To Induce or Not?

I had pit with one of my 6 babies and it was so much worse a labor than any others!! The pit make the contractions much harder to labor through. I was then pushed for a epidural (which I am TOTALLY AGAINST). IF you want to try to induce labor more naturally, go buy a bottle of Evening Primrose Oil. Pop open a capsule and you or your hubby can rub it on your cervix. It will help....Do this about 2-3 times a day until you go into labor. It sounds like your dr wants you to deliver on a day that is convenient for HIM and not you or baby. If you and baby are fine, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!!! Baby will come when it is ready, and NO dr should tell you when, especially if the dr can't give you a GOOD reason to induce. A baby pooping meconium during birth is not a common thing, and most likely, the pit and harder labor with MAKE the baby go into distress and poop too soon, and most likely the dr will want to rush you into the OR for an "emergency" C-sec. All I can say is TRUSY YOURSELF!!!! Your body and baby know what to do!!!!

~A.~
--
SAHM of:
Rebeka 10/91 (hospital/MW)
Aimee 6/93 (hospital/unassisted)
Scott 2/96 (hospital/Dr)
Anamarie 11/02 (hospital/MW)
Heather 12/04 (hospital/MW)
Mikayla 5/07 (unassisted home birth)
BLESSING #7 DUE OCTOBER 7, 2008
Doing Self-prenatal care and planning another Unassisted Family HomeBirth

Sounds to me like you are doing the right thing in questioning this. I don't know what your relationship is like with this provider, and I do acknowledge the importance of trust in these situations, but he should be able and willing to provide a full explanation for any intervention in your pregnancy. No matter how common, inducing labor in a healthy mom/baby is an unnecessary intervention, especially pre term, and often has undesired and understated consequences. Research has shown that the use of induction often leads to additional interventions and increases the chance of a c-section (see excellent book by Henci Goer). The idea of a baby being too big is silly and I generally feel is an excuse used by doctor's to intervene. The actual number of babies that are too large to pass through their mom's pelvic area is pretty small (you can find info on this online and in most books on pregnancy). I would encourage you to continue to talk to your Dr and explain that you are not satisfied with his explanation. Have someone who is supportive of your views with you because it is really hard to advocate for yourself in these situations, especially when the health of your baby is concerned. Most of all, trust your instincts!

I know you're nervous, but if the doctor is recommending to induce then you should do it. Even his nurse is saying that he doesn't do this often. I do not believe inducing is the norm these days as others have said. My first baby was stillborn at 39 weeks and I had to beg and beg to be induced with my next two children. And all three were delivered by different ob/gyn's. Since it is only the day before your due date, why not go ahead with it. It's scary I know. I've done it three times before. But it is just as amazing as if you had spontaneously gone into labor. When it comes to your baby I always think it's better to be safe then sorry. Good luck and God bless.

I was induced four times for four different reasons. Doctors do love to induce. (I used three different OB/GYNs for four pregnancies.) However, I have heard that it was bad for the baby to poop in the amniotic fluid and for the baby to ingest it. I understand your concern for doing things unnecessarily, but if the baby is big enough and you are so close to labor anyway, why not make it convenient for you too? You get to pack your bags better, half the family is notified already, so prayers are already being prayed and it's not so hectic. I know you probably don't want to make things easy for the doctor but being induced is not a big deal. However, if you are doing it natural 'no drugs', then it will may it a 'little' harder on you. I always wanted a surprise Labor but never had one - but I don't regret any of my inductions. MY first child was when I was 32 and my last one was when I was 40. In case you think the "Advanced Maternal Age' has something to do with it. Good Luck to you, my prayers are with you, and remember, you get to have a beautiful little, tiny baby, maybe sooner than you think! :)
*Maybe you'll go into labor B4 Tuesday!*

Article for you: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/65090.php

Maternity Care Analysis Finds Danger Of Routine Birth Interventions
Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 13 Mar 2007 - 0:00 PDT

Findings from a two-year review of the science behind maternity care indicate that the common and costly use of many routine birth interventions, such as continuous electronic fetal monitoring, labor induction for low-risk women and cesarean surgery, fail to improve health outcomes for mothers and their babies and may cause harm.

The review entitled, the Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps to Mother-Friendly Care, will be published in The Journal of Perinatal Education and the results will be premiered at the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) Forum today.

Research findings include:

-- Women whose labors are induced for non-medical reasons are more likely to suffer from intrapartum fever and more likely to end up needing forceps, vacuum extraction and a cesarean surgery.

-- Inductions add to the risk of poor outcomes for the health of the baby. Artificially-induced labors increase the rate of fetal distress and a serious complication of labor called shoulder dystocia (when the baby's shoulders have difficulty passing through the mother's pelvic bones). Elective induction babies are also more likely to need phototherapy to treat jaundice after birth, and are at higher risk for breathing difficulties and admission to neonatal intensive care.

-- Use of electronic fetal monitors is more than 85 percent on low-risk women. They fail to reduce the number of perinatal deaths, the incidence of cerebral palsy or the number of admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit. Continuous fetal monitoring puts women at increased risk for an instrumental delivery, cesarean section and infection.

