Can i have some very quick advice re inductions plz

[kiki22]

I have my 40 week appointment tomorrow with the midwife and am having a serious dilema about if i should ask to be induced or not i could really do with some advice about it i have asked my mum and gran but mum is pro gran is against DP says it's up to me.

The reason i'm thinking of asking to be induced sooner rather than later is my grandfather is dying he was told last week he has 4-8 weeks to live but nurse says today she would say more like 4 weeks or less he is getting worse by the day, i really want baby to get here a) so my grandad can see him before he goes b) i'm terrified of going into labour on the same day he dies c) I'm worried how i would cope with labour if he dies days before i give birth d) ideally i would like my baby to be as old as possible before i go though the grief of losing him (i know that might not happen) i feel it would be easier if i'm not pregnant or just given birth

Also have been getting painful BH for almost 3 weeks as well as sickness, diarreah and period cramps and stabbing pains so bad i can't walk in my fanjo and bum! it's getting old fast!

On the other hand i've heard not so good things about induction and wonder if it's fair to push for baby to be delivered early when he's not ready because of the circumstances. I'm so stressed and upset i really don't know whats for the best i really need some help with this.

Sorry to hear about your grandad, it can't be a nice time for you.

I think that the max they will let you go over your due date is 2 weeks (it was 10 days in my area) so you will probably start talking options at your appointment.

thanks, i just don't know if i should say plz induce me asap or hold off until closer to the limit i always thought i'd hold off until babys ready or close to 2 weeks but i didn't think i'd be facing life and death at the same time either.

I would ask the midwife, they will advise and can only say no but at 40 weeks your baby will be ready (your cervix on the other hand)

when you ask though I would stress that it is because of your grandad rather than you being sore as you will not be induced on this basis (I had PSD and they let me go 2 weeks over!)

Speak to your midwife about your concerns as they may allow it but they might not.

My waters broke but then ended up on the drip and really noticed it when they cranked it right up. however don't let that put you off as if you are doing it because of your granddad it will be worth it.

My MW's a bit rubbish tbh. I feel like i should decide what i want to do now as i think she'll just go straight for waiting regardless and if i'm unsure i'll go along with it, don't think she would help me decide just tell me no. oh it's all a bit of a mess really

Just be aware that inductions tend to have two consequences:

1. longer labour (particularly for first babies)
2. more difficulty establishing breastfeeding (something to do with the level of oxytoxin in your system)

I can understand completely why you'd want to be induced, and it would in some ways be better to have your baby asap so you can be recovered from the birth to be there for your grandfather. I don't know what your MW will say, I think she will tell you to wait it out as you could go into labour any time now. Inductions tend to be done when you're two weeks over in my area, but ask her to do a sweep as soon as possible, that may get things moving, and a repeat one if needed soon after that. Induction really is not a nice thing to go through, so if you do come to it read up as much as possible about what to expect and what your options are with pain relief. Not everyone has a negative experience, but do be prepared, it can be tough. If I can add to Kiwi's list; inductions also increase the chances of intervention being needed to help get the baby out. (Sorry, I'm not anti-induction, I just went through it with my DS 3 months ago and I will NEVER be doing that again!)
I wish you lots of luck with your decision.

Thank you kiwi and sticky I had a sweep yesterday and was 1cm dialated and favourable so am hopfull i will go soon. MW booked me in to see the consultant on Monday to discuss early induction i thought midwife may be resitant but she was more than happy to do an early sweep and since my blood pressures been very high with the stress says they may induce at 8 or 9 days over instead of the usual 12 due to the effect it's having on my well being but said she is hopefull i will go before then.

I am just keeping my fingers crossed for baby to come on his own before monday then i don't need to think about it.

No need to worry about inductions. I had to be induced both times. First time I went through all stages of induction - pessary, breaking my waters, then oxytocin drip (at which point I had the epidural). All fine.
Second time, I had a milder dose of the pessary and baby born VERY quickly thereafter (hour and a half from 3 cm to birth!) - no time for anything but the odd puff on gas and air! Very active labour.
Please don't fret about inductions. By the way - try as you might, you'll have a battle on your hands to get them to induce you before 10 days. I managed to fudge the dates with the receptionist second time round so was induced at 8 days.
Good luck!

Good news kiki, keeping my fingers crossed you'll go soon!

Thank you it's started snowing here so i'm hoping sods law will kick in and i'll go into labour once the snow gets thick lol :)

kiki I think chat through it with your mw. My Granny was given a month to live with v advanced cancer back in september but it still going strong (allbeit going downhill). She goes downhill for a while and then perks up. I know it may be very different in your scenario and it must be so upsetting .

FWIW I had an induction at 40 weeks due to GD. I didn't really even know this could happen but, 5 days after starting the induction process nothing had happened, they couldn't even break my waters, so I had to have a csection. An induction can be longer and more likely to be more medical IYWKIM. I was given alot of 'because we've done this to you we have to do this now and we can't do this' type of thing. There will be alot of pro and anti induction info here but the truth is everyone is different so you can't predict what's going to happen. I do think a naturally induced labour is the bests scenario though so hope this happens quickly for you (although not if there's lots of snow ).

Sorry to hear that reasie we are hoping he goes for longer but it doesn't look that way :(

I've just taken some mince out the freezer for tomoros dinner to really temp fair incase my snow plan doesn't work hehe :)