Induction at 40 weeks 5 days

[ethac]

I've had a perfect pregnancy with no complications but my Obs announced today that he wants to induce me only 5 days after my due date (Tuesday next week). Am I crazy or does this seem a little too early?

[Ellibam]

its crazy!!
tell him to bugga off! and let your baby come when its ready!
BUT beware suddenly something might pop up that you'll urgently need inducement!

[Alan]

I would say that its a lot too early. A normal pregnancy lasts between 38 and 42 weeks. Providing that everything is going well there is no need to consider induction until 42 weeks at the earliest.

[Naomi]

With my first i was induced 10 days overdue and i thought that was too early!

Has he said why he wants to induce you?

[Zee]

I got induced at 8 days past my EDD, I didnt know I had a choice but this time im telling them I dont even want to hear the word induction till im 14 days over!

[Alan]

Most Ob's prefer to induce you if you go much more than a week past your due dates. But how do they know when your baby is due? The accuracy of the US (which is what they usually go by) can be out by as much as 1 week if you have an early scan. If your scan is later then it can be out by as much as 2 weeks! Usually your body and baby knows when its time to be born

[ethac]

To answer your question Naomi, he insists on going by the date of the first day of my last period. He won't believe me when I tell him that I actually conceived three weeks after that date, not two weeks. I know the date I conceived because I had to have a little help from my gynecologist. Scans at 11 and 19 weeks confirm my date but I think he's still 'playing it safe' and going with the earlier date.

[~Saram~]

Could you get your gyne to contact your OB with the dates?

[Alan]

ethac
He can not induce without your permission. I agree with ellibugs. Tell him to bugga off

[smiles4u]

My sister was induced 10days past due date !!

[ethac]

I offered to organise that, Saram, but he said "it wouldn't change anything" for him.

[BellyBelly]

Tell him that unless there is any compelling proof that the baby is stressed then it's not an emergency to get the baby out. If you need negotiating power, tell him you are happy to have regular monitoring.

I'd be changing Obs personally! Sounds like he's not listening to you now, do you think he'll be like that in labour too? Or will he just assert his power for that too?

[Beach Mama]

Won't change anything?? Mmmmmm I wouldn't show up for the induction. Tell them you forgot and keep forgetting until you are at last 10-14 days overdue. Do turn up for some monitoring though and remember that NOBODY can make you do anything you do not want to do... It is your body and your baby and by the sound of it he just wants to induce because it is convenient. Having had a too early induction at 10 days when my body wasn't ready - leading to 36 hours of labour and then an emergency c/s I would say cling onto those last few days as hard as you can and you will be meeting your gorgeous bubby so soon!!Good luck with it all!

[BellyBelly]

It would be interesting to know what station you are in your pelvis, do you know if bubs is engaged? If not, the higher chance of a c/s on induction. I had a client who was induced at -5 station (0 being engaged) and at that number, you have 75-80% chance of a c/s. Luckily, and I mean VERY luckily, she was in the 20-25%.

So if he wants to induce and you are not engaged, he is increasing your risk of c/s... babies engage when they are ready for labour / at labour.

[ethac]

Thanks for all your responses!
Kelly, Bub's head is engaged and quite low, but the cervix is closed.

[BellyBelly]

Great well baby is doing the right things! Something will happen soon - you Ob just has the classic case of failure to wait.

[fionas]

If your ob has not bothered explaining WHY you need an induction and just seems obsessed with dates, then I would also hold out and insist on a proper explanation.

My ob is very low intervention and told me he would avoid an induction with me at all costs because, "I hate doing them." He only said I MAY have to have one when my waters broke - but even so, said to go home and wait and see.

Having said that, he also told me that there does come a point of diminishing returns when the placenta is no longer working properly so best to get the baby out but it doesn't sound like you're anywhere near that point yet and it doesn't sound like that's what's concerning your ob ... or at least if it is, he hasn't bothered explaining it.

And yes, the "it won't make any difference to me" regarding speaking to the gyno just sounds lazy and slack. I would keep asking "why?"

[fionas]

Sorry for second post but have got increasingly madder since I pressed Send!

I think if I was in your position, I would clarify whether it's just because you've gone 5 days over your EDD and if so, say on that basis you cannot agree to one because your EDD is wrong.

I bloody hate lazy/arrogant medicos. What's his phone number? No, only joking.