Offered to be induced

katiebepres · December 2015

I'm 38+5 and got checked at my weekly appointment I'm 100% effaced and two cms dilated, my doctor said my body seems ready and I could start on medication that will strengthen my contractions at 39+2. I don't want to force my little girl out but at this point in pregnancy I'm tired, achy, anxious, and my sciatica is killing me the offer is really tempting! I know that everyone says let them cook till they're ready and I agree but at the same time with how crappy I've been feeling it's hard to not want to tell me doctor yes thank you! Looking for advice as to how to make the decision, not looking for anyone to tell me how horrible it is of me to be considering it but let's be honest pregnancy is hard!

ChrissyD1203 · December 2015

I'm a FTM so I don't have any actual knowledge, but everything I have read talks about the increased benefits between 38 and 39 weeks - I didn't see anything about increases benefits from staying in between 39 and 40 weeks. My biggest concern with being induced is that maybe it will be painful because I'm forcing my body when it's not ready and then the slippery slope of one interventions asking to another (I don't know if that's true or not but people say it).

nickicb7 · December 2015

Having a c-section they schedule you for 39 weeks, so I guess they are pretty confident baby is ready. But if I were going natural, I'd want to let her go to 50 weeks if that's what she wanted. It's all about what you feel is right for you and your baby!

tfrangul · December 2015

I just a couple days behind you and I am 3 cm and 70%effaced. She scrapped my membranes today and Monday if I'm still pregnant I get scheduled to have my water broke on Tuesday or Wednesday. This has been such a different pregnancy than my daughter it's crazy. With her I didn't realize I was in actual labor since i was 37+2 and got to the hospital and was the same as you 2 cm and 100% with contractions 3 min apart. She was born 4 hrs later! I chose a med free labor and am grateful it went so fast. Not thinking I'm going to get that lucky this time!!! Lol

UptownPearl · December 2015

Once you hit 39 weeks I personally don't see any issue with naturally encouraging labor in any way possible (though I am definitely against castor oil consumption!). that being said, most of the women I know that were medically induced had a horrible labor and either ended up with a cesarean or came awfully close to one due to baby's distress or a multi-day labor without progress. those are just anecdotal experiences, I have no idea what the percentages are of length of time and risk of c-section in an induced labor vs spontaneous labor, but based on all the women I've talked to I would opt for waiting in the hopes of a shorter and maybe easier labor. I understand completely where you're coming from, but I would give it some more time if it was my decision, just my personal opinion though!

RunnerMeg · December 2015

I was induced with DS1 and it ended in c/s (arrest of descent, the induction itself went great). Pitocin contractions are really horrible. Not that regular contractions aren't. But pitocin throws the body into full on labor without a gradual build-up and the contractions are one on top of another.

I totally understand wanting pregnancy to be over with though. Since you're already effaced and 2cm, would you consider having your membranes stripped at your next appt, rather than going straight to induction? Membrane stripping is very effective at starting labor for some women.

maddisonwallace · December 2015

UptownPearl said:
Once you hit 39 weeks I personally don't see any issue with naturally encouraging labor in any way possible (though I am definitely against castor oil consumption!). that being said, most of the women I know that were medically induced had a horrible labor and either ended up with a cesarean or came awfully close to one due to baby's distress or a multi-day labor without progress. those are just anecdotal experiences, I have no idea what the percentages are of length of time and risk of c-section in an induced labor vs spontaneous labor, but based on all the women I've talked to I would opt for waiting in the hopes of a shorter and maybe easier labor. I understand completely where you're coming from, but I would give it some more time if it was my decision, just my personal opinion though!

This is wonderful advice in my opinion. Although I know exactly how you feel. I'm absolutely miserable and every day there is something new going on that makes me even more miserable and I'm just ready for him to be out! There's no shame in women who do induce, but you're still forcing your body to do something it's not ready to do, otherwise it would actually be doing it (except in rare cases). I also agree with the suggestion of having your membranes stripped. Something worth looking into

Cejiml · December 2015

Some women will tell you it's terrible to induce early. I personally would do it today if I could and I'm 38+5, scheduled for repeat c section at 39+2. I will say my first was a failed induction and it's so common to not progress after they have broken your water that you end up in a c section. Happened to me, my friend, and my sister in law. My point is that I totally get being over it because gah lee I am with you! But be prepared for it to end in a c section. Good luck!

SummerOH · December 2015

I would do it. I was induced with both of my kids and had smooth experiences. #1 was 17 hours, but I was 38 weeks, not dilated, and not effaced (placenta started to fail and she wasn't growing, hence the induction). #2 I was 41 weeks, fingertip dilated, 50 or 75% effaced (can't remember). I had cervidil and one dose of pitocin, them my body kicked in and he was here 12 hours later. Would've been sooner but they stalled me until morning when they saw how fast it was going.

There's no right or wrong answer. Some women have trouble, others are smooth sailing. But that's true of any birth. Csection rates are also higher in women with unfavorable cervices, meaning not dilated or effaced like you.

I'd try stripping your membranes first, then go from there

MissMheMhe · December 2015

I'd say yes.

BarrettJ89 · December 2015

I'd do it right now if my doc offered! I was induced a year ago with my son. From the time they gave me the cervadil (only a 1/4 dose) to the time I delivered was 19 hours. I got an epidural and slept most of the time, only pushed 3 times for a total of less than 10 minutes. Healthy, alert, big baby

kmo8986 · December 2015

I was induced at 38 weeks with my first. My water broke, they let me wait it out a few hours to see if contractions would begin on their own and they didn't. I was 1.5 dilated but had been for weeks. They started me on a very low dose of pitocin, tried to back off to see if they would continue on their own and they didn't so they gradually upped my dose. I delivered him 28 hours after my water broke.

