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Childbirth

Induction - yay or nay, I need some advice!

60 replies

BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 21:51

I really need some experienced advice on this one.

I am currently almost 22 weeks with my first. My midwife has offered me the chance to take part in a research study on inducing ladies of 35 years and over to see if it reduces the chance of a stillbirth. I need to give them an answer shortly and I don't know what to do!

If I sign up, I will be induced at 39 weeks if I have not already begun the first stage of labour. I have been advised that this could be more painful than an 'un-induced' labour, but that most women find it okay. Are they chatting me up there or is it really alright?! Should I be asking for an epidural on my birth plan if I go for it?

I really want to help with the study and would like to think I had helped to get some legislation passed that would stop some people suffering a horrible time, but at the same time, I don't want to sign up for the study without knowing exactly what I am getting myself into! I am also aware of course that I could end up being induced anyway, even if I don't sign up!

Sorry if I sound incredibly naive.

OP posts:

Report

readysteady · 16/07/2013 21:56

Erm no way would I do this with no real good reason. Can't believe it's an ethical study :(

Overcooked · 16/07/2013 21:59

No, jesus, why make it any harder than it need be, induction makes labour ramp-up very quickly and it may feel a lot more painful, or you may feel out of control . I wouldn't, not on your nelly.

RandomMess · 16/07/2013 22:01

I've been induced with all 4 of my dcs with mixed labours. Erm no I wouldn't be induced at 39 weeks without a good medical reason as the chances of it working successfully with just pessaries and no further interventation are generally lower the earlier in pregnancy you are.

LittleBearPad · 16/07/2013 22:02

Who's running the study. It sounds v odd to me.

BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 22:03

readysteady and overcooked thank you for your replies...I think they might have seen me coming as I am a first timer...I was accosted by the doctor in charge of the study at my 12 week scan before I had even got to the signing in desk! They grabbed me again at my 20 week scan, again, before I got the scan done, and although they weren't pressing for a yes or no, they were certainly very clear about the positives (ie I would be helping future older mums potentially, wouldn't have to worry about going overdue) and downplayed the negatives, breezing quite quickly over the fact that it could be more painful.

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Phineyj · 16/07/2013 22:04

Get the AIMS pamphlet about induction. It explains the pros and cons in a clear way and I found it helpful.

Phineyj · 16/07/2013 22:05

www.aims.org.uk/pubs3.htm#induction

marthabear · 16/07/2013 22:08

I also can't believe this is ethical. No way would I be involved in this....as a Mother or health professional. Yes, you may end up needing to be induced for a valid reason where the risks of not inducing outweigh the risks of the induction itself, but it more likely that this will not be necessary, and has no bearing on the decision about this research study. Look after your body and your baby first and foremost.

LillyofWinchester · 16/07/2013 22:08

I wouldn't agree to this, induction of a baby is painful and can lead to further interventions. I would only want an induction if I had a medical need as its not a nice process if you need the drip especially. And I thought its in the babies best interested to be born as close to their due date as possible.

BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 22:09

littlebear it is being run by Nottingham City Hospital, it is called the 35/39 study.

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Phineyj · 16/07/2013 22:09

There is NO WAY I would have agreed to something like that just in case it might help people in the future. Women are so different and so many factors affect labour - age is just one. Continuity of care/good support in labour is much more important.

Up to you obviously but please do what you decide is best for you.

marthabear · 16/07/2013 22:11

' Wouldn't have to worry about going overdue'

LittleBearPad · 16/07/2013 22:13

Having been induced at 38 weeks due to my waters going but no labour I would say no. The pessary didn't work, the drip did eventually but it wasn't a lot of fun. Babies should be born when they're ready unless there's a damn good medical reason to hurry them along.

BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 22:14

phiney thanks for that.
martha and Lilly thanks for your posts. I got the impression that not many people had signed up to their study! It made me feel uncomfortable to think that the baby might be ready to be born at 40 weeks, and there I am a week beforehand going through a procedure for no reason...it doesn't quite sit right, but I wanted to get the wisdom of mn involved as I wasn't sure if I was being irrational!

Thanks all

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sarahleanne · 16/07/2013 22:14

I was induced with both of my pregnancies.the frst time I wasn't too worried as I didn't know what it involved, I was only 19 at the time and fairly naïve. on my second, I gt told I was bing induced and I burst into tears. without scaring you, I think that probably answers your question :)
induction does throw u into harder labour and I am now pregnant with my 3rd and I am desperate to go into labour naturally to see what it is like.
I totally commend you on giving it so much thought though, your very brave for even considering it!

