Would you go for an induction based on this?

[DaleyBump]

I'm 35+2 and was admitted to hospital last week with my 8th episode of reduced movement. Baby is fine but they're looking to induce me at 37/38 weeks. I was happy about this to begin with but now I'm uhming and ahhing about it. I've not been told about any immediate risk to the wee one but there must be one if they're wanting to induce me. I should have asked but I was just overwhelmed at the time.

I can't decide if it's best to let him come when he's ready or to get induced and have him here early. Any advice would be great :)

Ah Daley, sorry to hear your woes! I'm 34+4 and booked for a section at 38 weeks, I asked for 38 rather than 39 due to hideous SPD and the consultant agreed without hesitation, but just to give little boy an extra boost I'm having steroids about 4 days before. Has your medical team discussed this with you? Might you feel better about things if you were to get steroids? I'm also having a final scan 4 days prior just to check he's ready to make his entrance!

Oh wow Feather, that's so soon! I tried to discuss it with my midwife today but she just said "you have to talk to the hospital", and I don't have an appointment there until the 11th. Doesn't give me that much time to decide either way

Sorry to hear about your SPD, I've only got it mildly but it really is awful

I think in your position I'd really want to talk it through with the consultant. 37-38 weeks is classified as full term but early induction could lead to a complicated birth for you so in your position I'd want to know that induction is being done for a clear medical reason. It's a shame your midwife hasn't been more helpful - maybe try calling the hospital to see if you can peak to the consultant earlier?

Speak to the consultant that is!

That's what I was thinking mycat but I really don't want to bother the hospital and my consultant is a bit of a dick character so I don't think he would take kindly to me asking to speak to him earlier.

I think they are balancing up getting your baby to term with the fact you keep experiencing reduced movements for some unknown reason when everything they can assess for is fine. Sadly much of pregnancy is about weighing up risks, there is still so much we don't know about all of it.

Well done for being slow alert on your baby's movements, just remember if it happens again straight back for monitoring. Hopefully you've got all your bags packed so you can take them in with you as a precautionary measure?

That's what's concerning me - that it's happening and it shouldn't be because everything is fine, but there has to be a reason for it. Agh. I did have them all packed but when I was admitted last week I took my bag with me because I didn't have time to pack another bag and now I have to re-pack it but baby's is packed and so is DP's so I'm getting there

Thanks everyone for the advice :)

Hi,

A couple of points from my own experience. I was induced at 39 weeks and had the same dilemma as you. In the end I opted for the induction as I felt it best to trust the medical experts although I felt a lot of pressure to let him come naturally (I think from NCT classes mainly). my labour did end up being quite drawn out and with a lot more interventions than I would have hoped for. But...I was never really hung up on having my birth plan to the letter and the main thing was he got her safety in the end. I think if if left him to come in his own time then he would have been overdue (he was very high up still) which would have added to the risks. There is also no guarantee that you could wait then need an induction anyway or an emergency c section...

I would definitely call your consultant to discuss their reasons further. That helped me decide too.

Also don't want to scare you but a friend of mine had similar episodes of reduced movement and was induced at 39 weeks. The reason was for a reduction in amniotic fluid. Her baby was jaundice but fine but now at 4 months she has something wrong with her skull where it was pressing on something and there was limited amniotic fluid to protect it. She may need an op to correct it.

So if it was me I'd opt for the induction!