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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Induction on a weekend?

30 replies

BigCatFace · 24/02/2015 19:23

I'm 41+1 today with induction booked for Thursday. Had 2 sweeps with bishops score of 2 for both so nothing doing. I haven't wanted to be induced but my next choice to get baby out by 42 weeks is Saturday.

My question is is it wiser to avoid induction on a weekend due to possible staffing issues? I'm going to be at Kings. TIA!

OP posts:

ILiveOnABuildsite · 24/02/2015 19:29

I was induced on a Friday, dd was born on Sunday morning. Didn't have any issues at all, lots of staff around and had a very dedicated midwife who stayed with me for the whole birth. That was at derriford, plymouth, so no experience of your hospital but weekend induction was great for me.

CurlsLDN · 24/02/2015 19:31

Hi, I was induced at Kings, on a Sunday! Mine was not a planned induction, I went for a BP check and it was sky high. I had trouble finding someone to take my BP as the mau was closed, but we just went up to the labour ward where things were in full swing as usual! I had the BP test, waited a couple of hours while they did further tests, then the Dr came round and said they would induce me. I was swiftly given a bed and pessary was in by 3pm.
My Ds ended up being born on Wednesday (my due date! I clearly wasn't quite ready to go Ready to go yet)
At no point did I feel there was a lack of staff, in fact at Kings with all the student Dr's they're everywhere! They took fab care of me, and dh stayed with me the entire time.
If you have any more questions I'm happy to answer on here or via pm, I was in there so long I feel like an expert now!

redstrawberrypie · 24/02/2015 19:35

I was induced on Friday and dd was born 21.54 on Saturday eve. No staffing issues, I had an issue when dd was born and more than enough staff arrived in my room within seconds. All was well, they just couldn't believe how small she was, 4lb 13.

weeblueberry · 24/02/2015 20:11

I was induced on a Sunday morning-no staffing issues. It honestly never crossed my mind there would be tbh. I always assumed that staffing levels were the same 24/7

ThisFenceIsComfy · 24/02/2015 20:14

I was induced on a Sunday morning. Didn't give birth til Tuesday morning though. I didn't see a change in staffing levels.

Lovelybitofsquirrel · 24/02/2015 20:18

Women go into labour every day of the week, babies don't know if it's the weekend!

Original poster

BigCatFace · 24/02/2015 20:25

They do, but many women don't get to choose when they're in labour unlike with an induction. Could last days or hours. And I'm trying to make the decision between 41+3 and 41+5 when they might be more ready.

OP posts:

Mouthfulofquiz · 24/02/2015 20:48

I had two babies at the weekend - both on 4 day bank holiday weekends in fact... And no shortage of staff to worry about. good luck!

Lovelybitofsquirrel · 24/02/2015 20:51

Sorry, my point was it shouldn't make any difference, staffing should be the same.

MuddyWellyNelly · 24/02/2015 21:02

OP, I think it's a fair question. Whilst I'd imagine the maternity ward is indeed fully staffed 24/7, I would ask whether the consultants are present at the same level at weekends. My friend who is a consultant is normally only on call, not actually in the hospital (though not an obstetrician) at weekends. Not a problem if everything goes to plan, but could become an issue if there are complications. Sadly I'm saying this from a position of knowing someone who paid the price for a senior doctor refusing to come in on a bank holiday despite post birth complications. Medical negligence was proven.

It's not my intention to scare, but I'd ask the question of the hospital. That said, induction on Thursday could easily run into the weekend anyway! Best of luck and here's hoping you don't get a chance to ask the question .

minipie · 24/02/2015 21:24

I've been asking midwives about this because I will be induced at due date and that's a Saturday.

Response was that staffing levels in the delivery ward are the same 365 days of the year - including doctors, midwives etc. They are a referral centre for complex and urgent cases so have to have good staff all the time.

This was not Kings but another big London hospital (St George's) so I imagine similar.

They did say they don't start inductions on a Sunday though.

Original poster

BigCatFace · 25/02/2015 10:56

Thank you for experiences and perspectives! I'm still not sure what to do, with such a low Bishops score I'm scared itll end in an EMCS and wondering whether to refuse both induction dates.

OP posts:

Number3cometome · 25/02/2015 11:01

BigCatFace Had my c-section at Kings on a Friday, went home on a Sunday, loads of staff, they were all great and no issues at all!

Don't worry about the weekend staffing thing, chances are other Mums will worry and avoid weekends too, making it less busy where possible.

If they don't have the staff, they won't do it

Number3cometome · 25/02/2015 11:02

P.s. Had my son at St Thomas's on a Friday, and have had 10 other spinal operations on various days and I cannot say I have ever noticed a lack of staff.

2014MrsH · 25/02/2015 11:20

I was induced on a Saturday just before Christmas. My son was born 7 hours later. I preferred the weekend as I had the labour ward all to myself for the weekend!

Original poster

BigCatFace · 25/02/2015 11:22

I am absolutely petrified of an EMCS, a gibbering wreck today. I need to decide by tomorrow morning and I can't stop crying.

OP posts:

Strictlyison · 25/02/2015 11:24

Hospitals tend not to book scheduled inductions or planned c sections during weekends, but are fully prepared for emergency procedures, and the support is there all the same. I was booked for an induction on a Monday but had some issues with blood pressure so I was induced on a Saturday, and there were no issues with staffing.

Jumbee · 25/02/2015 11:24

Hmmm. I went in to be induced on a Friday morning. They didnt start me off with the pessaries until the Saturday night because of staffing issues (no doctors available). The pessaries didnt work and I had to wait until Monday night to see a doctor again.

Strictlyison · 25/02/2015 11:25

I meant to say 'some hospitals'

Number3cometome · 25/02/2015 11:25

ahh bigcat please don't worry!!

You will be absolutely fine and it is no time at all until you get to meet your little one

Original poster

BigCatFace · 25/02/2015 11:28

My bishops score is only 2 though :(

OP posts:

Number3cometome · 25/02/2015 11:31

I have no idea what a bishops score is, but anything can change.
When your body is ready it can change in an instant.

EMCS is not all that bad, i've had 1 and one ELCS.

Will be having another ELCS this time (all for serious medical reasons)
and honestly, I found them no issue at all.

lisaloulou84 · 25/02/2015 11:55

I went into kings on a Sunday morning for an induction... Didn't actually get a bed and induced until 11pm on Tuesday night! But I had a bishops score of 7 and needed a bed on the labour ward not the antenatal as they knew it would happen quickly., so you may be more likely to get induced quickly if you need a pessary or even more than one. I don't think the days matter, it was ridiculously busy on the Sunday right through till the Thursday - no space on post natal so back on antenatal after the birth, but when I left the following Sunday it was empty!

Original poster

BigCatFace · 25/02/2015 14:39

That is the other issue with busyness, in my birth plan I have to stay on postnatal ward in side room for a minimum of 3 days, and am worried neither will be available!

OP posts:

Number3cometome · 25/02/2015 15:07

Bigcat - why do you have to stay for 3 days?

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