Should I Be Induced? What Are Your Experiences?

My sons due date was Dec. 21. We were induced on the 17th and he was born on the 18th. I just did not want to be in the hospital or in labor on x-mas. If you are at all concerned about that I would induce. If not, just wait.

I had my first baby 4 weeks late and my twins 2 weeks early. My friend had her girl enduced and she said she would never do it again. Her little girl was sick a lot and caught most of the colds that came around. My twins are the same way, if their big brother comes home with something, if they were in contact with germs at the store, whatever it may be, they come down with a cold. I know that it is close to Christmas, and it is hard having a baby so close to Christmas (my first is close to Christmas) but health wise it is better to just wait. Just my suggestion :)

I was due 12/24 last year and was induced 12/15. I went in 12/14 in the evening to get the cytotec placed and then pitocin wsa started in the morning. By 4:00pm I was holding my baby girl. With my son, my water broke, but I had to have pitocin to get things rolling. My experience with both deliveries was great. Do what you heart tells you to do. I didn't want to go into labor and be in the hospital for Christmas as I had an almost 4 year old at home.

I tend to think that medical interventions should be used for specific reasons, and if your pregnancy has been fine and healthy there seems no real reason to tamper with things at the end. I'm glad doctors know how to induce if there are problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, etc., but it seems like asking for trouble to induce for convenience. Your doctor did not choose to go into obstetrics imagining a 9 to 5 workday, so I don't think his convenience should be a major factor in your decision. If you have gone into labor before, clearly your body can do it and probably should be allowed to do it. I mean, if it ain't broke, don't "fix" it, you know? ;)
There are very real risks associated with induction--the rate of Cesarean births dramatically increases, and Pitocin-induced contractions tend to double-peak instead of coming in waves, which allow the baby to re-oxygenate between contractions. There's also the risk of picking a fruit before it's ripe. . . every bit of time in the womb is useful for development. Just because it's common doesn't mean it's best for your situation. Of course OBs and people who routinely deal with hospital births will be comfortable recommending this procedure because they manage risk for a living. But it's your baby and your birth and YOU certainly don't give birth every day, so you should make your decision carefully. Perhaps you could do some more research about induction to help with your decision. Consenting to anything without being really informed is not really true consent, I think. I really recommend the book "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer.
Only you can know what's best for you, but as the mom, you must choose what's best for you and what's best for your baby. Don't let anyone talk you into doing anything that doesn't feel right to you.
I have three children and my second birth was quick and wonderful. My midwife joked that "the road had been paved" by my first long, hard labor. I suspect that's true for you, too. I wish you a happy and powerful birth!

Generally speaking, if all is going well, the longer the baby can wait, the better. Being induced, especially if things aren't preparing on there own, can greatly increase the chance of needing a c-section. I have done the labor and c-section thing, and it's a very hard recovery. I'd say wait and see what happens, especially if you went the first time on your due date. I know how eager you are to have that next little one, and how much more the closer your date comes, but I'm for waiting as long as possible. A side note, I had a friend recently induced do to medical needs and the doctors (at a well-respected hospital here in Denver) had mis-figured the due date. Her baby was born roughly 6 weeks earlier than they had thought and spent months in the NICU as well as will need several major surgeries and have life-long problems. Any time you mess with nature, you are taking a risk. I have always chosen to go longer even though it is probably healthier for me to go a bit sooner. I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice. I hope you get something that helps. Congratulations on the new one!

I don't have an experience with an induction, just two friends who were induced. Both were hoping for a nonmedicated birth but it didn't go as planned. One had a c-section and the other had an epidural.

It's true that you can have a great birth being induced. However, here's things I've heard about as I read. (I'm a childbirth teacher.)
- Like many people have said, labor will be harder and more intense. Natural labor slowly builds to intense contractions, but intense contractions start right away after induction.
- Induction can cause oxygen deprivation for the baby if the contractions are too close. Oxygen is cut off to the baby during a contraction, and since induced labors often do not have long breaks, the baby can get low on oxygen. This is why monitors are required.
- Like many have said, you will be restricted to a monitor. One key to a more comfortable labor is being able to move and change positions. Usually, continuous monitoring is routine even without induction, but if you ask to only have intermittent monitoring for a non-induced labor, you usually can get that.
- Some people have mentioned prematurity. Every week in the womb, even at the end, means important developments for the baby. Plus, due dates are only rough estimates. Labor starting naturally means that the baby is ready.

