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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Booking an induction, is this normal?

12 replies

midori1999 · 02/09/2013 16:26

I'm 34 weeks and asked about booking my induction today as I'm keen to get it booked in for 38 weeks exactly due to childcare issues, although I'm hoping ill go into labour myself between 37 and 38 weeks as I have done in my previous pregnancies.

However, the registrar I saw today said they don't usually book the induction until 36/37 weeks as they need to do an internal first to see how favourable the cervix is as this determines where and how they book your induction. (Eg. If the cervix isn't favourable they book for pessaries in the antenatal ward, if they think they can go straight to ARM then they book into labour ward)

I've had an induction booked before although went into labour spontaneously first, but it wasn't dependent on an internal, so is this normal?

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OddBoots · 02/09/2013 16:34

I've had 5 babies and been a student midwife and I've never heard of an induction being booked ahead before unless it is for when you are overdue. Is this NHS or private? Either way, it doesn't seem unreasonable to want to check how things are before booking it, not just the cervix but positioning too.

5madthings · 02/09/2013 16:42

I was induced with all five and yes they checked my cervix before to see how favorable it was and I was always booked straight to delivery as I was OK for arm and because OK am allergic to the protein pesarries.
I was always overdue, apart from with ds1 when the tried at 38 wks due to SPD, it didn't work as I was allergic to the pesarries! And i went home until I was overdue.

TarkaTheOtter · 02/09/2013 16:47

I think I was booked in at 34 weeks last time, no internal first. They just checked everyone when we arrived on the induction ward. Some of us needed pessaries and some didn't. I suppose it does make some sense organisationally for them though.

TarkaTheOtter · 02/09/2013 16:49

oddboots definitely nhs in my case. Induction at 38 weeks for gestational diabetes.

TobyLerone · 02/09/2013 17:04

Why are you being induced? I suppose that makes a difference as to how far in advance they do it.

Original poster

midori1999 · 02/09/2013 17:26

Thanks. It's the NHS. I'm being induced due to insulin controlled gestational diabetes, Hughes Syndrome/APS and because I'm on a treatment dose of heparin, so coming off that before a planned labour is the ideal.

I think last time (different hospital) they booked it a couple of weeks before, but by then I had to wait until 38+3 as that was the first date they could fit it in. I won't have any childcare this time after 38 weeks and DH will be a 6-8 hour drive away, so if I got booked for induction at say, 38 + 3 again and went into labour at 38 + 1, I would have to wait for my DH to get back to look after the DC before I could go to hospital. Not ideal obviously, not least as I have short labours so this could mean I won't actually get to hospital.

It's just adding extra worry. I don't like the thought of having to labour/birth alone as it is, but can cope with that, but worrying about childcare/getting to the hospital is just going to add stress.

OP posts:

OddBoots · 02/09/2013 17:39

It might be worth a chat with your midwife then, they tend to be better at looking at the bigger picture. I hope you can get the date that works for you.

Original poster

midori1999 · 02/09/2013 17:48

Thanks. I don't really see a midwife though and even the registrars can't make a decision on the induction, it has to be a consultant.

I'll just have to speak to them about it again next week.

OP posts:

TobyLerone · 02/09/2013 18:00

It seems like you have pretty good reasons, and they're already willing to induce you early, so a couple of days shouldn't matter. I hope you get what you want :)

Dackyduddles · 02/09/2013 18:01

They don't book csecs before 36 wks unless very good reason so am not surprised with your story.

Good luck

DoItTooJulia · 02/09/2013 18:07

Hmm. Don't be fobbed off is my advice. Speak to the supervisor of midwives if necessary.

It sounds like you have very valid reasons to be booked for an induction and that not knowing until very late on in the pregnancy under these circumstances is stressful. You need to be assertive I'm afraid!

maggiethemagpie · 02/09/2013 18:12

I had an induction at 38 weeks and was booked in for it a couple of weeks before. This time round I am having a planned c section and they have provisionally booked it for 27th Sept but said they will confirm after my 36 scan as they don't like to get too ahead of themselves.
They can usually give you an 'if all goes to plan it will be on this date' idea, they confirm it a bit nearer the time.

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