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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Can I ask to be induced?

54 replies

dinosaurkisses · 17/08/2017 19:22

Currently 33 weeks with DC1, and about to move an hour and 15 minutes away from where we live now to be nearer family. Still intending to give birth in the hospital down here (hopefully anyway!)

I'm worried about dealing with labour/ contractions etc once things get going and bracing myself for the most uncomfortable journey of my life.

Ideally, and probably naively, I'd like to be induced at 40 weeks so I can avoid it if possible.

Does anyone know if its likely that the hospital will consider this without me going overdue?

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 17/08/2017 19:24

Is there a reason why you can't go to a closer hospital? I've had 3 children, 1 and 3 were induced. It's not an option if choose if I didn't have to.

daisygirlmac · 17/08/2017 19:28

I also would go out of my way not to be induced! I would have a look at a hospital closer to you. I did very similar to you and got fixated on giving birth at the far away hospital because I'd had complications and they had seen me right the way through.

DH persuaded me to go and do a tour of the closer hospital and we talked about it lots so I felt better. Went to the closer hospital and it was fantastic Smile

Lules · 17/08/2017 19:28

I think it's very unlikely. Induction is also not a great experience usually. But changing hospital even this late on shouldn't be a problem - I'm in the middle of doing it at 34 weeks.

CatchingBabies · 17/08/2017 19:29

No they won't induce you if there isn't a medical reason. Induction carries risks for both you and your baby, they won't expose you to these risks unless it is necessary. I suspect you don't really know what you would he signing up for.

Original poster
dinosaurkisses · 17/08/2017 19:29

It's complicated, but basically I'm moving from Dublin to Belfast so it's a different healthcare system.

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 17/08/2017 19:33

Unlikely, unless you go private. Even then you may have trouble persuading your care provider.

Do you know the process of induction? Are you aware that it can take days for some women? And that actually it can be a lot more painful, tiring and intense than a spontaneous labour.

I've never been induced but I have witnessed and cared for many women being induced. Personally, unless there was very good medical reason I would avoid induction at all costs.

GuntyMcGee · 17/08/2017 19:38

OP, what if you labour before 40 weeks? An hour and a half commute really isn't feasible in labour.

What if you go in in early labour and are sent home?

What if you end with c section and have to sit for an hour and a half in pain?

If you have a vaginal birth, do you want to be sat on a sore perineum for over an hour just to get home?

Where will your DH/DP/birth partner stay during early induction, when a commute home is too far? It's unlikely that the hospital will have somewhere for them to stay 24/7.

Do you really want to take your brand new (possibly hours old) baby on a long drive, especially given recent guidance on making sure babies aren't in car seats for too long?

You really need to look into transferring your care to a local hospital, whether it's a different system or not.

Short answer to your question is no, you will not be induced for anything other than a valid medical or obstetric reason. Induction of labour is a medical procedure, takes DAYS, can be intensely painful, there can be delays and ultimately if it doesn't work, can end in c section.

The most sensible and practical option is to transfer your care

RefuseTheLies · 17/08/2017 19:40

For the love of god, don't ask for an induction if you don't need one. Not the most pleasant experience I've ever had understatement

Glowinginthedark · 17/08/2017 19:46

I had lots of issues in my last pregnancy and they kept pushing my induction date back to get me as far along as possible, in the end they induced me on my due date as they had to. I doubt they would do it if it wasn't for a medical reason. Like previous posters have said it can be a lot worse then natural Labour and carries risks.

Imnotatypicalsausage · 17/08/2017 19:48

From experience of friends and from what I've been told at NCT being induced is not a desirable option if you can avoid it. More painful, more likely to have multiple medical interventions etc. Perhaps what you want is an ELCS?

IndianaMoleWoman · 17/08/2017 19:50

There's no way they would agree to induce you. You need to find a new hospital and get into the system in your new country ASAP.

RelaxMax · 17/08/2017 19:51

Induction is very unpleasant and increases your risk of needing interventions and having a difficult recovery. I was induced with my first and chose a Caesarian for my second instead. It's really not a good option, and the hospital aren't likely to agree unless you have medical reasons.

putdownyourphone · 17/08/2017 19:52

Have you spoken to anyone who's been induced? Personally I wouldn't choose induction (which comes with additional pain, risks and in turn risks to baby) for your reason.

Uiscebeatha85 · 17/08/2017 19:53

Induction is horrific, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy

DueOct30th · 17/08/2017 19:56

Would staying with relatives from 40 weeks be an option? Apart from actually giving birth that's a long way to travel for your last few antenatal appointments as well.

SonicBoomBoom · 17/08/2017 20:00

You want to avoid induction if you can. Definitely don't volunteer for one.

Original poster
dinosaurkisses · 17/08/2017 20:52

Oh Jesus, you've convinced me it's a shite idea!

We can stay with DH's DPs from 40 weeks, I just really, really, reeeeally don't want to.

They are lovely but the massive extended family plus the fact they run a very open house means I know it won't be the most relaxing experience (ie a constant stream of visits from people I'm not close to "just checking in") hence the mental gymnastics I'm doing to try and avoid it!

OP posts:
daisygirlmac · 17/08/2017 20:55

Hmmm. Airbnb??

SonicBoomBoom · 17/08/2017 20:57

Jeez op, I feel for you. The alternative with the in-laws sounds like hell. Even more of a hell than an induction actually, and mine ended up in a crash delivery!

Can you maybe look at a short-term rental? Only needs to be a small place, a studio flat would do.

CottonSock · 17/08/2017 20:59

I would not recommend induction for convenience. Sorry to be blunt, but mine was horrific snd traumatic.

LookImAHooman · 17/08/2017 21:02

Have you been to see around any of your options in Belfast? You might feel better about it then.

And from someone facing induction at 40w, thanks very bloody much to the rest of you 🙈😏

Oysterbabe · 17/08/2017 21:21

The journey will be a walk in the park in comparison to induction.

daisygirlmac · 17/08/2017 21:47

@LookImAHooman

Get the bloody epidural in and, CRUCIALLY, working before you have the drip. If it's your first you'll be all gung ho and wanting the "experience" take my advice just fucking don't, get the epidural, have a sleep, have your baby Grin just like that

peachgreen · 17/08/2017 22:22

Can you really not change hospitals? That seems very odd, given you're actually moving up here.

I'm in Belfast under the Ulster hospital in Dundonald and they've been fantastic, plus their Home from Home ward is amazing.

LookImAHooman · 17/08/2017 22:22

Bahahahaha 'experience'. I know. Second DC and tbf saw it as a means to an end the first time. I know one or two people who ended up with c-sections and feel they missed out on the experience of labour. With the best will in the world: Confused

Epidural on the cards this time, if only to keep things as level as possible after it all went a touch wonky with DC1. No medals at the end of it!

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