Can I request an early induction?

[LVJ1989]

Good morning ladies, I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant with my second child. To say I'm in agony with PGP is an understatement, trying to run after my 2 year old is like a mini marathon every day.
I had an extremely fast labour with my son (1 hour 50 in total) which I later found out was because I had previously had two LLETz procedures following a routine smear 5 years ago. My cervix is still at a good enough length not to be considered too short but certainly short enough to cause quick labour.
My question is with the pain I'm in and how completely panicked I am about going in to labour (and possible an even quicker one before) whilst at home on my own with my 2 year old can I request an induction??
My husband works 45 minutes away in the opposite direction of our hospital (which is also a 40 minute drive away)
Thanks in advance ☺

You can request it but unless there is deemed to be a strong medically sound reason then they're unlikely to agree. They don't like to induce unless they have to and ideally not before 38 weeks.

There’s no harm in asking but like PP I think if they agree they’d want to hold off for a few more weeks at least

Of course, I should have said I don't mean induce me now, but maybe when I hit 38 weeks. They have told me on numerous occasions its also a big baby so I'm hoping they will take that into consideration too!

I had a 4 hour labour with my first DC, and had home births with the others due to this. Hospital was 35 minutes away.

I think the best you can do is write a compelling argument for why it would be in your best interests.

If you're suffering from extreme pain and it is massively impacting your day to day life then they can agree to induce. 37 weeks or 38 weeks is when they usually tend to arrange it. Usually 38 weeks.

However, they don't tend to take into account about whether you would have an extremely quick labour or not or about your partner when they look into and make a decision.

As it is the baby's wellbeing and obviously your wellbeing that forms their decision.

Are you on crutches or on any prescribed pain meds for your pain? I had that slightly with one of mine and that was very sore. If you are on crutches and/or prescribed pain meds due to it they possibly would agree to it but only if it is massively affecting your normal life such as being able to move properly such as sitting up and down etc.

I did read studies comparing inductions at 38w and 39w. Outcomes for baby are far better if you get to 39w. In terms of lung capacity and cognitive function.
In Germany, as I understand it elective inductions begin at 39w because of this.

I totally emphasise with the SPD (PGP) because I was bedridden with mine. I did manage to hold on until spontaneous labour but it sure was hell.

I'm not on any medication, was just told to take paracetamol when its bad, which is most of the time. I'm thankfully working from home so don't have to so much walking. I feel so guilty as I loved my first pregnancy so much but I am truly miserable right now

You definitely can. I was induced at 38 weeks due to kidney pain from kidney stones that couldn't be treated until id given birth and constant UTIs. Baby was absolutely fine in terms of growth so it was for my benefit only

I was told they could do it at 37 weeks but would prefer to wait until 38

You can request it but they don't like to bring babies before 39wk if it can be avoided.

Honestly I know how awful pgp/spd is as I'm on my 4th pregnancy with it. I wouldn't push to bring a baby early just because I was in pain, I was in a lot with our twins but I held on to them until 38wk (docs wanted them out then and I had to have steroids prior). I'm a forces wife so on my own more than I'd like, hips are painful and slowing me down a lot more now at 31wk, hubby is at sea for another month yet. It's totally crap but it's not forever, I keep looking at all there is to do and just thinking I'd rather have a nap lol.

If you're in so much pain your mental health is affected and you're suicidal with it, bringing baby early is the best option potentially.

If you're still able to move some and it just hurts like hell but you're not seriously mentally affected, if you can hold on to 39 weeks it's safer for baby.

Yes you can ask, your midwife can put you forward for it before your due date.

Hi OP, I’m so sorry to hear your struggling with this. I had horrendously in my second pregnancy and didn’t lots of reading up online about requesting an induction but the general consensus was that you had to be suicidal for them to consider it because of PGP alone.

There are lots of pain relief options available so please go back to your GP and let them know the full extent of how this is affecting you. It isn’t something you should have to put up with. X

Thanks all. I am in no way suicidal so I can't imagine they will induce me earlier so thanks for all the comments. I have an appointment on Thursday and will just make it clear that I'm in agony and need more help than I've had now, its so hard isn't it now knowing when the end goal is, being 37 weeks next week it could be any time from now or 6 weeks away still!

They can induce you earlier. I suffer from PGP too and it starts as early as 9 weeks for me. For that reason I am having an early induction. It was supposed to be at 38 weeks but the consultant thought it better to move it to 39 weeks. They had also agreed to an ELCS but I changed my mind. No harm in asking, good luck

I had polyhydramnios, pgp and severe HG, I was in tears at my consultant appointment at 35 weeks. They agreed straight away to induce me at 37 weeks. I think they realised straight away I could do this anymore. I could hardly breathe, the pain was uncontrollable.
I would ask, you never know what they will say.

PGP is the worst sorry you're suffering too! I'm surprised you haven't been given stronger pain relief and other interventions by now as a next line of treatment instead of induction. I've been told I can take stronger meds in order to function until due date as it's better for baby than coming out early due to maternal pain.