Are there actually any medical benefits to this or are they just trying to prevent a traumatic birth?

[usernoidea]

Hi. Just had scan at 38 weeks - baby measuring mid 9lbs . The hospital are keen to induce me on or before due date because of size and my age (I'm an old 37?!)
Any advice on this? Or any medical reason why they're suggesting induction or risk to baby if I don't accept induction?
I'm keen to go naturally but obviously wouldn't put my baby or me at risk ....
All advice / knowledge greatly appreciated. Thanks x

I was induced at nearly 38 weeks (different reasons) and it was absolutely fine. Reasonably quick, gas and air, water birth, no damage.

Afaik national guidance says no reason to induce for size unless the woman is diabetic.

The age thing is more of a grey area. I don't think there's any national guidelines but there must have been some research as it seems to be becoming more of a thing.

Induction is sometimes referred to as the start of a cascade of intervention. You have the gel but don't go into labour, they break your waters but still don't contract well so they start the drip. You then have to be monitored all the time. You struggle to have an active labour so labour is slower and more painful. So you ask for an epidural. Then you're more likely to have an instrumental delivery or even a lscs.

Obviously that's worst case scenario. But it's worth bearing in mind. Some women will have the gel, contract brilliantly, not find it more painful and not have any problems. But statistically speaking it's better to start labour naturally.

Agree that I'd want to understand the reasons why they think an induction is best. Are there other medical reasons?

DS2 was induced at 37 weeks because my waters were leaking (there's a risk of infection to the baby after waters have gone). We got stuck for quite a while at 2-3 cm but it was a straightforward vaginal birth with no further interventions or complications in the end.

I had the gel it didn't work I was contracting but not dilating day after I had pessaries and it worked although it took 24 hours to make me dilate with back to back friggin contractions but I never used any pain relief at all and it was a pretty straight forward, they don't always break your water if the gel doesn't work they can try pessaries then the drip

Can't believe they want to induce you because you're 37.....that's ridiculous.

The most important thing is not the estimated weight but what the head and abdominal circumferences are measuring. If it's above the 90th centile and especially the 95th, then that's more concerning. Try and find out what these are, it should say in your notes.

Personally, from what you said without any other indication I wouldn't want to be induced before 40 weeks because it's much more likely to fail. Inductions can take a long time anyway, never mind a bit early with a first baby. If they're that concerned, induction on your due date is reasonable. Or if you really don't want to be induced you could accept a membrane sweep at 39 or 40 weeks instead.

Bit worrying you're having to ask on here about risks. This is something they should be explaining to you. If they don't, then next time you see them you need to ask exactly what the risks are as you want to make an informed decision. And I'd question the age thing.....I haven't heard of anywhere that would consider induction based on age for someone who's 37.

Re the post above, they WILL break your waters before starting the hormone drip. They do it without in America but it's against all guidance in the UK to start the drip without having your waters broken.

And I don't mean to say this as a slight to the poster above, but this is why you need to be asking the doctors about risks. We can give our experiences etc. and general risks based on our understanding of it but people will sometimes get medical information wrong. And not all hospitals use the gel or pessaries. They might use propess. So you need to find out what the hospital you are going to will use for induction and the process because every hospital has different guidelines (obviously the majority follow NICE but for some things they won't necessarily).

How are you usernoidea? When is your appointment? I hope all is going well for you and your baby.

You've Misread what I said I said they don't always break your waters of they gel doesn't work they can try the pessaries then they can try the drip I never said they will or won't do anything.

Hi repliers. Thanks again for giving advice/opinions. My appt with obstetrics is tomo and I have plenty of questions to ask!
Yes I'm big, but all baby and never been so grumpy!
Appreciate your help, thanks again X

Why are they inducing a baby for being supposedly 9 lbs. this is the large side of average.

It's quite bad practice to start the drip without breaking the waters. Supposedly massively increases your chance of an amniotic fluid embolism. Consultsnts where I work would never allow it, strict no no.