Doctor wants to induce me but I'm not sure...

Tatiana - posted on 07/05/2012

Same thing happened to me. I thought I was due July 9th but when I went in this tuesday for my appointment he said I was already 40 weeks and they'd schedule me for an induction next tuesday. I was like, "what? but I'm due in one week...what's the rush?" what he explained to me what that July 9th was the estimated due date according to the 1st trimester fetal measurements, but that July 3rd was the estimated due date according to last missed period, when the difference in dates is within one week, they go with the 1st date (which no one ever bothered to mention before). thus here I am thinking okay one week to go, maybe 2 and now suddenly I'm being scheduled for induction because I'm a week further along than I thought. I'm kind of hoping I go into labor before the scheduled induction.

Alyssa - posted on 05/01/2010

Soooo, ways to induce on your own...SEX. Sperm actually prepares the cervix. I don't remember exactly what it does, sorry, but you could easily Google it. My husband & I started having sex every night, & 3-4 days of doing that put me in labor. My daughter was born a week early. I was also walking regularly. Try it! It prob won't be real comfortable, but most people I've talked to did that too, & it worked.

Dana - posted on 05/01/2010

I had a very awful induction! They induced me on my due date and ultimatly ended up with a c-section. I would wait until YOU felt it was the right thing!

Kristin - posted on 05/01/2010

What the other ladies have said really makes sense. I'm glad you were able to postpone the induction until Tuesday. You definitely need to get the info you need to help make this decision. If you aren't going to see the doctor, at least have him tell you over the phone why he wants to do it the he does. If your cervix is unfavorable at this point and your fluid levels are still good, then delaying is not a big deal. If the levels are dropping, you feel awful, or some other complication is arising, then do what you need to do to have a healthy baby.

I was induced with both of my previous children. So, I have no idea what a natural labor contraction would feel like. These contractions are not that bad. They definitely come quicker, and the whole process seems to be shorter. I was 12 hours start to finish, but was dilated 1.5 to 2 cm each time going into it. I did take meds to take the edge off and with the second really wanted an epidural for back labor.

While I fully understand your desire to not be induced or have a C-section, the best thing for both you and your baby is to have a SAFE delivery. Relax, be flexible with your birth plan, things change far too rapidly to be rigid about everything. Pitocin is not awful, pain is manageable, baby will be there at the end.

good luck.

Heidi - posted on 05/01/2010

I was literally induced on monday (it's saturday now) i had the gel put on my cervix at around 10am on monday, i had little to no contractions all dad then they started me on the drip first thing on tuesday morning (around 9am) by 12:30 i had my baby girl. Everyone said to me that induction is more painful and that they didnt want me to go through it, honestly now (and even the next day) i didnt remember the pain at all, except for being a little tender in my nether regions. My baby was born healthy and screaming, I was only 2 cm dilated when they gave me the drip, i went from 2-4 in 2 hours, 4-10 in less than one, and pushed for 36 mins. I didnt have an epidural, just the nitrous oxide gas and a shot of demerol, and that was really all i needed. Dont feel nervous about being induced, it's all routine and very safe. everything went more or less flawlessly for me (except the gel not really working well) and i had my daughter sooner than i would have if i waited. Just remember it's what is best for you and your baby or your doctor wouldnt recommend it. Best of luck!

Heather - posted on 04/30/2010

I was induced with my frst chld, shes 2 now. And if i could have it my way i would be induced again this time around. it was so easy and knowing when it was gonna happen was a stress relief. And my daughter was born perfectly fine, no complcations or anything.

Mary Renee - posted on 04/30/2010

Thanks again so much for everyone's help!

I called the doctor and held off my induction till the 4th. It's not much of a delay, but at least I feel like I have some control. I'm just praying she's born before that! I had a feeling my whole pregnancy that she was going to be born on the 3rd (for some reason) so I hope I'm right!

The doctor said they start with a gel that's supposed to soften your cervix and sometimes that's enough to cause some women to go into labor. If after four or five hours there's no change, then they administer the pitocin. I have "No Pitocin" written all over my birth plan, so I really am still hoping to avoid it.

Wish me luck and feel free to tell me any Old Wives Tales Induction methods you've heard... I tried going on a LONG walk in the full moon light last night which definetly brought on some good strong contractions but when I woke up the next morning they stopped ) :

Shannen - posted on 04/29/2010

I have always taken my 1st unltarsound as my due date and i guess it hasnt been to wrong. If you have had scans that say all is healthy then i would have refused and said leave it a little longer.

