To not want induction in these circumstances

Toinduceornot · 2024-04-16T22:28:52+00:00

I’ve been offered an induction at 39 weeks with these circumstances and wondering what you would do and if IABU to decline? Low risk first pregnancy no complications. 34 weeks - referred for growth scan by midwife, bump measured small but this coincided with baby changing to head down Growth scan showed no problems baby on 50th centile. 35 + 4 - saw a new midwife as usual one was on holiday. She didn’t realise it hadn’t been two weeks since my growth scan and bump was 1cm smaller than the tolerance level so referred me for another. At the scan sonographer could only get 1 measurement of the femur, which was measuring smaller than the first growth scan? Doctor and midwife said to disregard this scan as it was clearly inaccurate although they did plot the measurements on my chart. They asked for me to come back for a scan now, at 38 + 4. Today I saw the same sonographer who again struggled to get a measurement but has deduced baby is on the 10th centile for femur length. Estimated weight is 6lbs. Midwife and doctor want me to have an induction within the next 72 hours. They haven’t done any monitoring and they didn’t check the placenta or cord flow at the scan today, midwife wasn’t sure why. I’m really skeptical about the measurements given the errors previously and feel really pressured into the induction. AIBU to refuse and what else can I do eg can I ask for a second opinion? I’ve had no sign of labour so far but haven’t been examined at all.

fliptopbin · 17/06/2024 00:22

Im fact, baby is 8 weeks old.

fliptopbin · 17/06/2024 00:21

SwordToFlamethrower · 16/06/2024 23:06

When they measure the bump, it's like measuring the garage but not the car. There is no way to know and scans at this stage are very inaccurate by 10% or more. Which us huge when we are talking about baby weight.

You can ask for watchful waiting.

Inductions can take up to a week, put a great deal of strain on both mother and baby due to unnatural, irregular contractions and this can lead to a cascade of further interventions such as c section.

Get a copy of the book "In you own time" by Sarah Wickham and also go to the AIMS website and order a copy of "your rights in childbirth and pregnancy".

It is your body and baby, you can choose to say no, you can wait.

My babies were all 42+ weekers naturally. They would have been really premature being born at 39 weeks and being born before being ready can cause health problems.

Stand firm but most of all, listen to your instincts and not the fear they put into you.

Baby is already here!

staceyflack · 16/06/2024 23:16

Congratulations 🎊 👏 💐

SwordToFlamethrower · 16/06/2024 23:06

When they measure the bump, it's like measuring the garage but not the car. There is no way to know and scans at this stage are very inaccurate by 10% or more. Which us huge when we are talking about baby weight.

You can ask for watchful waiting.

Inductions can take up to a week, put a great deal of strain on both mother and baby due to unnatural, irregular contractions and this can lead to a cascade of further interventions such as c section.

Get a copy of the book "In you own time" by Sarah Wickham and also go to the AIMS website and order a copy of "your rights in childbirth and pregnancy".

It is your body and baby, you can choose to say no, you can wait.

My babies were all 42+ weekers naturally. They would have been really premature being born at 39 weeks and being born before being ready can cause health problems.

Stand firm but most of all, listen to your instincts and not the fear they put into you.

PaintDiagram · 16/06/2024 21:49

@Toinduceornot

Congratulations!! Glad all is going well. Thanks for updating us :)

Indigococo84 · 16/06/2024 21:34

I had all this with my 2nd baby. Major concerns over her size, short femur etc. It really worried me but I was already booked in for an ELCS at 39 weeks. She weighed 7lb 4oz at birth so not small in the slightest.

Also just realised this is an old thread. Congratulations on your little boy 🥰

BakeOffRewatch · 16/06/2024 21:33

Congratulations @Toinduceornot

MsCactus · 16/06/2024 21:29

Apologies OP didn't realise this was an old thread! Glad to hear you and baby are doing well :)

MsCactus · 16/06/2024 21:28

Also I had an induction at 39 weeks - I begged them for it as my pregnancy made me so ill.

Induction was fine - I only had the pessary, no drip - labour was fine, had an epidural and tore a little but not too bad. Overall a good first labour imo, I've heard of much worse. I'd always planned an epidural as well, so that wasn't as a result of the induction.

MsCactus · 16/06/2024 21:26

Toinduceornot · 17/04/2024 00:07

It’s not clear to me if growth is dropping off, indicating a problem, or if baby is just small. I felt really rushed today as the scan was late In the day and the midwife wanted to book it in ‘before the slots were gone’. I feel against forcing my body into labour when it’s not ready. No one seems keen to let me have a second opinion and I’ve not seen a doctor at all.

If it makes you feel any better OP, statistically 39 weeks is the safest time to deliver a baby.

40+ weeks the risks of stillbirth are higher, and under 39 weeks the risks of SIDs is higher. 39 weeks is actually the ideal in terms of risk - so I wouldn't worry about it being a week early.

Risk of stillbirth is higher at 40 weeks than 39, for example

CadyEastman · 16/06/2024 21:20

Thank you so much for the update @Toinduceornot and congratulations on your absolutely adorable sounding DS.

