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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want induction in these circumstances

54 replies

Toinduceornot · 16/04/2024 23:28

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.

OP posts:
Sloelydoesit · 16/04/2024 23:44

From experience.... Ask for a c section and get baby out safely.
Inductions when not ready aren't great

TheShellBeach · 16/04/2024 23:45

I wouldn't be induced for these reasons. I also wouldn't ask for a CS.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 16/04/2024 23:48

I was induced with DS bang on 40 weeks due to short measuring femurs. Turned out they weren’t short at all, and he was 6 lbs 7, so not even that small.

But the induction all went fine with no problems. DS did come out looking rather “over done” - with very dry skin - so they could well have got the dates wrong.

RandomMess · 16/04/2024 23:48

I'd be asking to be rescanned etc and then reconsider your options.

CadyEastman · 16/04/2024 23:48

I think I'd ask first a C-Section too. DSIL was induced in very similar circumstances. Was in labour for 24 hours before they decided to finally do a C-Section.

benefitstaxcredithelp · 16/04/2024 23:53

I wouldn’t no.
Seems all too vague and like guess work.

Id get another opinion or two and take a wait and see approach.

Remember no one has authority over your body or your baby. Only you.

Original poster
Toinduceornot · 16/04/2024 23:53

They won’t scan me again as hospital policy is only once per fortnight. I am not sure why they haven’t checked cord blood flow, are surely this would be the indicator of a problem? But they won’t check that either.

OP posts:
NotAllowed · 17/04/2024 00:01

What is their rationale for wanting to induce you though? Are they concerned about the health or viability of the baby? None of that sounds like grounds for induction in my opinion and frankly they sound like they don’t know what they’re doing. Small bumps are fine. If you’re having a healthy low risk pregnancy I’d ignore them personally and let yourself come to term naturally. I’d avoid a c section at all costs as well.

GrumpyOldCrone · 17/04/2024 00:05

I had inductions with all three of mine (more than 20 years ago) for various reasons that were different from yours. My experience was that anything even slightly out of the ordinary made the obstetricians jumpy. All three of my children were absolutely fine: suspected problems were unfounded.

The thing is that while the risks might be small, the potential consequences can be catastrophic. So you have to have nerves of steel to dig in your heels against medical advice to induce at 39 weeks.

It’s your body and your choice. But I’d want a conversation with someone reasonably senior about the risks to you (as well as the baby) of inducing, versus waiting for labour to start naturally. I don’t think there’s a right answer in this kind of situation.

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
ForestFawn · 17/04/2024 00:09

I would push for a second scan. Speak to someone more senior. Contact PALS. Contact maternity voices. Whatever it takes.

Whilst it does sound like the scans have been poor so far, you don’t want there to be something wrong but you’re ignoring it because you don’t feel reassured by the team you’re seeing.

Original poster
Toinduceornot · 17/04/2024 00:13

If there is a problem then of course I’m happy for baby to be delivered, it’s the poor communication and errors like booking growth scans without waiting long enough between that are giving me less confidence in the advice.

OP posts:
NotAllowed · 17/04/2024 00:21

Honestly if it were me I’d ignore them and just deliver naturally. Baby will more than likely be absolutely fine. You’re allowed to advocate for yourself and that includes refusing them pushing an induction on you.

BluLagoon · 17/04/2024 06:36

There is a 12-15% margin of error with growth scans in late pregnancy (when done by the same person), which is why so baby many babies are predicted big but come out smaller than expected for example. I would contact Consultant midwife/ Head of Midwifery in your trust and ask for another opinion. Induction (and CS) are not risk free and there are benefits to you the baby for going into labour spontaneously.

cheddercherry · 17/04/2024 11:14

I’d be asking to speak with at the very least a doctor to indicate clear reasons why this has been suggested to induce you now. Can you contact PALS or go on birthrights.org - you are within your rights to request a second midwife’s opinion, and to speak with the head of midwifery.

You simply can’t make an informed when you’ve not been given clear or accurate information and I’d express that. You can advocate for you to have enough information in order to make the best decision you can. If it was an emergency they’d be suggesting a section, so why the need for an induction so soon?

