dd15 induction tomorrow & i have a bug

I understand your worry OP, however, as harsh as this sounds, of course the hospital will allow baby’s dad there, he’s the dad no matter what age. If he wants to be there and your dd wants him there, then he should be there. At the end of the day, they made this baby, if they’re old enough to have sex and make a baby, they’re old enough to deal with the consequences and take responsibility. I know it will be incredibly difficult for you, but going forward, your dd has to do what she wants, not what you want. Re the birth, I’m pretty sure no hospital will leave a 15 year to give birth alone. Definitely ring them and explain you’re poorly, see what they say/recommend. Good luck to all of you, I hope the birth goes well for your dd 💐💐

Also re induction timings - it massively varies. My friend as a first time mum was induced and baby was on the table within an hour. Another friend was induced over 5 days and nothing happened so she had yo have a c section. Another friend was induced and baby came in 6h. I think the hospital are the people to speak to, not any of us.

I agree with PPs on asking the hospital for their advice. My instinct would be to delay the induction unless the hospital thinks it would put her/baby at risk. It is very common for first time mums to have their baby a week or more after the due date. As long as the hospital think she's ok with the reduced movements for now (and i imagine she should probably go in for monitoring in the days before induction) then I think it is better to delay. Having the right birthing partner is important at any age, but as a young teenager even more so. A doula or whoever just couldn't support her properly given her age. I had reduced movements for a week before eventually the hospital decided I should be induced. My daughter was happy as a clam in there and just chilling out. Obviously it isn't always the case and you should be vigilant around reduced movements as it can be a warning sign. But nor is it necessarily the case that DD must be induced now no matter what if that means having no support during the birth.

If one of my friends, neighbours, or acquaintances - school run mums etc contacted me to ask if i would sit with their daughter in this situation I would be there in a heartbeat. Even if I didn't know them very well.

You absolutely cannot be on a labour ward with a vomiting bug, you know this and you know why. Put brutally - babies could die because of the bug.

Your daughter wants only you there - that's understandable but she is too young to grasp the reality.

Call the hospital, see about a doula, put a message on all the school whatsapp groups you are in (seriously) and send her in.

I also wish posters would stop with the unsolicited medical advice ('she doesnt need to go in' FFS)

Also - I say this gently - let her call her baby whatever she wants to call them - whether or not you think it is 'ridiculous' it is not your call. You won't help build bridges by being controlling (sorry but she is right)

Good luck

I was induced on my due date and baby was born within 8 hours

They cant force the induction on her - she can request additional monitoring and obs for 24hrs before being induced - is she 40+ or 42+ as that seriously changes things, the average first time mum won't give birth till 41+5. You can also request her bishops score so you have a rough idea of how long the process might take and how successful it is likely to be.

A doula is a very good shout.

I'm another who had a lengthy induction (5 days) I was 28 and with my partner and it was still awful, I'm sorry she is going through this so young.

Unpopular but wards often have isolation rooms for cases like this. My friend’s partner had covid and he was allowed to remain her birthing partner as upon discharge baby would have been exposed anyway. What are your daughter’s plans post-discharge? It’s not ideal and wouldn’t be my choice but if your daughter has no other, they may wish to go ahead with you as the birthing partner and take precautions.

I don't know whereabouts you are, but often there are charities/organisations that are able to provide support during birth for vulnerable women. Usually it's one person who will stay with her throughout labour/delivery to provide moral support and sometimes help advocate for her as well if necessary.

I'd contact the hospital and ask what DD's options are—I'm sure they'll have an idea of how support could be provided to her, especially as she's a minor. Even if it was just having you in the room on a video call or something, I'm sure they can facilitate that.

In your situation I think I would reach out to your friends. Induction will likely be slow. If one of them can sit with her even for part of the time it will be better than no one, She might want you there but you can’t be for the next 48 hours. The most important thing is that her and the baby are safe. Because of her age I would think she needs a chaperone.

What a helpful contribution.

From the other side, I was induced and DS was born just 6 hours later.

