Pros and Cons of Being Induced.

Mom of 2 great boys and was induced for both. Would take the drugs, catheter, bed, monitor and all any day. It made the whole process that much more enjoyable and not too tired to enjoy my new little one...

i chose to be induced and would recommend it. it was a great experience for me and it is nice knowing when it will happen so people can take off of work LOL and also getting the dr you want is a good perk. my entire labor & del was only 8 hrs from the time they broke my water

Induction is no big deal. I think you should just do it and have the baby. At this age, babies are safer on the outside. Get it over with and start on that path of having two under two.

Hang tight. My kids are 21 months apart and it was crazy that first year. I could only take it for about 4 months then I had to go back to work part-time to keep my sanity. That's what you should really be worried about.

Best wishes for a healthy baby.

There is no way any doctor can guarantee you that your baby will be just fine because it's the second baby??? Based on what?
A lot of people already pointed out that induction is in intervention. Any intervention should have a MEDICAL reason. A raised glucose test sometime during pregnancy is not a medical indication for induction.

You also received some anecdotal stories in some of the responses.
In addition, I suggest you educate yourself, learn what the evidence says, what the actual recommendations are, listen to your intuition about that what is the best course of action for you AND for your baby.

Suggested starting points for you to educate yourself further:

About Normal Birth
http://www.lamaze.org/ExpectantParents/PregnancyandBirthR...
Point 1) addresses induction specifically, but you might want to read all of the information linked to from this page, as - induced or not- all of these will play a role and you will have to make decisions during the course of your labor.

Bishop Score (adapted) - how likely is the induction to succeed?
http://www.mybirthbydesign.com/Bishop%27s%20Score.pdf

http://www.motherfriendly.org/pdf/MFCevidencehighlights13...

Having a Baby? Ten Questions to Ask
http://www.motherfriendly.org/pdf/Having_a_Baby-English.pdf

Informed Decision Making, Informed Consent or Refusal
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10081

The Rights of Childbearing Women
http://childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10084&...

go to www.mothering.com, and search for induction, you will find a number of articles dealing with the issue from various angles. Articles do include references.
A few examples of the articles:
http://www.mothering.com/let-baby-decide-case-against-ind...
http://www.mothering.com/avoiding-cascade-medical-interve...
http://www.mothering.com/ecstatic-birth-hormonal-blueprin...

http://childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=3...
If you want to go into more depth and are not afraid of more technical jargon, check out chapters 39 and 40 which deal with induction.

Yes, I know this is a lot of information, a lot of links, a lot to read and digest. And I'm not saying you have to read all of it, but the better informed you are, the better you know what the medical research says about induction, and its risks for you and the baby, and what the true indications are for induction, the better you will be able to make a truly informed decision.

Best wishes and good luck!

Why for no good reason does your doctor want to induce you? Your baby will come when it is ready!!!
Induction is an intervention! Any intervention increases the chances of other interventions like c-sections. Induced labor is more painful for the mother and more stressful on the baby. Pitocin induced contraxtions are stronger and closer together not giving the baby time to recover possibly causing fetal stress. If your baby shows signs of fetal stress guess what? C-section! If they induce you and your labor does not progress fast enough for their liking guess what? C-section and those are only 2 possible situations. I could list dozens more.
Sounds to me like your doc is pretty open to interventions since she wants to induce for no good reason so be careful. If you do not want to be induced say NO! Your doc works for you and you have hired her to provide care for you. Do not think that you can't have a say in what happens.
There is a chance you baby will not be ready to be born yet. Yes at 39 weeks baby "should" be fine. BUT what if your date is a little bit off and baby is really only 38 week or younger? Or what if your baby is one of the ones whos lungs are not fully developed at 39 weeks? It just doens't make sense.
Really how can she assure you that with a second baby it will be fine? What is the difference? That your body already knows how to labor? She is right it does. Let it do it on it's own!!!!
Please tell your doc you will wait for your baby to arrive in it's own good time when it is ready to!

