When to be induced??

[tollyfeeder]

Just looking for some advice / opinions on inductions please.

I’m 34 weeks pregnant.
Since 27 weeks, I’ve been into triage 3 times worried about movements. I do suffer with anxiety and I know my anxious thoughts have really made things a lot harder for me to keep calm and often trust my instincts as the fear takes over.

One of the occasions I explained to the hospital that It wasn’t so much that her movements were reduced, as in the frequency, but the strength and how much I could feel her had changed.
I do have anterior placenta so not sure if that’s what causes the change in sensation.

I was referred to a consultant who arranged a growth and Doppler scan, both were thankfully fine.

The consultant noticed on my notes that I have Psoriatic arthritis and Psoriasis.

She told me that these could potentially cause problems in late pregnancy with the placenta and said she wouldn’t be happy for me to go over 40 week.

I was surprised about this as my midwife has always been aware of my autoimmune conditions and it’s never been mentioned as an issue.

The consultant has arranged for me to have another growth & Doopler scan in 3 weeks (I’ll be 36 weeks) and said we can discuss then about induction.

She told me this can happen anytime form 37 weeks if I’m not happy with movements again.

I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m booked into the birth centre as I really wanted a water birth, and I don’t like the idea of my birth experience to feel too medical, unless of course it’s necessary.
Birth centre wouldn’t be an option with induction as the consultant said I’d have to have monitoring.

My anxiety really has been hard to deal with, I’m having regular CBT to help as I do worry a lot about my pregnancy.
The thought of having her here just feels so nice and the sooner the better, but at the same time I don’t want to compromise my babies health and have her here early just because of my fears.
If it’s better to leave her until later then I will, but the consultant has told me it’s my choice and we will discuss at 36 weeks.

I’ve read about repeat reduced movements episodes has a link to stillbirths and I’ve been getting myself very worked up about this.

I’m just so undecided about what is the best option for me.

Any advice please?

Has anyone been induced and if so how far were you and what was the experience like?

I was induced at 37weeks due to my cord not providing enough nutrients for baby.
I had a positive experience, started the induction on the Friday and my daughter was born on the Sunday. They used a catheter to dilate my cervix which didn’t work and then a peccary. Waters went at 5am and she was born at 10am.
I also didn’t want to be induced and planned a water birth too, however, safest option was to bring her early and she has had no complications since :)
I have only heard of negative experiences of people being induced so was very nervous but every one is different and for me although it’s not what I originally wanted it went as smooth as labour could lol.
Hope you are ok it’s a lot to take in x

The important thing is that your baby arrives safely. You really need to discuss with the consultant at your 36 week scan and go from there. Ask relevant qs about risk to baby if you do not induce etc. You will probably hear mainly positive stories about induction by asking the question on here as most won't want to share negative experiences with an already anxious pregnant women. But honestly, when your baby is here safe and sound your birth experience won't matter too much.

I was induced Friday 10th January, I had the pessary put in at 845, I started having contractions around 2/3pm that day. Gradually worse and worse. They wouldn't give me any pain relief or check me, until at around 10pm I was in agony, they did an examination and I was 3cm dilated so they provided me with pethidine, which didn't help the pain but made me drowsy. An hour later they re examined as I was in so much pain! And I was at that point 9cm dilated. I gave birth at 239am on 11.1.20 :) I was in labour 2 hours 34 mins. This was my first baby, so I can't compare induction to natural labour but I hear induced labour can be more painful. Good luck xx

Agree with @Rubyroost the absolute most important thing is that baby is ok, if that means sacrificing your birth plan for a new one then so be it.
I've been induced. Worked very quickly, baby was born later the same day.

I had no idea about the psoriasis and placenta link..... I have psoriasis as well (albeit very minor) and no-one mentioned it at any point during my pregnancy.

I was induced at 37 weeks. I wasn't so fussed about where I gave birth, but going from all being well and expecting to go over due, to pre-eclampsia and induction within the week was a huge head trip I was not expecting. Induction was started on Wednesday morning, drip attached early Thursday morning, and baby was here Thursday afternoon. No natural labour to compare it to, but it was more painful than I imagined. It was still manageable without an epidural luckily. Baby is none the worse for having come early.

I think it'll be best to start thinking about adjusting your birth plan towards a more medicalised one. It's not ideal I know, but having time to accept it will help.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. I hope it all goes well from here.

I was induced at 38 weeks due to GD and a few episodes of RFM. DS was never measuring big throughout my pregnancy but said they don't like people with GD to go over.

My induction was fine. Not sure if you can have a water birth if being induced but like you said baby's health is more important.
I would say when they give you an induction date just take it and get bubs here safely rather than risk it x