Well, maybe I'm an asshole but I stand firm on my opinion that people shouldn't induce early because they are "done being pregnant". 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.
I see pregnancy as a balancing act between what's best for me and what's best for the baby. I've taken medications that have a risk for my baby, and I've not taken others, based on my (and my doctors') analysis of the cost/benefit ratio.
That won't change when it comes to inducing. OP was talking about induction at 39/40 weeks. That's full term, not early term. There was a great big study as part of ACOG defining "full term" as 39/40 weeks that found a u-shaped curve of infant mortality risk centered on 39/40 weeks. The curves showed a small increase in risk at 38 weeks and 41 weeks, then a larger jump in risk at 37/42.
At 39/40 weeks, I'm comparing the discomfort/risks of still being pregnant against the risks of induction and it's reasonable to include the increasing discomforts of pregnancy in my decision. At 41 weeks, my desire to avoid an induction is putting my baby at increasing risk.
@momousekee Actually the desire to avoid an induction at 41w isn't putting your baby at risk necessarily. OBs all go by first day of your last period. Women ovulate at all different stages of their cycle, meaning the doctors conception date can be off by 2 weeks easily and by 3 weeks for many women. Even if you only had sex one time, there can be up to 5 days discrepancy because that's how long sperm can live to try to find an egg. OBs cookie cutter assumptions of when the baby should arrive and the whole dating US can be off.
Doctors schedule inductions for all sorts of reasons. Some are legitimate and needed, such as mine and many other cases. Others are not so much, based on size which they can't even accurately measure the baby while their in the womb (clearly because so many have said baby would be "x" weight and the baby then comes out quite a bit smaller). Some doctors even make suggestions for inductions based on their schedules, which I find atrocious that any doctor would do that considering the increased risk for c-section when induced.
At 35w+, the discomfort is horrible regardless. It doesn't get much worse towards the end, just prolonged. I guess I'd rather wait until my baby and body is ready vs forcing my body into labor unless I absolutely have to. If someone else feels differently, then that's fine. Their body, their baby, their decision.
BFP #1: DD born on 08.25.12
BFP #2: 09/08/15 miscarried at 6w
BFP #3: DD2 born on 02.07.17
@Aussie45 Actually not all OBs go by LMP. Mine encouraged me to chart when I told him I was TTC and uses my O date to determine how far along I am which is good cause LMP would put me almost 2 weeks further along. He also said he's not comfortable letting me go past 42 weeks cause of increased risk to the baby and based on my own research I am comfortable with that decision.
Most babies first time babies are born at 41.3 weeks. I fully believe that your body is made for childbirth and you and your baby will start labor when the time is right. Unless absolutely necessary, I would wait for labor to begin naturally.
Eh, idk about the body being made for childbirth part. I get what you are saying, but some women's bodies just aren't capable of pushing out a baby. The whole "body is made for childbirth" statement is a slippery slope to shaming moms for interventions.
On point @Spicyweiner it's also the same as "women have been giving birth naturally for thousands of years" -argument. Why yes they have and many of them died doing it mother and baby. Yes our bodies were created to birth babies but some events transpired since then (I believe it had to do with a snake and a piece of fruit) and now our bodies are not the same or capable of the same things that they were when we were created. Most obs induce in the 41st week because they know that the due date is give or take and at that point you are either 40,41, or 42 ish weeks pregnant and that's the max they feel comfortable with because going too long can increase your chance for meconium aspiration and placental deterioration and other things. Just do your own research op and have an open discussion with your ob, if they try to blow you off make them listen to you and hear out your concerns most will be happy to discuss it with you. Make them understand you aren't comfortable inducing just because the baby is measuring large for gestational age on ultrasound since those can be off
Well, maybe I'm an asshole but I stand firm on my opinion that people shouldn't induce early because they are "done being pregnant". 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.
I see pregnancy as a balancing act between what's best for me and what's best for the baby. I've taken medications that have a risk for my baby, and I've not taken others, based on my (and my doctors') analysis of the cost/benefit ratio.
