Induction advice - for someone who would rather not have another one!

[hollie r]

Hi there, I am new to this forum, but am thrilled to have finally found it!

After doing a lot of reading from this particular thread tonight, I have decided that you seem like very wise women, so a little advice would be great.

I am pregnant (approx 26 weeks) with my fourth baby (you would think I would be an expert by now hey!!!) Anyway I have been induced with all three of my previous pregnancies (all over due, big for dates blah, blah, blah). In all fairness to myself they have been biggish babies (9-10lbs), but I have had no troubles birthing them (except the first, but that is a long story, and I still got him out in the end!!!)

My main predicament is talking with the ob's at the hospital. I am a public patient, and I feel completely helpless, intimidated, and powerless up against the ob's. The last ob I saw wrote on my notes without discussing with me "not to go beyond 7 days overdue" (or something like that). How can I explain to them in the nicest possible way that I would be happier going to 42 weeks to see if the baby arrives on its own. I am not a pushover, I just get scared when they start with the scare tactics. And I do not want them to "have it in for me" once I am in the labour ward. I have not had good experiences with any ob's in the labour ward and on the whole they have been completely unsupportive and unhelpful. I hate causing trouble, but I know in my heart that I do not need to be induced for fear of having a big baby.

None of the previous babies have ever come out looking overdue (despite being up to 12 days past the EDD). I am sure I just have bigger than average babies, that are not overdue. Is it possible that some women can go beyond 42 weeks and it still be OK? Why are the ob's so scared of big babies? Surely having done it 3 times before is a positive indicator of my abilities.

I am not in actual fact opposed to induction or any other sort of medical intervention, I just want it to be for the right reasons.

Can GP's act as go-betweens?
Can I suggest monitoring of the baby once I go 7 days overdue?
Does my questioning "authority" get written in my notes, will I always be classed as a "troublemaker" if I have more children?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and I am looking forward to hearing some inspirational replies!!!

[hollie r]

Ooops I forgot one more thing. All 3 previous babies have been posterior, does this prevent you going in to labour on your own?

[Gabi]

Ooops I forgot one more thing. All 3 previous babies have been posterior, does this prevent you going in to labour on your own?

I've wondered this too. But when my baby was posterior and my OB attempted an induction it didn't work and I just went home the next morning. On the other hand, one of my girlfriends had a posterior Bub and she started labouring before her EDD. I went home after my failed induction and a few days later when we tried again it worked and my baby had turned.

My advice is to talk to the OBs well ahead of time, tell them you really want to give Bub as much time as possible to choose a birthday. If all else fails, you could just 'forget' to turn up to your planned induction. But it'd be better not to. I'd just keep saying 'I feel really uncomfortable with that' to their suggested induction dates until they are prepared to let you go as long as you think is right for you. Or...you could lie about your LMP...

I like Rosehip fairy's advice to take your husband, somehow husbands seem to be taken more seriously.

[Beach Mama]

Definitely take the advice of the ladies above, and no you won't be seen as a trouble maker. If you make your case heard firmly but sensibly and politely there is no need for them to label you as that. I went 14 days over with monitoring with my attempted VBAC and they were all very supportive. I just kept saying that I wasn't comfortable with the dates given and that provided monitoring was ok I wanted to give my body the best chance to go into labour on my own. Good luck with it and defnitely let everyone you know at each appointment so that it is in your notes.

[hollie r]

Thank you so much for the replies. You have been an enormous help. I know what I have to do and I just have to have the faith and confidence within myself and my birthing ability. I won't see the ob until 36 weeks, which is a fair way off, so I have plenty of time to make my case! Thanks again for your help.

[thepixie]

I was 10 days post dates and the ob's secretary booked me in for an induction and then just dropped me a casual phone message - you're being induced in the morning I assume you know?
I talked to the midwives at the hospital and they said "well you're booked in but if you're not here we can't do it so just don't turn up!" so I didn't, spoke to the ob, said I wasn't comfortable and had monitoring instead. Went into labour that night.... My recommendation - acupuncture. Had a great acupuncturist (who I only discovered right at the very end = ie. 41 weeks) and I think she had a lot to do with getting the ball rolling. So I suggest finding a great acupuncturist and starting early to get your body ready for labour and hopefully kick things off without induction.

[bronners]

I agree with all of the above When I was was 41+6 I had a hospital midwife tell me to not turn up to an induction appointment if I did not want to do it, then she suggested we go home and do the deed to get things started naturally. Thankfully that worked and I had my son the next morning.

However, like yourself, I want to avoid all the pressure leading up to that point so I am getting straight onto the raspberry leaf tablets at 32 weeks and lots of evening primrose oil too - I am figuring it is worth a try.

Good luck, and remember that they can't do anything without your consent!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Practice saying "no".

Not just saying it. Screaming it from the rooftops. Make sure EVERYONE in the hospital hears you say "no." Get your DH on-side - and get someone else there, such as a doula. Questioning is fine - "why did you put that without asking me first?"

You can suggest whatever you want. "You can monitor me, but I'm not letting you near me with induction equipment."

You can also not turn up to your inducion appointment and just turn up in full-blown labour.

Classed as a troublemaker? They can't do that. They can write "induction refused" and will do to cover their own backs, but that isn't a bad thing.

Best of luck to you, I hope you have a FANTASTIC birth experience.

ETA - I had a posterior labour and went into labour on my own. The hospital told me I was due 31st January, I went into labour 12th of Feb all on my own. Even though I kept telling them I was having my baby 11th Feb, not the 31st Jan, and no-one believed me that I was in labour even when they were monitoring my contractions!

[Midwife Melissa]

Hi there,

You could try telling them how they're making you feel, and let them know that if it continues you will need to take your concerns further and explore other birthing options. Ask for another care provider. Or employ your own!

Re the business of "not to go beyond 7 days overdue" - simply don't turn up for your induction appointment! If your babies need to be inside for 42 weeks, then this is what they need! As you mentioned, they didn't look over due when they were born. An induction at 41 weeks may well be a week early for this baby.

"I have not had good experiences with any ob's in the labour ward and on the whole they have been completely unsupportive and unhelpful." - so, why do you continue to see them? Do you have other options? If you didn't like your mechanic would you go back? Sorry if this sounds hash, but birthing services will not change until women vote with their feet. If this sort of "care" is not working for you, tell them assertively, ask them how they see you working together and if nothing changes, you need to explore other options for your pregnancy and birth care, such as employing the services of a private obstetrician or midwife.

[Lulu]

The only time I turn up to birth a baby is full blown labour. They can make all the induction appointments they like, you don't have to turn up....

What this posterior business? My son was posterior and I knew nothing about it until I was an hour from giving birth - with no problems, oh except they didn't tell me he was posterior