeks.
One said her doctor offered at her last appointment that the hospital allows second (or more) time moms to be induced at 39 weeks for "planning purposes". I can't even believe that's a thing, especially considering the risk for c-section. Luckily, she, like me, had horrible inductions the first time around and she said she'd never take them up on it. And we both agree that we have a weird way of feeling like we want to know what it's like to go into labor.
I was talking about it to other moms in my mom playgroup today and one said she feels like anyone she ever heard of going to this hospital come out with a c-section! (While this is a slight exaggeration...I do realize it's a high risk hospital too so that is very close to true!).
I understand as a second time mom with no family nearby that it is tempting...but I still can't even figure how they'd code this for insurance purposes!!!

rebeccabloomwood · August 2015

That is so extremely bizarre. I mean you have 9 months to 'plan' for when your baby might unexpectedly come, surely you can find something to do with other children. Rather than arrange inductions left, right and center maybe they should arrange childcare for those without. Makes me cringe.

chelseajeanene · August 2015

I think it's crazy that doctors even offer that. Definitely haven't heard any moms of multiple kids offered that in my area

Natabear · August 2015

My mother in law was telling me her delivery story of my husband (her first baby of three), and she said that she thought she might be/should be in labor, but had no idea because she wasn't in pain but it was her edd, so she took a bus to the hospital in San Francisco. When she arrived and her doctor checked her out he told her she wasn't in labor but he was going to go ahead and induce her simply because she was already at the hospital.

adtaylor2015 · August 2015

I found out at my appointment yesterday that my doctor offers this. I have a choice to be induced at 39 weeks. He said he doesn't let anyone go past 40 weeks and really prefers his patients to deliver between 37 and 39 weeks. He never mentioned any of this until now so I was pretty surprised.

dtomasel · August 2015

Yes- they are doing some big study at the hospital here in RI that is THE major hospital for delivering babies (its called Women & Infants). They are doing this exact study. I had gotten a pamphlet on it months ago with my welcome packet but didn't really pay attention. Well, they called me today out of the blue to explain the study and see if I would be interested! I politely declined as i have no desire to be induced unless it's medically necessary. The woman was very nice and said many women say the same thing, but I guess there are women who do sign up for the study. There is a chance you go into the induction group and I guess you get a bunch of freebies for participating. Wasn't for me though!!

shelbydd · August 2015

I don't understand why inductions are even offered without a medical reason. My sister was induced at 38 weeks with my nephew because she was tired of being pregnant and her doctor wanted to be able to go on some golf trip. Seriously. She was also 16 and this was 12 years ago but still. I'm being induced due to my GD but my doctor wants to hold out as long as possible and I'm hoping I'll go into labor spontaneously before an induction can even happen.

Mufflerlove · August 2015

This would never fly at my hospital. They won't induce you (unless there's issues) until 10 days late and even then I had to see another OB as a second opinion to approve it. It was obnoxious.

Cristin123 · August 2015

I would have concerns about my Dr if they offered this but I'm rather opposed to intervention unless medically necessary.

jessrjennings · August 2015

Ok I guess I'm in the minority here. I'm a second time mom. I have a 7 yr old. I am having a very high risk pregnancy. I also live 2500 miles away from any family. I have no one to watch my child if I was to go into natural labor. I have a neighbor who can watch him for a little bit if she is not working. So when my dr offered an induction date at 38 weeks I took him up on it. Part of the planed date is because I have to stop blood thinner 36 hours before labor to not hemmoriage out. But part is due to child care. The dr offered it, I did not request it, but I excepted the offer. I am doing what is best for me and my family.

WDDCH · August 2015

No legit medical reason, no induction (that's my personal rule for myself). I think this is irresponsible. No need to pick fruit before it is ripe. Let things happen in their time.

Jenten810 · August 2015

That is so strange, but not unheard of. My SIL is married to a professional hockey player and she was induced with both kids so he could be there for the births since she was due during the regular season.

Bat_Ish_Crazy · August 2015

This must be gaining some popularity. My doctor offered the same thing at my most recent appointment. I was shocked. It's the kind of thing that would have been a deal breaker if I knew earlier. She delivered my first daughter and made no mention of any such practice then.

PickledPlums · August 2015

40 years ago my mother was induced with my middle brother so she'd be able to plan on childcare for our oldest brother. She was past her due date, though.

shelbydd · August 2015

@jessrjennings that's a legitimate medical reason for induction..

AndieTessie · August 2015

My doctor offers the same thing. She brought it up during my first appointment, I declined but she said so many women are tired of pregnancy at this point that I'd change my mind. They now want to induce due to medical reasons but I fought to push it no earlier than 40weeks if all stays well. I'm definitely tired of being pregnant, but in no way want to be induced, especially early.

tpally6212 · August 2015

dtomasel said:
Yes- they are doing some big study at the hospital here in RI that is THE major hospital for delivering babies (its called Women & Infants). They are doing this exact study. I had gotten a pamphlet on it months ago with my welcome packet but didn't really pay attention. Well, they called me today out of the blue to explain the study and see if I would be interested! I politely declined as i have no desire to be induced unless it's medically necessary. The woman was very nice and said many women say the same thing, but I guess there are women who do sign up for the study. There is a chance you go into the induction group and I guess you get a bunch of freebies for participating. Wasn't for me though!!

They called me last week too! I actually had a post on here about it just to get some thoughts. The girl I spoke with was wonderful, though I also decided not to participate.

jbettles · August 2015

I think it depends on your dr. With my first, my dr scheduled an induction date at my 38 week appointment - it was after my due date and she said it was her routine practice to do so. I wasn't as well-read on pregnancy, I guess, and I just didn't question it. I ended up going into labor the day after the appointment when she scheduled the induction, lol! My dr now is much more traditional. He does not induce unless he sees a medical reason to. My SIL used him. He induced her at exactly 41 weeks because the baby's heartbeat was irregular, but not really to an emergency level. Labor simply would not progress, however, and they ended up having to do an emergency c-section. Kinda the reason he doesn't like to induce in the first place!!

~Mrs.Wise~ · August 2015

I've had several friends induced at 39 weeks just because they wanted to be. As miserable as I am and as tempting as it is to ask I know I don't really want an induction if I can avoid it.
ETA: I had one friend who chose to have a scheduled c section even with no medical issues. I guess to each their own.

laurenashleyy · August 2015

My doctor is inducing me at 39 weeks due to IUGR... He said it's standard practice, as the baby won't really grow much in the 40-42 week range and a whole mess of complications could arise... At that point he says it's best to get them out and get them growing.

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