-- Overall 1 in 3 U.S. women give birth by cesarean surgery. The majority of the operations are repeat procedures with no medical indication.

-- When compared to women who have a vaginal birth, cesarean surgeries put women at risk for infections, hemorrhage requiring transfusion, surgical injuries, and complications from anesthesia, chronic pain, adhesions, hysterectomy, pulmonary embolism, placental problems with future pregnancies and death. Babies born by cesarean surgery are more likely to suffer from surgical lacerations, respiratory complications, and to require neonatal intensive care.

There are more than 4.1 million U.S. births a year with a cesarean surgery rate more than 30 percent. The health and economic impact of high tech birth is significant. In 2004, hospital costs for deliveries were more than $30 billion. The record high cesarean surgery rate contradicts the national goals of Healthy People 2010 to reduce cesarean surgeries for first time mothers to 15 percent and to increase VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) rates to 63 percent. The research also found that harm is caused by routine use of intravenous fluids (IVs), amniotomy (breaking the bag of waters), withholding food and water from women in labor and episiotomy.

The Journal of Perinatal Education is the leading peer-reviewed journal for childbirth educators. The Journal is published quarterly by Lamaze International for readers who provide parent education in the areas of childbirth, pregnancy, breastfeeding, neonatal care, postpartum, early parenting and young family development. For more information about The Journal of Perinatal Education and Lamaze International, visit http://www.lamaze.org.

I would say not to be pressured into something you don't want/is not medically necessary. The size of the baby is a total guess anyway! I was told my first was going to be 8lbs and she was 6lbs, 9oz. That's a pretty big difference. I was induced with my first (only because my water had already broken and I wasn't progressing as fast as the doc wanted me to) and wasn't with my second. My second was MUCH easier without the pitocin! Birthing is a total business and if they can schedule everything, it's much easier for them. I say, let your body do what God designed it to do and let this baby come when it's ready.

If there is no medical-emergency reason to induce and you don't want to be induced then don't induce! Stick to your guns. You've done a great job of reading up on induction and advocating for yourself. Keep having the tests done to make sure all is well, but don't be bullied into an induction just because your baby might be "big". Women have been giving birth to big babies for hundreds of years without being induced. I've always found that to be the most ridiculous reason for an induction. At this point in your pregnancy, there is no truly accurate way to know exactly how much your baby will weigh at birth. Something tells me the nurse was fibbing when she said your doctor "rarely" induces if the reasons he's giving to justify it are a "big" baby and the possibility of meconium in your amniotic fluid and he won't provide you with more in-depth reasons. That baby will come out when he or she is good and ready. Good luck!

I wouldn't show up. It is your decision. When I had my daughter they kept trying to get me to schedule and induction and I refused. I went 9 days past my due date and was fine. As long as you and the baby are fine I would refuse. I ended up going into labor on my own and delivering with no pain medication. I was completely against pitocin since that is what my MIL had with her youngest and he now has medical problems that were possibly brought on by the pitocin.

Above all, follow your gut. It is always good to listen to your doctor's concerns but you still are the one that makes the final decision. I have never been induced but I have always heard from other women that Pitocin makes labor a lot worse then when you are progressing on your own. Perhaps you could come up with a different solution with your doctor that will make both of you happy. If you are already dialating then perhaps they can just break your water and let your body do the rest without the Pitocin. Be insistant with your doctor and let him know that you don't feel comfortable with the idea. He might be more concerned because of your age since this is your first one but he should be up front with you about it and should not take the holier then thou stance that so many doctors these days can get. You know your body best and you need to listen too it and so does he.

M.,

As a 50 year old mother of 8, it amazes me how complicated the medical community has made having a child. God created our bodies to create and birth babies! Sometimes it is a lot of hard work, but MOST of the time, everything works out just as HE planned from the beginning of creation. I did not have any inductions or any medications during labor for any of my children who ranged in size from 8 lbs. 10 oz. to 10 lbs. 6 oz. (The smallest was #4 and the largest was #6) I had 4 of the babies when I was 30 years to 39 years old. I was closely monitored for pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes from the second baby on, due to the birth weights of my children, but NEVER had a problem with either one. I am NOT a super woman, nor am I "large-framed" I am simply a woman. Go with your heart on this. It sounds like your baby and you are on target for a wonderful delivery at just the right timing for the both of you. Perhaps, you have even gone into labor as I write, but if not, it sounds like your body is preparing for labor as is your baby. Best to you and enjoy your little one!!

I was 10 days overdue with my 2nd baby before I reluctantly agree to be induced. I personally feel that baby will come when ready but at 10 days, and no sign of labor, I agreed to induction. He was born big - almost 10 pounds and the placenta showed signs of calcification so I'm so thankful for the induction. I think you should consider your dr. opinion and then make your own decision. Induction just to get baby hear early and at a convenient time for your Dr. isn't what I would consider a justified reason - but thats just my opinion! Good luck to you!

M.-
Being 90% effaced is great. However, I have been told by several dr's not to induce until you are 3-4cm dialated. If you are not dialated enough, the pitocin will make labor extremely painful(more than normal).

And like other people have said, it's your child and your body. You make the call.