ScarlettOBan · 17/04/2024 16:35

I would either push for another scan (via PALS if necessary) where they check the placenta and cord flow etc or have a private scan, purely as induction can lead to a cascade of intervention.

But if you do need an induction and need a positive story - I had two inductions, both at 39 weeks, and both babies were born less than 4 hours after the start of induction (I wasn’t expecting that!)

s4usagefingers · 17/04/2024 16:42

If you refuse induction then the next step is to speak to a consultant so that they can explain the risks to you. I refused induction at 40 weeks and had an appointment with the consultant booked in but went into labour the day before the appointment. Low risk, all fine. I was only offered induction as part of the standard process in my area.

MidnightPatrol · 17/04/2024 16:43

I had an induction and it led to the usual ‘cascade of interventions’. I didn’t know about this when I (begrudgingly) agreed to it.

Knowing what I know now… I’d suggest a scheduled c-section over an induction. They so often seem to end in 36 hour labours followed by instrumental births / emergency c-sections anyway.

Also regarding their ‘only scanned every two weeks’, I’m pretty sure they will back down on that when you say you will refuse the induction otherwise. Do not let them induce you just because it’s the lowest risk path for them

Starsandflowers · 17/04/2024 16:48

I would push for another scan and ask to have it clearly explained to you what the issue is.
Inductions are no joke and often end in a cascade of medical interventions. Obviously they can be life saving but I do think they are pushed on women needlessly sometimes.
I've had 3 and the first one I massively regret as there was no need for it looking back. It almost ended in am emergency section.
The second was pushed on me and I was very upset however a nice midwife sat with me and explained why and after that I accepted it. The doctors were appalling at actually explaining what was going on, I didn't have a clue and was really upset until the midwife actually talked me through it.
So I think it's important to demand clear information about why they are making the decisions they are making so you can make an informed choice about whether to accept it or not. Sometimes they are obviously necessary but sometimes it's them box ticking or being overly cautious in a way you disagree with.

Bramblecrumble22 · 17/04/2024 17:02

Good luck seeking a second opinion. I found two consultants had very different opinions on inductions, but I always felt my scans were completed well. Baby's birth weight reflected that. They always checked blood flow. I would push for that. Maybe call back on the labour ward who will do the induction and explain refusal and cancellation

scorpiogirly · 17/04/2024 17:10

They wanted to book an induction for me on my due date just for the hell of it, no reason at all. I waited and dd was born a week later at 6.5lbs.

As long as baby is fine, I would wait.

Notellinganyone · 17/04/2024 17:10

Absolutely don’t agree- it sounds like incompetence.

Original poster
Toinduceornot · 17/04/2024 19:42

We’ve been for a private scan today and baby is measuring small, he’s on the 5th centile on the measurements they managed to get. So I am leaning towards the fact he’s better out than in. I wish I could have a conversation with a doctor about my options - who would be best to speak with? My own midwife is on holiday and at the hospital I just see whichever midwife happens to be on the day unit.

OP posts:
TheIncredibleBookEatingManchot · 17/04/2024 19:54

At 39 weeks DS2's estimated weight was 5lbs but I was told they wouldn't induce early because I was so close to the end of the pregnancy.

He was born ten days late weighing nearly 9lbs.

I hope you get to speak to a doctor or midwife so you can make the best decision for you and your baby. Good luck x

WoolyOctopus · 17/04/2024 19:55

I had multiple 'concerns' over growth and a lot of borderline bullying over being induced from 39 weeks with my second. First dd was too small, then too big. Then I had suspected gestational diabetes (I didn't in the end after sticking needles in my fingers three times a day for 7 days...). I held out and held out and held out and she was born at 40+10 at 7lbs 9oz. Perfectly perfect. They were having kittens by the end though that I went that far over! Tried to give me a c-section less than an hour into my labour too. She was eventually born with forceps due to 'lack of oxygen'. They then tested her oxygen levels as soon as she was out and they were 100/100 so all that intervention was unnecessary too. I had to have birth trauma counselling after all their 'intervention'. My advice is to stick to your guns unless they can provide concrete evidence that it is necessary. If I have another, I plan on refusing consultant led care as a similar thing happened with my first, too.