My daughter was born on Dec 23 last year. I was disappointed to not go to the family gatherings. However, that Christmas will be my most memorable and special one. Also, my husband automatically had extra time off to be there after the birth.

That really is such a personal decision. The one thing I would look at is how close to Christmas it is. There are going to be people who want to see the baby for the fist Christmas. Some you can say no to, others like Grandmas, aunts and uncles, it will be harder to turn away. The sooner you have the baby, the more rested you will be, and fell better and able to enjoy the holiday with less stress. Also, this time you have another child to worry about....finding a babysitter and such. It is a lot easier to say, "we'll bring him by on the 13th" then it is to call someone at 3 in the morning and say "wake up I'm going in"

Ther are many people telling you it isn't safe etc., and it is harder on both you and the baby. Well, with my first, she came on her own. It was a long hard labor that almost ended in a C-section. Luckily the vacuum finaly got her out. My second I was induced, and it was much easier, he came out faster and with no problems. And to the people who are saying that if you induce then they will have to monitor the babies heartrate, thats just silly. They do they even with a natural labor.

Your doctor will not induce you if he doesn't think it is safe, so decide how you feel. Like I said it is a very personal decision, and you won't regret wich ever one you choose. Many many women get induce 1 week before their due date. Today it is very normal and there is nothing wrong with it. I don't know anyone who has had any problems with it.

Go naturally. If you are healthy and the baby is healthy, than go naturally. It will be better for both of you if you go naturally. The chance of a c-section is much greater if you are induced.

C.,
No one can make your choice for your. Follow your heart, and do NOT let anyone scare you away from induction. I have three girls....the first one came naturally, the second two were induced. There was no difference between the two.

And let me tell you, I worked in Labor & Delivery for several years and can tell you that there were just as many complications in "natural" births than inductions. PLEASE do not let people scare you. As one doctor said, "you don't get gold stars for being in pain." Enjoy the birth, do whatever is right for you and your family.

Congratulations on your new miracle! Please contact me with any questions.

If everything is fine and healthy let mother nature take its course. Women have been having babies for thousands of years. Our bodies are made to carry babies and there is a natural progression to things. Let the baby come on his/her own. There may be a reason she/he is not ready to come out just yet. I know the last few weeks can be miserable, but in the long run you and the baby will be much better off if you let things take their course naturally, pending the baby and you are healthy to do so. Be patient and hang in there. Good luck!

Natural labor is much less painful than induced labor. I've experienced both, and I would most certainly opt for the more natural way. You at a higher risk for complications with induction, and at a higher risk for a C-section. I realize every day is a struggle as you get towards the end or the pregnancy (for me each day seemed like a week - 2nd DS was 6 days late!). But remember in the grand scheme of things how insignificant this time is.

Likely, you would be fine either way, but you asked my opinion, so I gave it. :) Good Luck!!

With my first I went into labor naturally and with the other two, I was induced. I was induced for medical reasons with the middle child (her blood pressure was staying in the 200's) and induced with my 3rd child because I had been dilated and having intense contractions for a week, and had no one to help me with the 2 other kids (husband worked long hours). Being induced helped me plan better and feel less stressed, although I really did enjoy going into labor naturally with my first child. The only difference in labor (in my opinion)is that the contractions are more intense then going thru labor naturally. I just had to realize early on that it was ok to ask for pain medicine earlier then I would have done going thru labor naturally. The difference with being induced is that I was not able to move around as much because you have the IV's and they usually are monitoring the baby because of the pitocin. If your dilated and effaced the pitocin will just jump start things, which it did for me and I was able to give birth with both girls in 5-6 hours from when they started the pitocin.

I just figured I would share my experience with you and let you know that I've done both(natural and induced) and had good experiences with both.

K.

Hi C.! I was induced with all 4 of my kids for various reasons (two medical, one past due date and the other for a similar reason as you present). Each labor and delivery was totally different, which I'm assuming would have been the case if I hadn't been induced. I was also induced using suppositories once, pitocin twice (I was already dialated) and having my water broken once (it didn't work and I still needed pitocin -- this was my past due pumpkin). None was more painful or more difficult than the others and all resulted in beautiful children (two boys, two girls). Don't know if that helps, but maybe will give you peace of mind if you do induce. Good luck!