Beamur · 16/07/2013 22:14

I was induced - I wouldn't choose it if I didn't have to. It was extremely painful, but it was necessary for me and DD. I'd previously read that being induced was like having the same pain as during a non-induced labour but you have much less time to adjust to the changes in pace of labour as it is artificially speeded up - all the pain in half the time! I think they are minimising this aspect of the process.
Being overdue is not a problem per se (up to a point).
I wouldn't let the issue of 'helping' others influence your choice here - it's not fair to ask you that as a first time mother with no previous experience to help you weigh up your choices with experience and knowledge to help your decision.
I was an 'older' Mum too - had DD at 36.

BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 22:18

martha yes this particularly stuck in my mind, as I hadn't previously considered that I would be worried about being overdue! Aren't most first babies overdue?! They worded everything VERY carefully but at my 20 week scan we both detected a hint of desperation in their 'pitch'. My DP was dead set against it from the first mention, to his mind it is tinkering with my body to prove a point for a professor.

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BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 22:23

sarah and bea thanks for your experiences. I hadn't expected such a unanimous answer so yes, I think I have got a clear picture from you all! I really appreciate your help. They have severely downplayed the negatives of taking part - I will pick them up on this next time I am grabbed at an ante-natal appointment!

I was 'induced' after a missed miscarriage last year and found it very painful and obviously, upsetting. I don't think that would be anything like induction at full term, but still, it wasn't nice. I have pointed this out to them and that my experiences with the pessary etc have not been great, but I think they are so desperate for participants. A flat out NO should do the trick.

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LovePotatoes · 16/07/2013 22:23

I would not take part in this study. I had a normal delivery with first and had to be induced for second. The pain with induction was excruitiating!!!!! I wasnt even using the gas and air properly.
It took me weeks to get over the induced birth.

marthabear · 16/07/2013 22:24

I feel angry at the way this study is being 'sold' to pregnant women in the way you have described. There doesn't seem to be proper informed consent at all.

MotherOfNations · 16/07/2013 22:27

I was induced with my first and after 19 hours of contractions with no break in between Ds was in distress and I ended up having a cesarean anyway. Because of this I was told that I would always need cesareans and will be having my 5th in October.

There is a much greater chance of uterine rupture with an induced labour which is life threatening for both you and the baby and won't always be picked up in time for your life to be saved. Though rupture is unlikely with a first baby there are cases where it has happened. It's really not worth the risk if it's completely unnecessary and a traumatic labour could scar you for life.

BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 22:30

love thanks for your post. It doesn't sound like something I should be signing up for, without a bloody good reason!

martha I am wondering if they would give more information at a later stage, and be more honest and open about the process...hope so. I think my mind has been made up on here and I am really glad I posted tonight. So far they have just 'sounded me out' about it, and each time have asked if they can talk to me about it again nearer the time. They do that very careful wording thing that researchers have to do, and tentatively say 'do you think that is something you might consider?' when obviously they haven't given me too much detail. When I said I had heard induction was painful, they said there was a 50/50 chance of me being in the induction group, as opposed to the 'control' group who would be allowed to go beyond their due date. I did think at that point - I hope I am in the control group - which should have given me the answer there and then!

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BeQuicksieorBeDead · 16/07/2013 22:32

mother thank you for that. I think you have just put the icing on my f the f off cake and added a cherry to the top!

OP posts:

MortifiedAdams · 16/07/2013 22:37

I have had an induction and there is no way I would ever allow that drug into my body again.

They really do NOT know enough about the drug to manage it. Everyone I know who has had it has resulted in intervention at the minimum forceps or worse, emcs.

RevoltingPeasant · 16/07/2013 22:40

OP I have neve had a baby but I googled the trial and their site is here //www.35-39trial.org

If you look it says they have had 117 participants to date and need 600 odd all told. They stud started in 2012 and is scheduled for 2 years. Ie they are halfway theough but hace only got one sixth of the women they need. I reckon they will be under pressure from funders to make numbers.

I think it sounds massively ethically dubious and would steer well clear.

It also sounds like the study will result in women over 35 being pushed into early induction as it's "better for baby", ie 0.1% lower chance of stillbirth or something v massively increased chance of dangerous interventions for you!

I am an academic and strongly believe in the value of research but would not do this.

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