To not want induction in these circumstances

[Toinduceornot]

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.

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.

Congratulations 🎊 👏 💐

Baby is already here!

Im fact, baby is 8 weeks old.