I would let things take place naturally, they are supposed to get here when they get here. Inducing labor is really not the way to go unless you are WAY overdue. Inducing labor is hard on the mother and hard on the baby, and all that just for convenience is not a good idea. I don't recommend it. I've had friends who were induced and it wasn't a good idea. I would just wait, when the baby comes it will be in his/her own time as it should be. I had 2 and they both came when they were ready and it was much easier on them and me. That's my humble opinion.

Congrats on this exciting time for you! Just from my knowledge of haveing three healthy babies, I would advice you to NOT INDUCE. One thing you really need to think about as well is, what ever drug goes into your adult body goes into your baby's body even more. I would say patience is best! My kids were all past due, but a due date is just a due date. You don't know exactly when the baby is "late". And you know, eventually it will!!!

Let the baby come when they want, unless you go over and there is a medical reason for inducing. I went a week over and still had to be induced, and I was in labor for 26 hours....and then it all ended in a C-section anyways. I failed to progress, but you have one normal delivery under your belt, and thats the untilmate goal! Inducing can be more painful and the risk to the baby greater. I am surprized that your doc was willing to induce you just because he was on call those days. Mine was adament that a natural birth was the best way to go, and only agreed to C-section me because when my water did finaly break it was mconium stained. Let nature take it's course :)

I was induced because I was late which is an entirely different story. I'd advise you to not go that route unless you are a week past your due date. Though I used a different drug than most, cytotec (sp?) which might have made it even more intense, I think when induction in general tends to make things more painful.
My doctor described it as running a marathon without training. When you do things the natural way you get the benefit of the natural progression and hormone release etc. When you induce, you hit the starting line and have to run, no prep.

You can contact me directly if you want to hear more about my saga of course... but my two cents is: wait. If it goes more than one week induce (my daughter ended up in the ICU because she swallowed the miconium -sp?).

:)
J.

I am SO glad that your pregnancy has been healthy thus far. But keep this in mind: being induced makes you high risk because they are introducing drugs to you and your newborn baby tht would have not been there otherwise. In fact, there have been NO drugs that have been proven safe for the pregnant mother and her unborn baby. This is why the hospital staff would (most likely) want to continuously monitor your baby's heart rate during the induction because they want to know how your baby is reacting to the drugs used to force your body into labor. Inductions come with higher risks than a naturally occuring labor.

C. M., CBE, CLD
Owner, The Westside Birth Connection
www.westsidebirthconnection.com

I was induced with both of mine. The first one was necessary and 4 weeks early because there were a lot of complications, but everything went fine, long, but fine. My 2nd I chose to be induced a week early because everything looked fine. It was so nice to have things arranged for my daughter and work for my husband and again everything went smoothly and fairly quickly. If you're concerned about the contractions, I have only ever been induced, so I don't know that there is a difference. I got an epidural really early on with my first because we just didn't know what was going to happen, but with my 2nd I waited until they said that if I wanted it I had to have it right then and I didn't think it was too bad. Good luck! Hopefully you can enjoy this Christmas with a new baby! YEAH!

I was not with my first and was with my second. YES-the contractions are a LOT harder and more painful but it was scheduled, I had help scheduled for when the baby was here, doctor's have it scheduled so it will not be a "quick-someone is in labor" and my labor was only 4 hours. However, my experience was great with the induction and not so good with the natural labor! Then again, the first can be a lot harder regardless of how the baby gets here. I know that everyone is different and so is every baby and I know people may disagree with me but I would do it (induction) again IF the doc says it is ok! GOOD LUCK

Do whatever you want. Keep in mind that there is a set of hormonal cues that occur between baby and the mom that indicate when things are ready to proceed. A shot of pictocin may artifically trigger the same events but the baby may not be completely ready to be born; it is the most important day of his or her life! My friend who's a nurse works with a woman who had a very bad experience, the pictocen caused her to prolapse, resulting in her giving birth to her uterus after the placenta and having to have a histerectomy within a couple years.
Another friend of mine had a 12 lb. boy so they induced 2 weeks early with her second b/c he was already at 10 lbs. And things turned out much better with him then w/ her first.
If it's a heathy pregnancy and everything was on schedule with your first, I would just wait for it to happen, after all, a newborn isn't going to conform to your schelule, whats an extra few days?- Who knows, maybe the baby will decide to show up on the 13th instead so your doctor won't be inconvenienced.