Not all inductions end in a c-section. That being said I am hoping to not have to be induced this time. as miserable as I am unless there is a medical reason to induce before 41 weeks I will be declining offers of induction.

Wicked4589 · December 2015

If I could be induced today, I totally would. You're not talking pre-term so I'd go with it.

Rach8672 · December 2015

I have no clue what I would do !!! I want to have my little girl but am also terrified , I'd rather it come naturally so I have no choice but to push through. On the other hand , I like the fact that you would be in control of the situation I.e. when you go to the hospital and won't have a spontaneous water break god knows where . There is no right answer. Just go with your gut and what makes you comfortable! Good luck !

jeanbug12 · December 2015

I had an induction at 41 weeks with my first, 24 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing later I had a c section. With my second, I waited on her and she was born at 42 weeks after a quick VBAC. I wish I had never been induced with my first, he just wasn't ready yet! Some women have wonderful induction experiences, but lots end up with long hard labors or c sections.

shrsri · December 2015

I would go for it ! But like others said you could try membrane stripping first !
My doctor offered for me as well if I don't go into natural labour in the next 10 days !

kristib1027 · December 2015

It sounds like your body is progressing so well on its own anyway I don't see why they are trying to rush? That's my opinion, though. I'd wait knowing that I'm naturally doing pretty well on my own considering I'm not to my due date yet.

mg137 · December 2015

I wouldn't get artificially induced unless there was a medical need for it. I feel strongly that our babies and our bodies know what they're doing and there's still a lot we don't know about the process so I'm not going to mess with it without a good reason.

That said, you're not talking about inducing super early and, as everyone else has said, once you get to 39 weeks, most professionals say it's absolutely fine.

So, if you want some random person's opinion, mine is to suffer through a little longer and wait for things to happen naturally. But I'm not a doctor or midwife or someone close to you so my opinion shouldn't really matter. Do what feels right and what you decide is best for you and your family. We're all going to have different labors and make different decisions. Most will be just right for us, even if they're wrong for someone else.

BethP321 · December 2015

I'm in your same boat. My mom lives 2,000+ miles away from me and she has flown in to spend the holidays with the family. She just happens to fly home 3 days after my due date (Dec. 30). My last three appointments, my doctor has asked me how I feel how being induced, even though I have no medical reasons for it to happen and I said that if I reach the due date and nothing has happened yet that I will plan with her. I have an appointment 2 days shy of my EDD and I'm probably going to ask about being induced. I would really love for my mom to be able to see her first grandchild being born, she would be so heartbroken if she missed it. I really have no reason why I would NEED to be induced, I just want to for my mom. This has been a really breezy pregnancy so I would be able to tough it out until he's ready. But my baby boy has not dropped and I've been at 1 cm dilated for three weeks now (currently 39+2 weeks) so I'm worried that my labor would stall if they broke my water and induced me anyway. I really would rather not have a c section, but I do not have my heart set on a birth plan incase the unexpected happens.

mamakculb · December 2015

kristib1027 said:
It sounds like your body is progressing so well on its own anyway I don't see why they are trying to rush? That's my opinion, though. I'd wait knowing that I'm naturally doing pretty well on my own considering I'm not to my due date yet.

This. I was induced on my due date with my first but I had nothing going on. No dilation, no effacement. If I were already seeing some action down there I'd let it continue naturally if possible.

That being said, I had an intense but pleasant experience being induced. I was given cervadil but it fell out early after only 2 hours and my son was born 5 hours later. I didn't have to go through the entire ordeal of having cervadil in for 10+ hours and then starting pitocin. I do believe this was because I was term, and maybe I just needed a little spark to start labor. From what I've seen of friends and family being induced, especially before term, it hasn't always been as short and pleasant, and they have had to go through multiple degrees of interventions.

PedsIsHardcore · December 2015

Medically speaking, you should be induced 39 weeks or later. If you are that uncomfortable, then get induced.
I was induced with my DD1 at 39 weeks because I'm a type 1 diabetic. My induction was picture perfect and my DD1 didn't have to go to the NICU for monitoring or anything. First baby born to a diabetic in that hospital that was actually stable.
It sounds like your cervix is ripe and you really shouldn't need more than just some Pitocin on board to get things going. If I was that uncomfortable, then I would totally go for it. But then again I'm not allowed to go past 39 weeks 0 days.

Bunnumber4 · December 2015

I have been induced with all 3 of my kids at 39+weeks (39+1, 39+3 and 39+2)...the first was because my blood pressure was rising and I was starting to have other symptoms of pre-e. The other 2 were not medically necessary (one was due to loosing our insurance and the birth wouldn't be covered if I had him later and the other was so my mom could see the baby since she lived out of the country). In all 3 cases my body was showing signs that it was ready and the induction was easy for me. I didn't go longer than 12 hrs start to finish with any of them.

I also knew I was getting an epidural and so stronger contractions didn't really worry me. Every case is different. I will say if you plan on going w/o meds it may be better to wait. Being hooked up to everything was not great and you obviously get hooked up earlier with an induction.

I am also being induced with this baby sometime in my 39th week, this time it is again medical but I'd jump at the chance even if t wasn't (as long as I was already thinning/dilating and I felt like my body was ready)

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