What would you do?

[feltpens]

I've been offered the option of being induced at 39+3, or I can wait until 40+6. Obviously this is subject to the baby not yet being born.

I just don't know if I should take up the option to be induced at 39+3.

I've been told I can use the birth centre if I go into labour naturally but not if I'm induced. I have GD hence the reason for being induced at 40+6 but the option to be induced earlier is purely based on the fact I have SPD so I'm not sleeping and in pain a lot. When I saw my consultant I was very teary and cried a lot so I think she thinks the SPD is worse than it is- although it is bad, now I'm on maternity leave it's easier to deal with.

I'm not a patient person and I like to know what I'm doing and when so being induced appeals to me, plus it means we can give parents advance warning to come down (they live a few hours away and need to take time off work to come and meet the new baby). Also, if I'm going to be induced anyway at 40+6 I might as well be induced at 39+3.

But I always hoped to go into labour naturally and spend time at home before going in, I also don't like the idea of starting labour on a ward with other people on as when I've been in previously I heard a few women in labour - it just seems such a personal thing to go through.

I've also heard that being induced has a greater risk of instrumental delivery or c section which I don't want but I've read loads of stories where women were induced and it went smoothly. My mum had a straight forward induction which lasted 6 hours but my sisters induction ended up in a c section. My other sister had all her children by her due date so I can't really compare to them.

I just don't know what to do except keep trying the old techniques to bring labour on. I have less than a week to make my mind up and figure out how to cancel the induction.

This is my first baby.

I could have written this post myself! I am already 39+3 and was offered induction yesterday due to reduced movements (baby is absolutely fine though) - I decided to turn it down and hopefully wait for labour to start naturally. I was given a successful sweep and informed that I'm 1cm dilated and everything looked favourable for labour to start but nothing has happened since, bar a few period type pains.

Ultimately, the reason I said no was because the midwife said it is a more painful way to labour and also heightens the risk of intervention - I found this page helped me make my decision too. I just thought that with it not being due date yet and everything else essentially 'in place' I'd rather wait it out a little longer.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/induction-labour/

That's another thing, I've heard it's more painful too but as this is my first I have nothing to compare it to so I'm thinking that's the least of my worries.

I have a sweep booked for next week so hoping that could do something.

Been really emotional the last few days and been having more BH and some period like pain so I'm thinking "this is it" but I know deep down it's not lol.

I have my fingers crossed for you

I have had four vaginal births (not been induced though with #3 waters were broken in hospital as had some bleeding and he was born quickly after that. Other three waters all went spontaneously which is how my labours started) but if there are no medical indications for an induction at 39+3 I would wait. Midwives have said same to me over the years - it is generally a more painful way to labour and it is more likely to end in intervention. Hold out in case your body just cracks on if it’s own accord and when it is ready.

PS get the sweeps though!

If you'd rather labour naturally and begin at home etc, I'd wait - baby may come on their own beforehand, and if not you'll get the induction anyway. If you have the earlier induction you'll never know!

I wouldn't worry about your parents getting there urgently - if you do go into labour naturally, just let them know when it starts, and they'll get there when they get there. Labour may take over 24 hours, and even so you'll want some time to recover afterwards!

Thanks everyone, I think I made my mind up to cancel the induction and just hope to go naturally. I'm not sure how to actually cancel it as my consultant said she would see me at 40 weeks but then we booked the induction for 39+3 so I've not actually got an appointment booked with her now.

I'm seeing my midwife at 39+1 for the sweep, is this leaving it too late to cancel?

I’ve had 2 inductions. 1st was 40+12, ended up forceps in theatre, I had 2 doses of diamorphine once in labour and I was unable to take instruction and baby was very drowsy when born.
2nd induction was due to spd as I simply couldn’t tolerate it any more, refused diamorphine and lay on right side and gave birth with just gas and air but much more lucid and the spd disappeared within hours of the birth thank god!!

MEant to say 2nd induction was 38+4

I would hang on if you and baby are healthy. I was induced on my due date as my baby started measuring on the large side, five days in hospital, failed induction, failed forceps and then emergency cesarean. Obviously I wouldn't change the outcome for the world but unless it's deemed medically necessary I wouldn't do the induction process again, babies only come when they're ready x

Incase anyone finds this in the future, to conclude...I went for the induction. Took 2 days, really enjoyed the contractions when they finally came but before they could get too painful I was whisked off for an emergency c section (at 2cm I believe) which would have happened regardless of how and where I went into labour.

As it happened being induced and constantly monitored probably saved my babies life, or at least prevented them from being born with a disability.

I went to the hospital prepared to postpone or cancel the induction but my gut was telling me to go for it. So I did.

Sometimes things happen for a reason.

I’m so glad everything has worked out the best way for you and baby! Congratulations!

I’ve seen my midwife today at 39+1 and cervix is still high and baby isn’t engaged so they are talking induction at 41 weeks. I’d rather not but I guess I’ll do whatever is needed!

If you don’t mind me asking - what were the issues with baby and the monitoring etc? I very much agree going with your instinct and gut feelings. You were right to!

As I was induced the monitoring was standard once in labour so I was hooked up to a monitor. This meant they saw that when I had a contraction the cord was being squeezed so much it cut off his blood and oxygen supply and I don't even want to go into what that could have meant if I stayed at home until I was further along into labour

Oh wow ok I see! It was absolutely right course of action then.
Congratulations!