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Planned induction

cm716cm716 member
in August 2016 Moms
Hi ladies, I'm looking for a little insight. I'll start with the backstory: I'm at 3rd time mom. I have had two girls. Dd1 was born 3 days late dd2 was born 8 days early. Both of my girls weighed in in the low eights.

I recently had an ultrasound and doc told me baby is measuring 2 full weeks ahead. (notes: I do not have gestational diabetes, I'm postive on ovulation dates, hubs is 6ft3,and am on track with weight gain.)

The doc is concerned that if I go past 39 weeks the baby will be too large for me to deliver vaginally. I did experience tears with both of my other children. However because of the baby's size, she wants to induce me at 39 weeks if I have not delivered on my own. 

Could you please share your thoughts/feelings/experiences with induction?

On the one hand I love the idea of not being pregnant For an extra week but not sure if I should rush him out for the sake of a few ounces.
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Re: Planned induction

  • PeachGal23PeachGal23 member
    edited June 2016
    I don't have any advice for you, but I had a really wonderful planned induction with DD, which I feel is rare! Ours was planned at 41w1d simply because DD was past due. My doc was concerned about the complications associated with delivering later, and I was ready to get the show on the road!  I suspect my experience went well because I was already dilated about 2-3cm, so didn't need any cervadil. I started pitocin around 8:30am, started pushing around 6:15pm, and DD was born at 8:10pm at 8lbs 2oz. Yes I pushed a long time, but the epidural made it feel like it wasn't much time at all. I had a first degree tear, which I never felt (happening or during healing). Funny thing, my doctors all predicted a tiny baby, so I feel like measuring early/late is a total guessing game, and I even had an ultrasound at 40w. 

    So maybe I do have advice: see if you can wait to schedule until you are dilated a little bit so you won't have to do cervadil. 

    Edited to add: if the same situation presented itself with this baby, I'd totally do the induction again. I was able to shower at home in the morning, have hair and make-up done, and feel rested before labor and delivery. And this time would allow me to make plans for DD without being rushed. 


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  • ginger819ginger819 member
    edited June 2016
    I don't have advice about inducing early but like @PeachGal23 I had a pretty good experience with induction with DD. I was in the same situation as her as well with being a week over and 3 cm dialated already. It was nice knowing when we were going to be having her. Our moms could plan when to be at the hospital and we knew we'd have our Doctor there. I started pitocin at 8:30 am ish, was having contractions by 9. She was born at 12:45 am after only 30 minutes of pushing. 

    Im hoping to go in to labor naturally this time, but if not I won't be too upset at being induced again (it would just be nice to labor some at home). 
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  • bearsandbeets7bearsandbeets7 member
    One of my friends has had two babies both of which were about 10.5 lbs at birth. She delivered both vaginally and she told me that she ended up with 2nd degree tears after both. 

    If I could go back and go into labor naturally and not have to be induced I would. 
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  • ShanRum3ShanRum3 member
    I was induced 1 day early due to GD with DS2. I had a good experience with my induction,  and was already dilated 2-3 so no Cervadil for me either. He came in about 7:15 AM and broke my water.  I walked for a bit and Pitocin was started around 9. Around noon I got my Epidural and was pushing around 5. DS2 was born at 6:16 PM. It was a much better experience than my labor with DS1. I have GD again and am considering asking about induction again. I was hoping for 5-6 days before my due date. We'll just have to wait and see what the Doc recommends.
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  • lotsofsunshinelotsofsunshine member
    edited June 2016
    All I know is that estimates of baby size can be very wrong. I know many women who were told they needed to be induced due to big babies and the baby only ended up being 6 or 7 lbs. Not the 10 they predicted. I also no that Pitocin sucks! It was the worst thing I ever dealt with.  Just do what your gut tells you, either way, you get a beautiful baby in the end. Good Luck!
    Edited because SO many spelling errors.
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  • bearsandbeets7bearsandbeets7 member
    lotsofsunshine said:
    All I know is that estimates of baby size can be very wrong. I know many women who were told they needed to be induced due to big babies and the baby only ended up being 6 or 7 lbs. Not the 10 they predicted. I also no that Pitocin sucks! It was the worst thing I ever dealt with.  Just do what your gut tells you, either way, you get a beautiful baby in the end. Good Luck!
    Edited because SO many spelling errors.
    So true! Ultrasounds can be wrong by +/- 2 pounds. 
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  • JaspertheyoungturnipJaspertheyoungturnip member
    My midwife has told me multiple times that there's almost no such thing as a baby too big to birth naturally, and if the baby got stuck because of that, you'd be c-section, not induction! But as PPs have mentioned, there's also not a super accurate way to get baby's size before delivery. If you want the induction based on your own research and preferences that's of course up to you, but baby's size has no affect!
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  • KMeredith82KMeredith82 member
    With my first I ended up being closely monitored for a "big baby" with the same concern from the dr - that he would be too large and would require a c-section.  Every ultrasound at the end (I had many) indicated 9-10 lb baby.  Due to that and some blood pressure concerns, I was scheduled for an induction a few days before my due date.  A few days before that, I had an appointment and the dr did a membrane sweep.  This helped get labor going and I ended up having him the next day - no induction needed.  And he was 8 lbs 3 oz - so maybe above average, but certainly not giant.  I did have a pretty significant tear though.  My dr was very honest that the ultrasound measurements can be off by a pound or two. 