Well, I see a lot on here absolutely against it. I was induced with my first one, scheduled one week before due date. I had no problems with labor or delivery and everything was fine. I would have been induced with my second one, had I not gone into labor two weeks early. It is purely a personal decision and the doctor would not even suggest it if he/she didn't feel confident in the outcome. I suggest you take all of our opinions with a grain of salt, in the end, it is what you feel most confident about for yourself and situation.
Good luck to you, what a wonderful Christmas blessing.

Like many other responses, you should do what you feel is right for you & your family. We just had our 2nd child in October & we decided to be induced. The process was very smooth & i am glad I made that decision, but i am sure it isn't for everyone. Our first child came naturally after my water broke. But the 2nd time around I decided to schedule an induction on my actual due date b/c it was convenient from a planning perspective especially with another toddler running around the house & i was able to plan & work out my FMLA time off from work based on my induction date so for me the experience worked perfectly. We had my in-laws fly intown 2 days before & we got to spend some time with them & then they stayed at our house for the 2 days we were at the hospital after the baby was born & they took care of our 4 year old, got him dinner & off to school & had the house spotless when we came home from the hospital. Since our lives are fairly hectic & busy it made sense for us to have a plan in place, but my suggestion is you should do what feels right for you & things will work out perfectly whatever you decide. There are plus/minus to any plan, but as long as you are happy with the outcome that is all that should matter.

Unless your health or the baby's dictates being induced, or if you only want your doctor, not the one on call dealing with your delivery, just go naturally. It is really more for your OB's convenience otherwise...

With my first I went into labor naturally and with my second I was induced (just a month ago). I'm one who LOVES to plan on things so being induced was fabulous. I was able to have my MIL out to take care of my 2 yr old. I was also pos for Strep so I was able to go in and have plenty of time for enough of the penicillin to protect my baby. I would recommend it any time especially if you are already dilating and ephased. I'm also a fan of drugs and they put the pit in and told me I could get an epi whenever I was ready so when I decided I was done feeling the contractions (not bad at all by the way), I asked for the epidural. After that I didn't feel any pain. All my SIL have been induced and think it's a wonderful experience.

I was induced with my first pregnancy and not with the my second. I would say that the two don't even compare. When I was induced the contractions were much more intense than when I went into labor naturally. My labor lasted much longer, although it often does with first children. I wanted drugs early into my labor when I was induced and when I went naturally I was able to handle the pain as it was more gradual. Just my two cents. Good luck,whatever you decide.

Wait! Wait! Wait! Do not let them induce you unless you want contractions to be 10x worse!! Trust me, my first was induced and i would never suggest it unless medically needed!!! It sucks!! Natural is way better, my second child i only had pain meds in my i.v.~ no epi~ way better!!!

Let your baby come when he or she is ready. I haven't heard of someone being induced before their due date unless something is wrong. My daughter was due December 31, 2007 but she came (on her own) on December 21. I know it can be kind of crazy this time of year especially with another child and getting ready for Christmas. It can be hard waiting for a new baby to arrive--with both of mine I just couldn't wait until I got to meet them--but hr or she will "pop out" when they're good and ready!

I had my second child induced and loved the whole experience. I had someone lined up to watch my older child so that wasn't a last minute worry and once I had in my head that I was going in on that specific day my body followed along, the nurse said I would have been in sometime that day anyway.
Loved it!!

If you had an uncomplicated natural childbirth the first time around, I would say that you should wait for it to happen naturally the second time. Most often, doctors induce labor for convenience, especially around the holidays, but the chances of complications arising, even with your second child are actually rather high. Since your doctor is talking about inducing you BEFORE your due date, I would be wary. From someone who has had two children and complications with both....consider yourself lucky to be able to have natural, uncomplicated childbirth....it's best for you and, most importantly, your baby...and that's what should be most important to you. Congratulations and best of luck.

