Induction vs waiting it out

brittoc · February 2016

Hello Feb mommies!! I will be 41 weeks this Thursday, and am scheduled for an induction tomorrow morning. I never thought twice about getting induced, I was induced with my son and it went pretty smoothly. I was dialated to a 4 last week and was 70 % effaced. My dr. didn't anticipate me needing an induction so we really didn't discuss it much. Now I keep hearing I should wait until she is ready. I have had no complications other than quite a bit of weight gain, but I have stopped gaining weight at this point. What are your thoughts???

jadkins2 · February 2016

Do it! You are already a 4 so your induction should go quickly! There is no need to wait it out past 41 weeks. There are risks on waiting also.

VitaLuna · February 2016

I personally would wait, but I also am one that believes we induce WAY too often in this country for no good reason. If it was me, I'd let nature take its course and wait until closer to 42 to reconsider. It really is a personal decision, though.

cMichelle0423 · February 2016

I would wait. Like PP said I'd let things happen naturally until around 42 weeks before considering other options. Keep in mind your due date can be off by up to two weeks, and there are a lot of risks with an induction. Just because you had a good experience with your last induction, doesn't mean it'll play out the same a second time.

flowerintherain · February 2016

Of course it's up to you..you don't have long to go either way. But I would personally induce at this point because your cervix is favorable and I'd be terrified to go too long due to complications. I'm sure this is pretty rare, but I read another Feb moms birth story on another site that is super scary. Her daughter inhaled meconium and it gave her extreme lung inflammation causing lack of oxygen, leading to the ph balance of her blood changing, leading to seizures, organs wanting to shut down, possible brain damage,etc. the poor baby is still in nicu fighting for her life and is probably terrified. I'm not trying to scare you, but it seems in rare cases meconium can cause serious problems.

MississippiCatfish · February 2016

I would wait, personally. It's probably really likely that the induction would go smoothly, based on your previous induction and your favorable cervix, but it may not. Now, I am biased due to having had a rough induction despite being 41+4. Based on that experience, the few awful extra days of being pregnant is the better choice for me....even though I hate it;)

VitaLuna · February 2016

@flowerintherain Induction (and the use of pitocin) significantly increases the risk of fetal distress, which can lead to passage of meconium and aspiration of it (among other things). You are far more likely to have complications with an induction than you are being 41w... So your "horror story" is terribly unhelpful/uninformed.

flowerintherain · February 2016

@VitaLuna while that is true, it is also true that the longer a baby is in the womb, the more likely it is to pass meconium. There's risk factors no matter which direction you go. And I think the woman in the story was 41+6. Maybe it's unhelpful in your opinion, but I've heard enough about late babies passing meconium to scare ME.

RissKay · February 2016

FWIW, I'm due Saturday and am not scheduled for an induction until March 4th.

I regret not having one set for earlier, and I'm the "no meds" person. lol

VitaLuna · February 2016

flowerintherain said:

@VitaLuna while that is true, it is also true that the longer a baby is in the womb, the more likely it is to pass meconium. There's risk factors no matter which direction you go. And I think the woman in the story was 41+6. Maybe it's unhelpful in your opinion, but I've heard enough about late babies passing meconium to scare ME.

There are risks to both, but my point was that it's not helpful to only reply with a horror story about one side of it without acknowledging the risks of the alternative.

flowerintherain · February 2016

@VitaLuna I see where you are coming from. I wasn't trying to scare her into induction. Im sure she will make an informed decision based off of her own opinion and her providers recommendation. I was just sharing what I've heard recently, and I'm sure there will be plenty of other people on this thread acknowledging and explaining the risks of induction to her as well.

charliegoldengirl · February 2016

41 weeks tomorrow - I was only 1 dilated at 40 so I'm opting for the ultrasound and regular check up before deciding on an induction. My midwife recommends inducing by 41w5d ... Really hoping tonight is the night so I don't have to worry about it!

Mamacat316 · February 2016

Mwith my first baby I went into spontaneous labor and had a straightforward natural birth. This time I was induced at 38 weeks due to baby's size and really regret it. I wish I'd listened to my instincts and waited till he was ready to be born in his own - he ended up being only 7.5lbs so not that big, and the labor was so much longer and more intense! And I wasnt allowed to give birth in a pool because they have to monitor with induction. Just my experience. Babies usually know exactly when to be born...

jennyrk97 · February 2016

I will be induced on the 29th if my son goes past his due date. My mom was induced when I was born and had the easiest labor. My whole family has birthdays within the first 2 weeks of march so my husband and I decided if Joshua doesn't arrive on the 25th we will have a leap year baby. I got kind of scared after reading all the negative stories so I went to my mom and asked her opinion and she told me her story which eased the nerves.

SuperTrooper2 · February 2016

My doctor told me today he is only ok with induction 40-41 weeks if my cervix is favorable and it seems that yours is. I would go for it!

Monkeybutt80 · February 2016

I was induced with my last at 41 weeks and this time also induced but at 39 weeks. My first induction was long but went smoothly except his shoulders getting stuck due to size, not due to the induction. This induction was quicker and even easier. I have no regrets about either induction. I say, follow your gut, that way you won't regret it after.

4N6s · February 2016

I would wait.

molliemcguire · February 2016

I personally had an awful induction, but I was 36w6d when we started it. My body wasn't ready and it ended in a c section. But, if your cervix is favorable I imagine it would go better!

dem068a · February 2016

I am going to have to make the same decision on Tuesday if this baby doesn't get moving before then (40 weeks today). I was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced at my last appointment, but he otherwise seems pretty comfy in there. I really didn't want to have to think about inducing, but it looks like I am getting close to that now. Fingers crossed that these babies all start making moves soon so we don't even have to think about it!

oxfordlanding · February 2016

There is some research that your chances of ac section are elevated if you are under 5cm. But every case is different so this is def one to discuss with your cp and not listen too much to us internet people.

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