I was talking to my best friend towards to the end of her pregnancy a couple of weeks ago and her doctor was going induce the day after her due date because of how big her baby was (she was 8lbs). She ended up going into labor that night on her own. I was also talking to my friend at work today and he mentioned his girlfriend will probably be getting induced at 39w due to the size of her baby too. I was curious to see what you guys thought about it. I had pre-eclampsia with my first pregnancy and had to be induced for DD. I'm not particularly eager to repeat the experience again if I can avoid it.
Has anyone thought about this thus far?
BFP #1: DD born on 08.25.12
BFP #2: 09/08/15 miscarried at 6w
BFP #3: DD2 born on 02.07.17
Re: Opinions on Early Ind
Ds1-41 weeks
Ds2-40.4 weeks
Dd-1 40.2 weeks.
I've never been induced and really don't want to be. Both my kids were smaller
DS 5.11
DD 6.11
So I'm expecting this one to be similar. I thought 8 lbs was still average size and not a concern? Anyway if an induction is recommended for me, I'll immediately do a ton of research into it and weigh their reasons.
I was induced with DS due to "pregnancy induced hypertension" and I was just telling my OB (different one) yesterday that I don't think it was medically necessary and I won't agree so easily this time. Much prefer to let baby/my body handle things to the extent possible.
I hope to not need induction this time and will only do it if absolutly nessisary.
I know of some women who have tried to request early induction because they were "done with being pregnant ".
Sonrtimes they are absolutely necessary, but I prefer to let it happen naturally. My son was also 6lbs 9oz even after almost going to 42 weeks.
I had cervadil and pitocin. It took 30 hours for my body to get there but I only actually pushed for about 10 mins.
But sometimes it's not possible to avoid.
I too wouldn't based on a size estimate. but if you are high risk or there are other complications then consider it.
I had a c/s with my son because he was breech. He came on his own at 39 weeks (c/s was going to be at 40) so we did the c/s then. I was HR so they would not let me go past 40 weeks.
This time I have no one to watch my son if my husband wants to be there when the baby is born (and he does). I am HR for a couple reasons this time. I was going to ask for another c/s scheduled at 40 weeks but due to being HR, repeat c/s, history of having a baby earlier than 40 weeks, and the need to have a family member plan to travel to stay with our son, I opted for a c/s at 39 weeks. If the baby comes earlier than that I will just have to have the c/s without my husband so he can be with our son.
if you have an OB you trust, then ask them questions, listen to the answers, consider your choices and decide. don't let them scare you into something, but there are risks either way (going past 42 weeks, if you are HR, etc). that deserve consideration.
When you've been married this long, you need a ticker to remind you.
Baby Boy M - 08/01/2013
Expecting Baby Bean February 2017
I think personally I would avoid it unless there was a medical reason to do it (like in your case the first time around @Aussie45, pre-e is a damn good reason) but like many people including yourself have said, they can be way off with predictions of the babys size so it seems unnecessary. Or they might predict a large baby like mine was and actually make an accurate prediction, but even then my doctor didn't see this as a reason to induce early. All doctors are different obviously though so who knows?
My induction did lead to a csection, but it wasn't an emergency. I pushed for over 6 hours trying to get him out and it just wasn't happening, but due to his head circumference and positioning, not his larger weight/taller height. it isn't something I'll need to deal with this time around because it will be my 3rd csection. I wanted a VBAC with DD, but she was breech so it was an RCS at 39 weeks.
I hope it all works out for you and you don't feel backed into a corner or forced to induce for any reason if you're not comfortable doing so and are looking to avoid it.
This time i'm getting a c-section and it'll be scheduled around 39 weeks. I wish I could get closer to 40 weeks but we'll see what happens.
Generally, I'm also of the opinion of not inducing if not medically necessary. I'm a firm believer that baby will come when he/she is ready and those who ask to be induced because "they're done being pregnant or want a specific day" are ridiculous. I'm specifically speaking about ppl who ask around the 37-38 week mark and aren't even close to being overdue.
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
Tldr;
c-section risk
un-induced women; 12%,
induced for medical reasons 23%
elective inductions 24%
Bishop score <6 was the predominant risk.
"after adjusting for the Bishop score at admission, no significant differences in cesarean delivery rates were found"
Married: 10/10
EDD: 8/27/16 MMC 1/16
Rainbow Boy: 2/04/17
TTC: 4/18 BFP: 1/2/19
EDD: 9/6/19
i'm no expert by a long stretch, but my reading seems to indicate that many ob's induce for reasons that are not actually medically necessary, like size of baby, which is only a rough estimate. i've also read that some do it so that the birth fits into their schedules more neatly.
and as @Lafreeman21 points out (science for the win!) induction leads to c-section at twice the rate of un-induction. likely due to pitocin taking the body into advanced contractions before its ready and tiring the mother and baby out (among other reasons).
i feel like its important to add the disclaimer though, that this is only my opinion. and as a feminist, i 100% believe that each woman knows what's right for her and has the right to make her own choices. so ladies, please induce away if that's what you want!
The practice I was with had an older doctor who rushed to C sections (especially with complex pregnancies -like mine). He bullied my sister into one 2 months prior. She did not need one!!
In a panic to avoid the same fate I did not oppose induction - so as to have the better doctors on rotation. It worked for us, but I would prefer to go on my own this time since we do not have the same complication! I also have all amazing doctors now !!
I will try to advocate for myself and LO as best as I can to avoid induction unless it is absolutely necessary.
Those of you frowning on 'because they were done being pregnant' inductions need to consider some reasons why people might be done with being pregnant.
I just hit 36 weeks, but have had 18 L&D trips to stop PTL since being 28 weeks. I am currently in day 9 of actual monitored 4-5 min apart, 60-90 second long contractions. I am still pregnant, as LO isn't positioned correctly to dilate my cervix more.
I am done being pregnant at this point. If I wasn't so close to my VBaC (so they won't induce at all) I would be scheduling an induction for the very 1st day they would let me.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
IMO, I consider you're situation a medical issue. It's not at all for selfish reasons so you really don't fit that criteria. I honestly wish you all the best and definitely a smooth delivery!
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
I would consider yours to be medically necessary. I hope everything goes well with your labor and delivery. It sounds like it's already been a whirlwind of a ride for you and your LO!
Some people have amazing pregnancies, some people have shitatstic pregnancies, but the ultimate goal is to do what's best for the BABY.
Most times, it is absolutely the best thing for the baby to stay inside until as close to 40 weeks as necessary, so unless my doctor tells me that it's medically neccassary my baby is staying put despite my own comfort or level of being over it.
I also think it's a little ridiculous for someone lurking our thread from elsewhere to come in and tell us how inconsiderate we are being, when we are responding to the question asked by the OP.
The whole "body is made for childbirth" statement is a slippery slope to shaming moms for interventions.