********** I am editing this to say WOW to some of the other responses. Induction IS a big deal and leads to many many other interventions. C-sections ARE a big deal. They are major surgery and the total recovery time can take months! More times is spent in the hospital the scar has consequences for the next birth. You’re more likely to have placenta previa or an invasive placenta, more likely to need another c-section, have an ectopic pregnancy or experience infertility. Having your internal organs removed from your body and placed beside you IS a bid deal. How do you think they get to the uterus? Are we so medicalized that we think having your abdomen cut open isn't a bid deal? Birth is a natural process and needs to be left alone as often as possible. Sure there are some limited and specific reasons for induction but for the most part inductions perfomed are NOT truly necessary and are done for convienience.
If you were baking a cake would you take it out early and risk it being undercooked or would you follow a tried and true recipie that has worked for millions of years?? ***********

J., if you don't officially have the diagnosis and there's no other medical justification, I can't understand why your MD wants to do that. Getting induced does increase the likelihood of other medical interventions - including C-sections. (I have one child and he was induced but I had GD and pre-eclampsia so I saw the induction as justified option). It's your right as a patient and mother to make an INFORMED choice even if your MD disagrees with what you end up choosing. www.birthnetwork.org Good luck!

Before you read this list of pros and cons, I want to remind you that if you are unhappy with your care provider that you can fire him/her at any time and hire someone who fits your birthing philosophy better. Being that you have a healthy, low risk pregnancy, you are a client, not a patient, and could change doctors or use a Certified Nurse Midwife instead.

Best wishes,
E.

pros of early induction in low risk pregnancy:
-no conflict with doctor
-meet baby sooner
-plan day of birth

cons:
-conflict with doctor
-risk of preterm baby if baby isn't 39 weeks developed (remember, 40 weeks due date is an average. Your baby may not be ready until 42 weeks gestation)
-chance of being confined to bed goes up which limits movement, causes painful contractions, restricts pelvis from opening fully
-increase risk of fetal distress
-increase desire for epidural (epidurals have their own inherent risks including episiotomy, forceps, respiratory paralysis, severe headache, prolonged backache postpartum
-increases chance of cesarean birth (1 out of 3 women give birth by cesarean now in America which correlates to a rise in inductions in the last decade)
-cesarean birth may decrease chance to bond with baby immediately and establish breastfeeding relationship

J.,

I am a SAHM of two children; the first born vaginally at Pitt with an epidural and the second born at home with my husband attending. I am studying to be a Birth Doula and am very interested in helping you find the best choice for you and your family. I will need to do some research to fully inform you on the pros and cons but can start by saying this: Starting labor by induction often creates a snowball effect that will increase your odds of having a cesarean. Maternal death is four to seven times more likely with a cesarean than with a vaginal birth. Recovery time with a vaginal birth is two to three times less than recovery time with a cesarean.

I will write more later. Feel free to contact me personally.

Best wishes,
E. Reece

I am a Labor/Birth Doula, and I suggest staying away from pitocin/induction if at all possible.

WALK WALK WALK!!! LUNGE LUNGE LUNGE !!! SQUAT SQUAT AND DO IT SOME MORE! As your body gets ready to birth this baby, your pelvis area is opening (on its own)and preparing for the baby's descent.

I would recommend letting nature take its course. Your body knows when baby is ready to come. Pitocin causes stronger and stressful contractions. If your water has broken, induction can be VERY stressful to baby since there is no buffer and your uterine wall is pushing and pushing on baby.

Here is a typical scenario: Due to the pitocin causing more painful contractions, your caregivers will probably suggest an epidural. Then you are numb from the waist down and they'll catheterize you for urine output. Epidural can cause your blood pressure to decrease and they'll want to have you on a constant blood pressure monitor.
Gravity is your best friend during labor. Laboring on your back in bed is not how its supposed to be. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO LABOR WELL WHEN YOU ARE TIED TO THE BED WITH ALL THESE TUBES AND MONITORS? You should be up and moving, swaying, slow dancing with your partner, and walking.

Not to make anyone mad or upset, but I don't understand how anyone would choose Major Abdominal Surgery unless it was medically required. If you choose induction, your chance of a C-section rises 50%.

L.

Getting induced without a medical reason is inviting all the medical risks of induction without getting any benefit. If there is no medical reason for being induced JUST SAY NO!

To see if you're a "good" candidate for an induction -- meaning that the induction is less likely to fail and you end up with a C-section, you need to know your Bishop's score, which is a compilation of various physical factors (how far dilated and effaced you already are, among other things). If you're under a certain number, the induction is likely to fail and you will end up with a C-section. If you're over a certain number, the induction is likely to succeed and you will have a vaginal birth. Many times doctors induce women who are poor candidates for induction, and then they end up with a C-section. The best way to avoid a C-section is to avoid intervention, including an induction. Wait for labor to start naturally, because the beginning of labor is a sign from your baby that s/he's ready to be born. If you start labor artificially, your body may not cooperate, because it knows that your baby is not ready to be born, and is trying to protect your baby from an early birth.