To induce at night is not normal here in australia but i guess over in USA it is. As they dont do the "heavy" pitocin first they should use some sort cervix softening thingy.

Sorrry i cant be more helpful i havent been induced and i freaked when it was even mentioned with my kids and i have refused it for this birth!

Nicole - posted on 04/29/2010

Oh and once your water breaks if they see meconium they should be able to explain every step they'll take to help baby. dont freak out if they take baby to NICU it's to observe mostly. but once water breaks they know what steps to take to eliminate most of the risk. remember strip membranes look into it it may be a solution to the whole induce or not to induce issue.

Nicole - posted on 04/29/2010

I have to agree with all of these ladies find out as much as you can. I'm no obgyn and my CNA experience is in long term care but if your dilated to 1 andeven a little bit effaced, it sounds to me like your cervix is favorable and all you need is a little time. Again find out all you can but i always thought as long as the fluid level was good, then baby is good. meconium is gross and can cause pnuemonia IF it's inhaled, IF they don't suction and treat right away, but everything i've ever researched says that it's actually kinda common. they'll know or you'll know as soon as your water breaks if you have meconium, your water wont be clear and it most likely will have a foul odor.

If you would rather go into labor on your own and i'm really thinking you would, you CAN ask your doc to strip your membranes...kinda scrape out your mucus plug, it wont hurt the baby it may make you feel a little crampy and there's blood (don't panic it's the bloody show before labor!) , but usually things start moving after that.it's not immediate mind you, but it's one of those ways to nudge nature in the right direction. look it up and find out for yourself. def. keep me posted

Jane - posted on 04/29/2010

1st of all, with an ultrasound, they can tell you EXACTLY how pregnant you are. i went for one last week at 8 weeks and they told me that i was 8 weeks and 5 days and gave me a due date of 11/28. do you know the date of your last period? they can do it that way, too. get a solid answer.

secondly, he shouldn't be making you worried. is there another doctor in the practice that you're more comfortable with? can you schedule things w/that doctor? this when you have to step up and speak up for yourself. pick a doctor you are happy with.

personally, i chose an epidural both times and had good experiences. i think pain is exhausting and when you have a newborn, you need all of the rest you can get. i had pitocin both times even though i was 5 days early w/both kids. the first one was a long labor even w/the pitocin but comfortable b/c of the epidural. the second kid was not as long but w/pitocin again.

maybe your doctor is just giving you all of the nitty gritty to cover his ass or maybe he's an ass - you need to be comfortable w/this stuff before you go in so you don't go in w/a bundle of nerves.

if you can get your last period date, then go to babycenter.com and plug it in and it will give you a due date. or call the ultrasound office and get an exact measure from the last ultrasound and what the due date is according to that. he may be scheduling you late b/c that's when he can be there.

let him know that you want to go as long as you can w/out an induction and possible c-section and it's important to you.

get some answers so you have the knowledge.

good luck!

Pam - posted on 04/29/2010

Mary,

The nurses should always check your cervix before starting an induction. That way they know the current status and can inform the doctor if things have changed and a change in plan of care/orders is necessary.

At my hospital, we generally have an order for a sleeping pill to help women sleep when doing cervical ripening (cytotec), some one can't sleep due to nerves or just being on the hospital bed. The fathers usually have no problem sleeping at all. They usually are "dead to the world".
By starting at night with the cytotec your doctor is probably trying to have a daytime/evening delivery and may be planning on delivering your baby rather than having one of his partners deliver in the night time.
If the montioring of the baby shows good fluid, then you can most certainly refuse to be induced on the 3rd/4th and request one more week. I personally wouldn't go over 42 weeks. In the mean time, semen has prostiglandins in it..so as uncomfortable as it is, sex and orgasm are what your body/cervix needs.

Ashley - posted on 04/29/2010

Being induced is not as bad as you think.They will check you as soon as you get there and get you hooked up to the monitors. You'll go in that night and they will insert cervadil into your cervix and start pitocin in the AM. you will be able to sleep. Your boyfriend can stay with you, they have pull out beds or cots in the room for him to sleep on. Even if they go straight for pitocin it will take a while. they say once you're in labor you dilate a cm an hour, so you'll have plenty of time. as far as pitocin contractions being better or worse than natural, it just depends on your body. Your contractions will be significantly harder and more intesnse once your water is broken. But all in all it is not as bad as you think. just relax and look for the light at the end of the tunnel, you will leave with a beautiful baby.congrats and goodluck!!

