should I be induced or not?? v confused

Hi there,

I need some advice on what I should do. I am due with my first baby this coming Sunday 22nd July and my ob has beeen telling me since 37 weeks that I am ready to go, baby's head has been in position for weeks. I would like to go into labour naturally but I really don't want to go over my due date. My ob is not one to induce ( he is very low intervention) and has told me I can go two weeks over, the thought of which is just devastating, as I am so uncomfortable and really over it and to make matters worse have just come down with another cold. The last one I had a 31 weeks and it lasted 3 weeks and I thought I was going to die. So I don't want to have to spend the next 3 weeks sick and waiting for something to happen.

My other problem is more psychological. Prior to this pregnancy I have lost three babies in the last 20 months, all missed miscarriages, and had 6 weeks of bleeding in the first trimester of this pregnancy and daily scans to ensure the baby hadn't died. So it has been a long pregnancy and I feel like I have been pregnant for ever (infact I have spent 70 weeks of the last 20 months pregnant so well and truly over it) Now I know my baby is alive and ready to come out part of me just wants it to happen, I am scared that the longer I go overdue the more chance there is of something bad happening. But I don't want to put my baby at risk by being induced if that is not the right thing either. Am I just been paranoid, should I just wait until it happens or should I stand firm and tell my ob that if the baby hasn't arrived by Sunday I want to be induced early next week?

If anyone can offer some words of wisdom it would be greatly appreciated.

Aw hun I know how you feel but I'd still say don't do it.

I've had a couple of missed miscarriages, and I had health issues at the end of my last pregnancy and a toddler to contend with who was at the peak of her terrible two's - I was exhausted and sick of worrying about the baby (even though he was doing fine I still had that nagging "what if" that you're talking about). Going two weeks overdue was never an option for me with the health issues I was having (GD and my liver going wonky) but I agreed to an induction at 38 weeks because I was so sick of everything.
I regret it immensely as baby wasn't ready to come (even though he was head down but that does not mean that he's necessarily ready: my first baby was head down from 20 weeks) so anyway long story short I ended up with an emergency c/section.

The risk of that happening is quite high with an induction, and even higher if it's your first baby (somewhere around 60% if you have an epidural during labour). I wish I'd known this before I was induced with my second baby.

I know it's hard, but try to wait it out. It seems like forever ut it's only a few weeks and you'll be so happy you let baby decide when he's ready to come, and you'll know you did all you could to avoid a c/section as well ;)

i hear you being over pregnancy. hugs to you. my only input would be from my own experience. i had my first 2 babies naturally, went into labour naturally, no intervention at all, no pain relief. then with oscar i was over the whole pregnancy - had a very difficult pregnancy etc. i decided to be induced. for me it was the worst decision i have made. i ended up with an emergency c-section and the whole labour felt wrong. i really believe this woud have been avoided if i had let nature take it's course. i really regret being induced and if i could do it over would have waited the extra couple of days/weeks and had a much more pleasent birthing experience.
that's just my story, good luck with your decision
beckles

It is completely normal for first babies to be 8-10 days over, so if you decide to induce, you really could be bringing your baby into the world before they are ready. IMO due dates for 1st babies should be adjusted.... 1st babies also engage earlier so you are perfectly normal in the big scheme of things.

And if you do go for an induction, you are asking for the cascade of intervention, which is not a good thing for you or your baby. Not only could you end up with a birth that you didn't want, you could affect they way you bond with your bubba. Really, only except intervention if it is completely neccessary - don't invite it!

Try to take time to rest and relax and focus on all the positives of your pregnancy. Cherish it. Cherish the time that you have to yourself. Get some DVD's and put your feet up. Maybe even get some birthing DVD's and watch the miracle of a natural birth.

I know what it is like to not enjoy a pregnancy. My last was pretty rough. I had two bouts of gastro, one while I was morning sick and another at 37 weeks. I can't think of anything more horrible than trying to vomit nothing, with a belly fully of baby..... but I still tried to stay positive and make the most of the my last days of pregnancy.

Oh, and going into spontaneous labour is so exciting. It's like a surprise :) Being hooked up to a drip and monitors is no where near as romantic

Hi,

I can imagine your anxiety especially with your history of miscarriages etc. I know I was desperate to have my baby and I didn't have those worries that you have.