Again, induction carries medical risks -- be sure you know what these risks are before you consent to it! If there is no medical reason for an induction why take the risk??

ACOG (American College of OB/Gyn) does not recommend induction until 42 completed weeks of gestation, barring a medical indication. So I don't know whose regs your OB is following... but it's not the ones she's supposed to be. You're more likely to acheive a normal, vaginal birth if you go into labor spontaneously. Your instincts in this appear to be spot on.

Don't let a dr tell you how to have your baby unless there is for certain a medical reason to have either the induction or c section. The dr wanted to induce me out of mere convienence on his part. I did not have it done bc I did not want the added pain that pitossin(sp?) brings. My baby was delivered two days after her due date. I figure there must be a reason they decide to come out when they do. Maybe something needs to continue developing in that environment. Do what makes you most comfortable.

I was induced @ 37 weeks with my one and only child. My Dr. had been "trying" to talk me into being induced ever since I was 32 weeks because @ 40 yrs old my feet were swelling and my BP was slightly elevated ...of course @ 40...these were problems I had when I wasn't PG and kept telling him that :) Every week I would put him off "one more week" and would have to see him every other day to take my BP. I was still working at my office job full-time. At 37 weeks he wanted another ultra-sound done and told me afterwards that my placenta was separating so I needed to be induced. Since I was 37 weeks and scared not to trust him on this one...I agreed. They started at 9 that night...hardly any progression til 6 the next night...in which the dr stopped the induction for the night and told me I could eat whatever I wanted "we arn't having a baby tonight". So friends visitied with donuts...my bf brought me a wendys double, Frosty and fries. Course @ 8:30 my water broke and within an hr I was dilated to 9. I bet a total of 7 nurses checked me b4 they would "bother" the dr who had went home. My labor pains were not that bad but I opted to have an epidural b4 they got too bad. The epi was definitely the most uncomfortable part for me....but it worked. I think I pushed 4 or 5 times b4 my son was born @ 12:58 am....vaginally. I found out later that my dr. was just about to leave on vacation and didn't want to leave a problem patient (guess that was me) on his back-up...so I highly suspect the "placenta detaching" story. But everything turned out "ok" so I do forgive him and would use him again...not sure he feels the same way about me since he seemed to be so stressed the last time ..lol Only negative thing with me son is he never took to breast-feeding liked I hoped he would....and that coupled with my problem with "supply" made me give up trying @ 9 weeks...cause I was already pumping mainly and supplementing with formula too. I was told by a lactation nurse that he was still kinda "lazy" since he came out a little early. If I had listened to my Dr. I would have probably had a babay @ 32-33 weeks...I'm glad I held out as long as I did. At 39 weeks....I would still not be induced unless there was some obvious reason to be. I KNEW everything was "ok" is why put my doc off for so long. Do what makes "you" comfortable.

Ok, at work right now so didn't get to read everyone else's responses but I know they're great. They always are. I had to be induced with my first child. He had absolutely no intention of moving out. They induced me a week after his original due date. After starting the drip I went from 0 to 5 cm in 30 minutes. Had no intention originally but ended up asking for the epidural at that point. After they restarted the drip, I finished dialating in another 45 minutes. When I hit 10 cm I pushed for two hours and that child would not budge. Ended up having a c-section. For me it wasn't due to the inducing, it was because my child's skull was not pliable enough to change shape to get through. It was near solid. We'll be having our second child this November and we've (I've) opted to have another c-section simply because I know that in some cases it's not possible to have a natural birth once one has had a c-section, and I just don't feel up to taking the chance that there might be complications from trying.

I was induced with 2 of my 3 pregnancies. I had no problem at all. I actually ended up having pitocin (sp?) with the third pregnancy even though I went into labor on my own. I was induced at 8 in the morning both times and both babies were born before 5:30 p.m. Each person and each pregnancy is different, so my experience is differenct than yours, but I am an example that being induced isn't all bad. Talk to your doctor about it and tell him/her your concerns. If it is for the health of you baby, than do what is necessary. Also, if they are concerned about the size of your baby, waiting to go into labor on you own could mean a bigger baby which could lead to a C-section anyway.

