Trying to decide whether to be induced at 37 weeks

[Moomin8]

I have gestational diabetes with this pregnancy (baby #4) and because I'm insulin controlled I would not be allowed to go beyond 38 weeks anyway. I'm also not that young (39)

I've had 6 episodes of reduced movements so now I've been admitted onto anti natal ward and the consultant who looked at my case last night said she would recommend inducing me on Saturday when I'll be 37+0. My baby is usually super active most days but has days where all the activity seem to drop off and I just get the occasional twitch.

My partner is really stressing out about this and says he thinks the baby isn't ready. He wants me to try & hold out and not be induced yet.

Although the baby's heart traces have been fine and Doppler was fine, the consultant said she would still recommend induction on Saturday but that ultimately it's my choice.

What would you do in this situation?

Are you going to be staying in hospital until they induce you either way? To be honest with that many episodes of reduced movement already I would go with the induction. Not meaning to sound rude but your partner isn't a doctor I'm guessing, if your consultant thinks this is for the best And based on the history I would go with what she says.

With reduced movements please get induced. I went in to be induced on the monday and baby wasnt born until Friday after induction and waiting for a bed in labour ward. They didn't take me seriously after 4 episodes of reduced movements and even more so whilst I waited because the monitor said fine. Baby was born with sepsis but is now healthy thank goodness. I'm sure your baby is fine but they might be trying to tell you something and 37 weeks is full term x

I would be induced. Give your partner some reading on the unnecessarily high stillbirth rate in the uk and the devastation a baby dying causes.

They said I may be able to go home and come back on Saturday if the baby's traces are all fine.

My partner is not a doctor, no. He thinks they just want to whip the baby out but surely that wouldn't be likely?

I’m very anti induction but I was you I would be being induced on Saturday. Have they recommended steroid injections?

I would induce. I had my DS at 37+2. He was small at 6lbs 2oz but thrived, perfectly healthy in every way. They wouldn't recommend it if it wasn't the right thing to do.

37 is classed as full term so with repeated reduced movements and other issues baby will be safer out than in - consultants don't induce at 37 weeks without good reason. My youngest was born by emergency csection at 36+5 she was a little small but fine didn't need any special care x

Oh and that was for reduced movements and IUGR. They said after csection my placenta was failing so it was such a relief to have baby out safely

I would do the induction.

Thanks for replies. @icecreamsundae32 two of my 3 daughters were born with calcified placentas so that does concern me.

DP thinks that if the Doppler scans look fine, the placenta must be ok...

Induction 100%, take the advice of the doctors as it's not worth the risk otherwise

I think I’d go with the induction, you must be worried sick and it’s a lot of pressure on you too. Generally the consultants know what they are talking about and make good calls on these things but if you are really on the fence could you get a second opinion? I suspect it will be the same but might make you feel more confident in the choice you make!

He's s a red and knows that 40 weeks is fully done and ideally baby is in for 40 weeks. Makes perfect sense.

BUT your doctors are being very clear. Thry think baby needs out and I'd listen to them.

The benefit of baby staying in for some extra growing is not matched by the risks of keeping in if your placenta is failing. He won't grow anyway. Every episode of reduced movement could mean soekthibg more serious. And will put your BP up which is also bad.

I'd go for an induction and a plan for C Sec if the induction fails.

I had a planned induction at 37 + 4 due to static growth and baby being on the small size (small gestional age). I was given the choice to hang on for another growth scan but asked the consultant what she would do, she said at that point better out than in.
I had a sweep at 37+2 to prepare for induction and she was born that night, so must have been ready to come out! She was small but not crazy small.
I Had a retained placenta so had to stay in overnight but was allowed home the next day. No problems.
She is 3 Months now and only 9.5lbs, 0.04 centile so was clearly destined to be small.

I would personally again if advised go for one, as they are advising for a reason

My Doppler for placenta and cord were also fine by the way.. no reason for static growth.

I was induced with both of mine at 37 weeks due to medical complications. Both were absolutely fine and weighed 6lb +

First baby took 24 hours from induction to birth (only labour for 4 hours).

Second baby took a lot longer and I ended up 4 days later on the drip (although only 4.5 hours of labour).

If it's been reccomend -do it.

Speaking from (unfortunately negative) personal experience, Doppler results do not mean anything about the state of the placenta. There’s no sure way of telling what on earth is happening with the placenta until delivery.
We had a very unfortunate loss after great growth and Doppler results right until past term with pg 2.
This time planned induction at 38 weeks if movements are ok.
I’d say go for induction if you’ve had some reduced movements already, this is really the only clue you have at this stage that it might be advisable to go for delivery
All the best

@Pinkpanther473 I'm so sorry you lost your baby

My feeling is that I should go with the induction. The baby is also supposed to be growing above the 100th centile. I can't believe consultants would recommend induction 3 weeks early just for the hell of it.

I was recommended induction at 37 weeks due to my baby having IUGR.
I practically bit their hand off I couldn't wait to not be pregnant. 2 hours from waters being broken to my daughter being born. My opinion is if they have recommended it it must be for a valid reason.

It is a risk based judgment. Ideally you wouldn’t have an induction at 37 weeks because of the potential risks it creates and so doctors don’t do it for fun. However you and the doctors have to weigh it against the risks of continuing the pregnancy longer with risks up to and including still birth.

Before deciding if you don’t feel you have all the info, ask the consultant to talk you through the risks, what the potential impact may be and their likelihood for each scenario.

If you go over the baby will still probably be ok. But for me I would take the early delivery risks over the stillbirth risks.

I was induced at 37 weeks with my DS2 for IUGR, he was 4lb 13oz and we were both home just over 24 hours later ( had to stay in to check his blood sugar levels )

I would go with the induction especially with reduced movements,

Go with the consultants advice. Best of luck

I would rather give birth to a live baby three weeks early than carry on and the worst happens. At 37 weeks and if they’re already a decent size there no reason to keep them in. Even a short stay in special care would be preferable than no baby.

I declined to be induced with DC1 just for ultrasound dates with no other indications. However, with DC3 I had gestational diabetes and agreed to be induced when the consultant recommended it. Gestational diabetes means the placenta is more likely to fail - with episodes of reduced movements as well going against medical advice feels risky.