Alyssa - posted on 04/29/2010

i don't understand why your doctor is so concerned with inducing you. have you researched pitocin-induced deliveries yet? the fact that you're already unsure about doing it this way says a lot to me, & you need to listen to your heart. i've read too many horror stories from women who followed the advice of the doctor instead of going along with their gut instinct & personal research. you seem stressed about the decision to induce, & that could actually make your labor take longer. don't let any medical staff scare or bully you into doing anything you don't want! i flat-out told my doctor no about a couple of things during my pregnancy, even though it elevated some risks, & he immediately dropped the issue & proceeded with treating me normally. you have the right to refuse any medical procedure, so go educate yourself!

on a sidenote, i just did a google search for the risks of prolonged pregnancy. inducing before 41 weeks has shown to cause problems in labor with a higher chance of c-section. also, natural gestation can be 42 weeks easily. you could even go to 43 weeks with little risk. i'd seriously be questioning your doctor's decision, but that's just me. arm yourself with information, & don't be afraid to refuse a treatment you're not confident about.

you'll do great! just make sure that you're content with your decision, as that will have the greatest bearing over your labor & delivery, more than anything else. hugs!

Candice - posted on 04/29/2010

i was induced and i was fine dont stress ok

Sarh - posted on 04/28/2010

Sounds like your doctor is a huge jerk!! I would call another OB and see if you can get an appointment w/them to ask their opinion. I would honestly switch doctors. It's never too late untill your at the hospital.
Good luck!!

Mary Renee - posted on 04/28/2010

Thank you so much for the helpful information. I've been one cm dialated and partially effaced for like three weeks with no increase unfortunately even though I'm a college senior and have been walking around campus like crazy. He said my cervix wasn't favorable, though.



I have two follow up question...



Will they check to see if my cervix has improved before inducing me at 9pm?



If I come in at 9pm, and I going to be able to sleep? How will my boyfriend sleep?



I called him earlier in the day and left a message that I was having second thoughts and was hoping to schedule the induction for the morning of the 4th instead of late on the 3rd. I think I would feel better with this, but do you all think it's worth it?



It's a full moon tonight so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that maybe this baby will come on her own before I have to worry about all this.



As far as pain, I was going for the "wait and see" approach, where I was going to try to do it with out an epidural, but from what I've heard from cousins who have had multiple labors, some with pitocin and some with out pitocin, pitocin contractions were so much more painful that I think if I had pitocin I'd go ahead and have the epidural even though I was going to try to do it with out.

Pam - posted on 04/28/2010

Mary, At my hospital they schedule inductions for 9 pm when the patient's cervix isn't what we call favorable. Then a type of prostiglandin medication is given (cytotec, cervidil, just to name a few) are used to try and soften the cervix. If your cervix is hard and firm to touch it won't open as nicely with contractions than if it is soft and squishy (for lack of another word), Those drugs are often used for up to 12 hours. They can make you cramp and contract. Then in the am the plan most likely is to start the pitocin and then break your water when your cervix is open enough and the baby's head lower in your pelvis. Why he's so insistant that you deliver now.. I don't know. Our hospital won't induce a first time mom until they are 1 week pasted their due date. So really it depends on the due date the doctor has chosen to use. And yes, always eat something before you go in unless it's for a scheduled c-section. Once pitocin is started your are generally limited to ice chips until after delivery. Depending on the orders he may let you eat something light up until they start the pit the next morning.

Nicole - posted on 04/28/2010

are you planning on an epidural or pain management? if so, your dr. might really have a good plan with inducing you at night. my first was induced, too stubborn to come out on her own. Being induced could take up to and sometimes beyond 24 hours. of course with regular old labor that can be endless too. but it depends on your body also. I mean if your cervix is already beginning to efface or soften, or if you've been wandering around the last few weeks already dilated to 2 it may not take as long when your induced. sometimes your body just needs a little push to do what it needs to do.
Here' the kicker tho, you should never be frightened into making a decision. your doc was wrong to do that to you. you have to be comfortable with the plans your making this is your baby and your body and no one can MAKE you deliver in a way that you dont care for. i'm sure your doc was thinking he could could start inducing at night get you the epidural and everyone would get a good night sleep. cuz it really does take awhile. I was already effaced and dilated to 3 when i was induced and i was like that for 3 weeks my body needed some help and the contractions are killer. but with an epidural ( well 2 really the first one didn't take) I only had 7 hours of labor. and breastfeeding is frustrating reduction or not. takes patience but so well worth it. besides i thought they only took out fatty tissue and left the "workings" in tact??
consider it and get alot of info it's not a bad way to have a baby but a lot of people feel it's not natural...well it's not but sometimes nature needs a nudge in the right direction