I think that you did the right thing in refusing the drip. Sometimes they just need to be out and quickly

Original poster

Toinduceornot · 16/06/2024 13:22

I realised I never updated this thread 😅 baby was born my C-section as my labour didn’t really get started after my waters broke.

A CTG showed his heart rate dipping when I was mildly contracting, so I got rushed from the induction bay to delivery ward. The doctor wanted to insert an epidural in case we needed to go to theatre quickly, then get me started on the drip. I declined the oxytocin drip as by this point I hadn’t eaten for 24 hours (was on monitoring every time they served a meal!) and hadn’t slept much in the whole week due to worrying so much! DS was born by c-section that evening. He was very small, under the second centile at 5lb, and had to have increased obs due to low blood sugar but he’s putting on weight fast. This was 8 weeks ago and he’s about 9lb now! No other concerns with him and I’ve recovered well. Next pregnancy will likely be high risk due to his size but I wouldn’t hesitate for another c-section.

OP posts:

TheShellBeach · 21/04/2024 12:24

Nat6999 · 21/04/2024 01:49

I would find out how favorable your cervix is & if it isn't, ask for a c section. You can be in & out in 24 hours but an induction could last 3 days & still end up in a c section.

OMG who would deliberately want major abdominal surgery?

TheShellBeach · 21/04/2024 12:22

Good luck, OP!
I hope it isn't too much longer.

SquigglePigs · 21/04/2024 08:23

Toinduceornot · 21/04/2024 07:29

I came in for a pre-induction appointment yesterday and spoke with a consultant who was helpful and agreed I could have an elective C-section but that they still wanted to get baby out as he’s dropped below the 10th centile. She said they could estimate weight based on femur and abdomen measurements? They haven’t been able to get a head measurement for weeks as he’s so low.

I agreed to let a midwife examine me to see if I was dilated and I was, 3cm! The examination actually broken waters so I’m in hospital now waiting to see if labour starts. Having a few tightening but not much else.

Best of luck today OP. Hope everything goes nice and smoothly for you and the little one.

MaryShelley1818 · 21/04/2024 08:22

Redlarge · 21/04/2024 07:39

Under no curcumstances get an induction. Horrendous and desoite trying over and over they never worked for me

That's awful for you, but doesn't mean that nobody else should ever have an induction.

I was induced twice, with DS and DD and had 2 absolutely perfect births, not even a stitch needed.

Skillest · 21/04/2024 08:14

Ohhh exciting. Go for a walk, the giggling helps move things along.

renthead · 21/04/2024 08:02

Well that is exciting! Breast/nipple stimulation can get contractions going. Good luck!

Lizzypet · 21/04/2024 07:50

My bump was measuring small with DS. I had a growth scan & was told his size was fine & it must just be a compact bump. I started to notice (very subtle) reduced movements & luckily I was listened to & induced at 39 weeks. Baby was much smaller than the scan had suggested & not doing very well. I hope all is going well for you.

Redlarge · 21/04/2024 07:39

Under no curcumstances get an induction. Horrendous and desoite trying over and over they never worked for me

Comingupriver · 21/04/2024 07:38

Op, can you update please? I hope all is well

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 21/04/2024 07:37

Toinduceornot · 21/04/2024 07:29

I came in for a pre-induction appointment yesterday and spoke with a consultant who was helpful and agreed I could have an elective C-section but that they still wanted to get baby out as he’s dropped below the 10th centile. She said they could estimate weight based on femur and abdomen measurements? They haven’t been able to get a head measurement for weeks as he’s so low.

I agreed to let a midwife examine me to see if I was dilated and I was, 3cm! The examination actually broken waters so I’m in hospital now waiting to see if labour starts. Having a few tightening but not much else.

Can you go for a wander?

I found that a good brisk walk did wonders for getting contractions going, once I was at that tipping point.

Original poster

Toinduceornot · 21/04/2024 07:29

I came in for a pre-induction appointment yesterday and spoke with a consultant who was helpful and agreed I could have an elective C-section but that they still wanted to get baby out as he’s dropped below the 10th centile. She said they could estimate weight based on femur and abdomen measurements? They haven’t been able to get a head measurement for weeks as he’s so low.

I agreed to let a midwife examine me to see if I was dilated and I was, 3cm! The examination actually broken waters so I’m in hospital now waiting to see if labour starts. Having a few tightening but not much else.

OP posts:

renthead · 21/04/2024 03:25

This is really weird. Where I work (midwife) we don't even take femur length into consideration when assessing for growth restriction. It's really to do with abdominal circumference and fetal weight. There is nothing about femur length in the RCOG guidelines on growth restriction.

An induction for femur length alone, if that is what is happening here, is absolutely batshit. There is no way I would do this! I know it's easy to feel railroaded but I would be asking a lot more questions before I'd agree to anything, OP. What guideline are they basing this on?

Nat6999 · 21/04/2024 01:49

I would find out how favorable your cervix is & if it isn't, ask for a c section. You can be in & out in 24 hours but an induction could last 3 days & still end up in a c section.