If you are not miserable, then wait a few days. My dr wouldn't let me go more than a week past the due date, and that worked out fine. But you need to go at least until your due date, if you're ok with it and there are no problems.
Good Luck!

You have to do what you think is right and blend that with trusting the guidance of your doc. My first child is a little over a year and came two weeks early. My doc wanted to induce as well, mainly because he thought the baby was getting too big and because he thought I was getting uncomfortable, but I think it was more out of convenience. I wanted him to come when he was ready and wanted to avoid pitocin as well. Once you start medicating you start a domino effect and other medications are usually needed. If the doc is insistant about inducing look into more natural ways to get things moving along. Has he thinned your membranes (manually during your exam)? That can hep get things moving. Perhaps you could read up on othr things that could help move things along without the pitocin. Walking? Sex? If the doc really thinks you should move things along there may be other ways to approach it without the pitocin. Good luck!

Just be aware that pitocin not only tends to cause labour contractions to be more intense, it will sometimes cause contractions without causing birth. I've coached 3 births that were induced with pitocin. The first one was much like your story. The baby was a normal weight and healthy. She was not overdue. They brought her in on a Tuesday, started the pitocin drip. She went through 8 hours of labour and never dilated at all. They had her come back the following Tuesday and did the same thing with the same result. This time after about 6 hours of intense labour, the doc broke her water and a 6 1/2 lb baby was born several hours later.

The next two were for medical reasons. The mother was 35 with her first pregnancy, had a weak heart, and gestation dibetes. The baby was more than 8 lbs 2 weeks before due date. After 12 hours of intense labour, the mother did not have the strength to push at all. The doc had to use the suction device that replaced forceps and pulled the child out.
This same mother was induced with her next child. After nearly 24 hours of exhausting labour, the child was delivered c-section.

My niece was also induced with pitocin two weeks early. The doc was planning a vacation and induced all his patients in their last month on the same day. After 30 hours, she delivered c-section. The baby's lungs collapsed and he had to be flown to a children's hospital more than 200 miles away from his mother. He was in neonatal for 2 weeks.

With all the pregnant women I have worked with and the large extended family we have and all our many friends with many children, these stories are the total of all the experiences I've had with pitocin. I don't know the national or world statistics, but it doesn't have a good track record in my view.

I realize that some birthing interventions are needed and that my own son's delivery could easily have killed us both had he not been a c-section delivery. I am grateful for interventions when they are needed.

Just thought you should be aware that, whether there are medical reasons or not, the use of pitocin does not always result in birth. You can expect it to always cause more intense than normal contractions, however.

There really are situations where ob/gyns induce labour because they want to go on vacation. It is graduation and wedding season. You have to wonder if some docs won't induce labour so they don't have to let another doc take over for them so they don't miss their own child's graduation. That is a business/family balance decision for a doctor. It is a life decision for you.

I also feel that a mother's instincts should be highly respected. Instead of you asking the doctor why and not getting any respectful answers, he should be asking you about your instincts. If he doesn't do that, he does not have adequate information for making any suggestions. Being told you should trust him without any real explanation is manipulative and insulting. I wouldn't pressure myself to deal with him at this point in a pregnancy, but once I would be solidly back on my feet, I would make sure he understood how rude his methods of manipulation are before firing him. It is important to be able to trust a doctor. It is too difficult, or perhaps even unwise, to trust anyone who is not candid with you.

I always shop for doctors who respect the fact that I have hired them. As long as I am conscious and able to make my own decisions, my doctors advise me and offer recommendations about what I 'might' want to do. Doctors have no right to pressure you by telling you what you "have to" do if you don't comply with their decision about what you 'should' do. Next time you may want to choose the doctor YOU want to deliver your baby. The length of time a doc has worked for you does not give him the right or the responsibility to choose to be the one to deliver your baby because he wants that.

Try to talk with people who will encourage you and relax you. You need support and encouragement, not unreasonable fears. Faith is a great comfort and a great power. I always pray for guidance until I feel certain about things. It has always, always worked for me. May mercy and clarity come to you and carry you through all this with comfort and peace.

Baby is almost here and more and more Doctor's are wanting to rush the delivery I told mine no way I was in great pain yes but she will come,I out weighed the risks and natural planning on this one I felt deeply in my heart if I went through the induction something were to go wrong so I didn't do it and 4 day's later she was here and only 2 hr's of labor from the time my water broke.However we did agree that we shouldn't let it go past 39 week's then danger fall's into place for baby.

HI M.,
I would say go with your gut and not induce. Your right about it being convenient for him, there is no reason for induce you now if nothing is wrong. Pitocin is harder on the baby and you, why do that if there is no need. I have a 18 month old daughter and they wanted to induce me and I was a week late on their calculations. Babies come when they are ready not when someone else is ready.
Good luck and my thoughts are with you.
J.

I work at an OB/Gyn clinic and I would have to agree with your doctor. He is probably concerned with your age and being your first baby.( I was 39 with my first and induced at 37 weeks after an amnio) The induction wasn't bad at all. The doctor will be there to watch progress which will be great.You have until Tuesday and may go into labor on your own before then.I think your doctor just wants a healthy baby - as do you. Sometimes waiting too long is worse than going too early. Bottom line - I would listen to my doctor. Good luck. You will do fine!

