Does induction rule out a water birth?

[MadMonkeys]

I was hoping DC2 would have arrived by now (40+1) as DC1 came at 38 weeks, but nothing has happened yet, which has made me start to think about the possibility of induction more seriously (obviously not yet...). I wondered if induction automatically rules out a water birth?

I think anything other than a sweep will rule it out I'm afraid

Induction for no medical reasons, simply an abritary date is madness imo.

You are not overdue until you pass 42 weeks. And even then you are probably not overdue for you.

Babies are born on their birthday.

I'm pretty sure it does, and I'm with starlight.

Oh I'm not going to agree to induction before 42 weeks, I just meant the possibility of getting to 42 weeks seems more real now, which has made me think about what will happen if that is the case.

not neceassarily. i was indyced with all 5 and ds4 was a pool birth. in my hispital if you go into labour with just the gel ir after having your waters broken you can use the pool. you cant use the pool.if you need the drip.

i am allergic to the gel so they jyst broke my waters labour started straight away. i got in the pool.after 20mins and ds4 was born 40mins later! very quick but lovely. no pushing and he was 10lb 13oz.

i went more than two weeks overdue. ask for expectant management. they will moniter baby and can do a scan to check fluid levels and the function of the placenta. i still got induced but went almist three weeeks over with one of mine and 16days with most of the others. got induced as i was fef up! baby was fine each time. by the time i was induced i had had lots of pre-labour and was 3-4cm dilated each time.

5madthings that sounds logical, I can see why they wouldn't want you in a pool with a drip. Which hospital was that? I'm going to Good Hope in Sutton Coldflield.

you still have 13 days to go! and even then you dont have to be induced. get on that birth ball, walk.up and diwn the stairs sideways. anything to help get baby into the optimum position fir labour so the head is pressing down well on cervix.

good luck!

I know there's still plenty of time for baby to come without induction, I just like to do my research in advance and have an idea of what might happen.

this was norfolk and norwich university hospital.

rhey monitered fir 20mins after they broke my waters and as long as baby seemed fine and no meconium they were fine with the pool. ditto they moniter you after the gel and as long as everything looks to be progressing normally pool.is fine.

i will see i saw a regustrar who didnt want me in the pool, but midwives were fine with it as long as baby was happy.

with the drip its not practical to be in pool and you need more monitering etc, i had it with dd(pretty sure its because she was back to back) still had active labour on birth ball, all fours etc and quick, easy labour with gas and air. i really wanted the pool but her labour waa fine even with the drip.

you have ages yet so fingers crossed you are worrying over nothing! xx

I'm with Starlight too, but in answer to your question, what they offer you (without serious discussion) may depend on your hospital's policy.

I've been told by my community midwives that if I were to go overdue and opt for an induction, I would still be able to have a water birth in the MLUunless I needed the drip.

They'd monitor me and baby for a short time, after the pessaries and the same if they broke my waters, after which, all being well an active, water birth would be supported.

Whether or not you require the drip will depend on the favourability of your cervix. In a second and subsequent time mum, things are more likely to be pushed into gear with just the pessaries and/or AROM.

For a first time mum, the longer you can hold off induction the better IMO, as this will not only give your body the best chance of starting things off naturally, but in the event that things don't look like starting soon and you do opt for an induction, it is more likely that your cervix will be favourable.

Thanks Ladies, that's very useful info. Hopefully I won't need it!