Can you request induction at 37 weeks?

[SusieQ73]

I'm 26 weeks into a very complicated pregnancy. Cervical stitch, steroids at 24 weeks, bulging membranes and a cervix showing signs of funnelling!
I had a c section at 36 weeks with ds1 and ds2 was sadly stillborn naturally at 24 weeks.
So, my question is can I ask to be induced at 37 weeks when the stitches come out (assuming I get that far!)? I can have a section but would prefer to avoid staying in hospital so would like to try for a natural delivery. I want to get this baby out asap.
Anyone had any luck requesting early induction?

Susie,
I menat to say in my first post how sorry I am to hear about your DS2.
I am now 22w with DD1, they were fab with the dates re DS2 and the consultant this time is amazing. I am having 4 weekly reassurance/ growth scans from here and while so far we are complication free, it is such an anxious time for us.

I had steroids before the birth of DS2 even though they are not sure they make much difference at such a late gestation. A SANDS friend of mine had a section at 36w and all was fine. I really think that they weigh up the risks and your mental state etc. My friend simply could not have been pregnant for another day ( she had an unexplained still birth at 36w) and could not cope any longer.

Also, with DS2 I was only in for two nights. They were also very good about making sure that we were in a different room to the one we stayed in after DS1 was born ( at that point he was in NICU) and infact left us on the antenatal ward in a side room so we had AMAZING care from the midwives. I hope that with your history that they will also be sensitive.

I can empathise re your husband. When I was considering a VBAC i could see my very supportive husband getting paler everytime I mentioned it.

Cheese, I am sorry to hear about your daughter.

Lets hope we all have a relatively stress free remainder of our pregnancies and swift, successful deliveries.

Echo everything mrsrvc said. Just wanted to add that I had ds via section at 12pm and they were happy to discharge me the next morning at 8am! I was happy with that but did ask that they remove my catheter first.

CheeseandGherkins - you have summed up exactly how I felt about this pregnancy really until the last few days. I never allowed myself to believe that it would result in a live baby. I guess that is just self - preservation?
Getting past 24 weeks was a real milestone mentally.
mrsrvc - thank you , I am sorry for your loss too. I'm not sure how I ever got to the point where trying again seemed like a good idea!?
I had the steroids at 24/25 weeks but I'd imagine the effects will be minimal later - not sure?

Susie Not sure where else you look on here but this thread is a really wonderful one. I post on there, we've all experienced stillbirth and are either ttc or pregnant now (many at different stages) and it really does help to be able to chat with people that understand exactly how you're feeling. Very supportive and it's been a lifeline for me.

I had steroids with Dd1, I think with Ds1 and definitely with Ds2. Not the nicest of needles but worth it just in case!

I felt very much the same with my first PAL. This time I am so busy that its going quicker, but I still struggle to believe that we will get to bring a baby home at the end of it all.

I think they may give you more steroids, but I am really not sure...
When is your next consultant apt?

bamboostalks - very impressive! Did you ask to be discharged so quickly?
Glad you got the catheter out first!
DH is a nurse and we live 3 mins drive from the hospital so maybe they'd let me out quicker....

I had an EMCS last thing Saturday night (failed induction.. what a fun 2.5 days that was), and was out of the hospital Monday morning (I felt fine on Sunday, but no-one wanted to discharge us at the weekend).

I have to say, from my experience, if the choice was induction, or CS I'd go for CS.

I hadn't thought about the possibility of induction failing...this is a tough decision.
I actually have 2 consultants mrsrvc , 1 doing bi-weekly scans and another doing the appointments. I have a scan on the 11th and an appointment on the 17th. I think that will be a good point to discuss birth options.
They did say they would only give the steroids once - I will ask again though.

CheeseandGherkins - thanks for the link I will take a look.

Re staying in after a c-section.

Although my hospital's policy is usually to stay in 3 days post section, I stayed in for two nights after mine and in reality could have pushed to go home before the second night as we'd done all the newborn checks, feeding was established etc. and all I got but staying in was a restless, hot and sleepless night.

I can understand your wish for an induction but at 37w and a previous section, the risks probably outweigh the benefits.

I'm so sorry for your previous loss. I'm a recurrent miscarrier but I can't even begin to pretend to understand the pain and trauma you've been through. I hope, whatever sort of delivery you opt for in the end, that it is as joyful as possible.

Some drs are coming round to the idea if being able to do an induction after a lscs now. They won't use prostin gel or pessaries but if it's possible to break your waters then will do so and then use the synto drip as the drip can be stopped if any concerns.

Like others have said I wouldn't have thought they'd want to do this before 39 weeks unless a medical reason for doing so. Rcog guidelines say not to do elective lscs before 39 weeks due to lung maturation. But ask to see a consultant to discuss induction at 39 weeks if favourable.

But induction does mean that you're at a higher risk of having an emergency section as it can be the start of a cascade of intervention. So you need to weigh up whether it might be better to wait to labour on your own.

So sorry for your loss, and those of others on this thread.

I lost my DS2 to stillbirth at 32 weeks and was induced at 38 weeks with both DS3 and DD. They refused to induce at 37 weeks but were totally happy to do so at 38. If either baby had been breech or i had needed a section for whatever reason, they would have done that at 38 weeks instead of the induction.

From what I have learnt from others who have needed/requested early inductions or section - for good reasons like yours and mine - 38 weeks seems much more acceptable sp you may have more chance of that.

Good luck, i hope you get what you want as I fully sympathise with how stressful it must be at the moment.

It's pretty standard after a stillbirth to be offered 37/38 weeks or even earlier as a delivery date in future pregnancies. The mental risks outweigh most risks of a slightly early baby. Like I said, it's better than a dead one. When the worst has already happened you can't rationalist that it wouldn't again. Thankfully most consultants completely understand the psychological concerns and know that you just want a live baby at the end.

You need to do what's best for you. I hope things go well x

Just wanted to update this thread with the outcome of my birth options discussions.
The stitch will come out at 37 weeks. If I go in to labour could choose natural or go straight to c-section. Natural labour could be hampered by scar tissue from the stitch and I have never gone in to labour naturally.
C-section booked for 38+3 (23rd Dec!!). This seems the most likely outcome.

The alternative was to wait it out to 41 weeks and then have a section as they refused to induce me.
Calmness now reigns as a plan is in place. The stitch is holding well and at the moment there is no reason why we shouldn't get to 37 weeks at least.

Good luck Susie, fingers crossed you get to 37 weeks, and CS goes well the following week. I do hope you are home for a lovely family Christmas, with everyone waiting on you hand and foot.

If not, I hear that the camaraderie of hospitals at Christmas is great - and makes a change from eating too much and watching The Sound of Music.

Thank you ! They've said I should be home on the morning of the 25th or even the night before.