If you can avoid the pitocin you should,it only makes the contraction harder and stronger.You know what you want so dont let him talk you into something you are not comfortable with,or you may regret the decision later.Stay strong,just because he's the doctor doesn't make him right.

I would not be induced. I did this on my last pregnancy(3rd child) and would not do it again unless I was way over my due date. We only did it to have a specific Dr. deliver my son. It brings the contractions and labor on harder and faster. You don't want that! I will pray that you will just let God decide when the baby will come. I still feel bad that I induced my son. I will pray that all will go well for you & that you don't have back labor either like I did with my first daughter. Yikes! That is painful! God bless you and your family in the days ahead. Blessings, S. 41, SAHM, 3 children, awesome husband and part time hairstylist

STAND YOUR GROUND!!! As long as all is well, there is no reason to be induced. It is for your doctor's convenience that he wants you to go down that path. Trust your intuition and trust God's timing. Tell your doctor you want the timing of your birth experience to be as natural as possible and that unless it is medically NECESSARY to be induced (i.e. not based on some random/rare possiblity of a problem that evidence does not support), that you will let him know when your body tells you it's time for your baby to be born. Do not be pressured. Do not back down. Your body, your baby, your prefence, your decision. I commend you for wanting to do what is best for your baby including the decision not to accept the unneccesary use of labor inducing drugs. Best of luck to you! Do not be intimidated!

If you like your Dr. and want him to deliver I would induce. Why are you so against Pitocin? I had it with all of my deliveries and cannot deliver without it. I always go over my due date because I don't dialate. With my last daughter I told my DR. to induce me on my due date and thank goodness she did because the cord was wrapped around her neck twice and if I would have waited she might not be here today. With my 5 year old I was 2 weeks over and he did poop. That was scary because the baby stresses things get rushed. Enjoy your delivery with no worries. Just remember EPIDURAL. Good luck and congratulations!!

For the health of my babies, in both of my pregnancies, I was given pitocin; however, I would certainly refuse the induction in your situation. There is absolutely no GOOD reason, except convenience for you DR, that indicates an induction is needed. Since this is your 1st pregnancy, it's very common to go over your due date and I would certainly listen to your gut feeling on this one. As a mother, you already have instincts telling you this isn't appropriate, yet, so listen to yourself.

Hi M.,
I was induced with Pitocin with my little guy. I had started dialating and began to efface but I did not make any progress within a few weeks. My doctor said that he would go ahead and induce me. It was my first child and he has been my doctor since I have been 18. He wanted to be the one to deliver my little guy as well. He wanted me to feel as comfortable as possible during the process. Plus, I felt like my kiddo was never going to come out and he was going to make his permanant home in there! I was having some back contractions and Braxton-Hicks. I was pretty uncomfortable. I was induced the day after my due date. Once I got the medication, (I went into the hospital the night before) my contractions started at 7am, and my son was out by 1:30pm. He just needed that extra little push to come out. He is happy and healthy and such a joy. I do not regret for a minute that I was induced. My doctor is the head of obstetrics at the hospital where I was induced, so I trusted him completely. If I ever get pregnant again and he wants to induce me I will do it in a heartbeat. I hope that this has helped to set your mind at ease a little. It's a scary thing, but it is so worth it! Good luck and congratulations!

Hi M.
Ummmm.... I felt very uncomfortable reading what your Dr. said to you. Unless you are overdue there is NO reason for you to be induced at all! Legally, if there was a reason for him to advise this he SHOULD have told you that reason. Go with your instincts on this one. I was overdue by one week with my son and my Dr. NEVER suggested induction at all. I actually broke my water on my own. With your first, things tend to take a bit more time than usual. If he is rushing you at only 39 weeks, that to me... isn't professional. And like I said, if he had a specific reason... you would have been informed immediately and not so leary of it all. Let nature take it's course and if nothing has happened after 1-2 weeks (and things are fine) then seek out other alternatives. This is only my opinion. Good Luck!
L. K

This is about you and your baby, not the doctor. It is your
choice, or rather, the baby's choice when to come into this world. I would leave the birthday in God's hands. Tell the
doctor that if he can't make the baby's choice day that you don't mind another doctor delivering. That might change his/her mind in a hurry. The baby could have already pooped.
It is the start of vacation time for doctors.
I'll say a prayer for you, M....cj

As you have probably read, with any pregnancy it is perfectly okay to deliver 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after your due date. Unless you 100% know when you conceived then the due date is just an educated guess. This is why the doctors have so many different types of tests to track and monitor you and the baby. Because this is your first I would not be induced. I have 4 children 2 singletons and a set of twins. The singletons I had without being induced while with the twins I was induced at 47.5 weeks which is full term for twins. The labor and pain that I experienced with the twins was more intense than when my body did its own thing. I hope this help out:)

With my first son I had gestational diabetes and was induced due to his size. My second son was 3 days overdue and was swimming in his own poop, aspirated his own poop, was in the NICU for 10 days. I WISH he had been induced! I asked for it! For me the experience with my first son was easy going, fun - I laughed through the whole labor (I did have an epidural). I was able to have my family and friends there because I knew when I would be at the hospital and they could come and go during the day while the pitocin took effect. It was wonderful!! My second son came, like I said 3 days late, after 2 tries with castor oil, walking every day, mexican food, you name it! Contractions started at 2am and I had no time to have any family or friends there with me! I would be induced every time! Hope it goes well! Good luck!