Have they done another ultrasound to measure the baby? Are you measuring large? That would the only reason why I would even consider induction is if the baby were so large that the time was NOW. Otherwise, do exactly what you want to do. My dr wanted to induce me, wanted to do a C-section, all kinds of things. I eventually went into labor on my own at 42!! weeks and delivered vaginally. The baby was fine... :)

I chose not to be induced for either of my children. I always felt that I would rather not schedule my children's births but let them come naturally. However, when I went to the doctor with my daughter, the pressure from her pushing down had caused me to swell so my doctor said that I needed to go ahead and be induced on that friday, which was 2 days after my appointment at 39 weeks. Needless to say, I went into labor later that afternoon after my appointment and delivered a VERY healthy baby girl at 8 lb. 10 oz. Oh, my first born was also born at 39 weeks, 3 days before the doctor said I could plan the induction. He was also perfectly healthy at 7lb. 11oz. I just wanted to let you know that you should do what ever you feel comfortable with, but at 39 weeks your babies will probably be perfectly fine if you do decide to induce.

J., I haven't gone thru all the responses as they are so many and I have to leave for work soon. Both of my children were induced, not for convience and timing, but for their health. I am diabetic and a nurse. Yes my situation is a bit different from yours, however you have one elevated blood sugar, with the stress of labor it can go up, or even the going full term. My doctor explained to me that babies of diabetic mothers, or mothers with elevated sugars during pregnacy, have a much greater chance of not surviving or having problems if they go full term. They can also get larger and have difficult deliveries due to size. He told me that diabetic mothers typically tended to have major problems in the last 2-3 weeks. As a result I
was induced at 36 weeks with my daughter and 36 1/2 weeks with my son. Both were and are healthy. Being induced is not to be used as means to make things convient but safer for you and your baby. If your doctor feels it safer listening to him/her, ask more questions of your doctor. Chances are everything will be just fine since you have not been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but knowing what I do I wouldn't want to take the chance. Talk to your doctor. God Bless

J.,

I had to have a c-section with my first child because he was breech. I delivered both of my children by c-section at 39 weeks, because the doctor's didn't want me to go into labor. Both delivered perfectly fine and no problems. My daughter was delivered by c-section because he refused to due a v-bac delivery. I was ok with the c-section with my second child, but the doctor did give me the option to go to another doctor if I wanted to deliver vaginal. I choose not to have a v-bac delivery due to the complications that could happen. I don't want to alarm you but just want to let you know that a c-section is s very serious procedure. I had the same concerns you have. I would just talk to my doctor about any concerns I had. Maybe write down some questions you have and take them withyou the next time you go in. Best of Luck!!

S.

I was induced at 39 weeks. Mainly due to a pre-existing condition (thyroid disorder) and my amniotic fluid was really low, and I also learned I have a narrow pelvis, and the larger the baby, the more difficult it is to deliver vaginally.

I wasn't thrilled about being induced early, but my doctor explained in detail the importance of being induced instead of waiting for labor to begin (in my situation.)

My labor progressed fairly quickly (about 8 hours.) When I arrived at the hospital, I was already dialated 1 cm. I arrived at 7am, petocin began @ 8am, my water was broken around 9/9:30, received my epidural around 10:30am, by 1pm I was fully dialated, pushed for 2 hours, and my beautiful dd was born at 2:58pm.

I do want to add that my dd's head was stuck at my pelvic bone b/c of my narrow pelvis. I had an assisted delivery (vacuum cap), it was no fun, and required an episiotomy.

After all that, I am glad I listened to my doctors advice about being induced early. If I would have waited for labor to begin on it's own, I would not have delivered vaginally.

Good luck to you. Please speak with your doctor if you are having concerns.

I had one C section and was induced three times. It really isn't that bad. If she wants to have you induced then she probably has a good reason.
She will probably have you go in early in the morning and they will out you on the pitosin. They may not break your water until your contractions are pretty close together. For my 2nd my water broke in school and they started me on pit and it took a while, I was able to have the epidural, she came in 16 hours. My second , he broke my water and she came in 8 hours. My third came 45 minutes after they broke my water. If you have enough time you can ask fo rthe epidural, there is no shame.
Congratulations!!!!!! Baby is coming!!!!!

Hi J.,
While I have not been induced, my sister and two friends have been. My sister's epidural had to be turned off because she was not progressing enough and then she dialated so quickly after it was turned off that they said it was too late to turn it back on. I have no medical background, but I feel like she would have done fine on the epidural if her body was ready to have the baby. My two friends who have been induced ended up with c-sections. One of those friends is an OR nurse and was fully aware of her chances of ending up needing a c-section (50%) but she is very comfortable in the OR so that was not a big deal to her.
My doctor will not induce and I was always kinda bummed about it until everyone around me who was being induced was either having to go through a hard labor or had to have a c-section. I also don't want to ever have to have a c-section so when I was informed that 50% of inductions lead to a c-section, I knew that was a chance I would not want to take.
Betsy

