To Induce or Not?

[lineandsinker]

Hi,

I’m 40+5 with my first baby. Had a straightforward pregnancy with no issues and am still deemed low-risk.

Seeing midwife later on and she is going to inevitably want to discuss induction as I will be 40+13 at my next appointment with her. My NHS trust policy is to offer induction at 40+12.

I’m really in two minds about induction as I’d rather baby have the opportunity to arrive on their own terms but also as I have read a lot about the risks of induction for both myself and baby. Really want to avoid having a traumatic labour / birth / cascade of interventions where possible. However, I am also aware of the risks of not inducing for the baby. Really not sure how I want to proceed with regards to consenting to an induction.

Baby’s head still isn’t engaged (it wasn’t at my appt last week) so I think that makes a sweep out of the question and is lying with its back against the side of my tummy but is anterior. Been doing lots of walking and spending lots of time on the exercise ball in an attempt to get them to shift back to the correct position in the hope that it might get their head to engage. Not keen to try any old wives tales to get labour started if head isn’t engaged due to cord prolapse risk.

I’m not desperate to get baby out as my bump is fairly neat therefore I’m not feeling uncomfortable - in fact I’m feeling really well and just cracking on with everyday life.

Just wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation and whether they had any pearls of wisdom to share?

Thanks!

I delivered naturally at 40+7. It’s a personal decision but I would (and did) resist all offers of sweeps/inductions etc. The most important thing is to stay calm and happy- anything else is counterproductive to any kind of delivery. Wishing you all the best

Also-have a look at the spinning babies website!

What type of induction would it be? Can you discuss with her mild forms of induction?

Like balloon induction or popping your waters or the passery.

I would personally prefer to avoid induction unless deemed medically necessary. If I was in your shoes I would ask for daily monitoring of the baby after 41+6 rather than induction. And of course if any problems were picked up, then I would agree to induction. Obviously that does use up time and resources though so it really does depend on how strongly you feel about avoiding induction

@moreismore Thanks - glad it all worked out well for you!

@LifeIsToughMate - I haven’t really looked into the different forms of induction yet; the only thing I know is that a sweep is out of the question if head isn’t engaged.

I wonder if you can opt for a gel/pessary induction but refuse anything more if things don’t get going? Or is it a case of once you’ve committed to induction, that’s it?

I’m inclined to watch and wait with expectant management if all is well, but equally, terrified that I might be that small statistic of stillbirth if I wait too long. Likewise, baby could be poorly if I induce and baby not ready. Such a tough decision to make.

I didn't feel like I had a choice but to get an induction - I was 37+3 and my waters broke. The induction with the pill they stick up there didn't work and they eventually put me on a drip but to be honest I think my little one waited until I was calm. I rolled to my side and focused all my energy on him coming down the channel and that's when he did. Sounds a bit hippy but after all the medical intervention it felt right.
With all that we had a really easy labour. Some of my friends who didn't had mixed labour stories from the serene to the horrific so I think every woman is different and you can't go wrong if you're trying your best. Good luck lovely! Xx