M.,
As long as the baby looks good on Non stress test and she is moving around like normal, You could wait. I work in L&D and you have the option. Be sure that you do follow up with the tests that he ordered. You will eventually go into labor and it is much easier on the mother if it is done naturally. I hope that helps and good luck and congratulations...

hi M.! i know a lot of mom's that are not in favor of being induced. i was induced 5 days early and had the pitocin. i was also dialated to a 4 for 3 1/2 weeks and he was face down making me uncomfortable. i could have waited, but i got to pick a date within a 5 day range and i picked the first day. i had a healthy baby boy weighing over 8 lbs. with absolutly NO problems!! 7 lbs is about average now for a baby so if you did get induced...you and the baby would be fine! however if you don't...just tell the dr that you want to wait. he shouldn't have a problem if you aren't ready...it is your body and your baby. good luck to you...but it'll be ok if you go early. :)

Hello, my name is M.. Yes, unfortunately inducing early has become the norm lately. More convenient for the doc, the mother is miserable, it fits into the plans better, you can "somewhat" plan when your child is born. Sad? Yes, but my doctor was very into inducing my second daughter at 39 weeks. The only reason I did was because I was having preterm labor up until that point and for some reason my daughter decided to STOP wanting to come. I was fully efaced and four centimeters dialated. I afraid I wouldn't make it to the hospital on time. But if you don't want it your doctor can not make you. It is your choice. Hope this helps, M.

Yes, it's a convenience issue for the doctor. And doctor's don't like it when you question their recommendations, either, but it is your call. I was never induced but have heard from many that it's a miserable way to go.

If there is no medical reason to induce, I would encourage you to wait for your baby to signal your body that he/she is ready to be born. I agree with the person who used the term "due month". Due dates can be so inaccurate. What if your little one needs a couple more days/weeks? If everything is going well, why not wait and let nature take its course?

Stick to your guns. Frankly, I'm not sure how the hospital could allow him to induce without evidence of medical necessity.

Good luck, have a wonderful birth, and congratulations on your baby!
Dr. Alyssa

I was in a very similar situation - induced the day after my due date. My doctor thought the baby was getting too big. I had a VERY difficult labor, and ended up with an emergency c-section. My baby boy weighed 6lbs 14oz. My boy was healthy, but he did have some minor issues we had to deal with the first few months. I often wonder, if we hadn't induced, if he would have had these minor issues.

My personal belief is that doctor's are quick to induce (at times). If there is a reason for it... and the doctor strongly advises (and gives you a good reason), then I think you should do it. Thinking the baby is too big- I don't feel that is a good reason - they don't know for sure!

Best of luck to you.

If I were you and I wasn't comfortable with being induced then I wouldn't go. I am a firm beliver in the baby will come when the baby is ready, be it early or late.

Good luck!!

that is wierd, because a 7 lb baby is not huge by any means. i know the nurse said he rarely does this, but it does seem to me (and i've known about 6 pregnant women in the last two years) that it's all the "thing" now to induce. my ob didn't schedule me to be induced until i was almost a week late (first timers are very often late anyway) and the scheduled inducement was for the day i would have been exactly 1 week late. (i went into labor the day before, by the way). i guess the bottom line is if you feel that strongly about it, either A. get a S. opinion, or B. don't show up. i can't imagine why the ob would put his needs above yours, but if that's the case, you have every right to do it your way. my dr. was dr. bavishi at olathe medical center. i was real pleased with her. but since it was my first time, i basically let her and the nurses make all the decisions. plus my son turned breech in the last 24 hours so i had to have an emergency c-section anyway, and it all got taken out of our hands. i do think this is something that it's okay to be firm about though. no one has a right to make that choice for you unless it is a health risk. good luck and congrats in advance!

It does seem odd to me that he wants to induce you. Most doctors won't induce until after 1 or 2 weeks with the first child unless there are problems, which does not seem to be the case with you. I was induced with both of my children. With my first I was induced 10 days after my due date and my second I was induced on my due date (mostly because I thought I could not survive with her in my belly another day lol). Both of my inductions went well with no problems. I had no objections using the pitocin, but you do so I would wait. If you are not comfortable with it then I would wait another week and see what happens. Good Luck!

I would not go for it. He should have a specific reason. Your baby sounds fine, and your delivery will be fine. The trouble is that obstetricians are trained to deal only with problems; they want to be in control and can't deal with the unpredictability of a normal birth.

I would certainly not go by what a dr's "hunch" might be. Babies are born everyday, if not meddled with, just fine. If YOU have an instinct something isn't right, than I would see about what that might be, but not another person's "instinct" on your body and your baby.

I would also wonder why they are doing so many tests, if you are low risk. It sounds like a convenience thing according to your post.

