I'm sure some people do elect to do it - but personally, having researched the odds of an induction ending up in an emergency c-section - I wouldn't do it.
ETA - and this is coming from someone who had terrible SPD and went to 42 weeks (with a toddler running around) So I know what its like to be in pain, and extremely over it.
Most pregnancies go to 40 weeks, and some to 41 or even 42 weeks. 37 weeks isn't full term, and an induction at that point could see your baby coming a full 5 weeks before it would do on it's own. From both your perspective (very high risk of a c/section because you're not ready to labour), and your babies perspective (who is at high risk of breathing and/or feeding issues and nursery admission due to prematurity) it's not a crash hot idea.
If you think you're suffering now think about how hard it might be to be caring for a newborn, getting up and down all night, and trying to recover from surgery. I know it sounds like scaremongering but this is the reality for many people who are induced early with first babies.
It's really important for you to try to find some support for the last few weeks - you still have a little while to go so think about who you can call on, and what you can organise now to make things a little bit easier. Keep talking about you're feeling, you're certainly not the only person to feel this way god knows most of us have been there!
Oh hun, believe me I know exactly how you feel. But as someone who was induced at 38 weeks due a medical reason, trust me when I say you do not want to go down that road unless it is medically necessary. It is so so much better to let your body go into labour when it and the baby is ready. Being induced before the time is right can lead to too many complications and interventions - it really isn't worth it.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts - and info. hopefully just one of 'those days'. i went out shopping and dropped a lot of cash on baby things + having pizza for lunch so mebe that will cheer me up?
just soo OVER being sore, sleepless, tired, emotional, cranky, fat, hot, uncomfortable etc etc etc.... I know women go through this every day but how much more are we supposed to take?
thanks again ladies for support. i don't want a c/s nor baby to have probs so he will come when he's ready....
though, I know a lady who asked for an induction at 38 weeks because she was in sooooooo much pain and apparently the pregnancy was giving her heart palpitations, so her obstetrician (at a hospital who is well known for intervention) agreed to an induction. I dont know if all obstetrians would agree to something like that. I think it would really depend on the situation.
Hopefully that day out and pizza will help you feel a bit better!
I can sympathise, and I have had two "elective" inductions a few days before my due date. At the end of the pregnancy, it can just be so consuming, the thought of getting it over with. But not at 37 weeks. At 37 weeks, the risks to you and the baby really outweigh your discomfort.
Here are my coping techniques, which I intend to use with this baby as I am really beginning to suffer with SPD and other chronic pain issues.
Meditation. If I can get in some proper deep relaxation once a day, I can cope with anything.
Projecting into the future - don't do it. You've got possibly ten weeks to go - but don't keep thinking, x days to go, or x weeks to go. Just discipline your mind every day to think, "another day of important growth for my baby. What will my baby develop/grow/feel today that will be important? I'm one day closer to meeting my baby." Practice countering your negative feelings and yearnings for "soon!" with these thoughts, until they become a reflex.
Take one day at a time. If you can't cope with the idea of a day, take one hour. When that becomes too much, take it one minute at a time.
Research respiratory distress in preterm (yes, even 37 weeks could be preterm for your baby) and remind yourself of these risks when you are tempted to think about elective induction.
Take up some week long craft projects - things that give you a goal to get to the end of the next week *without* the baby arriving. Things that you'd enjoy that the baby would actually interrupt. Personally, I am relishing the idea of the three weeks I'll get of maternity leave prior to the baby being born and I'll be annoyed if he makes an entrance sooner before I've had a chance to really put my feet up!!
Plan something every day that will make you physically feel better, be it a soak in the bath, or a footrub from a partner/kind friend. Plan something for the end of next week - if someone offers you a treat, ask them to book you a pregnancy massage.
But the big thing keeping me very content at the moment despite the weight gain, the extreme fatigue, the pain, the fogginess and the difficulties at work, is the knowledge that this is the closest I will ever be to this baby, that these few weeks now are just a heartbeat in the life I'll have with this child, and that it will be gone so soon, and I don't want to wish away a day of it. Not a day of it, pain, exhaustion and all.
Toomany - your post brought tears to my eyes - it clearly comes from someone who's been in the same boat. i will do as you've suggested, because you are right.
sometimes it's hard to think beyond yourself when you're tired and in pain and had enough - but you're right. most of the time i'm glad our baby is healthy and happy growing inside of me - preparing for his life ahead and every day is a godsend. i should be thankful.
yes i will look forward to my 4 weeks maternity leave of doing nothing but watching foxtel and being a lady of luxury.
thank you so much darling - it really puts a lot in perspective.
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But you will get there!
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