Overwhelmed - Husband is against getting induced!

[kakashixxkillua]

Hi all! I'm currently 38w+0d today. We went to see a hospital consultant recently as my baby was plotting as big in the growth scans - 96th percentile. Note, I have no health risk or underlying medical issues, it's just baby is** measuring too large. The hospital consultant strongly urged I opt for either an induction or an elective c section, I went for the induction. It's all booked in for 39w (next Monday). DH couldn't make it to this appointment and so when I filled him in he was furious as he's anti medical interventions, alongside his entire family. My MIL is also very opinionated on my decision

Anyways, was just looking for some positive induction stories from you guys as I've been around a lot of negativity and criticism recently and started to regret my choice. Or is there a way I can naturally induce myself before 39w?

Thanks x

Your DH and MIL are stupid if they won't listen to doctors. Actually stupid.

Politely, your husband can fuck right off.

YOUR body, YOUR choice.

MILK can do one. Don't even tell her.

I've had 2 inductions. First one I was 41+6, second fairly similar. First one was a drip and that was pretty intense, but the 2nd one was the pessary and the birth was great - I walked around for a few hours, pushed for 10mins and out she popped. I'd have that 2nd birth a million times over - super empowering, very easy

Your body, your choice.
Having said that, my child was average on scans - turned out 99,99 centile. My SIL was plotting really large (they also paid for private scans to confirm), she got induced - baby tuned out absolutely typical size.

Husband is a dick. Not his body, not his choice!!!!!!!!! One of my family members kept asking me if I was sure about the induction I'd been offered and accepted- I was furious, I'd already made my mind up I didn't want anyone putting doubts into my mind.
My induction went perfectly. No horror stories. Glad I did it. I managed on gas and air and pethidine and I had no tearing.
Cannula Wasn't fun neither was getting my waters popped but those bits were over pretty quick. All in all it was quick, calm and controlled. And tell his MIL to fuck off and all its none of her business.

I had a baby who was 11lb and my induction failed and I ended up with EMCS.

Google Bishops Score, familiarise yourself with it. If you do not have a favourable score and the consultant is still of the opinion the baby needs to be born then go for the CS

Induction is not recommended for no reason. This is your body and your baby within it. Though support from your DH would be welcome (and should be given, wtaf is he thinking?) it is your decision. And what does he mean when he says he doesn't believe in medical intervention? Does he mean never? What would he do with a broken leg or an ectopic pregnancy? His whole family sound batshit crazy - are they also by any chance anti-vaxers?

Oh OP it's your body. What he thinks has absolutely no relevance whatsoever. You are the one who is going to bring this baby into the world and you're going to do it in the way that's right for you.

No uterus = no opinion.
You want to be a well mum. You want a well baby. Listen to medical advice and you make an informed decision.

I don't agree with the DH having the opinion he does. I can tell you my story. I was over due and at 41 weeks I had an induction. Baby was always measuring big but he was 8lb born. I had forceps and episiotomy. My thoughts now are that he was not ready to come out and my labour was more difficult due to being induced. If I had the choice again I would get a c section or wait for natural birth. All stories are different though. Thought I would share mine x

Your husband sucks. It’s not his choice.
I had induction at 41+1 for our son because I was impatient and anxious, and I’m so glad I didn’t wait as our baby was bigger than expected. Any longer and I think I would have needed c-section, and recovery would have been so uncomfortable.
NHS staff are equipped to deal with these situations, mine was really quick and easy and I’m glad we did it.
If your husband is against you having an induction, maybe he can push the baby out of his vagina instead.

He’s ’anti medical interventions’?

Induction aside, what does this mean exactly?

Is it all medical help or just during birth? Probably the latter.

Secondly - where does he draw the line on this, given intervention is typically to help you.

Regarding the induction… I’d not let them induce me again personally, but I know women who have had an ok experience. Like any birth it just seems to be luck of the draw really.

I had two inductions and wouldn't plan to be induced in the case of a big baby (my second was huge and they also offered a section/planned induction but I refused, waited, started labour naturally and then was induced. When labouring naturally your body produces hormones that make it more pleasurable/bearable. Induction turns these off so you have all of the pain, very quickly, with none of the relief. I would try to labour naturally and only have an induction if necessary. If you do have the induction I would plan to have a epidural pretty soon after. I think hospitals are quick to recommend inductions as it makes the timescales more predictable for them but inductions are no joke and shouldn't be used unless necessary. A big baby is not a good enough reason imo

This! I would also look at the hospitals EMCS rate for first-time mums having inductions- my local hospital was 50%! With a 50/50 chance of needing an emergency c-section I would probably seriously consider an elective… very personal choice though.

