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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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 &gt;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..?[/quote]

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. [/quote]

They will not do the sweep before 39 weeks in my experience and it can take 24-48 hours to work so may not be doable logistically or help but def explore this option.[/quote]

For my first I had the sweep earlier at maybe 38 weeks and some days but it didn’t do much. I’m sure the doc was “light” with it because it barely hurt. Then I did another closer to 40 weeks and it helped and did the trick. Delivered 40 weeks and 2 days. For my 2nd, I had Group B strep so I was hesitant to do it early so waited until week 40 which it didn’t do much until week 41 and then the doctor really went in there and it hurt! I went in at 41 weeks and a day…and even during labor I had the nurse perform another sweep. My original L&D nurse did not know how to do it right since the baby was lower than my cervix at that point. I was maybe 5cm or 6cm so she called another nurse. An angel I call her - amazing and experienced. She went in there, seamless, and it was not even painful. She sweeped and things started to move very fast after that! I swear by the sweeps now and think they are super effective at moving things along - and to avoid an induction.

I do think some doctors are weird about it - one practice I remember said it was their “policy” not to sweep unless you’re close to delivery time which was bizarre because my current practice has different protocols. [b]I do feel like docs lean towards inductions as a means to have things scheduled and to each their own for all mamas choosing this route. There is no wrong way of doing things & we’re ultimately at the mercy of the docs anyways. [/quote][/b]

Yes, I think the OBs feel very justified in pushing inductions because overall the health outcomes are the same at a population level. But I have seen enough friends have 2 day labors now going with the scheduled induction because they were not dilated/effaced whatsoever and I don’t think people always understand that the OBs don’t really factor the labor experience into their recommendation. And to be fair, many moms don’t care either. In retrospect my advice is not to do one vs the other but my advice would be 1) ask lots of questions about why they are recommending it and 2) ask “What’s the longest you think I can go before induction, if I want to delay it as much as humanly possible?” Get multiple OBs to give you their opinion if you are in a rotating practice.

obviously if there are complications/risks factors the case for induction makes more and more sense. But I still think it makes sense to ask the providers their reasoning. I had a complication in my second pregnancy and the first OB wanted to deliver at 34 weeks! The next I asked said 36 or 37. So I saw MFM and they recommended waiting til 38-39 weeks and I was really surprised but it makes more sense now that the OBs get more nervous with risk factors than the MFM who is more experienced and can give more informed judgment.[/quote]

Really awesome of you seeking out different opinions - many practices won't even see you, let alone let you speak to another OB once you're far along - so it's great to hear that they were willing to speak to you - and it's really nice to know there are reasonable and less risk-averse docs like the MFM who let you wait a bit longer...34 vs. 39 weeks makes a big difference! [/quote]

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