Can I request an induction for this?

[Bumblebeewine]

I know no-one can tell me what my consultant will say but I don't see them until 38 weeks (34 weeks now) I think so I'm just wondering if anyone has requested induction for similar experiences.

I was induced for my first birth. It was horrendous but that wasn't all down to the induction. Labour was 9 hours so as far as first births go, not too long although this could be down to the hormone drip I was on. My reason for wanting to be induced this time is due to something possibly quite silly but essentially, I live two hours away from the hospital where I'll need to go (high risk birth) and I 'can't' go there before a midwife has checked I'm in labour properly (midwifes are based in a hospital an hour away from here- I live rurally). So I'd have to wait to make sure it wasn't braxton hicks, wait for the midwife to get here to see if I'm in established labour and then have a two hour-ish journey to the hospital. I'm genuinely worried I'll give birth on the side of the road. Can I request to be induced at 39/40 weeks on the basis of being worried that I may not make it to the hospital in time, taking into account it's a high risk birth? Any advice/experience would be most appreciated! TIA.

[chipperchop]

Generally, I don’t think they would offer induction in those circumstances. But you say it’s a high risk birth, why is that? Could that be the basis of induction instead?

[guest2013]

Consultants are normally very eager to book you in for induction. Just be prepared for a lot of 'So tell me again, exactly why we're inducing you' questions and exchanged glances from midwives who won't agree with it.

[ICJump]

Will you be seeing the midwife sooner? As you labour was short last time expecting you to take 3 hours to get to hospital sounds crazy. Is there a closer hospital you can go to be assessed and transfer in ambulance?

[Mummyme87]

guest2013 as a midwife myself, this is bollocks. I have seen many many women sent home after arriving for inductions because they are not necessary.. and this is following a consultant review. Bar some really dodgy consultants, Inductions are booked for women who need it for the correct reasons, weighing up risks and benefits

[girlsname]

I seriously would not be pushing for an induction if I were you. My first labour was an induction and absolutely horrific- my second labour was natural and a completely different experience. I also don't think you had a particularly short labour last time so wouldn't think you'll be a risk of giving birth quickly?

It does seem like a weird system they have in operation though- can you just skip the midwife and go straight to the hospital?!

[Bumblebeewine]

@girlsname I had an induction the first time round and it was horrific so I know what I'm putting myself through. I saw my midwife yesterday and she said that we do have to wait for them to come and assess us and then go to the hospital if it all kicks off naturally, then the near 2-hour journey to the hospital, that's over three hours and I just feel like a lot could progress in that time and I won't have access to pain relief for that time- thats what scares me, the time, possible progression and no gas and air etc

[MaudebeGonne]

You don't have to call the midwife to come and assess you in early labour. If you feel you are having strong, regular pains, you could just go in. The hospital won't turn you away.

[girlsname]

Surely if you are having strong contractions common sense would take over and you'd just go straight to the hospital?! There surely has to be some give and take in the policy for situations requiring you to skip waiting for the midwife to come?!

[Cookit]

Why does the midwife need to check you, I’m confused? What would happen if you just showed up at the hospital?

[CatchingBabies]

If you arrived at the first hospital and was in advanced labour they would transfer you to the second hospital via ambulance if you needed to deliver there so it wouldn’t be a 2 hour journey. I would ask why you are having to go to the first hospital though, that isn’t usual practice.

[Bumblebeewine]

@CatchingBabies sorry, maybe I didn't explain it well. So one hospital is 40 mins in one direction and the second one is 1.5 hours (from home, not the other hospital) in the other direction. So I'd have to wait for the midwife to come from the 40 min one to the house (Unless I went down there first) and then be sent off to the 1.5 hour one. It's all very rural so no way of getting there quicker unless in ambulance.

[Cookit]

Is it policy in your specific area for a midwife to come to your home first or is it specific to your situation? I’ve never heard of that. Here you’d just call the hospital or just turn up. Surely they wouldn’t turn you away if you turned up in active labour?