I have had very healthy babies born on their own time at 23 days late, 10 days late, due date, 26 days late, 23 days, and 15 days late with twins. The first late one, we didn't even start those tests until day 14. All tests were fine. My first baby was a failed induction, into a Csection, and he was on his "due date" and looked quite premature. Even if you need a section, it is better to wait until labor hits on its own, as that indicates the baby's lungs are developed. HTH

Well, if the baby gets too big you will most likely have to have a c-section. This is a risk you need to think about and be comfortable with.

I would have mixed feelings, too. Bless your heart. Two of my three were induced with Pitocin and we were all just fine -but I was also preeclamptic, so it was necessary to induce. Keep in mind, especially with your first baby, just because they start a Pitocin drip at 6:00 in the morning doesn't mean you're going to have a baby that day, so I'm not sure it's necessarily a matter of convenience for your doctor (but that's a fair question for sure!). With my first daughter, they started my drip around 6 a.m. on a Monday and I had my daughter at 1:01 a.m. on Tuesday.

In short, if you feel uneasy about the induction, just say no. I am a firm believer in motherly instinct, and if your instincts say don't do it ... don't. And, I've never known a woman to be pregnant her whole life (lol). Your sweet little new addition will come out when he/she is ready! Promise. My very best wishes to you and yours! Happy BABY!!

Hi M.,
I was induced 2 days before my due date (with my first baby) and at the time was dialated to between a 1 and a 2 depending on who checked me. I had been at a 1 for about 3 weeks already. It was a very good experience, no problems for baby or I. She weighed 7lbs 13 oz so I am glad I didn't wait any longer. I actually preferred being induced that way there were no surprises for me with my water breaking and then wondering how quick I can make it to the hospital. It was a great experience overall and when we go for baby #2 I will ask to be induced. Good luck!!

It sounds like your doctor is doing this out of convenience. Let nature take its course. There is never a "due date" there is a "due month". Your baby will come when it is ready and no sooner. Don't let your doctor pressure you into something that doesn't feel right to you. I don't even know why you had to have all those tests, are you high risk? I didn't have any pre-delivery tests. My doctor just told me to go with the flow since the pregnancy and the baby seemed healthy the whole nine months. Good luck.

It sounds to me like the doctor just wants to induce because he wants you to deliver during his hospital hours. I would wait for a better reason. My OBGYN wanted to induce 3 weeks early because she was moving, and I wouldn't let her do it...I think she just wanted to be getting paid for delivering my baby before she moved.

Dear M.,

I have a very strong opinion about this. I lost my first child, my son, at 40 1/2 weeks, due to a cord compression/cord tear. All was well, no problem, but since he was my first, my uterus was not as stretchy as it would have been with a second or third baby. I was to be induced 2 days later. I felt like something wasn't right, went in, and my son was dead. I had a vaginal delivery and got to hold my son for a day. And then I went home to an empty house with all of our baby things and no baby. I hope to never go through anything worse in my life. This was 4 years ago. I have 8 other friends who also lost a first baby due to a similar accident. It is the way it goes when bad luck occurs. All this to say LISTEN TO YOUR OB!!!!! I am also a physician. As a doctor I cant always explain why I feel a certain way but if your OB has a hunch GO WITH IT. I want you to go home with your baby. And thank God for pitocin...it. After 39 weeks a pit delivery goes great in general...its just that little extra push to get the baby out before a cord accident or meconium accident (baby poop in utero that hurts baby lungs) occurs. DONT GO LATE PLEASE! Please feel free to contact me for more info. I just feel really really emphatic about this. I hope all goes well for you on TUESDAY!

I would. I have never been induced b/c I have only had c-sections (3). Yes, the meconium (poop) can mix with the amniotic fluid & give the baby pnamonia (unsure of spelling) at birth. Then the baby will need oxygen & be in the hospital for a week or so. I have come accross people (through my business) who's placentas quit working properly (the baby was either sick or died from lack of oxygenated blood). Also like another mother said, the baby could be getting too big for you to deliver naturly then you may need a c-section. I'm not trying to scare you, I just want you to be educated.

God Bless!

I was induced with all 3 of my kids due to low fluid and having large babies. (All of my babies where in the 9 lb range.) My 1st baby the predicted 7 1/2 lbs and was 9 lbs so they can be way off on their predictions.

What I was going to tell you is I think the doctor has to have a pretty good reason to induce or else the hospital won't let them do it. I know that I was always asked why I was being induced at the hospital. Though it is up to you but I guess I always just trusted that my doctor knew what she was doing and wouldn't advise me wrong.

Good luck to you and your soon to be new baby.

M.

Sorry her is the doctor and I say you should do what he thinks is right. I have heard about those issues. it not going to hurt you to do it. I was induced twice with my first. I am fine ans so is she. is will granduated today. please listen to him.

I had to be induced because I deliver too quickly. But I didn't need pitocin. As far effaced as you are, I'd just tell him to break your water and let nature take it's course.