I guess I am different...LOL I have 5 children(one set of twins) and I was induced with all of them. My first I had Gestational diabetes and was induced at 39 weeks and it only took from 7 am till she was born at 12:23. With the twins I was losing amniotic fluid in one of the sacks. I was induced at 32 weeks and they started the induction at 7:30 and I had them at 9:28 and 9:32. The last 2 were induced because I have a medical problem that my body produces too much spinal fluid and it was putting too much pressure on my head. Again, no problems and had them both within about 5 hours. I had no problems with the pitocin slowing down labor or anything. It does throw you into the contractions pretty hard but I was still able to have epidurals. I know some people do have problems with induction(reaction to pitocin, slow labor, not dialating) but I had none of those problems, never had a c-section, no fetal distress, and five happy, healthy children.

K.

I read your other posts and think I am in the minority! While I would imagine you would want to understand the medical reasons your doctor wants to induce you, 39 weeks is still considered "on-time" and fullterm.

I had an unscheduled emergency C-section, which COMPLETELY went against my vision of child birth, but it was a very quick recovery (walking in 12 hours, able to drive in a week). I don't feel like a failure as a woman or a mother. An added bonus is that I don't have the vaginal issues that often come with a vaginal delivery (being stretched out, incontenence (sp?))

Doctors are just take precautions so that babies and mothers all come out OK. OB/GYNs are one of the specialties with the highest insurance rates because of lawsuits brought when things don't go as planned. In my part of the country there is even a shortage b/c so many have gotten out of the business!

Remember your MAIN goal should be to have a healthy baby and mom in the end no matter how you get there!

Hi J.,

First of all congrats and good luck with your delivery. I just wanted to let you know my experiences...hope it helps. I've had 3 children and my dr induced me. My 1st was induced 5 days early. I was 3cm dialated. With my 2nd I was also 3cm dialated and was induced 10 days prior to the due date. With my 3rd child I was going to be induced (I was dialated again) but she decided to come with the full moon. :) She was about 8 days earlier than the due date. All three were perfect and we had no trouble with any of the births. I just wanted you to know that it works out just fine. I'm sure your dr wouldn't suggest it if the baby was at risk at all.

The pros: You are prepared and there are no surprises. It was really nice with the 2nd child because we didn't have to scramble around for someone to watch our oldest while we went to the hospital. It was all arranged ahead of time. The con: It's really weird to just show up at the hospital without having contractions, etc. But there wasn't anything bad about it. We do have a really funny story to tell about the 3rd birth do. Considering we were supposed to induce on Wed and the baby came the Sun before. My water broke, etc. I guess I'm glad that I got to experience it both ways. I was Strep B positive with my 2nd and 3rd child--So the good thing about being induced was that I had time to get all the antibiotics in before the birth. With the 3rd child they try to hold the birth off to try and get all or most of the antibiotics in me.

I think either way, the important thing is that baby and mom are healthy. It will be great either way. So try not to worry too much. (I know, easier said than done.) :) Good luck!!!!

J.,
I was induced with my first one, he is now 3 at 37 weeks. I had help syndrome and they had to induce me. My 2nd baby, almost a year old, my water broke on my due date and I was in labor and having contractions but it was going slower than they wanted so they sped it up and induced me to make the labor go quicker since my water had broke. With that being said, both times being induced worked easy with me. I know it doesn't for everyone and can lead to a C-Section. But its different in every case. If your doctor thinks its safe and thinks it will work, I would trust her. Hope all goes well and good luck to you and your family!

My twins were induced at 38 1/2 weeks. I wasn't having any specific problems that would endanger the babies, but my doctor thought that 38 weeks was long enough to be pregnant with twins - for their sake and mine. Since that was my only pregnancy, I can't compare with waiting until they come on their own, but I will say that things turned out fine. Good luck!

I have 4 children. I have had my last two induced and would do it again if I had another. Depending on the traffic, we are as much as an hour from the hospital...and I go from 4cm to 10cm in less than two minutes (though it takes a while for me to get to 4cm). I never had any problems with induction. In fact, my 3rd child had the cord wrapped around her neck several times and had to have O2 as soon as she came out. I've often wondered what would have happened to her if I left her in there longer. What it boils down to is what you are comfortable with. If there is no reason to induce, then your doctor may be suggesting it for her own convenience. Do what your gut tells you. I'll say a prayer for you!

