Am I being induced too early? is there any need?

[lindsaymaree]

Hey Girls,

Just wanted to get an opinion, I think my Doc my be a bit hasty....

I'm currently 40 + 2, had a doc appointment yesterday and mentioned cramping I've been experiencing over the last week, also mentioned that I've had some extra *dampness* but was fairly certain this wasn't water leakage. I was sent up for a "pooling" so they could determine if it was waters.

So turns out it wasn't waters, I haven't had any complications in the pregnancy at all...everythings pretty much gone textbook, however my doc wants to book us in for gels next tuesday. We'll only be 41+1. The Doc was extreamly busy this day, he'd just come from delivering twins and was in a pretty big rush to get us out of there. I'd like to give our little man a little more time to come and think I'll request to come in for a check-up and delay induction?

Do you think I'll have any objections from the doctors? and do you have any tips for being assertive with the doc? I tend to get rail-roaded in these situations

[Rainbow_Mumma]

Do you think I'll have any objections from the doctors? and do you have any tips for being assertive with the doc? I tend to get rail-roaded in these situations

They may object but in the end unless for the safety of the baby it is YOUR decision and you have had an excellent pregnancy so if you dont want to go ahead with the gels then dont. You have to be completely happy with your birth its a special moment and one little thing like an unwanted induction could ruin that (from personal experience) Go with your instints you never know you may not get that far and bubs might come before then. As for whether its too early I was 41+1 with DD1 when induced.

[lindsaymaree]

Thanks MrsS, I'm definatly going to keep persisting with my walking, special cuddles and evening primrose!!!

[~Stoked~]

I went 12 days over with my baby. I refused to be induced unless there was a problem with my placenta or the baby. My midwife was monitoring the baby's heart every few days to make sure he was healthy and they can also check the placenta via ultrasound to check whether it is still working efficiently. He came on his own and i got to have the birth i wanted without unneccesary interventions. It is your choice.. My midwife was only telling me today about a woman that went to 48 weeks before she naturally had her perfectly healthy baby!!!

Goodluck x

[Traveller]

You are not technically full term until 42 weeks pregnant, so at 41+1 it is quite likely you would not be ready to labour. If there is a medical need then fine, but if there is no medical urgency, and you are happy to wait, then you remember you can always say "no" at any time. An induced labour can be a lot more painful than a natural one, and you would have a higher chance of needing an epidural, which leaves you at higher risk of an instrumental delivery.

Only you can make this decision, but unless there is a medical determination for induction your doctor has not made clear, I would say no in your shoes. It may be worth asking some extra questions to confirm that this is just an induction for convenience before saying "no" though.

[Kitt3n]

You are not technically full term until 42 weeks pregnant, so at 41+1 it is quite likely you would not be ready to labour. If there is a medical need then fine, but if there is no medical urgency, and you are happy to wait, then you remember you can always say "no" at any time. An induced labour can be a lot more painful than a natural one, and you would have a higher chance of needing an epidural, which leaves you at higher risk of an instrumental delivery.

Only you can make this decision, but unless there is a medical determination for induction your doctor has not made clear, I would say no in your shoes. It may be worth asking some extra questions to confirm that this is just an induction for convenience before saying "no" though.

WSS

[Mummato2]

My midwife was only telling me today about a woman that went to 48 weeks before she naturally had her perfectly healthy baby!!!

48 weeks - I'd have been rocking back and forth in a straight jacket by then. I'm over it all at 33 weeks! What a woman!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

at 48 weeks.

I say do what you want to do, unless there is something wrong dont let them talk you into doing something you want to do, maybe your bub just needs some extra time inside but they will come when they are ready.

Good luck xx

[Traveller]

48 weeks is a little unusual, but not unheard of (especially in situations of war or civil unrest when the mother does not feel sufficiently safe to labour).

43 or 44 weeks is much more common, or would be if women were not induced regularly sometime before 42 weeks.

[Oorki Galoorki]

there is a reason why the average length of a first time pregnancy is 41+2.... and its not because women go naturally..

[Jas]

Yes ABSOLUTELY it is unneccessary to induce DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have found the best way to stand up for yourslef is to know youre stuff, there are some great articles re" induction on here. Read them so that if you are questioned you can stand up for yourself and state things factually, i.e. I have decided that I'm not going to go for the induction I will just wait to go into labour myself and if they push well our policy is x just say I would like to have monitoring from that date and continue as long as all is ok (or whatever decision it is you want to make) I mean this as opposed to I was thinking about delaying the induction etc. If you state it as a decision they will most likely argue more

Also just really really get it into your mind that it is your body and baby and pregnancy and whatever their "policies" are they can't force you into anything it it ALWAYS YOUR decision