Elective induction or not??

[MrsFabuloso]

My initial reaction is to advise to wait it out and let baby choose it's birth date. But that may be because my experience with being induced wasn't pleasant, and my two natural births were awesome.
Your emotional health is a viable reason to induce. As are the other reasons you've said. Though I suggest, maybe just wait a little longer, and see how you feel in a week/few weeks. You could request an induction anytime, and if you're unsure about it now, maybe just take a wait and see attitude.
Good luck either way. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

[chody47]

I was induced with DD2 at 36 weeks due to her health. I was really nervous. I'd had a straight forward 3 hour birth with DD1. For me (and this won't be the case with everyone), I found the induction no different to my first labour. The contractions felt the same and were easy to cope with (although i had an added complication that woth every contraction her heartrate dropped signifcantly if i was upright so infortunately i had to lie on my side the whole time). She arrived in just two hours. The relief I felt when that pregnancy was finally over and she was ok was amazing.

[LuluHB]

I had a similar dilemma with DD3, although there were no medical issues involved. With DD2 I went from 4 cms to her on my chest in 15 minutes so I was very worried that we wouldn't make it to the hospital on time - we had moved house since her birth and are now an hour from the hospital.

DD1 was induced and while I have no regrets about her birth, DD2's subsequent spontaneous drug free delivery was by far the better one.

In the end, I decided against an induction. It seems to be the general consensus that third babies are the ones that keep you guessing, so I was reluctant to opt for an induction when chances were good that she wouldn't be as quick as her sister. DD3 took her sweet time - hind waters broke around 8am but I didn't go into established labour until 6pm that night so there was plenty of time for the hospital!

Good luck with whatever you do.

[forshelby]

My experience with induction ended in emergency c/s. So, from a personal viewpoint no- I wouldn't reccomend it. Can you stay somewhere closer the the hospital? Or have someone on standby? Or call an ambulance?

It really is your decision, but be aware that the more your labour is interfered with, the more likely it'll end in c/s. Also, being induced will mean constant monitoring, and limited movement/pain relief options. You won't be able to get in the shower/bath.... or move very far from the machine because of all the wires. For me, this was almost intolerable. But again, only you know what is right for you.

[forshelby]

My experience with induction ended in emergency c/s. So, from a personal viewpoint no- I wouldn't reccomend it. Can you stay somewhere closer the the hospital? Or have someone on standby? Or call an ambulance?

It really is your decision, but be aware that the more your labour is interfered with, the more likely it'll end in c/s. Also, being induced will mean constant monitoring, and limited movement/pain relief options. You won't be able to get in the shower/bath.... or move very far from the machine because of all the wires. For me, this was almost intolerable. But again, only you know what is right for you.

[LuluHB]

Also, being induced will mean constant monitoring, and limited movement/pain relief options. You won't be able to get in the shower/bath.... or move very far from the machine because of all the wires.

I'm really sorry your experience was like this, but mine was very different. I was in and out of the shower and bath the whole time with either periodic monitoring, or as things progressed wireless monitors. Inductions don't always have to mean you're confined to a bed. Likewise, not all inductions end with more intervention - I had an epidural but that's because I was totally knackered after 24 hours of labour and I needed some sleep. Other than that, there was no intervention whatsoever.

I know not all inductions end so well, but many progress with no need for any further intervention at all.

[BellyBelly]

Induction of Labour - The Hidden Dangers of Labour Induction

Have a read, then decide if the cons are worth the pros.

If it was me, I wouldn't. Artificial oxytocin doesn't work like natural oxytocin (doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier), so you wont get the benefits that you would in a natural labour. Any intervention can increase your chances at caesarean section, then you have a surgical recovery to deal with too, with your other kids to take care of.

[Freya]

Part of me wants to advise you to err on the side of caution and not choose induction until 40 weeks particularly because you've not been induced before. That said, I can completely understand your reasoning for it - having both complicated pregnancy AND fast labour experience; in the end it is entirely your choice to go with whats comfortable for you.

My first two babies were induced early (pre 38 weeks) due to medical complications and neither labour was over 3 hours. My third baby was a spontaneous natural labour after a normal pregnancy at 40wks and he came in 2 hours, if I had of stayed at home like I wanted instead of letting DH drag me to the birth centre he would have been a bathroom baby

With this pregnancy Im facing growth issues and GD, so even though my OB is happy to wing it and make decisions about delivering when we need too I am seriously considering booking an induction at 39wks for emotional reasons as well as the presenting issues. I am feeling very out of control with this pregnancy and the mental strain parenting three other children and dealing with the complications is draining me. Ive been induced twice before with perfectly positive outcomes so its a little less 'up in the air' for me.

Good luck with your decision!

[HotI]

Sammy, i live an hour away from hospital, and my partner also works 40 mins away, and so i had a few plans for if i went into labour when he was at work.

Birth is one of those things where people are often really chuffed to be asked to help out if needed. My neighbour (an older man) offered that he could drive me, or we could borrow his car (if our car broke down at the wrong time) if we needed to at any time. It wasn't my first preference, but it was certainly nice to have an other option should i need it.

Do you have any friends or acquaintances who live locally who you could call on to take you to your hubby or to the hospital?

take care