However, I was induced at 41 weeks and it wasn't a nice experience. The contractions were severe straightaway and then I ended up having an emerg c/s as I wasn't dilating fast enough and the baby was at risk. So I would seriously consider it carefully.
Have you thought about acupuncture? It can relax you and halp bring labour on naturally.

I'll come and post more later but one more thing to add, you may not be waiting for three weeks sick (if that!) but instead you will be sick with a baby instead... I know which I would prefer, not easy being sick with a baby or the babe getting sick.

You sound very worried and stressed about this - I might be far left field here but what about if you have a nice relaxing massage done or some acupunture? Or what about talking to a counsellor? What if your anxiety is causing you to be too tense?

I'm determined to not be induced this time around. Thankfully my Ob is low intervention as well and is happy for me to go to 42 weeks. But like you I don't want to be going too far overdue either. All the waiting around for something to happen is sooo boring and stressful.

I'm practicing my breathing techniques and trying really hard to connect with the baby this time around. I talk to him and I try to remain chilled and positive about the outcome. I'm looking forward to the birth this time around. With my first I was very apprehensive.

I was induced at 10 days over too - my body was soooo not ready and I too ended up having an emergency c/s. I completely understand your anxiety and being over it hun, but if I had my time over and for number 2# I wont be induced until Ive been monitored and its deemed absolutely necessary for my babies health.eg break down of placenta/fluid etc...
Here is my birth story too if you are interested.
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ad.php?t=38411

Good luck with your decision and just remember - a week or two might seem like forever but once your gorgeous bundle is here - thats forever!!

I disagree that inductions are frowned upon, and they certainly have their place - but what you have to do is weigh up the pros and cons for yourself. There are quite a few articles on the main site I will put here for you about vaginal, c/s births and inductions.

It is also true that if you body is not receptive to an induction then more often than not further interventions are required. If you are sure that you want to have a spontaneous labour and birth then you should pursue that - look into other options to help you deal with your anxiety.

I don't think it is conducive to be bombarded with stories of inductions both good and bad as everyone has their own unique experience with them.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...-or-not-induce
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...tually-happens
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...er-a-Caesarian
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...h-top-12-fears
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...t-intervention
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...uction-methods

I hope these can help you

With your first baby especially, the stats are against you with inductions if you don't want a c/s. As I have said many times, a midwife I met from the RWH said that of the first time mums coming in for an induction, 50-75% have c/s. Also, around 75-80%+ of first time mums are having epidurals. So to reduce risk to mum and baby (which is obviously a concern with the m/c), it's wise to avoid all that. Mortality rate is higher for c/s than vaginal birth, not that it's extremely high, but I think it was three times the risk in the recent article? I have some topics / articles / studies stickied in the labour and birth forum in the FAQ thread.

I think as Sherie said, you need to weigh up pro's and con's - which works out to be more meaningful to you?

I have had 2 natural births (Olivia & Lexie) and Charlie was induced, no CS required, vaginal birth, very fast labour.

From my experience, the pace of a natural labour was much better for me: the induction was full on and was like being hit by a truck. That said, it was still a great birth.

(And FWIW I have never felt judged on BB for chosing to have an induction with Charlie.....each to their own, I say!)

As Sherie has pointed out, read as much as you can, here on BB and on the internet, regarding the pros and cons of induction, then go with with YOUR gut instinct: it is the best decision maker for you!

Good luck either way!

i never felt judged having oscar induced, i actually wish i had asked more questions on here before decided to do it, then i might have decided not to.
beckles

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i never felt judged having oscar induced, i actually wish i had asked more questions on here before decided to do it, then i might have decided not to.

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Yeah, me too Beckles........I was mad not to ask a lot more questions.........but we live and learn, hey...

Puggy

First of all can I say I am so sorry for your previous losses but also say that I am very excited for you that you are about to meet your baby.

As you can see from my signature, I too have had a very difficult past and I can totally understand the fellings that you are having and the fact that you are considering an induction.

I had an induction with my son Harrison, he was high and posterior. (Please know that he didn't pass away during labour and that the reason for his passing was medical.) . Of course I have nothing to compare it to, but I have to be honest, I felt that the induction wasn't that bad. I didn't end up needing a c-section and didn't tear. It was the emotional pain that hurt so bad.

I don't think your Ob can know however if your baby is ready, I think that the only person who knows that is your bub.

I too am contemplating an induction this time, which may be criticised by some, but it is an intensely private decision and you are doing the right thing becoming more informed about it. Know the pros, the cons, the risks and the advantages both physical and emotional.

