Refusing induction - other options and your experiences please.

[littleoldme]

I'm due in 3 weeks My Mil told me today that DH was 3 weeks late. Being as I was 2 weeks overdue there's probably a good chance that my Lo will be too. However, unless there's evidence that there is a prob with the baby I absolutely refuse to be induced. I know you can be monitored etc and I'm happy that I'm aware of potential probs of going over dates but could anyone help me out and let me know what options are available. I feel I can do all the foot stamping I like but unless I'm informed and have the right the appropriate language things may be difficult. Does anyone have any info or experience that may help ?

You might be surprised. I went to see a consultant at 42+3 with all guns blazing, expecting to be told all sorts of horrible things, but actually he was very supportive and just outlined the risks (which is fair enough, he was just doing his job).

Personally I wouldn't worry about the right language. You don't have to justify your decision to anyone. If it turns out that you do go overdue and there is talk of booking induction, you can just politely decline and state that you would prefer expectant management.

No one can make you have an induction and whilst plenty of people will disagree with your decision, including friends and family (actually I found this harder), that is their problem. The old broken record techinique of just calmly repeating yourself is probably the best. Good luck

When I reached 2 weeks due date with ds1, my MW was happy for me to have an extra week, as long as i went into be monitored at 42 weeks and the doctor was happy. In the event, when MW rang to say a room was available at the hospital for the monitoring, I was able to tell her I was in labour. Dd had also been 'frightened' out by the prospect of induction at 41+6!

Thanks for the advice. All that sounds really positive.

Just say no!

I refused to allow an induction to be booked a few times, then they booked one for 42wks, I got cmw to cancel it and schedule a meeting with cons instead. Saw a registrar who agreed to Expectant Management and this was set up for the next 3 days. I had the benefit of dates discrepancy to support my case, scan had brought me forward by 9 days. (I gave birth at 42+1 scan or 40+6 lmp). And I had 3 attempts at sweeps from 41wks which I wouldn't bother with again, in hindsight.

So use the fact that you expect a long gestation to support your case!

this is the Homebirth site on going 'overdue' but most of the information is very relevant to you so please have a very good look through it.

This is a link to Birthlove which no longer exists sadly, I referred to it a lot when planning my VBAC. I managed to get access to some info from an archive and saved it to my website, so you can read it here.

As always if you have any concerns you must seek medical help but I say not to rule out your own instincts.

Have you considered acupuncture if you do go overdue? A good friend of mine was 12 days overdue with her third child recently and was "threatened" with a caesarean by her mw, who then casually said as my friend was leaving the room "or you could try acapuncture". She had it that evening and the acupuncturist booked to see her again next day but her ds was born in the early hours of the morning. It was a quick and straightforward delivery and she's convinced the acupunture got her labour going (she'd had a sweep a few days previously which had had no effect). There is an organisation of acupuncturists who specialise in this area but I'm afraid I don't know the name. Hope everything goes well for you.

I think the most important thing is how your baby is doing, as there is research to show theplacenta starts to deteriate after set amount of weeks, as long as baby is chekced and is fine I would say follow KLAW's example and refuse to go along.
But, please make sure baby is fine. Stillbirth rate goes up when overdue, so there are reasons they liek to induce, however if there is no need to induce, then stick to your guns.
Is there any discrepency with your dates from scan/LMP??