Suzi

I was induced the day before I was due because I had to start my last year of classes in a week! My doc was very understanding and wanted me to have a few days to at least rest before I had to be in class. I didnt want to have to miss any class due to the baby and because my doctor was awesome, I didnt have to. I would almost recommend being induced just because it was easier. The docs all knew when the baby was coming, I knew when the baby was coming, I didnt have to rush to the hospital when my water broke, etc. I understand a person not wanting to use drugs to have a baby but it really did make it easier on the entire family. Plus, because we scheduled it, I didnt have to have the docs assistant deliver my daughter if the doc wasnt available.

My labor began at 8am, my water broke at 4pm, and I had my daughter at 6:45pm. I did not feel any pain until about 4:30pm and then I got the epidural. The Pitocin made it easy for my body to do what it was supposed to be doing with as little stress as possible. I would really recommend it. Besides, if the baby is late, there is a much greater risk of feces in the fluid which can cause a nasty infection and other health problems.
I hope this helps. It really is easier in my opinion to schedule the delivery than wait for it to happen. I had no complications and no concerns with it. They do put a nasty IV in your hand though that hurts worse than anything else. It caused me to not be able to sleep because it was so uncomfortable! I suggest keeping the family out as much as possible too. My daughter's father's family was there so often I only got 3 hours of sleep in 4 the days I was in the hospital(no complications, dont know why they kept me that long). Dont be afraid to tell them to get the heck out!!! You'll regret it if you dont.
Hope this helps!

I got induced with my baby,I was induced on his due date and delivered the next day, he was 8lbs then on the last checkup. Its totally up to you if you want to be induced or if you want to wait, If your both doing OK, then I would wait it out and see what happens. You dont have to be induced just to get the baby out. I was 40 wks along when I went in to have my son. I hear that the contractions come harder and stronger with being induced and also heard that it doesnt always work. Its your choice.

I am a doula, and I do from what I have seen, I would not recommend inducing, unless the doc has a good reason. Pooping in-utero, is not a good reason. Lots of baby's poop and it's not a big deal. Besides, the pooping usually occurs because the baby is in stress. It doesn't seem like your baby is in stress. Pitocin is evil!!! It can overstimulate your uterus, which can stress your baby.
Your not even due yet!! It's your body and you need to tell your doctor what you want. Humor him with another round of tests on Wednesday. Inducing for convenience, happens alot. Do what's best for you and your baby.
Good luck.
V.

My doctor induced me just a few days before my due date. I was completely miserable and asked him to. Neither one of us was in any distress.

It was a very easy experience. I tell people labor and delivery were the easiest parts of being pregnant.

But it's your baby and he's kind of obligated to do it the way your want.

Seems in your post you stated your doctor was concerned about the baby passing the meconium ("poop"). That IS a good reason to induce. The baby swallows the amniotic fluid at a constant inside your stomach, and you do NOT want to risk the baby aspirating the meconium. It is very sticky and can cause more serious problems if this happens.

My doctor will induce before 40 weeks if the baby is a good size. My oldest daughter was scheduled to be induced but I had her before the date to induce came around. My doctor told me that I'm made to have babies, but they need to be little babies. He was afraid that if I tried to have a baby large than 8 pounds I'd have to have a c-section. And I'd rather have pitocin than a c-section. I did have the pitocin for my 2nd child at 37 weeks. But the non-stress test indicated that my daughter was in stress and needed out. Because I had a history of fast deliveries (my 1st labor was 3 1/2 hours start to finish) he wanted to try having me deliver before doing a c-section, he thought that I could deliver her before he could get the c-section set up. And he was right. So I'd check to see if he's worried about the baby getting to big and causing problems and if that's not the case and you don't want it - don't do it. It is much easier to have babies without the pitocin. That was not fun. I even had to have the epidural with that and I didn't when I did it natural. Good luck!

I was indused a weel early for that same reason. If your bloodpressure been high. He might think it will be a good Idea. On my second child I didn't want to be induces so I walked all day and evning did alot of activities and went into labor myself try that most. Doctors know whats best I think so try throughing yourself into labor.

A friend of mine had a baby that had meconium aspiration (inhaled his own poop, basically) and was in NICU for a long time. He did survive, but it was really scary.

My son was induced because he was too small (they thought). Labor went smoothly and he was fine and healthy. Turned out he was a bit bigger than they were afraid he was, but still pretty small. I was relieved that it was a more controlled, "as expected" delivery since they had concerns.

I just read your letter-Good for you girl! Full term is generally 40 weeks so you were right in range and all was ready at that time for you to go. You made a good choice and all went well without any problems. Maybe the doctor had the right plan for you and it meant you did not have the stress of waiting till the middle of the night or any other situations that would have worried you silly. Now wait till you potty train-there's a real situation to deal with :)Have fun and enjoy every mintue of your beautiful baby!

