Being induced on due date?

[Rubyshoos]

I've got the option of being induced on my due date (December 22nd, so a while yet) and I'm seriously considering it as I really don't want to have the baby on Christmas Day. I was wondering if anyone here had chosen to be induced on their due date? A few of my friends have advised that I just wait until the baby is ready to come, but I'm still thinking about the induction. I wondered if anyone could let me know what it's like - and whether they would recommend it or not?

thanks!

I never needed an induction so not speaking from personal experience.

But from what I can gather from friends and on here being induced is not something to take lightly. Firstly it can take a couple of days to get going if your body is not ready so your lo may still arrive on Christmas day. Secondly your risk of needing pretty much every intervention is increased. And thirdly I'm told that most methods of induction make the first stage a lot more painful.

Why do they want to induce you on your due date out of interest? have to say that unless there is a medical reason I would personally be very reluctant although at the end of the day it is your decision.

I wouldn't. I was induced the day before due date (because of pre-eclampsia). Fortunately I was ready for labour in the sense of the cervix was favourable for a sweep (usual first way of trying to get labour going). The woman in the bed next to me clearly wasn't so imagine my delight at hearing her crying after the sweep was done.

Snap! New pair of gloves on and it was my turn ... (not too painful if your cervix is favourable).

I skipped the pessary stage but that didn't look much fun either. One poor woman had just had her first pessary put in on the Sunady before when I went in for monitoring. At one point she said "this is really getting painful now" whilst her family all sat around taking no notice of her and reading the paper. I wanted to go over and throw them out! Fast forward four days, I appear back on the maternity ward with my baby, and she's still there. She was not pleased to see me!

Unfortunately I didn't skip the syntocinon stage. That is very painful and I would try to avoid it at all costs. In fact if anyone can tolerate syntocinon without an epidural they are superhuman.

So all in all, I wouldn't do just to avoid Christmas Day. What is your concern, that the hospital will be understaffed?

It's for purely selfish reasons and because I'm going private I do have the option, but the more people that advise against it, the more I think they are probably right and I should just wait for nature to take it's course. I stupidly hadn't realised that it can take a couple of days to take effect!

Many thanks!

I'm bit militant about induction so apologies in advance...

NO! unless there's a valid medical reason to get baby out induction for timing is madness!

IF the Bishop's Score is 9 or more, I'd consider induction but if not I wouldn't take the risk that induction would result in further intervention and or CS...

Here are a couple of links you can read to find out more:
www.kentmidwiferypractice.co.uk/induction.htm
www.radmid.demon.co.uk/induction.htm

Most babies seem to arrive within the week from 40 to 41wks so if you wait another week you give baby chance to arrive when (s)he is ready. I do understand the difficulty in waiting as my VBAC was at 42+1 scan edd.

Also, do you realise that many inductions don't work that quickly and you could still have your baby on Christmas day? Or you could end up recovering from an episiotemy or a CS on Christmas day. Do your research, be SURE of what you are entering into, and I'd recommend only going ahead if Bishop's Score is 9 or more.

Imho the wait for baby to arrive is exciting, just like the anticipation of Christmas, enjoy it!

i would say (although no personal experience) don't do it, although i do understand the tediousness of it.

i pleaded with my mw to induce me at about 38weeks as i was so uncomfortable with contractions every 20-3mins for 2 weeks that weren't doing anything. they blatently refused (nhs) and went into all the stuff of more likely intervention etc.

ds was born 3 days later no intervention needed. hang in there your baby may come early anyway!

You are all sounding incredibly sensible and totally correct, so I think I'm going to take your advice and wait. Thanks for all your prompt responses, definately worth doing all the proper research before making such a big decision!

Can I just remind you that it is an estimated due date, not a due date? That means the baby could come earlier or later. It's not the day that the baby is due, IYSWIM?

I personally think it is unethical to induce a baby for anything except strong medical reasons. Induction is a harsher process for your body as people here have described, and it runs a 33% chance of intervention such as ventouse, forceps or CS. If it's harsher on the mother's body I think it's also got to be harsher on the baby (hence the increased risk of distressed baby = CS, etc)

I would wait and let nature take its course.

Crossed posts! I think you've made the best decision. Good luck