Induction - when is the best time to do it?

[flyingcloud]

I just wondered when the best time to induce was - what is the point that induction becomes a safer option than expectant management.

And when do most hospitals induce?

I am 40+2 now and as I am in France my actual EDD isn't until 41+3 (so another 8 days), but I am not sure at what stage they will look into induction. Some people have told me they'll give me another week after that so I'll be 42+3, but my doctor has told me to come to the hospital on my EDD and that is when they will start looking into induction. My doctor is quite vague and a bit uncommunicative at times, which is why I am not entirely sure...

I would like to be a little prepared, should it get to that, as to what it all means!

I had my last official appt at 37+3, but they did offer me a sweep at 39+3, and I took it for the sole reason that I wanted to see a professional at least once in the final month! All was well but they (unsurprisingly) couldn't do the sweep as my cervix was too firmly closed.

Thanks.

Bump - sorry!

Not sure about France (and confused re your dates!) but they induce around 12 days after due date (40wks) over here. Had friend who refused induction and went to 3 weeks over - she was then advised that it was becoming dangerous to baby's health as placenta not functioning so well by that point. Hope that helps a little bit?!

depends what expectant management consists of, do they just the baby's heartbeat, bp or do they check the placenta using ultrasound or something?

with DD I was booked in for induction at 40+11 they normally do it at 10 days over at my local hospital but that fell on a Sunday so I was told to come in at 8pm on day 11. I was offered a sweep at 8 days over but my waters broke and labour started naturally in the early hours of 8 days over so I never got the sweep or induction.
I think 37-42 weeks is still considered to be 'normal' once over 42 weeks there is concern about placenta failing. You can refuse induction but they like to monitor you very, very closely from what I understand.

where i am induction is on day 41+6, idea being baby is born next day at 42wks. this is if you've gone overdue with no risks etc.

Thanks all for your help.

In France EDD is always between 41/42wk - so I am still considered 'early' even though I am at 40+3 now.