Asking for induction for "convenience" - is this reasonable in the circumstances?

[auburnlizzy78]

Am 39 + 3 today with first baby. Head engaged but I know now that doesn't mean much in terms of predicting when the baby's going to come. I am now feeling pretty uncomfortable for a variety of reasons but can put up with that.

I am due this Saturday 25th and DH is taking a week of leave, then unpaid leave before the baby turns up (hopefully only a couple of days) then his two weeks paternity leave (so altogether his leave will be 25th Sept to on or after 15 Oct). The prime reason for this is not actually the baby - he has OU finals on 13 and 15 October, the culmination of four years work, alongside holding down a full time job. This will therefore give him time to study. He can go to his mum's down the road for sleep and quiet time if the baby is disruptive! He is on for a first if he does well, and these exams are really really important to his and our future.

So would it be unreasonable to demand (in the nicest way) an induction -from NHS- on say 3 or 4 October if nothing has happened by then? Otherwise if I get to 42 weeks plus that's the week of DH's exams! I am also terrified about increasing risks of stillbirth at 42 weeks plus. What do you think, and what would you do in my situation? thanks v much

[belgo]

I would not request an induction for convenience especially not with a first baby. This is because an induced labour is likely to be more painful and possibly more complicated then a natural labour, and possibly lead to more interventions such as forceps delivery or C-section.

[MyThumbsHaveGoneWeird]

Won't you be about 40+9 by then anyway? Or have I added up wrong? I think they often offer an induction by about 40+10 don't they?

[IngridFletcher]

I think anyone who requesting an induction without really good medical cause is a bit misguided. Babies are best coming when they are ready.

[auburnlizzy78]

Mythumbs - yes that's about right, but I don't know at what point they would offer an induction, if at all. Will check with midwife tomorrow.

I thought that once I was at 40 weeks (and I am absolutely positive when I conceived, backed up by two scans) the baby would be fine to come out. It's not as if he needs to cook in there anymore.

At some private hospitals you can apparently ASK to be induced from 38 weeks onwards, but cynics would say they can make more money out of you that way than they would from a natural birth.

[belgo]

The baby probably is physically ready to come out but an induced labour really does not imitate a natural labour.

In a natural labour, the contractions start gradually, your body has time to get use to them and produce endorphins which are natural painkillers. These early contractions help position the baby into a good position to come out.

In an induced labour, the uterus is forced to contract even though it might not be ready and endorphins are not produced. The baby may not be in a good position and labour is on average longer and more painful and the risk is that ventouse/forceps will be needed to get the baby out as the uterus is more tired and does not work so efficiently.

Of course I am speaking generally; there is no way of knowing exactly what will happen with you. But for these reasons I would want to avoid an induced labour.

You can start a thread asking for natural ways of inducing labour

[belgo]

Oh and during an induced labour, you are likely to be linked up to monitors which may limit your movement; therefore hindering the progress of labour and the position of the baby. Again I am speaking generally. There are no hard and fast rules; every labour is unique.

[muslimah28]

i asked to be induced at +12 instead of waiting +14 which was hospital policy. i did this for similar reasons to the OP, ie DHs leave arrangements, as well as being very very fed up. babwas born +16 so am pretty sure i would have been induced evn if i did wait the extra.

BUT now ive been induced once, i know that induction increases risks of intervention which i didn't know before. ive actually told DH if we have a DC2 and i get as fed up for him to give me profuse reminders of the risks of induction, and i would now actually prefer to go in for daily monitoring and avoid induction as far as i possible can. i know i say that in the comfort of not being heavily pregnant, but induction is horrible.

[nancydrewrocked]

I am consdidering being induced for "social reasons", in my circumstances to allow my DH to be present at the birth - the hospital are fine with that.

The reason that I am "considering" is because I have had an induction and it was a miserable affair - baby simply wasn't ready to come and it was a horrifically painful, unpleasant experience which I am not keen to repeat.

Personally I would think about it very carefully. Not least because following an induction the recovery period is likely to be longer and more uncomfortable.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Induction is often the start of a cascade of intervention. It can take a few days, multiple shots of prostin gel to get you started, so you start labour sore and knackered after being in hospital a few days. Induction labours often need synto drip to keep them going, you'll be monitored throughout. More painful on the drip so you're more likely to have an epidural and more likely to end up with a section or an instrumental delivery.

If you're happy to risk that then by all means ask.

[auburnlizzy78]

Crikey, sounds like I really do need to re-think. Appreciate all your comments and will take on board.

It's comforting that you can have daily monitoring muslimah28. I wasn't aware of that. I wouldn't want to be just "left" to wait it out if I go well over 40 weeks. A few days between midwife appointments at that stage just seems too long. The stillbirth risk is weighing on my mind quite a bit and is probably 40% of the reason for thinking about induction if nothing happens naturally.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I believe NICE guidelines say to induce at between 41 and 42 weeks. This is research based, the risk of stillbirth doesn't increase until after this point. Most hospitals induce at 40+10, sometimes at 40+12.

Yes there will always sadly be women who have an IUD between 40 and 40+12. But also this happens at 37, 38, 39 weeks.