I was induced with my 2nd and 3rd sons in two different states and two different hospitals for two different reasons. Both of them were wonderful experiences. I found it to be a very controlled environment, no surprises, and everyone there is ready and waiting for you leading the way. I absolutely think it's a terrific idea and made everything smooth sailing from the pain management to the delivery, it's soooooooooo the way to go. Nothing at all sketchy about any of it. No reason at all to be apprehensive.

There is a much higher risk of c-sec when being induced but if your cervicx is ready meaning your already dialating (like 1-2 cm or more AND effacing and baby is low not high in your adomin) then usually it goes well. Also if you want to go natural no drugs then the potocin they give you can make your contractions stronger so more pain and nartual might hurt more. I was induced both times at 37 weeks 5 days due to the fact that I had been 3cm and 80% effaced since 32 weeks with my first and 35 weeks since with my second so induction went well. Have your OB "sweep your membranes" a few days before the induction to see if you go on your own if she's able. If your dialated at least 1cm and soft she should be able to do that.

The big risk with gestational diabetes is large babies. My son was 9lbs 4 oz and I ended up with a c-section after a long labor (not induced). I refused to be induced and, in hindsight, if it had meant a smaller baby to push out then maybe I could have had him vaginally. Some doctors want to schedule inductions for their convienenence, so you should feel sure that this is the right thing FOR YOU before you go ahead. Remember, its your body and your birth.. the doctor does this multiple times every weekand after its over wont give it much thought. You, however, will always remember.

J., 39 weeks is ok. The baby will be developed and should have little if any problems. Because you had the one test of high glucose, they are thinking the baby may be a bit larger than expected because that is what happens with gestational diabetes. Not that you have that, since it was only one test! I personally had the joy of being induced with my first, complications set in (she was "hooked" on something) and ended up with a c-section. My next was c-section because my body refused to open up! Family history....third was planned C-section. They really aren't as scary as they seem. The first two were much easier since they were emergent, however since you have already had a child and I'm guessing everything was fine??? you should have no problems. Everyone is different and honestly my c-sections were easier than labor!!! yes, sore and in bed for a few days, my advice, get up and get moving as soon as possible! it will be painful, take the meds, but then walk! it's the best thing for you! I wish you the very best and congrats on the new baby!!!

I was induced with my second child which really was great because that way I could schedule time for my family to be there to watch my oldest. I was already 2 cm dilated at 39 weeks. I went it at 6 AM and my son was born before noon. No C-Section on my part. If you are not dilated yet at that point I would recomend NOT getting induced until you are past your due date. I have heard lots of stories of C-sections because people were induced without any progress on their own. I was scheduled to be induced with my 3rd child, but went into labor on my own the day before. YOu have to do what feels right to you and your body.

J., I just want to let you know, not everyone believes in induction but I have three children of my own, and two of them were induced, and my labor was fine and the baby was fine and perfect every time. With my first one I was 39 weeks and I had pre-eclampsia so they induced labor because they were worried about my blood pressure. And with my third one, we weren't really sure of her due date because I had a miscarriage right as I got pregnant with her but she was in the breech position until the last minute. I was actually on the operating table fearing the c-section I was about to have, and the Dr. said something wasnt right. He did an ultrasound and found she had finally turned and sent me home. After three more days of no baby, my doctor finally induced labor because I was just so uncomfortable and she just needed a little push to get on her way. So when I finally had her, she was beautiful and what a relief after all the ordeal I had already been through. And once again, everything was fine. Her skin was actually very senstive and peeled a lot and her pediatrician said it was because she was in the womb longer than she needed to be. Imagine that! Do what you feel is right, but sometimes they need that extra push!!! Good Luck!

You've gotten a lot of both 'pro' and 'con' advice. My advice is almost always to let nature take its course. If you're not comfortable with it, don't do it just because your dr. suggests it. They sometimes want to do what's easiest for THEM, not always what's best for YOU! It's good to know that they can do an emergency C-section if necessary, but I wouldn't like intervention (induction) if it's NOT necessary.

J., I was induced a day after my due date and ended up having a c-section because I didn't progress into labor. From my experience, it all depends on how far you're dialated previous to the induction. If the baby is close to coming, the induction will be fine. However, if the baby isn't ready, the baby isn't ready. After having the maximum amount of pitocin, the most I ever dialated was to 7.

From what I understand, labor can also be slowed down if you get your epidural too early. I got mine between 3-4 cm. I often wonder if that caused me not to progress. Who knows??

Honestly, I was relieved to find out I was having a c-section. From that point, everything went very smoothly and my baby was here in a few minutes. It's nothing to be scared of at all. The recovery is a little longer, but it's just a matter of where you want to hurt.

