Induction at 39+4

[Anonymous]

As a first time mom, I’m a little nervous about an induction given that it might be more painful or result in a C-section. But my OB suggested as an option because baby is measuring big (95%, and head size >99%) and also said evidence suggests it may prevent a C-section. I’m already 1 cm dilated as of 36 weeks with a “soft” cervix. Been eating dates and drinking raspberry leaf tea to see if I can go into labor naturally before my induction date. Also considering a membrane sweep at 39 weeks to further things along. Any thoughts or recommendations on this plan..?

[Anonymous]

This is quite literally all you need to know: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

This was super helpful in easing my concerns when my baby was supposedly measuring above 99th percentile.

He ended up being average size.

I do think a membrane sweep can’t hurt in general so try it if you want.

When OBs cite stuff like this, ask them for the exact statistics or research they are basing their recommendation on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a first time mom, I’m a little nervous about an induction given that it might be more painful or result in a C-section. But my OB suggested as an option because baby is measuring big (95%, and head size >99%) and also said evidence suggests it may prevent a C-section. I’m already 1 cm dilated as of 36 weeks with a “soft” cervix. Been eating dates and drinking raspberry leaf tea to see if I can go into labor naturally before my induction date. Also considering a membrane sweep at 39 weeks to further things along. Any thoughts or recommendations on this plan..?

Highly suggest the membrane sweep…I did this (and a few times) even during labor when things were slow moving from 4cm- 5cm for example. I would even get the sweep before 39weeks.

[Anonymous]

Head size is very accurate. Unfortunately for you, I think you actually will likely have a C section given the large head size already. But wish you luck.

I had a 99th percentile baby at 39 weeks as my second and it didn't end well. She was born vaginally unresponsive and landed in the NICU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a first time mom, I’m a little nervous about an induction given that it might be more painful or result in a C-section. But my OB suggested as an option because baby is measuring big (95%, and head size >99%) and also said evidence suggests it may prevent a C-section. I’m already 1 cm dilated as of 36 weeks with a “soft” cervix. Been eating dates and drinking raspberry leaf tea to see if I can go into labor naturally before my induction date. Also considering a membrane sweep at 39 weeks to further things along. Any thoughts or recommendations on this plan..?

Highly suggest the membrane sweep…I did this (and a few times) even during labor when things were slow moving from 4cm- 5cm for example. I would even get the sweep before 39weeks.

Pretty sure they won't do that. My doctor was very firm they could not induce before 39 weeks due to current guidelines

[Anonymous]

Had a membrane sweep at 38 weeks and my son came twelve hours later. He was my first so it was a very quick labor (I started having contractions a few hours after the sweep). Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Head size is very accurate. Unfortunately for you, I think you actually will likely have a C section given the large head size already. But wish you luck.

I had a 99th percentile baby at 39 weeks as my second and it didn't end well. She was born vaginally unresponsive and landed in the NICU.

Not true at all esp if the baby is positioned low. Mine was measuring 99%+ head on repeated ultrasounds and came out at 50th. Obviously very glad I did not make any decisions based off of those measurements. They can be way, way off. Plus, shoulder size is more of an issue than head size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Head size is very accurate. Unfortunately for you, I think you actually will likely have a C section given the large head size already. But wish you luck.

I had a 99th percentile baby at 39 weeks as my second and it didn't end well. She was born vaginally unresponsive and landed in the NICU.

Not true at all esp if the baby is positioned low. Mine was measuring 99%+ head on repeated ultrasounds and came out at 50th. Obviously very glad I did not make any decisions based off of those measurements. They can be way, way off. Plus, shoulder size is more of an issue than head size.

Vaginal birth? The head is also compressed in the canal.

[Anonymous]

I had this at 34 weeks and ended up doing the c section when he stopped moving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Head size is very accurate. Unfortunately for you, I think you actually will likely have a C section given the large head size already. But wish you luck.

I had a 99th percentile baby at 39 weeks as my second and it didn't end well. She was born vaginally unresponsive and landed in the NICU.

Not true at all esp if the baby is positioned low. Mine was measuring 99%+ head on repeated ultrasounds and came out at 50th. Obviously very glad I did not make any decisions based off of those measurements. They can be way, way off. Plus, shoulder size is more of an issue than head size.

Vaginal birth? The head is also compressed in the canal.

The percentiles are relative to other babies who were just born. But even so, If the head will just go from 99+ to 50th to get through the birth canal then head size would never be a concern anyway

[Anonymous]

From the page linked above:

The most detailed evidence we have on typical care for big babies comes from the U.S. Listening to Mothers III Survey, which was published in the early 2010s. Although only one in ten babies is born large, researchers found that two out of three families in the U.S. had an ultrasound at the end of pregnancy to determine their baby’s size, and one out of three families in the study were told that their babies were too big. In the end, the average birth weight of their suspected “big babies” was only 7 lbs., 13 oz. (Declercq, Sakala et al. 2013).

[Anonymous]

My firstborn was also measuring large near the end and I was given the same option. We decided to just see what happened. Well, nothing happened and I was induced at 40+4. My baby was indeed large and I ended up with a c-section after 28 hours of labor. It was not fun for me but I ended up with excellent medical care and a super cute newborn with the fattest cheeks ever.

Would an induction a week early have changed anything? Who knows. All I know is that we made a good, informed decision and I can live with the outcome.

Good luck, OP! However it goes, you will have a great story to tell your kid someday.

[Anonymous]

So many moms in my first time mom group ended up with c-sections. None of this was planned. I was surprised by the number of them these days. It wasn’t as bad as I had envisioned and I was scared when the induction didn’t work. The baby was out fast and crying as music to my ears. The healing was smooth. Don’t be afraid if it comes down to a c-section. The baby comes out fast and safe. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Hey! I am a 32 yo FTM scheduled for a 39 + 4 induction (this Thursday) for the *exact* same reasoning re head size (99%) and overall expected size (86%). I have had no issues throughout the pregnancy aside from this new information in our most recent (36 week onwards) ultrasounds and feel very pressured by my OB practice to deliver early (“he’s a take home baby!”). I went ahead and requested a reschedule for the induction for our due date next week. I am and have been doing all the induction tips and tricks (acu, tea, dates, sex!) and seeing if any of that helps get him coming - but from what I hear they come when they want to come - either way, given his estimated large size I am ready to induce next week, and if those extra few days between the originally scheduled date and the new date don’t help at all at the very least I’ll be glad I gave him some more time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey! I am a 32 yo FTM scheduled for a 39 + 4 induction (this Thursday) for the *exact* same reasoning re head size (99%) and overall expected size (86%). I have had no issues throughout the pregnancy aside from this new information in our most recent (36 week onwards) ultrasounds and feel very pressured by my OB practice to deliver early (“he’s a take home baby!”). I went ahead and requested a reschedule for the induction for our due date next week. I am and have been doing all the induction tips and tricks (acu, tea, dates, sex!) and seeing if any of that helps get him coming - but from what I hear they come when they want to come - either way, given his estimated large size I am ready to induce next week, and if those extra few days between the originally scheduled date and the new date don’t help at all at the very least I’ll be glad I gave him some more time!

They don't need the extra time. That's why inductions are allowed at 39 weeks. In fact, depending on the person it can be dangerous to go beyond that. Someone I know waited until 41+3 baby's heartbeat stopped. Placenta had broken down.