I was induced with my baby and when I have another one I will do it exactly the same way (if I don't go into labor on my own before my induction date). I had no problems being induced and loved everything about it. Of course there can be problems with it, but there can also be problems with going into it naturally. There are always horror stories no matter how the baby is born. Someone out there has a horror story about it. But there are also those of us out there who have a had a good experience with it whatever way we decide to do it. So you have to remember that it is ultimately up to you and your hubby. If you feel more comfortable doing it the way you did it last time then do that. If you're up for trying something new, then be induced. Some people have problems being induced, but not everyone does so if that's the way you want to go then I say DO IT!!! Good luck and Merry Christmas to you and your little family!!!

In a word: WAIT!

I understand that it is popular to do things based on convenience and whatnot...but the fact of the matter is that parenting isn't about what's easy and in a planning book. You're body and your baby know when it's the best time to birth...not the calendar...even if it may make holidays "easier" to plan.

Anecdotally, we can say a number of babies have been born from induction without medical necessity and turned out "ok", but that is NOT factually true for the majority. The studies are clear and undeniable that inducing labor prior to your due date without pressing medical NEED significantly increases the odds of complications in labor and birth.
Though you hear woman tell you they had an induction and it all turned out ok, I'm willing to bet once you dig into the full story you will find little and big facts pointing to higher risk of one thing or another, such as: fetal heart rate drops, lack of oxygen concerns, non-assuring fetal tones and variability, the need for internal fetal monitoring which requires the rupturing of membranes in order to place the "wire" that screws into the scalp of the baby (this particular procedure carries several of it's own risks like the increase of infection to mother and the possibility of screwing the monitor wire into an unfavorable place of the presenting anatomy--eye, nose, etc--), and the list goes on.

Induction is a wonderful helpful thing WHEN THE BENEFITS "OUT-WEIGH" THE RISKS. The fact that we have technology and medications that can help and reverse adverse affects and decisions doesn't negate the fact that we must be wise and prudent with how we use those things. Why pay a higher price for something when you don't need to (physically, emotionally, and financially)?

I've just seen too many babies end up in NICU becuase the "due date" was off and Mommy or DR. just didn't want to wait...babies often end up only being 36 weeks gestational age without fully developed lungs, or being an extremely low birth weight because ultrasounds showed the possibility of a large baby without the perspective facts that the farther along in gestation the less accurate the US's are at predicting weight--they can be off by up to two full pounds in either direction. A Mom may be carrying a 7 pound baby but the sonogram may indicate 5 or 9 poundsand, Mom's trying to avoid a nine pound baby end up with a 5 pound baby in watchful care. Now often they are spot on, but many times they are not, and the baby pays the price though Mom's satisfied the wait is over. Really, it's just not worth the risks unless there is palpable and vetted danger in waiting.

I'd suggest reading "Obstetric Myths vs Research Realities" by Henci Goer. Then take what you've read and talk to your care provider. Make an informed CHOICE. Once you have, submit yourself 100% with flexibility to allow the best care for you and your baby.

I'd also HIGHLY suggest a doula ESPECIALLY if you choose to induce. The studies are CLEAR on that as well. If you could put a doula into a pill it would be unethical not to give it to every mother because of the reduced complications, interventions, and post partum depression, as well as the reduction in overall medical costs. You may be able to even out the risks and benefits a bit.

Regardless of all that I've said above and what others have imparted, you really need to do the leg work of READING the full information--which includes actual medical studies--and then going with your instincts and intuition. You are the Mommy, You get to be inspired far and above anyone else. :o)

Hi C.,
If you don't mind significantly increasing your risk of C-section, infant distress, and other complications, then go ahead with the induction. I know how hard it is to wait for a baby, especially, I'm sure, during the holidays. But, truly, baby will come in his or her perfect timing. With my first baby, they induced me at 2 weeks past my due date. I had been told that he was going to be very big. Turns out that when they dated him after he was born, he was only 38 weeks! If we had induced early, he would have been premature. He was only 6 lb 13 oz at birth. Not very big as they thought. All of my babies go late. And, being induced is not a fun process. I vote for patience and trusting the Lord's timing on the birth. Of course, if you go very late and scans show distress and reduction of amniotic fluid, I am all for doing whatever needs to be done to protect the baby. But, just for convenience's sake, I think it is a bad idea. You're potentially borrowing trouble. A great book to read, which I think every pregnant mother ought to be required to read, is The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. Excellent!! Blessings to you on your new baby. I pray everything goes beautifully for you.

