Induction during 39th week

[Anonymous]

My OB said they like to induce during the 39th week because statistically, women over 35 (which I am) are less likely to need a c section. So I went ahead and scheduled an induction for the end of my 39th week and now I'm not feeling good about it. I've been reading up on induction and it seems like it can be so much more painful, can fail, etc. They said I'd be admitted to the hospital at 4pm the day before for cervical ripening and not start the actual induction until 7am the following day, and no food after admission, so that sucks. And of course, I'm getting lots of unsolicited advice from friends about how the OB is just pushing an induction because it's "better for their schedule." I'm not sure I believe that so much, but I figure there's something to be said for waiting until your body is ready on its own. I'm of course hoping that I go into labor naturally before the induction date. Anyone have any words of wisdom one way or the other?

[Anonymous]

I was induced for both of my deliveries and had good experience overall. The first was due to IUGR, and I was induced at 36 weeks. The 2nd one I was over 40 in age and induced at 39w2d. I know two women with advanced maternal age who lost their babies late in the term (after 39 weeks) for no obvious reasons. One was a really good friend. Statistically, the older you are, the risk of stillborn goes up. So that was seared in my mind. When my OB talked to me about induction for the 2nd baby, it was a no brainer for me.

[Anonymous]

I was induced for my first two, both after 39 weeks, but induction all the same. They were both huge, the induction took forever...but I was able to begin ally deliver both of them.

It’s pretty standard practice- including with low-intervention midwives- to suggest induction at 39 weeks if you’re over 35.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was induced for my first two, both after 39 weeks, but induction all the same. They were both huge, the induction took forever...but I was able to begin ally deliver both of them.

It’s pretty standard practice- including with low-intervention midwives- to suggest induction at 39 weeks if you’re over 35.

VAGINALLY deliver

[Anonymous]

I was induced during week 39 with my first at age 43. OB's stated reason was due to IVF, not advanced maternal age. I was fine with it, similar procedure to what OP has been told. But I never dilated and even if I had fully dilated, I am petite with small pelvis and never expected to vaginally deliver a baby over 7 lbs. Turned into a c-section at 5pm, and baby was just over 7lbs, stuck at my bone.
I wouldn't worry too much if you trust and can communicate your concerns to your OB

[Anonymous]

I was sort of induced with my first at 41 weeks because my water broke but labor did not progress. I think my epidural was too strong and I had a third degree tear, which was unpleasant but ultimately left no lasting consequences. Labor was otherwise smooth and the whole thing took around 12 hours. I was induced by choice at 39.6 with my second and it was very smooth and I had no issues whatsoever. The whole thing took around 7 hours. I am now pregnant with my third and would like to be induced during the 39th week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was sort of induced with my first at 41 weeks because my water broke but labor did not progress. I think my epidural was too strong and I had a third degree tear, which was unpleasant but ultimately left no lasting consequences. Labor was otherwise smooth and the whole thing took around 12 hours. I was induced by choice at 39.6 with my second and it was very smooth and I had no issues whatsoever. The whole thing took around 7 hours. I am now pregnant with my third and would like to be induced during the 39th week.

^ I was 33 with my first, 35 with my second, and am now 38.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been induced twice - once at 37w when baby’s growth slowed and once at 39w as per plan due to prior unexplained stillbirth post due date (I was 35 at that time and had no warning signs or high risk factors and it happened after I went into labor). I delivered vaginally all three times.

My experience was that induction didn’t seem to hurt any more than going into labor naturally, i have long labors so they were long all three times, and I was always permitted to eat at the hospital before induction started. I don’t think induction is better for the schedule (as opposed to csection) because there is no telling how long it could take. But there are downsides. On the other hand, there are risks in going past 39 weeks but they are rare.

You’ll hear anecdata from people who had experiences like my stillbirth (or more often people who knew someone) and people who waited and are thrilled. It’s your body and your decision - so weigh the risks and how you’d feel in each eventuality. But don’t let your doctor push you into something you aren’t comfortable with - if you want to wait, you should and maybe ask for BPPs after 39w

[Anonymous]

You don't need to agree to an induction just because you're 35. If you have an uneventful, uncomplicated pregnancy, you can wait.

[Anonymous]

I understand from the NIH publication that induction at 39 weeks has a lower c section rate than expectant management. It’s reasonable to ask for some indications that you and the baby are ready though— cervical dilation, has the baby dropped in your pelvis, etc.

[Anonymous]

I was induced at 39 weeks because the baby was looking big and my 1st had been really big and very nearly was a c-section. It was fine. Only somewhat complication was that she was "sunny side up" so I was glad I had the meds!

[Anonymous]

My SIL was induced at like beginning of 38th week for her 2nd kid. She was 42 and her first kid was long and big, so they figured since both she and her husband are both tall, the second baby would be huge too.

She also got the cervix ripening the night before (maybe the afternoon before?) and then got pictocin (sp?) the next morning and their baby was born in less than 8 hours. They were home the next day.

He's been wearing 2T since he was 12 months old, so he's a big baby.

[Anonymous]

Two inductions here, one due to PROM at 39w when I was 37, and the 2nd was an elective induction at 39w3d when I was 41. Being AMA, I did not want to go past my due date, and the induction also made planning care for our older DD during a pandemic much more straightforward. Both went just fine, vaginal deliveries, each about 14 hours from start of pitocin until delivery, although my 2nd was born in 3 pushes, vs nearly the hour of pushing with my first DD.
I was with a group of hospital-based CNMs for both births. With my 2nd, I went in for a cervical check the day before my scheduled induction, where the midwife confirmed I was slightly dilated and cervix was thin, so I didn't need to show up for the overnight cervadil. If your practice will check you beforehand, I highly recommend that!
Also, if you are planning on an epidural, get it before your water breaks. In my experience, there's a massive difference in pitocin-induced contraction pain pre-and post-fluid rupture. The amniotic fluid helps to cushion those contractions somewhat. Pitocin after my water broke but before the epidural in my first induction was excruciating.

[Anonymous]

How old are you exactly? It matters a little if you’re 36 or 41. If things are all fine and you aren’t otherwise high risk, I would wait to induce until 41 weeks if it were me... probably until around 40. Once I hit 40 I might be willing to induce on my due date. Another option if you aren’t already doing them is NSTs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are you exactly? It matters a little if you’re 36 or 41. If things are all fine and you aren’t otherwise high risk, I would wait to induce until 41 weeks if it were me... probably until around 40. Once I hit 40 I might be willing to induce on my due date. Another option if you aren’t already doing them is NSTs

Where did you go to medical school?