That won't change when it comes to inducing. OP was talking about induction at 39/40 weeks. That's full term, not early term. There was a great big study as part of ACOG defining "full term" as 39/40 weeks that found a u-shaped curve of infant mortality risk centered on 39/40 weeks. The curves showed a small increase in risk at 38 weeks and 41 weeks, then a larger jump in risk at 37/42.
At 39/40 weeks, I'm comparing the discomfort/risks of still being pregnant against the risks of induction and it's reasonable to include the increasing discomforts of pregnancy in my decision. At 41 weeks, my desire to avoid an induction is putting my baby at increasing risk.
I'm not sure what your point is? I know what is considered full term.
@Aussie45 Actually not all OBs go by LMP. Mine encouraged me to chart when I told him I was TTC and uses my O date to determine how far along I am which is good cause LMP would put me almost 2 weeks further along. He also said he's not comfortable letting me go past 42 weeks cause of increased risk to the baby and based on my own research I am comfortable with that decision.
You're right, I did put all when I know I was asked if I knew when I ovulated or my LMP. Since this baby wasn't planned, I had no clue when I ovulated so mines going off LMP and dating US. I'm sure many others are in a similar boat though and it personally makes me nervous to be induced prior to 40w when there's so much guess work on how long baby has actually been gestating. If I do make it to 40w (which I'm kind of doubting I will), then I would seriously consider being induced, despite me wanting to avoid it.
BFP #1: DD born on 08.25.12
BFP #2: 09/08/15 miscarried at 6w
BFP #3: DD2 born on 02.07.17
My dr has told me we would induce at 39 weeks due to my age (41). I'm a FTM and I was fine with whatever she wanted to do until reading these posts I'm a little off about it. Of course I'll do as she wishes but really hope my girl comes early on her own.
What @Spicyweiner said and I really don't think anyone was saying they judge mom's to be who get an induction once the baby is full term. There's nothing wrong with that.
It was basically to say that it's often frowned upon when some ask to be induced while baby is still preterm for selfish reasons (uncomfortable, tired, etc) but that inducing preterm for medical reasons is perfectly acceptable and usually is what's best for both baby and mom.
************* First BFP: 12/16/13 EDD: 08/23/14 Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
Lurking from November here I hope you don't mind! The one thing I did not want was to get induced because I've only heard that it's harder labor. Well after being on bed rest for ten weeks with preeclampsia I was induced at 37 weeks and honestly, it couldn't have gone better. I had a foley bulb the night before and they took it out in the morning. I had my epideral at 6cm by 9am and delivered at 2pm. Very low ystress for me and baby and pushed for an hour and 15. The pitocin got things moving but was manageable. To all the Moms that will need to be induced, don't worry too much! Good luck everybody!
Sneaking over from March 17 moms - but I have to echo the sentiments that whatever happens, don't get worried if you are not following your plan. My mother is my best example of that & knowing she's had 4 different experiences work out, it's reassuring, I thought worth passing along. Baby 1, me, she didn't realize she was in labor @ 39weeks - just made it to the hospital & pushed me out in no time. Baby 2 decided to come at 33 weeks, breech, c section, in NICU for over a month & was fine (insert BF nightmare stories here as it wasn't an option for the first month & mom was a great milk producer, infections, refusing to nurse when he finally came home, lack of maternity leave complicating things, etc.). Baby 3 PTL started at 24 week, bed rest, induced at 37 weeks & mom was relieved. Baby 4 was similar to Baby 1, no induction, slightly longer than a couple hours yet easy labor - though after having 3 she was a bit more experienced & worth noting in her 40s. Amazing the body can have such a wild range of responses to pregnancy/labor, and after two complicated deliveries rebound so well. She reminded me of those wise words - The Best Laid Plans. Educate yourself, be strong, but flexible, the body sure is.
@momousekee Actually the desire to avoid an induction at 41w isn't putting your baby at risk necessarily. OBs all go by first day of your last period.
Statistically, your risk of a bad outcome is increased at 41 weeks. Does that mean that my individual baby is at more risk? Eh, maybe, maybe not. If I had reason to believe my dates were off in either direction- I could make a case.