Do what you feel is right. Don't let your dr talk you into something if you're not comfortable with it.

Hi J.!

I was induced with both of my children and had them both vaginally. The first time I was 39 weeks and my blood pressure had gotten out of control. It was a very long labor. The second time I was induced at almost 38 weeks ( same reason--BP). It was great! We went in (scheduled) at 6am and she was born at 4:23pm. I pushed twice! It was also nice because we knew about it a week in advance, so we had time to make arrangements for someone to keep our two year old son. I worked as a labor and delivery nurse for 7 years, and for most part docs don't induce unless they feel it is best/safer for you and/or your baby. Good luck!!

I was induced with both of my sons and it worked out great for me. With my first, I went into premature labor at 36 weeks (which they were able to stop, but it was horrible!) and then I was induced at 37 weeks (only dilated 2 cm) because my bp was high and I only labored for about 6 hours. With my second, I was leaking fluid at 35 weeks and had to be induced again. He was out in less than 5 hours, but I was already dilated to about 4 cm by the time I got to the hospital. Both times went very smoothly for me and it was left up to me when I wanted the epidural. They broke my water with my first so after maybe 2 horrible contractions I asked for it. I went ahead and got it first thing with my second and didn't have to feel one contraction. Like I said, it worked out great for me, but now being 28 weeks along with my third, I'm terrified of going into labor on my own because my first 2 came so quickly! I would wait and see how you feel the closer you get to the induction date and who knows...you may end up having your baby before then anyway.

Hi J.,
I was induced with my first son at 41 weeks because my blood pressure was getting high after being normal throughout my whole pregnancy and I was a week late. The induction didn't go so well. After 12 hours of labor, I was still only dialated to a 5. I had a fever, my heartrate and blood pressure were up and my son's heartrate was dropping. They wanted to do an emercency C-section. That was the last thing I wanted. I was so scared. But it was not that bad. I recovered pretty quickly. When I was pregnant with my second son. I elected to do another C-section. It too went smoothly. I went in with him at 39 weeks. He ended up being 9lbs 10oz. Glad I opted for the C-section. I recovered quickly with that one as well. I think faster.

Hope this helps you with your decision. Good Luck.

Hi J.,

In my opinion, inductions work best if your body has already started going into labor. Here was my experience with it. I went in on my due date for a scheduled visit. The doctor checked me and said I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. She stripped my membranes, but while doing she tore a small hole and broke my water. I started having contractions for a little while, but after the baby dropped and kind of sealed things back up, I stopped having contractions.

They sent me over to the hospital and started the pitocin shortly after I got there. About 30 minutes after they started it, I was in terrible pain with contractions. That stuff hurts!! They gave me an epidural and placed the foley catheter about 30 minutes later. After that, I was able to rest pretty good. They started the pitocin at 5:30 PM and I was able to rest/sleep for most of the night (except for the nurse coming in to turn me from side to side) until about 4:00 AM the next morning. Once I got to about 8 cm dilated, the epidural did not do as good of a job blocking the pain. My son was born at 6:36 AM.

So, My induction went extremely well. But, if I had to do it again, I would try and elect for a more natural birth. I believe that the more natural birth you can have, the better, but of course if there are medical/health reasons to start an induction, by all means. Honestly, just going off what you wrote, it does not sound like you have an emergency situation where you have to be induced. Inductions are much easier for the doctor...more easily controlled and planned.

If you do not want to be induced, stand up and say absolutely not. If your gestational diabetes was so under control that they could not technically diagnose you, the chances of you having a baby too large to deliver is very low. My mom had gestation diabetes (she had to take injections it was so bad), and my sister weighed 5'15. Not all babies are large because of the condition!!

The question I would ask is why she wants to induce you? If there is a sound medical reason, it might be a consideration. Otherwise, I would not choose to intervene in a healthy pregnancy which is not even overdue yet, especially if you are less inclined to induce anyway.

I went into labor naturally with my first 3 children. With my last child I was induced 3 weeks early. I am a diabetic and when a diabetic is pregnant the placenta starts to wear out at the end of the pregnancy and the baby does not get enough nourishment. The doctor is trying to take the baby early enough that the placenta is not worn out and no longer nourishing the baby. And the doctor is waiting late enough that the baby's lungs have developed enough. My doctor induced me to control the labor because of my age and because I am a diabetic. My doctor does high risk pregnancies and he wanted to be there when I went into labor for my last child, so I was induced. I could see on the ultra sound that the placenta was wearing out. Ask your doctor why she wants to induce you a week early.