The thing I guess I am trying to say is that I think your fears and concerns are valid, I know how you must be feeling and whatever you decide, I am sure you will do what is right for you and your bub.

I look forward to reading your birth announcement.

Lv Spring

I say wait a bit. But it must be hard. I was induced at 41 weeks and wish I had waited at least another 4 days. I too did not seek enough answers and didn't think I had a choice due to lack of knowledge. I wasn't tiresome of pregnancy but was told she was a big baby and hadn't engaged but have since learnt that some babies don't engage until during labour. I had the slow release induction which allowed me to labour for 10hrs but then the contractions failed and got hooked up to the fast paced stuff and as soon as that happened everything turned pear-shaped. Bub went into distress and it was mega painful. So ended up being a emergency c/section too.

Just make a decision that you feel is right for you and your bub. Get as much info as you can.

Thanks Caro. I haven't been criticised here on BB but everyone who I come across in the big bad world seems to put their two bobs worth in. I believe it is only a mother who knows what is best for her and her bub.

Puggy, best of luck hun, whatever decision you make, you are about to meet a very special little person....how exciting.

Lv Spring.

Spring Angel, I think it is very inconsiderate that people IRL feel they can judge your decision - they have not walked a day in your shoes so they have no business commenting on it. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to and if that means an induction then so be it kwim?

Thanks Sherie, it is nice to feel understood.

I guess I am just a little senstive about a midwife who recently told me in a condescending way 'not to worry' and that induction 'wasn't going to make it any easier'. Lightbub moment... I have been through it before honey, and your right, walk a day in my shoes and we'll talk.

I was induced with my DD, who was 9 days past EDD. I was given a choice by the OBS on call (not my OBS - who was on holidays) as I had been in pre-labour for four days. I truly didn't believe that I could possibly continue to pre-labour for another 24 hrs or even longer, hence the reason for my choice for induction. (mind you I was trying to avoid induction) I had my waters broken and put on the drip. I continued to pre-labour for another 2.5 hrs before being 'in labour' (considered to be when you have 5 contractions every 10 minutes). Contractions were extremely intense, hard to breathe through and b/c I was induced, bubs & I were constantly being monitored so I was stuck on the birthing bed, which really bothered me.
I tried gas, which didn't really take the edge off the pain, but gave me something else to concentrate on rather than just the contractions. OBS suggested further pain relief as I was struggling with the contractions and I had an epidural, which in my opinion was the best thing for me to so. In the end I only became 6/7 cms dilated and the OBS suggested I have a c-sect b/c bubs was tired and becoming distressed and so was I. (OBS did give me the choice to continue to labour). After discussing same with my DH and sister, I chose to have a c-sect. Do I have any regrets, the answer is no. Whilst definately none of the above was in my 'plan' of how I thought I would labour or go into labour, I truly don't think I would have coped with another day or days of pre-labour. Do I think induction increased my chances of having a c-sect? I truly can't answer that but bubs was high and posterior, so chances are even if I went into spontaneous labour, that I may have ended up having to have one anyway.......
I suggest doing research, discussing with your OBS, midwives, partner etc.. and trusting your instincts.
Goodluck with your decision, it will be the right one for you and your bubs.

I had to be induced as my waters began leaking a week and a half before my bub was due. It was quite a surprise for me to have to be induced as I didn't realise it was so important after your waters break (can cause infection and ba dangerous for bub). I had waited two and a half days before going to the hossy.
I am another person who would say please try to wait. Though I do understand you being over being pg- I too had been pg for over 12 mths due to miscarriages. But in my experience,(which was not a god one!) induction can be quite painful, though I haven't experience a full term natural birth.
My labour went for 24 hours, and thats from nothing- no contractions etc...to full on labour in about an hour or so. I was pushing for 3 hours because bubs wasn't ready to be born and wasn't in the birth canal and wouldn't descend. I was continually threatened with c/s and vacuume extraction because things were taking so long and though my waters had broken (hind waters only) I had to have them artificially ruptured too, which was really painful. The only thing that stopped them doing a c/s was that bubs was fine so they let me keep trying. Though by the end of everything I was so buggered that I was very tempted by the c/s!
Bubs ended up getting stuck twice and was quite lethargic when born. I then ended up haemorriging (sp?) my placenta got stuck and I needed 3 blood transfusions. I was very sick afterwards and as a result (I believe) I have had alot of trouble bf and was in tears everyday for about five or six weeks, due to the dissappointment. I had really wanted to go into labour naturally and wanted to try to do it all naturally. In the end I just believe that my baby was not reasy to be born. I would have rathered to have daily monitoring than have gone in to have an induction. Your bubba will come when it is ready. But if you really do feel it is in your best interest as well as bubba's then you are the only one who can make that decision.
There are alot of horror stories here about induction, but I think it also has alot to do with how you feel about having it done also. If you are feeling positive about it being done then your frame of mind is that youare ready to have bubs. I wasn't and I felt everything was going wrong, so I think that had something to do with how it all turned out and of course how I feel about it now. If you feel positive about it then it would be a more positive experience.
Good luck with your decision, it's a tough one.

