Would you taken an induction at 39 weeks?

[Babyitsmyfirst]

Options are

A) induce at 39 weeks before consultant goes on holiday
B) wait and see if you go into labour naturally knowing your main doctor will likely be away
C) another chance to be induced at 40 weeks and 5 days when consultant is back

first baby

I’d never choose an induction unless there are medical reasons for it.

I wouldn't choose an induction unless there was either a need for it, or it was a complicated pregnancy that meant having that particular dr around was necessary.
In a straight forward pregnancy, I don't see that having the dr who did the antenatal appointments is that necessary and I certainly wouldn't go through an induction just to ensure it.

No I was induced last time at 39 and was longest one! My previous ones naturally at 40 weeks and induced at 40+3 were really quick and more straightforward
my body just wasn’t ready until 40 or over

Not without a medical need. Certainly not to suit someone else's convenience.

Absolutely not. Induction to suit someone’s calendar is unethical and shouldn’t have been offered by your doctor. Why force the baby out before it’s ready to come unless there’s a pressing need?

I had an induction booked with DD1 for 40 weeks (not UK) On the day, they examined me and the decision was made that it would likely fail as she wasn't ready to come out and it would cause complications . They moved it back a week... she ca me naturally before then.

That's an interesting post to make your only reply to! Lots of people have asked other questions and made more relevant points!

I think a predominately UK board is the wrong place to ask this. Most of us can’t relate to the concept of a named doctor, or non medical reasons for inductions. The NHS will always give you the person on duty, and your care is around medical needs only. We simply have no value on the idea of having a certain person present.

So obviously for me- the answer is I’d always seek a natural Labour

I'd echo not to have induction unless medically necessary. It's not really needed until 42 weeks. Natural birth is always the best option.

Without knowing the reason for induction, it's hard to comment but if it's purely the reason that the doctor will be on holiday then no I definitely would not. Induction when used for a medical reason or for a postdates pregnancy definitely has it's place but I would not be interfering with my body and baby at 39 weeks if you've had a uncomplicated pregnancy and you just want your main consultant there.
Unless you have had a pregnancy full of complications then I would let nature take its course and have the alternative obstetric consultant on duty.

I don't think I'd induce at 39 weeks unless there was a medical reason - even though with both pregnancies I was desperate by that point for them just to be born. I've had one spontaneous birth and one induction and definitely preferred the induction, even though I was alone for all of it except the 30 minutes of pushing because i was induced overnight and DH was sent home.
DS1 was born at 40+4 after almost 72 hours since first contractions. I was in latent labour for over two days and then in active labour for about 11 hours, required assisted delivery as I was exhausted.
DS2 was induced at 40+12 and the entire labour and delivery was over in 7 hours from start to finish. It was an intense but completely wonderful experience, zero intervention or meds. But I wouldn't choose to induce until baby was overdue.

No not without a medical need.

If baby isn't ready it might not work anyway.

Honestly I'd wait, I know it's difficult and you just want your baby out and in your arms when it gets to the end but at 39 weeks your body may not be ready and it may result in a failed induction, mine did at 39 weeks no amount of anything would get my baby out, and she was my second after a spontaneous labour and delivery with my first. I just wasn't ready, ended in an emergency section. I always wonder if I'd waited it wouldn't have gone so badly. I say badly, it wasn't traumatic so to speak, just very long winded. 5 days. And very exhausting. I didn't find the emergency c-section traumatic at all actually. Best of luck to you with whatever you choose to do.

p.s I hope I haven't scared you that wasn't my intention. It was just to highlight that your body may not be ready, but is there a medical reason yoj we're to be induced at 39 weeks out of interest

I was induced at 38 weeks. Absolutely no problems, perfect birth and baby was a lovely weight.

I’ve been induced twice. 38 and 39 weeks - no regrets. I’d rather be induced than spontaneous tbh.

I do think induction at 39 weeks out of choice sounds bizarre I'm assuming op isn't from the uk. That would never be an option and you'd be looked at funny and told firmly no if you asked in the uk 😅

my induction at 39 weeks was due to low Papp-a with my 2nd and I had an elective section at 39 weeks with my 3rd for the same reason and she was breech. Both 6 pounders so pretty small. But I think that's more to do with me and the babies I make rather than gestation

Is there a medical need to deliver early? As otherwise there's no way I'd consent to an induction. They have a greater risk of complications and adverse outcomes so I wouldn't take the risk.

Assuming there was a medical reason, I'd ask for a bishop's score on my cervix. If the cervix is not favourable, the induction will likely fail and you'll end up with an emergency c section. Even if it works you're more likely to end up with an Instrumental delivery, episiotomy, perineal damage.

So if the bishop's score was unfavourable I'd go straight to a planned c section instead of the induction.

There is no way in hell I would risk the health of my baby and the state of my postnatal vagina and mental health by having an unnecessary induction because of a doctor's holiday plans! That would be utter madness!

I wouldn't put my baby through the process of induction and the trauma of being ejected before they're ready UNLESS medically necessary. Certainly not around someone else's holiday crikey!

In private medicine you have a specific consultant. Not everyone is in the UK using the NHS.

If I wanted the doctor, I’d probably go with the induction or an elective.

Yes I'd take it. I was induced at 39 weeks for second baby and it was such a easy labour, only G&A, up and walking within 30 mins of delivery. Much much better than my "natural labour".

Having gone to 40+4 with DS1 who ended up being 10.7 lbs, i had an induction at 39 weeks with DS2 ! I'd do it at 39 weeks
If the baby is measuring normally etc.

How can anyone possibly answer this without knowing the reason for induction, the reason this particular consultant is important etc?

Yes, you're clearly in quite a different system to the majority of posters here OP. Most of the women on this board will have had babies in the NHS, so we don't have a frame of reference for the decision you're making.

I'd never have an induction unless I had a high Bishop's score, it's far too much of a crapshoot otherwise, and even for a medical reason would probably insist on ELCS instead.

Unless there's a medical need I wouldn't be induced. I was booked in for an induction but thankfully the only intervention I needed was them breaking my waters.