Induced due to reduced movements?

[kikisparks]

I had some reduced movements today and went in, baby was moving fine on CTG and heartbeat was good. However as I’m over 37 weeks the consultant has offered that we book an induction for the next available appointment. I didn’t consider myself to be high risk but they seem to, as it’s an IVF pregnancy and I have slight polyhydramnios (0.1cm outside the normal range). I have an induction booked for 40 weeks at the moment. The consultant didn’t say we had to take the induction earlier, it was very much left as my choice, but she did mention stillbirth risk with reduced movements and that in hospital they could monitor me more closely.

We now have a scan tomorrow and after that will need to decide whether to go for the induction or not. Has anyone had this situation? What did you decide to do? I really would prefer not to be induced so early but I’ve been anxious throughout pregnancy and don’t think I could forgive myself if I turned down the induction and the worst happened.

I was induced at 37 weeks with my third baby as I was predicted to have a very large baby, it took 5 days, my other babies were late so I was just not ready to go into labour.

I think with reduced movement I would be concerned about the baby and it putting them under stress.. I would request a Caesarean if I were you, especially as you have had to go through IVF, I don’t think it would be a good idea to leave it till 40 weeks.

All the best whatever you decide.

I was induced at 37+6 due to reduced movements. CTG was fine but baby wasnt moving on the scan either. I ultimately agreed to induction. Pessary inserted 6am saturday, had him sunday at 2am at exactly 38 weeks. He was 7lb 7 xx

I went with the increased monitoring that was offered to me. I had a scan every week and went in for ctg three times a week after that. I was then induced at 39 weeks. The induction was horrific but I’m glad I did do it because baby had two true knots in her cord which is apparently unusual.
I would just say if you do go for an induction you need to understand the way they do it. In most hospitals once they break your waters they only give you a couple of hours to get into established labour and then they put you on a pitocin drip ( if you’re pre 40 weeks it’s unlikely breaking your waters will be enough of a push to get you going). For me that was when all hell broke loose. I went too fast for any pain relief so I would really recommend you get an epidural in before the drip. This info is good
www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/ten-things-i-wish-every-woman-knew-about-induction-of-labour-the-article/

Thanks everyone. I will ask about C section tomorrow and risks of that vs induction. Funnily enough I read that article earlier @Itsbeen84yearss . I know it’s recommended by most to have an epidural with the drip but I’m actually terrified of the epidural even though the risk of serious complications is extremely rare, I’m not ruling it out but I might be too scared to go for it unless the pain is really bad and by then it might be too late. I’ll need to see, maybe I’ll change my mind on it.

Epidural is almost the same process as a spinal for a c section.

Most won’t do sections prior to 39 weeks unless there is a medical need although they will induce before 37w.

I hope you and your baby are ok and they arrive safely x

I had recurrent reduced movements throughout my otherwise low risk pregnancy. Was recommended to have an induction when I presented with reduced movements again at 40+1 on the basis that she was probably better off out than in at the point, despite there being no cause for concern on scans or CTG. Was a long, drawn out process that lasted about a week (balloon inserted at home, didn’t work, admitted to labour ward for waters to be broken and then started on drip). Baby was back to back, I ended up with an epidural that failed and an emergency c-section after 16 hours of agony where I didn’t progress any further than 3-4cm. Given my time again, I’d have requested to book a c-section rather than go through an induction but it’s all totally relative. My body wasn’t ready for labour at all. If I’d been showing some signs that it was, I imagine it would have gone more positively. Sending lots of luck to you, you’ll be meeting your baby so soon regardless.

@kikisparks

Thanks everyone. I will ask about C section tomorrow and risks of that vs induction. Funnily enough I read that article earlier *@Itsbeen84yearss* . I know it’s recommended by most to have an epidural with the drip but I’m actually terrified of the epidural even though the risk of serious complications is extremely rare, I’m not ruling it out but I might be too scared to go for it unless the pain is really bad and by then it might be too late. I’ll need to see, maybe I’ll change my mind on it.

I would do this too. C section I mean. The epidural is the same procedure but it really is a quick scratch and a bit of pressure and it's done.

Fingers crossed for you and your baby for a safe delivery.

I would absolutely take the induction. I've been induced twice, once for dates, I got to 42 weeks and baby still not showing signs of coming anytime soon. Baby born 31 hours after entering hospital but when placenta was delivered it was showing clear signs it was failing. Second time I was having growth scans as DS was an SGA baby. My last scan showed a dip in growth at 40+4 and I straight away agreed to be induced, baby born 22 hours after being admitted and that was with a lot of waiting around as they were extremely busy. There was also a true knot in her cord so I am extremely grateful I was induced when I was on both occasions.
Most people could safely go longer without being induced, but it's not a risk I would personally take. 40 weeks isn't too early, lots of hospitals are really busy at the moment so you may find you have a few days of waiting around in hospital while you're being induced.
Like pps have said, you can opt for a csec if you prefer. My inductions were both positive experiences, the last one I had the drip with just gas and air. Yes it was painful, but it was very quick once it got going, 3cm to baby in arms in under two hours!

@kikisparks

Thanks everyone. I will ask about C section tomorrow and risks of that vs induction. Funnily enough I read that article earlier *@Itsbeen84yearss* . I know it’s recommended by most to have an epidural with the drip but I’m actually terrified of the epidural even though the risk of serious complications is extremely rare, I’m not ruling it out but I might be too scared to go for it unless the pain is really bad and by then it might be too late. I’ll need to see, maybe I’ll change my mind on it.

Well I’ve never had an epidural or anything else for that matter unfortunately so I can’t comment on them but I was begging for one on that drip but it was too late. My first I did without gas and air in under two hours so very strong contractions but manageable but my second on the drip definitely not manageable. I think it’s one of those that some women react very badly to the synthetic hormones and you won’t know if you’re one of those until it’s too late. If I had my time over I’d have a section or an epidural before the drip but that’s me and my body. You just have to make the decision for you with the info available. Try to remember though nobody comes up with a medal for you for suffering. It’s not some kind of right of passage. You will do enough hard labour when baby arrives and has you up all night every night lol. Good luck

Good luck with your scan today

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice. I just wanted to update, the scan was perfect and we spoke to a consultant who said they wouldn’t recommend induction at that time so we decided to watch and wait but after another episode of possible reduced movements I was induced 2 Sundays ago. I’m not sure if I did have reduced movements or just anxiety.

Unfortunately the induction after one tablet resulted in hyperstimulation with back to back contractions along with projectile vomiting, I was begging for the epidural, my fears of paralysis were overcome by the pain, and my envisioned Labour involving tens machine and yoga balls went out the window! I got the epidural but I’d gone from 4cm to 9cm dilated in half an hour and baby was distressed so had an emergency c section. It was really traumatic and I understand why some PP would prefer to elect to have a c section for reduced movements. Baby is perfect and healthy though and we are both doing well. In case someone is reading this who is having reduced movements for the avoidance of doubt I’d still 100% recommend getting them checked out and considering getting induced or a c section if the medical advice is to do so, I would just ask about the pros and cons of both and knowing what I know now I’d personally pick an elective c section but that might not be the right choice for everyone.