Are there health concerns because of the raised glucose to you and/or baby?

Unless there's a GOOD reason (and one elevated blood sugar out of three, doesn't that bad to me) I would assume the baby will come out when its ready! Induction is pretty safe, but does raise the odds of complications.
If it came down to really "needing" to get the baby out, there are some safer ways to encourage labor naturally, before resorting to induction, which any Certified Professional Midwife, or Chiropractor would help you with.
If your doc is putting the pressure on you to do something you don't want, remember they are the professionals YOU hired to SERVE you! That makes you the boss, don't be intimidated! Do have proof of the validity of your way over theirs, and then challenge them to prove otherwise. Everyone should hire they care providers they feel best suits their needs and that they feel the most comfortable with. If you don't see eye to eye with your HCP, change providers!

Oh, bless you, so many would be begging to be induced. With having the raised glucose your baby can be really big. How big is baby measuring? At 39 weeks I would go on and do it. I had my first at 37 weeks, he came on his own at 37 weeks and also had twins induced at 36 weeks. Everybody was perfectly fine and home in 2 days. No problems at all. I'm with you, terrified of a C. Don't want to go through that. Don't want to deal with recovery of a C. My last was induced about 4 days early (I was having contractions everyday from noon on). It's really no big deal, not much different from going into labor on your own. Break water, start pitocin and your on your way.
Good luck!

If you had your first child with no problems and there does not appear to be any problems with this pregnancy I don't think that I would let the doctor schedule to induce you. I have not read all of the previous responses, but induced labor contractions are harder on you and your baby than natural labor. In natural labor your body is aware of the health of the baby and if there is a problem it will ease up on the baby - when labor is induced your body does not have any control over the contractions and their affect on the baby. When my mother was pregnant with my sister (her third child) her contractions would start and stop and start and stop - the doctor got frustrated that labor was not going as fast - so the doctor induced labor. This created too much stress on the baby and they had to do an emergency ceserean. My sister was not breech, but her head was positioned face first in the birth canal instead of the top of her head being first. Being that she would have been my mother's third natural birth - she probably would have been ok - it would have just taken longer to deliver. She is fine now - but her birth was extremely traumatic for my mother and they had to revive my sister immediately upon delivery.
In my situation I never went into labor and they tried to induce me at 42 weeks with no success - I still did not go into labor - I didn't dialate and the baby did not drop - they broke my water and did everything they could to get me to go into labor - it just never happened. Finally, they felt that if they waited any longer that the baby might be jeopardized - so they did a c-section. I had another c-section with my second child for the same reasons. I did not have any problems with my c-sections. As long as the baby is healthy and you and the baby are not having any health problems - I would encourage you to wait the pregnancy out. Have you met the other doctors that your doctor works with? If necessary are you comfortable with them delivering your baby? If so - I'd wait. If you have met them and do not feel comfortable with them then I might reconsider and let your doctor induce. Good luck.

Hi J.:
I understand your fears since I had so many friends who had been induced and had "horrible" stories about the process. However, with my first daughter (now 21 months), my contractions started and were regular, but for hours and hours my body did not dialate so they started me on Pitocin. It still took a while, but she was still born vaginally. My second daughter (now 6 months old), had to be induced since I was a week overdue. She was just happy to stay in the oven I guess. But this time it went quicker since I wasn't resisting the process + I got an epidural which was the way to go for me. My recovery time has super speedy too.

I guess if there is no real medical reason, you don't have to be induced, and you could insist you wait another week. I think it is up to you.

I too left the work force just before #2 was born and it has been good and hard at times too. I think what we have to remember as SAHMs is that it is in itself a big and VERY IMPORTANT job. Who else could do it as well as you? That is difficult to remember when you are seemingly just changing poopy diapers all day, entertaining, disciplining, cooking and cleaning. However, it will be you to see all the milestones and the little tender moments. THAT is priceless. Best wishes!

A. F.

Hello J., you never mentioned why she wanted to do C-section, you can be induced without a c-section, also I would have the glucose test again.

Shannon, (4 babies all natural last one was induced but he was a week late.)

if you are healthy insist that you dont be induced. many babies have health issues b/c doctors take them when they arnt ready. with that said i was induced with both of my girls. my first was an emergency induction and was horrible. but i was very sick. my second was also an induction b/c i spent 3 weeks in the hospital before i had her b/c of high bp. but that labor went great no problems at all. hope this helps good luck stick to your guns on this one!
ps my first was due nov 24th and came the 4th and my second was due april 1st and came march 9th so pretty early and my second had way fewer problems than my first