Elective Induction

[Quarksoundslikequack]

Hi All,

Before I go into detail, can I request that NO ONE give me any horror stories please. I am anxious enough.

I am having an appointment at 32 weeks to request to be induced at 37 weeks due to mental health reasons.

I was warned of the risks of stillbirth at my 15 week app with the consultant because I'm overweight.

However, having done my research I can see that the rate of stillbirths increase past 37 weeks.

I would rather ask to be induced on the 37th week than to wait & see how it goes as I have been advised by a MW that statistically first borns are overdue & mentally I cannot deal with the constant worry.

Stupidly I have read stories of it happening to people & it has simply only heightened my worry hence not wanting people to tell me their own stories.

Has anyone requested an induction for 37 weeks??

I requested an early induction at 38 weeks but my consultant had already recommended it. I have a second trimester loss previously and was medicated for high blood pressure. A different consultant still tried to force me to 40 weeks but my actual consultant intervened. Induced at 38+2, pessary, four hour labour. All fine. I think you will have a massive fight on your hands though and if they relent it would likely be for sweeps, not an actual induction. Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear. Go in calm and collected and force them to hear you out. The other consultant tried to scare me into putting off induction, be firm.

I think they would offer you increased monitoring. Would that help ease the worries at all?

I actually think you'll be fine - I have MH problems (anxiety) and it has always been expressed to me that my wellbeing is just as important as the baby's. You need to be really clear on your reasons and what you've been told. Google the NICE guidelines on induction and take them with you.

I've spoken to my midwife who specialises in mental health too, she's referring me back to my consultant so I can discuss with them.

The only way I would agree not to be induced is if they brought me into hospital on the day I turn 37 weeks & monitor me twice per day. It sounds excessive but my baby's health is so so important, he comes first over me, money, the opinions of other doctors.

I've my own Doppler but I won't use it, I'd prefer someone who's got experience.

That could be an option if you ask. I was in the hospital every day for monitoring with my blood pressure.

My first born was a few days early. My second was overdue and I pushed to be induced. I was induced at 41 weeks. It was fine, took a while to get into labour but when I got going labour was 23 minutes long. No horror stories here.

Everyday, I worry.....I'm only okayish because I am currently in hospital being monitored twice per day however I'm 27 weeks & am going home today.

I don't want to look paranoid but I am, I am constantly worried....I can't take my mind off the worry, the only time I relax slightly is when he's kicking.

When he's not, that's when my heart rate increases & i struggle to stay calm.

Why are you in hospital? The admission could be grounds for induction anyway.

I came in for reduced movements, which led to being told I've Pneumonia!

I left on Sunday morning but was back in by 7pm with reduced movements again.

I have been to see my midwife on 2 separate occasions prior to xmas for reduced movements.

I am now 27 weeks & his pattern has completely changed, to be fair, he hasn't got one now so I don't know what's normal anymore

I had high blood pressure that was semi controlled with medication and a bmi of 39 at booking in. I was also diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis at 36 weeks. It was decided I would be induced but they still pushed it to 39 weeks because it is safer for the baby. Just be ready for them to say they'd prefer you to wait.

Having said that if you've had reduced movements they might induct early anyway.

They might induce you for reduced movement anyway by the sounds of it. I wouldn't advise exaggerating or fibbing but I know my trust induces past 37 weeks if you have 3 or more cases of reduced movement..

Just spoke to a midwife about it all, she agrees that if I'm very worried that I have to ask.

Since I've been in, his movements haven't a pattern at all anymore....he kicks when he wants too, honestly don't know when he'll kick again now for 5 weeks he's kicked at certain intervals throughout the day & I know roughly when he'll move around again however it's just stopped, I don't know when he'll kick again! It's sending me insane

My baby doesn't seem to have a pattern either - I know how stressful it is

Knowledge and information is your friend in this, go armed with information to back up what you want. And research the risks of early induction too, so that you can 'prove' you're making an informed decision.

I am overweight, and they haven't ever said anything to me about increased rates of stillbirth. Just that I am high risk. I wonder why they think telling you that will help , it would be more helpful to tell you to monitor weight gain etc whilst pregnant

Good luck op

It's safest for your baby to be born when it is ready. My first baby was born at 42+2. I'd have been terrified if he had had to be born over 5 weeks earlier.

I've been reading up about it all, I know that the rate of still birth increases every week from 37 weeks.

One of the main reasons is because the placenta fails.....so if they are adamant then il be happy to come in here from 37 weeks & stay until he naturally arrives.

They won't be able to accommodate you for potentially 5 weeks without a clinical need.

It would also be costly on the NHS, that is why they would do the induction

I'd recommend you seeing a consultant obstetrician who specialises in mental health OP if your midwife hasn't already sorted this for you. They will be best placed to work with you to make a plan for the rest of your pregnancy and the birth.

Have you asked for a referral to the specialist mental health team? Anxiety is normal in pregnancy but you sound like you just aren't coping.

Like I said earlier I had bmi of 39, hypertension and obstetric cholestasis. I was pretty high risk and even then I didn't get induced until 30 weeks. I had to attend twice weekly monitoring from 36 weeks but there was no suggestion of keeping me in or inducing earlier. So unless you have underlying health problems you haven't mentioned im not sure where you're getting the 37 weeks from.

Sorry and get a referral if you hadn't already. It will do neither you nor the baby any good if you spent the next 10 or more weeks worrying.

39 weeks not 30

I am in contact with the mental health team, I am coping quite well with the pregnancy....I go to work each day, I function quite well, it's simply because his movements have changed completely.

I am seeing a consultant who specialises in mental health when I'm 32 weeks to put a plan together.

I am open to options but I am not open to going any further than 39 weeks maximum, that, I won't budge on.

I have a concern, which I am getting as much info on as I can.

OP I'm afraid you are coming across as being quite naive. You are clearly fixating on the stillbirth issue, understandable as it is a worry for every pregnant woman. However the ridiculously low likelihood of your placenta failing from 37weeks must be balanced with the increased chance of breathing difficulties of an early birth. An induction so early would likely fail and end up in an emcs which places your baby at far greater risk than a normal spontaneous delivery at term.

I had an elective induction with dd2 owing to risk of pre-eclampsia, spd and other complications. The consultant would no do it until 38 weeks because of the higher risks before this time. The birth itself went very well although the induction took 3 days to get going.

I'm sorry OP, but you will have to find someone to consent to inducing you early, not just putting your case across. Consultants have to have good reasons for baby's benefit to induce, as even a 37 weeker can have respiratory difficulties. I really doubt they would induce you any sooner than 39 weeks, but they will be able to provide antenatal day clinic appointments maybe to monitor baby. It's just when you say you won't budge, it's not a case of you budging, but of a consultant being willing to induce you early.

I understand the whole situation, I'm not naive at all.

I have spoken with 3 midwives about this, one of which is referring me for an app with the consultant to discuss this.

I've done my research & will continue to do so until I have my appointment.

I am not going into this blind.