I was induced with two of my children, one was 10 days late and my youngest was 1 day late. I had low ammniotic fluid with him so I understood why we had to induce. It does seem odd that he will not give you a good reason. Aside from being induced with my third I had a natural birth with him, it was quick, induced at 6 a.m. and he was born by noon,(weighed 8.5 LBS) My daughter was a totally different story, induced at 6 A.M. she was not born until 9 P.M. I was given pitocin with both of them and everything was fine(just to calm your nerves about that)

I was induced early with both of my kids because my doctor feared they were getting too big for me to safely deliver (she said I had a "small frame"). My daughter was induced 5 days early and my son was induced 11 days early. Both labor/deliveries were problem free and resulted in healthy kids. However, on the flip side, a good friend of mine was not induced, went past her due date and had a horrible birthing experience with her son. He weighed over 9 pounds at birth and actually got stuck inside and her dr literally got on top of her to push the baby out (he went into distress and the dr needed him born immediately). The baby almost didn't make it. When I told my doctor about this, she said that is why she tries to induce early if she fears a big baby.. to avoid situations such as that. Anyway, I'm sure the decision is ultimately up to you and you should discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

I know you've had tons of responses already, I just wanted to add that the risk does not increase (statistically) until the baby is really overdue. Some babies are not ready on their "due date." Some mamas just take longer to make babies. Both mine were born perfectly healthy with healthy placentas at 41+ weeks.

Like others have said, induction increases risk dramatically for both mama and baby. Much greater risk of cesarian. I'm sure there are times when induction is best, but most of the time baby comes when s/he is ready.

Whichever way you decide about the induction, in the meantime you and your husband can "do your homework", and maybe go into labor naturally. Under my doctor's instructions to "do our homework", it worked for 2 of my 3 kids!! Best of luck to you!

Hi. I think whether to induce or not is completely your decision as long as there is nothing wrong with either one of you. With my first my doctor refused to induce early unless there was a reason. They would not induce unless you were over 40 weeks so it was weird to me this time around when my doctor said that they will induce at 39 weeks. With my first at 37 weeks I was already dilated a 2 and 50% effaced. At my 38 week appointment i was still a 2 but 90% and so the doctor stripped the membranes and told me to walk a lot. My appointment was on Friday and by Sunday night I was having strong regular contractions and had my daughter monday about 6 pm. I just want to add that I was given pitocin at 9am Monday morning to regulate my contractions and it never really did regulate them. It definately made them stronger but when I pushed they had to have an extra nurse watch the monitor to tell them when a contraction was coming because some where still as far apart as five minutes. Anyhow I guess the point is to decide what you want to do and just stick to your guns. If you don't want to induce Don't! Baby will come when they are good and ready. Good luck

Hope it's not too late, it's Tuesday morning! I am thrilled to hear you've researched pitocin use - so many don't! There really is a danger in using it to induce \ augment labor. Check with the FDA! There are "success" stories, but MANY more stories of the snowball of interventions that follow. Your body and baby KNOW WHEN they are ready. There are MANY women who's very "well-meaning" doctors have advised that they deliver cesarean even because the baby is supposedly too big. Just to deliver VBAC a larger baby later. As far as Dr.s insisting on all of these tests and predicting the size of the baby, I have never yet heard of a weight prediction being correct and the tests really are not necessary if your urine \ bloodpressure \ diet are all in line. If there was a concern with something visible - tests are helpful; otherwise, they really contribute to many unnecessary (and often lead to more) stress, intervention, complication.
I am a mother of four (five later this year). Witness to many more births and love to study childbirth \ natural childbirth. I have experienced pitocin \ interventions like crazy and completely natural - without all the "tests" and "necessary" interuptions. After my experiences and research time - I would never advise anyone to invite unnecessary practices into their childbirth. Much of what is considered "necessary" in our society, is NOT!! If you have some time - watch the Business of Being Born - you can watch it live on Netflix. The more "stuff" you allow them to do to "help" you deliver your baby may take you (and often does) on a journey you never wanted to take. It's your birth, research, know your risks, don't expect Dr.s or nurses to advise you on what is really right for you. Some people don't mind just doing whatever they are told is best. It sounds like you've done too much homework for that already. Birth is a process that is natural, not an illness, not a medical procedure. Dr.'s are great to help when something truly and naturally goes wrong, but when they start out "helping" nature - more often than not - more "medical" help becomes necessary! Best wishes - hope to hear how it goes!! Happy Birthing!

I was induced on my due date with my first baby and my OBs reasoning was simply that I was very swollen (edima) and just plain exhausted!) It was his idea; I did no suggesting or coaxing. Because I was dialated to a 2 and 90% effaced, the induction went very smoothly. It was long (18 hours) but she was born without a hitch. I advise you to take your doc's advise. There is obviously some reason he wants to induce and whether his explanation is satisfying or not, just go ahead and do it. He would not intentionally make a choice for you and your baby purely for his own convenience (but I get the whole Tuesday verses Wednesday thing is for him and all the patients he has to see on Wednesday) That makes sense; he doesn't want to jack up all his patients scheduled visits for an elective induction! Anyway, inductions are not the worst thing in the world and I think you can stop worrying and look forward to Tuesday. Good luck and God bless you and your new bundle of joy.

Do you know any of his other patients ? Personally I would rather be induced, rather than risk any complications. I was given pitocin to speed up my labor - all went well. G.

I'm not going to lie....I've never heard of this just shy of the due date. IS there something that you think that he's NOT telling you? You have to follow your gut on this one M. because this is a sore situation with me. PRAY about it & ask God to guide you, give you a sign or make the baby come because He know's your fears. Good luck & God Bless!