39 weeks - offered induction. Don't know what to do?

[Lill789]

FTM. I went to the hospital as was concerned about reduced movement the last few days.

The check showed baby was OK, and the doctor said as I'm already 39 weeks and I had some concerns I could be induced now or in the next day or so.

I've asked to take some time to think about it- I'm pretty terrified right now and don't know what is best. Has anyone had a similar experience? I don't know what to do. I'd prefer to go into labour naturally...I'm freaking out

A very good piece of research. Nearly 500,000 subjects over 16 years.

This stood out to me:
71% had epidurals, compared to 41% who were not induced. C-section rates were more than twice as high – 29% compared to 14% – and episiotomies occurred in 41% of births compared to 31%.

And this is young women with uncomplicated pregnancies, so it isn't because they've been induced for a medical reason which might also affect their risk of intervention.

If there is no medical recommendation for induction, relating to you as an individual, I would hold of on having one.

Also, have a read of Sara Wickham's website and 'In their own time' book. I've had an induction and two spontaneous labours and the (late) spontaneous labour was the most straightforward with least recovery time required.

Personally, if I were offered an induction purely to ease my anxiety and there were no clinical concerns with the baby, then no, I don’t think I’d take it.