He was 13 days overdue though so that might have been why it was a lot quicker than other people have experienced?

This is encouraging if dd does have a friend who'd be willing. Also the suggestion they may bring her in for monitoring and delay the induction if possible.Whatsapp presence in the room may also be a good idea.

Obviously Dd's choice should be paramount, but she may well change her mind once things get going. She may see and accept a doula as more of a professional, rather than just any old person, especially if they can connect with her before hand.

I really hope all goes smoothly OP, and that you're feeling better very soon. All this will pale into insignificance once the gorgeous bundle of cuddles arrives.

I did antenatal classes with fabulous midwives (classes were private so she didn't have to tow the NHS party line) and they highlighted how inducing a baby often comes with more risks during labour than the risks of it being overdue. Obviously if there are reduced movement this is a concern. She can however refuse induction but request additional monitoring to ensure baby is fine.

I know she's fed up now but inductions can be days of discomfort and stuck in hospitals where as natural labours tend to be quicker and smoother. Again, of course baby's wellbeing is priority so ignore this if reduced fetal movements are still an issue.

As others have said, please don't attend hospital and risk passing the bug to midwives who could pass it onto vulnerable newborns. Perhaps wear a mask around your daughter and ensure everything is wiped down with antibac to avoid passing it to her (sorry if I've missed any posts where you've said this is already happening).

If it does go ahead without you, I'm sure she'd be fine with the midwives and you on facetime to advocate for her and make sure she's speaking up about anything she needs. Someone mentioned someone from the pastoral team at school - if there is anyone she had a particularly good relationship with it would be a good idea to reach out.

I think the medical staff will be the best judge of that and not a random on the internet.

I don't think the hospital will thank you for taking a bug into a maternity unit/ward. I'd phone. Also, are you well enough to be there yourself?

I was induced with DD. The procedure was nothing compared to labour. I started getting cramps after about four hours, but it took about 12 hours to go into proper labour, and then 31 hours before I gave birth. I was free to walk around and other Mums on the ward were great - encouraging, supportive and one who had already given birth got me a drink, so she doesn't have to be totally on her own. Could be DD goes in without you, and hopefully by the time she's in full labour, you'll be better/less likely to pass anything on.

Wow is all I can say

I dont really care if it was aimed at me- you have contributed nothing useful whatsoever to this thread apart from coming in to criticise other people.

If you are so morally superior as you seem to think you are, then YOU suggest a workable solution, I am sure the OP would appreciate all suggestions.....

I do agree, ring up and talk to the hospital and see what they suggest. In the circumstances if it's only 1 episode of reduced FM they might be happy to delay the induction for a day or 2. A lot of hospitals don't induce for only one episode.

You can't go to the hospital yourself for sure

As a midwife I'd say we absolutely would "allow" a 15yo to have a friend of their age as a birthing partner.

I don't think its a safeguarding issue. But I'd agree its inappropriate to ask a 15yo to be her birthing partner. Some kids would take it seriously others would treat it as a day of school jolly.
I doubt the hospital would even allow a child, whos not the dad, to be a birthing partner

I had an emergency induction, they induced me and then left me for 5 days before they moved me to the labour ward . Just because she's being induced tomorrow it doesn't mean there'll be a baby tomorrow. Hopefully this is somewhat the case here and you'll be over the bug before the induction is complete. I've just had a vomiting bug, please don't even consider bringing it to a maternity ward, the implications could be deadly.

If the baby is in distress she can’t wait. That’s the problem.

She needs to delay the induction. And you need to advise her. I know she's fed up but that's not a good reason to go ahead, she doesn't know what she's about to undertake. You do, we do. There's no way she should be in there without you.

Inductions have risks, if she doesn't need one for medical reasons she has time.

No way would I allow my child to go through this with only the support and advocacy of a 15 year old boy who has already shown himself to be far, far from a position of maturity to handle this situation. You know she'll end up looking after him and trying to keep him happy.

What about one of her best friends' mum or a pastoral member of staff from school?