Hi Spring,

I am being induced due to my baby having a medical condition that requires early delivery. Before my pregnancy, I thought that having an induced labour was pretty normal, not much to it, just a routine procedure. Now, being faced with it myself, I know that there is alot more to it and things to take into consideration. Luckily I have had nearly 20 weeks to learn all about it and prepare.

One thing that may help you decide is having a bishops score test done which determines whether your cervix is actually favourable for an induction. If it's not then it may well help you to hang in there a bit longer, or give you the confidence to go ahead if you score well. I would also find out how labour is actually induced at your hospital. Do they use gel or cervadil for cervical ripening? How many days do they expect it to take etc.. etc... this may also help you make an informed decision.

Please keep us updated on how you are going.

August x

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I am feeling a bit better about waiting, although it chops and changes with my moods. I really don't want to be induced and would much rather go into labour naturally and hopefully I can keep myself sane until it happens. If only someone could put something decent on tv at 3.00am in the morning it might make the time pass quicker. I think I will ask my husband to tell all the family to stop ringing me and making me feel worse by constantly asking has anything happened yet. When is it going to happen?? Like I know!! I am seeing my ob tomorrow and he has said he will have me monitored regularly. Hopefully that means everyday as that will be the only thning that reassures me that the baby is still alive and not in distress.

thanks again and hopefully my baby will make it's natural arrival sooner rather than later.

Puggy, have you thought about doing a kick chart at all, or even trying to get a hold of a doppler? being able to write down how much baby moves and hearing a HB will be a huge comfort to you in between Dr's appointments. And do you have an answering machine or caller ID? if so screen your calls - I know family can be well meaning when they call the see how you're going but all it does is drive us batty LOL. You could even leave a message to say tht everything is OK and that when something does happen you will call them. Plus there is nothing worse than trying to rest in the last few weeks/days only to be interrupted by phone calls.

Having a Dr who isn't into unnessesary intervention will work in your favour too - he will be able to help you cope with your anxiety and not make you feel pressured into something you don't really want.

Good Luck

Induction is a very personal experience.

When I wore a younger woman's clothes I was very pro natural birth. It was the only way and the best. Now, I still believe that to be true... well partly It's the best way if possible. Now, I would define myself as being pro informed/safe choice...

What I have discovered is that sometimes it's not possible. Our psychological health is as important as our physical - perhaps more so. If our heads can't give birth our fanny's sure as hell won't.

I too have suffered many losses. Three of those were second trimester losses. One was a missed miscarriage and another I birthed. I understand the fear attached to waiting for a baby to be born when you have experienced what you have. To truly understand that incredible fear is difficult for some folk to grasp.

I think it's quite untrue that induction is a dirty word on Belly Belly and I just want that to be put out there... If I felt an induction was best for my mental health or that I perceived that my baby was in danger I would line up no probelem... Perhaps I will. Am I afraid of judgement or chastisement??? Not at all. I think we are all mature and together enough to realise that no-one knows what goes on in our heads in the wee hours. Perhaps we have worked for months to release that fear.
I believe that these types of statements are damaging and just plain unhelpful. I KNOW that you will not be judged. Birth isn't an olympic event. We make the best decisions we can at the time. What you need to do is ensure that you make an informed one.


What you as a woman and a birthing Mama need to do is read up. Seek out the information - Sherie has linked you to some great articles. Seek out some others too - make an informed decision after learning.

Now, the risks of intervention ARE greater if you are induced. Things like forceps, episiotomy, c/section... You need to way up if that risk is okay FOR YOU. You are the decision maker and I understand so well my love how hard these decisions are.

Good luck on your journey. You will be supported here no matter what your decision is. And there are many who can help with info if it's needed. :hug:

Well said Deb!! :)