[trixie123]

absolutely don't do it for that reason. There are lots of nasty anecdotal stories on here (including mine) about failed inductions, inductions that worked but only with lots of intervention and while I don't have anything to compare it to, I overheard the midwives talking about me when I was on the postnatal ward and even they winced when they heard I had been on the drip with it up to the max for an entire night bringing on v painful and useless contractions that were ineffective because DS was pressing on my bladder not my cervix. (ended up with a CS). You are pinned to the bed with monitoring equipment and its really just bloody awful. Avoid if you possibly can.

[sanfair]

They may offer to induce you anyway at that point but I strongly recommend you don't.

My induction led to a very painful, lengthy labour ending in emergency c-section. I won't go into everything that went wrong but I am convinced it was due to induction.

If I go very overdue again, I'd prefer go into the hospital for daily/hourly! monitoring if necessary but absolutely wouldn't have another induction.

[skidoodly]

Do not do this. Really. Another failed induction here. I went into full labour with just pessaries but dd1 was occipital transverse and not coming out that way. Had emcs. Refused induction second time in favour of elcs.

Give yourself the best chance you can of a natural labour.

This is more important than exams. Truly.

[maxpower]

This is always a very difficult decision for expectant mothers to make. 1. You're having to try to make a decision based on predicitions of what could/might happen with no guarantees. 2. Inductions can go smoothly but carry an increased risk of interventions - you have no idea how your body might respond if you decide to go with an induction. 3. It won't hurt to ask the hospital about your options. 4. The closest thing you can get to a guarantee is an elcs, but this is major surgery. 5. Induction can be incredibly traumatic (and I'm not suggesting that non-induced births can't be!) but it takes a huge amount out of you and can leave you with emotional/psychological issues.
This isn't purely about convenient timing OP, you have to really consider what impact your decision might have on you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[loveinsuburbia]

Normal gestation is 37 weeks to 42 weeks. 40 weeks is a pretty arbitrary date. Your baby's labour will be triggered, under normal circumstances obviously, by their lungs maturing and them being in the right position. Trying to induce before that time for a first time mum is almost certainly asking for a long drawn out labour with a greater risk of complication. Average gestation for a white first time mother is 41 weeks and 1 day, by the way.

I went to 42+4 because the research that says the risk of stillbirth going up at 42 weeks is based on 7 babies who died some dating back decades. The more recent research (referenced on patient.co.uk) which is recent, much bigger than the previous research reviews and uses better methods doesn't actually show the same kind of risk that's commonly quoted.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Another failed induction here. It was horribly painful and exhausting and ended in an emergency section. Should that happen to you, then your DH will be getting no study done because you will need 24 hour support for the first week at least.

sanfair - once you have had a section then they would not induce you, the risk of uterine rupture is too great. I am pregnant again myself and will be strongly arguing my case for an elective when I see my consultant at the beginning of December!

[narmada]

ooh, another one in the 'no' camp here, sorry. Really awful experience with induction personally, and Iam desperate to avoid being induced this time around.

Is there an option to take the exams at another time? The OU are usually quite flexible, aren't they? I think that's what I'd be looking at doing. Exams and a new baby together are a really big ask.

[auburnlizzy78]

loveinsurburbia - thanks so much - have been on patient.co.uk and read about the factors which can lead to stillbirth. Feel a bit better about this side of things, if that is the right sentiment for something so awful.

narmada Unfortunately no chance of taking the exams at another time. It would have to be next october, which means DH at age 31 puts off his first proper career for another year (long story), we remain skint etc. We will just have to manage I guess.

Didn't plan for the baby to come now. We started trying at Christmas 09 and I was pregnant within a week! A host of medical reasons past and present affecting both of us meant that this wasn't likely AT ALL so it was a wonderful shock but has now put us in this rather awkward position!

[skidoodly]

Ali I was offered induction after an emcs. I thought it wasn't recommended but was told risk of uterine rupture was low.

auburn best of luck with everything :) It will be fine.

Maybe talk to some friends with children about the very early days. Have you any other help lined up for when/if your DH is away at his mother's? Could your mum stay for a bit?

The early days with your first baby are pretty full-on ime. You need someone to run around doing jobs while you sit under the feeding baby. Also someone to keep you company as you survey the wreckage of your old life and begin to see your future as a mother take shape.

[auburnlizzy78]

Thank you skidoodly - yes, my MIL will move in if necessary and DH will move into hers (she lives 3 miles away). Am fine with this - MIL's lovely.

My mum lives further away but she will come up as much as I need her to, and has volunteered to take care of the house/food.

Thanks all for the advice! Hopefully little'un will come on time and all of this will be academic - I'll post on this thread again to update!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

skidoodly - really? It must vary from unit to unit then. I know my friend who had a previous elective for obstetric choleostasis (sp?) was told that she wouldn't be induced, and I've already been told that they won't consider induction post-section in our CLU.
I'm not sorry tbh, I think even being offered it would send me into a complete panic!

[buttonmoon78]

I've had 3 labours - last one was induced for medical reasons (SPD). It was shortest but most painful (spd & posterior presentation & body not ready) but no intervention. I asked for an epidural but it never came. I only went down the induction route (at 38 wks) as I couldn't face another day in such pain.

FWIW I'm betting that you're worrying about nothing. My other 2 were 40+7 and 39+4. I'm sure that the chances of you needing induction are slim really.

Good luck, and good luck to OH too!

[pixiestix]

Oh god, I'm supposed to be induced for diabetes on Friday and I'm really wishing I hadn't read this thread