    This time, at my 28 week appointment my stomach measured 33 weeks (I forget what that is called) so I had an ultrasound last week, at my 30 week appointment.  This baby is also measuring on the larger side, but not as much so as my first at this point.  We will see how things go over the next few appointments... I do not plan on getting an induction.

    Can you at least try to get another ultrasound closer to 38 weeks or so, just to see if size is still measuring large?
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  • hannahh18hannahh18 member
    I would trust your doctor and go with your instincts :) I probably will be induced too unless he comes early. DD measured 2 weeks behind and was born at 39 weeks at 8lbs 9oz. This baby is measuring 3.5 weeks ahead!! (I do not have GD and I know due date is right). I'm sure he will be a big baby and I have nothing wrong with being induced at 39 weeks. But every mama gets to decide that by herself! 
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  • Stephanie7693Stephanie7693 member
    I'm struggling with the option of induction too, but for different reasons. My first kid was born at 36w, 3.5 hours of labor. My second was 38 week, 3 hours of labor. Both kids I was dilated weeks or months before my due date. I'm worried about getting to the hospital in time to give birth. My doc said he would induce at 39 weeks if I haven't had him already, and if I'm already dilated and effaced some. It would be nice knowing that we would be at the hospital and an epidural would be an option,  but I'm also afraid of being induced at all. Labor is worse from what I hear, and I'm not sure that would be worth it. I also kinda like the surprise not knowing when baby will come. But with 2 kids at home, that surprise could end up disastrous. 
    But I guess it's something I don't have to worry about quite yet, I may not make it to 39 weeks anyway
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  • Curls919Curls919 member
    Stephanie7693 said:
    I'm struggling with the option of induction too, but for different reasons. My first kid was born at 36w, 3.5 hours of labor. My second was 38 week, 3 hours of labor. Both kids I was dilated weeks or months before my due date. I'm worried about getting to the hospital in time to give birth. My doc said he would induce at 39 weeks if I haven't had him already, and if I'm already dilated and effaced some. It would be nice knowing that we would be at the hospital and an epidural would be an option,  but I'm also afraid of being induced at all. Labor is worse from what I hear, and I'm not sure that would be worth it. I also kinda like the surprise not knowing when baby will come. But with 2 kids at home, that surprise could end up disastrous. 
    But I guess it's something I don't have to worry about quite yet, I may not make it to 39 weeks anyway
    Going off this - not from my experience, but SIL had my first nephew after going into labor.  She went med-free and afterward said it was hell, but when she got pregnant again she said she wanted to do med-free again.  Nephew #2 didn't come on his own so she had to be induced.  She said that the pitocin caused her contractions to be so painful that she had to get the epidural.