Blessings,
Tonya--mom to 6 children, ages 16-2

I cant tell you what to do. That is ultimatly up to you. I can tell you that with my first, I waited until my body jumpstarted on its own. I was young, and didnt know that I was in labor until my water broke. My daughter was only seven pounds when she was born, but that was too big for me, and she got stuck in the birth canal. They had to use forcepst to dislodge her. She was born healthy and wonderful. When I had my second son, I opted to be induced two weeks early for several reasons. With the induction, my son was smaller so I didnt have any trouble, and the labor was a fraction of what it was the first time. (I only pushed for 1/2 hour instead of 4+ with my first one) Our bodies learn by doing so that probably had something to do with the ease of it. But if I were to have a third child, I would choose to be induced again. I hope this helps you.

DO NOT induce. It leads to more and more interventions and increases the chance of needing a C-section. If you're given Pitocin, it makes the contractions much stronger, closer together, and more painful than natural contractions. This is not healthy for the baby. Keep in mind also that epidurals do not always take. I had to be induced with my first baby and it was horrible. I just gave birth naturally (no drugs at all) to my second baby six weeks ago and overall, it was SO much better. My advice is to wait.

C., Please please please, if it isn't medically necessary, please do not induce. In my opinion, if the doctor is willing to induce for no medical reason, the doctor is not qualified. I know that that is a very strong statement, but inducing labor puts you and your baby at risk. Contractions can be much stronger and because you don't go into labor naturally your body isn't ready. When you go into labor naturally it's because your babies body is ready and begins to release hormones that signal your body to go into labor. If you induce, even though your baby can survive outside your body, it is a bit of a shock on them and on you. In addition to that the vast majority of induced births that I personally know of (my friends and family) have ended in c-section because the baby ends up stressed or the uterus goes into spasm. If you have had a healthy labor and birth before, please try to do that again. There is a lot of information out there and I'd be happy to look up more for you if you need more. I don't want to scare you because natural birth is not a scary thing, but when you start to mess with it you can get a mess. Thank goodness we have medical interventions when it is necessary, but that is the only time they should be used in my opinion (with the exception of pain control if that is something you need).

Happy birthing and congratulations! And good for you for getting opinions and looking into it before you jump into something.

Dear C.,
natural labor is definatly better for you and your baby. Being enduced can last days and then it can turn into a c-section. Let your body lead you. Is it nice to just wait and see what happens. Be prepared. Have your bag packed and in the car w/ everything that you will need. It is these surpise times when your water breaks on an elevator or at the mall that you and your hubby will be caught off guard. This is also a great time to spend with your first kiddo. Letting them know exactly how much they are loved and how things might be kinda different when the baby comes. I have 4 kids 3 were induced... I would rather have it come naturally. I really enjoyed being pregnant and so i was late with all my kids. I know that we think that planning a date for delivery is a little easyier but being induced is definatly not easier. Take care and good luck

I had to be induced for both my kids. The first I could not get the epidural first. Between my first and second a study came out that it makes no difference if you get the epidural before the pitoson(SP?) and that made life so much better. Be sure and talk to your dr. about getting the epidural first because I don't think it is standard yet. Good luck what ever you decide.

If there is absolutely NO clinical reason for you to be induced, DON'T DO IT. Google the risks of induction before you do anything else. There are many, many more risks than doctors are willing to tell you.

It is statistically shown that inducing labor increases iatrogenic (doctor caused) life threatening complications exponentially. Think about it, your body goes into labor when the baby is situated in the right position and is ready for birth. Causing labor to begin before the the two of you (baby & you) are ready, is also associated with much longer and more painful labors, since your body has to work a lot harder to get the baby into the right position.

Since you've already had a successful one successful birth, going into labor on your own, your body knows what to do. Odds are you will have a faster and even easier birth than your first.

It sounds to me like your doctor doesn't really want to be bothered with a Christmas delivery messing up his holiday.

