Dr wants to induce early because "no reason to go full 40 weeks"??

[Anonymous]

My Dr wants to do a gentle induction at 39 weeks because she says there's no real reason to wait until 40 weeks and there's a risk of still born after 41 weeks. I am high risk but everything has been controlled with medication so far and I have had no complications. I did not want pitocin or epidural and was trying to avoid csection unless it was an emergency. I feel like membrane sweeping is just going to lead to pitocin which will just lead to csection. I tried to express concern about not wanting to push anything until my body was ready and was told "this is what was best and recommended."

I feel like I've lost complete control over my labor and delivery and am surprised because the entire pregnancy, my ob was on board with my wishes. It's too late to get another dr at this point and I know if she is not in agreement of my birth wishes, there's no way the hospital will be. Has anyone dealt with this before? If it were emergency, I would do anything for the baby. But why suggest the early induction if nothing is wrong? Did membrane sweeping work for you? Or is this just a csection waiting to happen?

[Anonymous]

That is crazy. There is no way I would agree to that.

[Anonymous]

Generally, I would say that's BS. However, my answer might change based on your actual risk profile. You are high risk and on medication, mayb you should ask for more specifics about why she recommends 39 weeks instead of 40?

[Anonymous]

What is a "gentle induction"? I can't imagine that you wouldn't need pitocin, and that stuff is a bitch. I wouldn't do it. Just say no.

[Anonymous]

How old are you? I had my dd at 44, and at that age the stillborn risks do go up. I was having a repeat c-section, so we scheduled it for 39w.

[Anonymous]

I don't think she can ethically turn you away for declining a 39 week induction. I would just say you're not comfortable with that option and will not do it.

[Anonymous]

Some doctors really want to be in control of the situation, including the timing. Obviously I have no idea of your risk factors but this sounds like one of those cases where the doctor wants things to be on a schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generally, I would say that's BS. However, my answer might change based on your actual risk profile. You are high risk and on medication, mayb you should ask for more specifics about why she recommends 39 weeks instead of 40?

I have a heart condition that I was born with, one of things I have dealt with my entire life is hypertension. So far (knock on wood) my readings remain close to 120/80 or below due to medication. When I asked for why the need for induction at the appointment, she said babies are considered full term at 39 weeks and everything is developed safely so she saw no reason to wait until 40 weeks. There was no mention of risk or danger to me or the baby. I am a FTM so I tend to let my Dr obviously take the lead but alarm bells are going off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? I had my dd at 44, and at that age the stillborn risks do go up. I was having a repeat c-section, so we scheduled it for 39w.

I am 31

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a "gentle induction"? I can't imagine that you wouldn't need pitocin, and that stuff is a bitch. I wouldn't do it. Just say no.

I believe it is induction without medication to start. She mentioned sweeping my cervical membrane and then waiting to see if labor progresses. From what I have been reading, the sweeping doesn't always work especially for first time labor and then pitocin can be introducted if it's taking too long. I am unsure if this is accurate though, I just have been going through some forum postings and trying to find others in similar situations.

[Anonymous]

That sounds like an extreme point of view, unless you're significantly older (mid-40s) or very high risk. I'd be particularly concerned because, although pitocin can be effective when used appropriately, I personally would be leery that someone so pro-induction would use it appropriately.

That said, a membrane sweep isn't likely to do much if your body isn't already on its way. I had mine swept with my first and third, and it did bupkis (first arrived on her own at 40w5d, induced my third at 40w1d, but electively for various reasons; second came at 41w2d). I *totally* get your concern, and I would be upset, too, particularly with a first child. Induction doesn't have to be horrendous, but again, you have to trust your provider to manage it well. In my case, I had cervidil overnight and then pitocin the next day; neither did much. Eventually I had my midwife break my water and we were off to the races--but this child was my third, and that's a good option, not so much for FTM.

I'd push her on what a "gentle induction" means, what your options are, and try to hold off at least until 40 weeks. Hang in there, though, that sounds so stressful.

[Anonymous]

I would ask if it would be OK to go to 39.5 or some such and just explain that you really want to feel like you went the distance. I will warn you, though, that you may have to go to get checkups daily if she is really concerned.

[Anonymous]

Introduced* sorry for typo!

[Anonymous]

I had my membranes swept and had my dd the next day; however, I was a week overdue, so I think she was probably going to come out anyway. I obviously don't know your medical history and am not a medical professional but, for me, I would have been uncomfortable with an induction at 39 weeks (or 40 actually).

[Anonymous]

^^ Just read your follow up answers--is there another doctor in the practice with whom you can consult? Her reasoning sounds very extreme given your age and what the high risk is. I'm 39 and had higher BP readings than that towards the end; we were monitored a little more closely, but no one pushed me into anything. There's really no evidence base for doing so, not that early.