    I definitely agree with other PP who said that baby's size shouldn't be your deciding factor.  If the baby doesn't come on its own and you get induced?  Great.  You have pre-e and need to be induced?  Do it.  But to be induced before your due date just because there's a chance the baby might be large?  I don't think I personally would do it.
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  • Stephanie7693Stephanie7693 member
    It has nothing to do with baby being big, and more to do with wanting to be in a hospital when he is born. Both my kids were born 2 hours after arriving at the hospital.  If this one goes faster, we might not make it in time. 
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  • SekeramboSekerambo member
    Personally, I would hold off on induction.  I went into labor naturally and labored on my own until I was 8 cm.  Due to my dd's position I stalled at 8 and ended up on pitocin trying to push me to 10.  It was so much worse than natural labor and didn't get me to 10 in the end anyway.  I also know of several people who have been induced only to end up with c-sections because baby's heart rate dropped.  

    Also, as a side note, I know of a woman who is average height, small build, who's 1st baby was over 9lbs, 2nd was over 10lbs, and 3rd was over 11lbs. All med-free, natural births with no complications. 
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  • AmandaG225AmandaG225 member
    One of my doctors has been talking a lot about inducing around 39wks. I obviously want to do what is best for baby but I really do not want a c section and I know inducing often leads to that. I talked to one of my other doctors about inducing and she wasn't as into it as the other doctor. I am not a small girl and she said that she thought my body could handle a 10lb baby just fine (DD was 9lb 3oz and a week early). It is super confusing when the doctors don't agree, hoping they will get on the same page soon. I am scheduled for a growth u/s at 35wks so we will see what happens. FX
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Anniversary
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  • jamiesc58jamiesc58 member
    I had a planned induction with ds as he was late. It was way easier than labor with my dd and everything was so structured. There were scheduled times when I would get the epidural, when the doctor would break my water if it didn't break on it's own, when the meds would get turned up, etc...That being said, I didn't choose to be induced until I was well aware that baby wasn't coming on his own. I did have pitocin with my last dd also when labor stopped as the epidural was placed and it wasn't bad either. I never had anything other than pitocin.
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  • AliKay20AliKay20 member
    edited June 2016
    Yeah, my doc rotates coverage at the hospital I'm delivering at with his partners so his day is Tuesdays. He told me if I want him to deliver my baby, he can induce me at 39 weeks...on a Tuesday. At first I was like, "ok that sounds good," without knowing anything about induction. 

    My friend (trauma nurse) who's had two kids talked me out of it stating it's best to have the baby come on her own time if she's not way past her due date. Pitocin causes labor pain like no other and she compared her first labor with her second (induced); she said natural labor is much more tolerable.

    I told my doc I'm fine with one of his partners delivering my baby if I don't naturally go into labor on a Tuesday & he said there wasn't anything more painful about an induction compared to natural labor. I'd rather do what's best for the baby and not my preference of who will see my hoo ha in welcoming our first child. I'll leave the timing to our Peanut!

    *edited bc words
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  • bearsandbeets7bearsandbeets7 member
    @AliKay20 have you had appointments with the other doctors in the practice or have you only seen your doctor? I'm just curious because I rotate within the practice and have at least met all of the doctors. Which it doesn't really matter for me anyway because I'm a schedule c/s but they still have me rotate. 
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  • Curls919Curls919 member
    Stephanie7693 said:
    It has nothing to do with baby being big, and more to do with wanting to be in a hospital when he is born. Both my kids were born 2 hours after arriving at the hospital.  If this one goes faster, we might not make it in time. 
    My comment was for the OP, I quoted you for the "labor is worse" part. I know people who walk into l&d crowning so I don't blame you one bit for your reasoning!
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  • SkiChic626SkiChic626 member
    I'm not sure I have advice, but I can offer my experience with induction.....don't do it!  I was 3cm and 70% effaced, my BP was up and DD was measuring 10lb6oz at 38w - "on paper" I was the perfect candidate for induction.  They told me that it would take maybe a few hours and we'd have our baby....ummmm....no.  We induced at 38w4d, and despite the fact that it appeared I was already well on my way to going into labor, the induction did NOTHING.  The Pitocin.....useless.  The only thing that finally gave me some real labor contractions and got me to dilate a little more was when they broke my water, but even after that I only got to 5cm (a day later), and they said that was generous, and this is all after 48 hours of this nonsense.  DD was also still up at -3 station, so she wasn't coming down at all.  They gave me the choice to go longer and see what happens, but DH and I were beyond over everything not working so we opted for a C-section.  If I could do it over again, I would have waited until I went into labor on my own.  I may still have ended up with a C-section based on DD's size, but at least I wouldn't have had to go through that awful induction experience and being pumped with crap that doesn't work.  She was just about 10lbs at 38w6d, so by 40w should would have been well over 10lbs and even bigger if I went past 40w.
    DD  <3 6/15/2014
    Baby #2 due 8/11/2016