Trust your body. It knows what to do.

And congratulations on your Christmas baby. I had a New Years baby almost 5 years ago (after a long and complicated induced birth).

Blessings,

M.

hi C.,

My suggestion would be to wait, but that's just my personel belief. My daughter was 13 days late before I was induced and I'm so happy that I didn't go into labor any earlier than when I did. She was perfectly healthy and in my opnion rigt on time. Babies come out when they are ready sometimes they may need that little bit of help, but I don't believe in doing so until I'm past my due date by a week or two. remember your due date is really just a guess on your doctors part and if you induce before your due date your baby could actually be early. Anyway whatever you choose I'm sure will be right for you and your family. Best of luck with your labor and I wish you lots of happiness.

I had my first naturally and my second one was induced. The only reason the 2nd one was induced was because we had compilations with the 1st one. The 2nd one was induced 10 days early because that was when the 1st one was born. I was really bummed to have the 2nd induced and now I wish we waited longer. I still think he needed to cook a bit longer, maybe he would be an easier kid ;). But we did not want a repeat from the first one (a different story). The induction did not take long at all. All they did was break my water and an hour and half later he was born. I also asked about being induced this time around because of the first 2 and my midwife said there are new standards out and are not supposed to induce you unless you are 29 weeks or over. My opinion would be to wait. I hope this helps make your decisions and good luck with everything.

C., congrats on baby number two! I also have two - it's a lot of work, but totally worth it!

Reading your question, I don't see any reason mentioned that you would need to be induced except for the schedule - and is that really a good reason to be induced? Birth is a natural process, and our bodies are designed well to do what they are supposed to do! Our hormones, and the baby's development, and the hormones in the placenta, are all designed to work together and start the labor process when it is the best time for the baby - and when they all work togehter, they should also progress in the most natural and efficient way for you as well. I realize that it doesn't always work out that smoothly, but I really think we should let our bodies and our babies decide when they are born.

My first baby was breech, so I had scheduled a c-section - but really didn't like the idea of having a scheduled date for having my baby. It was like I was choosing her birthday for her. So I was very glad when my water broke naturally before the scheduled c-section date! It still had to be a c-section delivery because she was still breech, but at least she got to come when she was ready! And she was actually 3 weeks early, but had no complications at all! So three weeks off from the doctor's schedule was the perfect time for her!

My second baby was a successful, natural VBAC with no complications.

Do what you feel is right for you and your baby! Either way I hope everything goes well!
S.

hey C.,
the thing about being induced is it doesn't always work, depending on what they do. i was over due with my youngest by six days and asked to be induced. they did induce me, didn't work. tried everything, walking, jumping, overexhausting myself, everything. finally i was induced again. 11 days overdue, pregnant with my third in 4 years. the younger two back to back. all in oct, one in 2004, 2006, and 2007! i say, as long as your healthy and feeling ok, why not wait? get induced only when your past due. congrats and merry christmas!

My advice would be to wait. I was induced with my daughter a week before she was due, and there was no medical reason. My daughters heart rate dropped several times during the labor and they had to keep turning the medicine down to get her heart rate back up. I was prepped for an emergency C-section, although my doctor ended up getting the baby out with forceps and I didn't need the C-section. It was a horrible experience and I know I will never induce again unless it is medically necessary. Let the baby come on its own, it is not worth inducing for your or your doctors convenience.

Wait if there is no other reason to do it! Inducing stinks! They tried to induce me twice with my son (I had high bood pressure and was already painlessly contracting every 3 minutes for a minute, so they thought he just needed a little prompting)and in the end, I was having painful labor contractions for 19 days and ended up needed a C-section anyway because I wouldn't dialate, even with several rounds of ripening in between the inductions. I was sore and had a longer healing time and I think if we would have just waited, my son would have come on his own, since my health wasn't at risk and either was his. Even though it's near the holiday, I would just let the kid come when he/she is ready on their own. Good luck!

I was induced with my first son 4 years ago. I didn't have any complications and it was an easy delivery. My second son first original due date was Dec 17th then it was moved up to Dec 8th, well my water broke on Thanksgiving. I would say they were probably about the same in deliverys. I was able to have the epidural to get me through the pains of the contractions. If my sons due date would have said further into December I would have chosen to be induced. I wouldn't want to spend Christmas in the hospital. If I were you I would choose to be induced that way you can be home and not be in such pain for Christmas. Good luck

If you can physically wait, wait.

