Anyone been induced for pressing social / convenience reasons?

[herjazz]

Please come talk to me

I have a complex needs dc so have IOL planned so I can sort out 24 hr nursing care etc. Has anyone else been in same/ similar situation?

I can't really help, but are you aware of the recent study of baby's who don't go full term (40 wks) even one week early having increased chance of special needs, learning difficulties etc, it was in the news around 3 months ago, a British study, it would also be a consideration for me. The outcome really discouraged elective delivery ahead of 40 wks

If you are going to make claims like that you REALLY need to back it up with the link to the study.

The study sedgiebaby is referring to was subsequently trashed - the increased risk is absolutely tiny and the sample size for the study was too small to make it authoritative. It was irresponsibly reported by the Daily Mail (shocker) and by the BBC news (more surprisingly). Your baby is classed as full term at either 37 or 38 weeks depending on which criteria you follow - I think in your obviously difficult situation you shouldn't beat yourself up at all about a planned induction at 38 or 39 weeks. I am sure your baby will be fine. Good luck.

Yeah I read that and thought it a bag o bollocks tbh

some consultants are more resistant to IOL for 'social' reasons than others, so you might need a second opinion

bear in mind induction is less likely to be quick/succesful if your body is not ready.. if your Bishop's score is low, then induction might be a 48 hour process and if does not succeeed, you will need a section so you have to factor that in aswell

i thought full term was 37 weeks onwards wrt to sedgiebaby...

the WHO defines a normal pregnancy as between 37 and 42 weeks..

my son was born at 39 +1 , is that why he is dyslexic

x posted there !!

OK OK, I didn't realise I was the only one with google.

www.webmd.boots.com/baby/news/20100609/babies-born-a-week-early-have-greater-special-needs-risk

bottom line being:

?Therefore, early-term births accounted for 5.5% of cases of SEN, whereas pre-term deliveries accounted for only 3.6% of cases. These findings would suggest that, whilst the risks are low, pregnant women should try to avoid elective premature delivery unless there is a good clinical reason.?

I did not know the theory had been de-bunked maybe you could post that link????

I've had 2 early inductions (36 weeks for DD1 and 37 weeks for DD2). They were for medical reasons though.

Both inductions were fine and labours were both short and I recovered quickly afterwards. It was a real bonus with DD2 that I was able to arrange childcare for DD1 in advance, although that obviously wasn't essential for me as it is in your case.

Good luck and I hope it all works out well for you.

A more detailed analysis of the study detailing it's shortcomings and strengths.
www.nhs.uk/news/2010/06June/Pages/Early-babies-and-special-needs.aspx

My personal view is I would rather be informed before taking a decsion.

Thanks for the linke LHAB. So, the risk is greater albeit small, quite clear from the what was published originally. However personally I am a cautious soul. With so many things where as a pregnant woman I am unable to influence the outcome in any way, where I am able to give myself and baby an advantage I look to pay attention. My approach is that when there are other concerns, such as those outlined by the OP then it is a case of weighing all factors up and taking a decision having given attention to all consdierations/possible outcomes.

herjazz please be assured, my motives were good in mentioning the study. I wish you all the best.

no problem. Thanks for all the replies

Gawd it is a difficult one to weigh up, specially re risks of other interventions that lulumaam mentioned

This will be dc3. Have never been in labour more than 3 hrs and am concerned about getting iv abs for group b strep on time. That's another factor re induction but not why consultant has agreed to it. Understand IOL slightly increases infection risk as well

Both my other dc born at 38 wks

I was induced early for medical reasons with DD1 and DS2. Both were tough going and I always swore that I would never put myself through an induction voluntarily again (particularly as I had a fab non induced birth with DS1)

That being said I am now considering another induction for social reasons - my DH is overseas and I would very much like him to be present. This is just not possible unless the birth is scheduled.

Good luck.

I was induced on my due date with DS1, my Mum was due to go in for a really big, risky operation and she was my birth partner. I had a horrible long labour but it was worth it to have my Mum there. DS1 and I were both fine.