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  • ThisisNumber3ThisisNumber3 member
    liljabee said:
    Macrosomia alone is not sufficient to warrant induction according to ACOG guidelines.  Ultrasounds can be off up to 2 pds later in pregnancy and have a general margin of error of 15%. 

    https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html
    Please note that it does not warrant an EARLY Pre-Term induction. 

    39 weeks is term and acceptable for induction.  

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  • ThisisNumber3ThisisNumber3 member
    To add my story.  This was my exact example with my first.  Based on an detailed growth ultrasound (measuring 3 parts of the body each 3 times for an average size/weight), at 36 weeks she was already almost 9 lbs.  They wanted me to go straight to C-section.  After talking with my specific OB he said yes, this case warrants a c-Section if you want it, but if you want to try an induction that works as well.  I had a wonderful induction at 39w (even with a very low bishops score) and delivered a 9.5 lb baby that was classified as LGA (large for gestational age).  So the ultrasound estimates was very accurate.  We followed a similar process for my second child and again the induction was even easier.  I plan to do the same again with this baby if necessary. 

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  • AlygohomeAlygohome member
    I had an emergency induction with my daughter at 35 weeks. Had her at 35+2. I will have a scheduled induction at 37+5 this time, my dr is inducing me due to HG & other issues not related to size. Induction is HARD, the pit is horrible but my OB deal with high risk deliveries all the time and if she feels it is best then I will listen to her advice!
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  • cm716cm716 member
    @Stephanie7693 it sounds like we have had some very similar experiences. My second DD was born less than 90 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. My total labor from first contraction to delivery was a little less than four and a half hours. Now that I have 2 kids I am worried about the logistics of going into labor possibly by myself at home with my two kids, waiting for my husband to get home, and then driving the 45 minutes to the hospital. I don't want to have this baby in the car!!

    Also as a general note on the thread, I have had pitocin before and while it is not fun,I would rather have pitocin with the option to get an epidural. My second delivery was an unplanned natural delivery and I had a very bad experience.

    Thank you for your responses though I want as much info as possible before we make a decision.
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  • ThisisNumber3ThisisNumber3 member
    @cm716 - FYI I think my body reacted about the same to the Pit in the first and second induction.  So if you could handle it the first time, it may be worth it to consider it a second time. 

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  • Stephanie7693Stephanie7693 member
    @cm716 ... my thoughts exactly. It's summer, I'm a sahm with two kids already. If I go into labor at home, I'll have to wait for my dh and mil. Hubby to drive me, mil  to take the kids. My other worry is sleeping through the early stages of labor. With both my kids I woke up and realized shortly after I was in labor. Maybe I would have known sooner if I was awake, but still possible I wouldn't have. Both times I left for the hospital I was not in pain yet. It's a scary thought that I could wake up in the middle of the night in active labor! I'm very worried about delivering this baby at home or in the car. But maybe this kid will surprise me and I'll be in labor much longer, who knows 
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  • AliKay20AliKay20 member
    Lynnlove28 said:
    @AliKay20 have you had appointments with the other doctors in the practice or have you only seen your doctor? I'm just curious because I rotate within the practice and have at least met all of the doctors. Which it doesn't really matter for me anyway because I'm a schedule c/s but they still have me rotate. 
    Yeah, I met with one of his partners (4 total in the group) but I didn't feel the need to see all of them after this other doc saw me for a total of about 5 mins. Just asked how I felt, measured my belly, and told me where baby was positioned.

    They all would have my birth plan from looking at what my OBGYN documented & I don't expect to build the same level of comfort and relationship with the other docs at this point. Afterall, I heard you see RNs more than the actual doc delivering your baby. 
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