If there is no medical reason for being induced, I would say don't do it. I went into labor naturally with all four of my babies, but when I thought about how labor was different with each of them I realized the ones that I was in the most pain with were the labors where I was given pitocin (which is what they use to induce you) to strengthen the contractions. Natural labor was less painful than labor + pitocin. I personally try to avoid induced labor if I can help it. :)

My sister in law was induced for her first baby because she wanted the specific birthday, and let's just say the baby was NOT ready to be born. Being induced when your body and the baby aren't ready means that guaranteed your body is going to fight it. Her's did and she ended up having a cesarean because she had been in labor too long and nothing was happening and she had been pushing too long and was worn out and later was told that the baby was too big to be born naturally. She ended up not even trying natural child birth for her last 3, she just scheduled cesareans for them.

Just go natural. It's better for everybody.

Don't do it!! I had to be induced with my first, and never progressed and had to have a c-section. After researching VBACs for my 2nd baby, I learned that SO many women that are induced eventually end up having a c-section...for numerous reasons, but failure to progress is the main cause.

I know you have already had a natural birth, but my friend had a natural birth with her first and was induced and didn't ever progress either adn had to have a c-section as well. If you really want to be induced, do the research first and evaluate for yourself. My advice is to just wait it out.

I think you need to do what you feel is best for you and the baby. Not always, but usually the baby will come when they are ready. I have seen some babies that seem to have come too soon and would have been better off if they would have waited and others who were induced and just fine. I think it is best, if you can, to go to your due date. They are set for a reason. But the best thing you can do is follow your heart. usually your first instinct is right. good luck.

C. -
I have serious issues with doctors who induce early for convenience. A week may not seem like a big deal, but if your dates are off by even just a bit, the baby's lungs may not be quite ready for the outside world. When a doctor induces a patient so he doesn't have to worry about being on vacation when the baby comes (or during the holiday), does he really have the best interests of mom and baby in mind?

My first was a week late. I went in for an appointment on my due date, and the doc was going to be out of town the next week. He said lets wait and see - if I was progressing any by Thursday we might try stripping membranes (I was still at 0 cm and maybe 10% effaced). He also said that if the baby came while he was gone, he had several great partners who could take great care of us. Well, the baby came while he was gone, I had great care, and she was only 7 lbs (so not really late at all). She had a few minor complications right at first (minor fetal distress during the last part of labor, and meconium in the fluid). I'm glad I waited and went into it naturally - if we had induced a week BEFORE the due date she would have been tiny (babies gain a lot of weight that last week) and possibly had more complications.

Unless there is a medical reason or you are at least a week overdue (when it can start being a medical issue), I would say wait and let nature decide. Our bodies know when it's time.

If it's okay with you that another doctor deliver the baby, then don't get induced. There are so many medical people dealing with the birth, the doctor's just one more person.

My doctor's shift was over when my first child came along, and my doctor was irked that another doctor did the delivery. So she induced me the second time so that she could be there. Looking back, none of this really mattered.

Hi,

My experience with induction was not a good one...it lead to a C-section. This not only adds more time in the hospital, it increases bills, and takes longer to recover. 18 months later I still do not feel like my scar has healed well. I am currently 4 mo pregnant with my second and I will be doing everything I can to have this baby naturally. If you do you research you will find that induction commonly leads to a C-section.

It is always easier if your body goes into labor naturally. However, being your second child, it should go a lot quicker and not be too difficult. Knowing your doctor will be at your delivery is always great because often times if you go into labor spontaneously one of his partners will be the one delivering you. You know your doctor and trust him (although the nurse is the one there with you the whole time :)
You will be almost 39 wks so you are well within your due date time frame to have a baby. It really is your personal choice about what you and your husband want. It is always nice to have a planned delivery date especially with another child to consider. Being induced is a nice option and if your doctor is fine doing it then I think it's fine. Good luck and congratulations!

(P.S. I've been a labor and delivery nurse for 9 years)

Why on earth would you want to induce when you can go natural in God's timing? Nature is always better!