As for your DH I see this as a big red flag in general. Does he have other controlling behaviours?

I also had a baby measuring large and was offered induction or elective. I didn’t want to end up with emergency CS so opted for elective. Baby normal sized 🙄

It's up to you, not him, but have you researched induction? The pain is way worse and hard to manage. There is no gap between contractions. It can last days and can lead to more intervention, making the experience more traumatic. The baby isn't ready and doesn't release the chemicals it needs to signal your body so it's more stressful and traumatic for both of you. Those growth scans are wildly inaccurate. Do what you think is best but research it first.

Your husband has huge red flags OP - if if he is like this about a birth - I worry what he will be like if you or your child has any illnesses etc. It is your body and the safest thing to do is follow your consultant's advice.

It's actually nothing to do with him. It's your choice entirely. Do what you want to do

Although induction is often recommended for no reason.

My first went 10 days overdue... I ended up naturally going into labor the night before my booked induction. My second I had contractions on and off but the kept tapering off. I ended up being induced and he was 13 Days late. I had an epidural for both (which was wonderful for me). Second was a big baby but actual delivery of him was easier. Glad I took medical advice as he and I were actually poorly and the hospital saved our lives.

I had an induction! It was great - natural labour and birth started shortly after :)

I had the pessary followed by manual breaking of my waters

Statistically 39 weeks is the best time to deliver - lowest risk of SIDs/stillbirth. So I think you've made the right choice medically

If you want a positive induction story…

DD1 wouldn’t get going and after sweeps and extra time she wasn’t budging.
I was given the first round of induction stuff at 4.00 Saturday afternoon and warned that I’d probably just feel some cramps as the medication just sort of got me ready, and they’d give me a second dose around 9pm which would really get things going.

By 8pm I was in an advanced state of panic - I was in a lot of pain and thinking “bloody hell, if this is just preparatory cramping, when real labour kicks in I’m going to die.”
A nurse came by to check on me and declared I was in full on labour, at which point it became entirely more manageable (if this is actually labour and not cramping maybe I’m not going to die after all and I can do it.)
I went to the delivery room where I slept in between contractions, and happily sucked on gas and air, and DH watched a Bond movie with the midwife.

There was a bit of a last minute stress because the child had decided to appear like superman with one hand above her head, only she didn’t appear and got wedged so she had to be assisted out, but apart from that I actually have only vague memories of it all (I was either high or asleep!) and she was safely delivered at 4.05am - less than 12 hours after I started the induction process.

I was induced at 38 weeks and had a great experience. Pessary was introduced at 5pm, that bit was very uncomfortable but it’s a quick process. I had to stay in as I was high risk but others mums that are low risk usually are allowed to go home. I had my tea shortly after and then went for a long walk with my partner around the hospital - think we walked for more than 2 hours and I started to feel pressure in my pelvic area. Around 10 pm nothing was happening, told DH to go home and get a good night of sleep and get ready for the next day that should be the “big one”. Oh boy… I was wrong… at 11.30pm first contractions. At 1.30 am I called him to come back, pessary was removed as I already having a lot of painful contractions. 3 am waters broke naturally, I was in pain and just 3 cms dilated. 4.30 am urge to push, midwife was skeptical until noticed I was pooping (the joys of childbirth 😂😂😂), and baby was born at 5.16 am! Just a small tear and gas and air.

It is true that induced labours can lead to extra interventions but hope that my history reassures it’s not always the case. You should make the decision that makes you comfortable. This is your decision, your birth, your husband is being an ass in not supporting you unconditionally.

Childbirth is 'naturally' risky to women and babies at times. If the team looking after you are recommending induction or elective c section that will be for a reason.
I have had two labours induced. Both very different. Induction can be painful, can be good to be flexible about pain relief options. The only thing that matters is a safe anf healthy outcome for you and your baby.
Your husband may mean well, but with all respect it is nothing to do with him. He isn't giving birth, and never will. Your mil should know better, but she clearly lacks the cognitive, emotional and social skills to butt out.