If you'd been talking about "early induction" at 35 or 36 weeks, I think I'd have different input. At 39 or 40 weeks - I think induction for personal reasons is a reasonable choice backed by medical evidence.
I was induced at 40w+6 with my first. My doctor didn't want me to go more than a week past my due date. I guess she didn't really give me a reason, but I was ok with it. The induction went fine. Took about 25 hours total, but other than that I didn't mind it. My son ended up being 9 lb 11 oz and his shoulders got stuck on the way out, breaking his collar bone. Because of the shoulder dystocia, my doctor said often they will automatically recommend a C-section the next time. She's not going to do that, but will do an extra ultrasound near the end to try to determine how big the baby is. She warned me that the measurements can be off by 10% or so though. But I have a feeling I'll either end up with a C-section or I'll be induced by my due date because they'll be worried about the baby being too big. I'm ok with that because I don't really want to push out a bigger baby and apparently the shoulder dystocia can be an emergency situation so I don't want that to happen again.
I was induced at 38 weeks with DD due to GD. I was having a hard time controlling my sugars with insulin, and the OB estimated her weight at 8lbs. I knew that the bigger she got the higher the risk of complications with an induction that that timing was best. I know that due to GD again (most likely on insulin) and because of my age, I will most likely end up with another induction. It's not my ideal choice, but whatever keeps us both healthy I will do.
Diagnosed with PCOS March '10 - Started 1000mg of Metformin After 3 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, FSH+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP!
Time to make Emilie a big sister!
May '16 2.0: Letrozole+FSH+Menopur+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP! first beta-45.44, second beta-148
Re: Opinions on Early Ind
That won't change when it comes to inducing. OP was talking about induction at 39/40 weeks. That's full term, not early term. There was a great big study as part of ACOG defining "full term" as 39/40 weeks that found a u-shaped curve of infant mortality risk centered on 39/40 weeks. The curves showed a small increase in risk at 38 weeks and 41 weeks, then a larger jump in risk at 37/42.
At 39/40 weeks, I'm comparing the discomfort/risks of still being pregnant against the risks of induction and it's reasonable to include the increasing discomforts of pregnancy in my decision. At 41 weeks, my desire to avoid an induction is putting my baby at increasing risk.
Doctors schedule inductions for all sorts of reasons. Some are legitimate and needed, such as mine and many other cases. Others are not so much, based on size which they can't even accurately measure the baby while their in the womb (clearly because so many have said baby would be "x" weight and the baby then comes out quite a bit smaller). Some doctors even make suggestions for inductions based on their schedules, which I find atrocious that any doctor would do that considering the increased risk for c-section when induced.
At 35w+, the discomfort is horrible regardless. It doesn't get much worse towards the end, just prolonged. I guess I'd rather wait until my baby and body is ready vs forcing my body into labor unless I absolutely have to. If someone else feels differently, then that's fine. Their body, their baby, their decision.
TTC since January 2016
BFP - 3/12/16 - MC 4/5/16
BFP - 6/11/16
I know what is considered full term.
It was basically to say that it's often frowned upon when some ask to be induced while baby is still preterm for selfish reasons (uncomfortable, tired, etc) but that inducing preterm for medical reasons is perfectly acceptable and usually is what's best for both baby and mom.
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
To all the Moms that will need to be induced, don't worry too much! Good luck everybody!
If you'd been talking about "early induction" at 35 or 36 weeks, I think I'd have different input. At 39 or 40 weeks - I think induction for personal reasons is a reasonable choice backed by medical evidence.
I know that due to GD again (most likely on insulin) and because of my age, I will most likely end up with another induction. It's not my ideal choice, but whatever keeps us both healthy I will do.
Diagnosed with PCOS March '10 - Started 1000mg of Metformin
After 3 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, FSH+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP!
Time to make Emilie a big sister!
May '16 2.0: Letrozole+FSH+Menopur+Ovidril+IUI+Progesterone=BFP! first beta-45.44, second beta-148