Are more inductions being offered?

[BFPDec21]

It seems like everyone I know that's pregnant is being offered an induction at the moment. The reasons have been a big baby at nearly 9lb, previous traumatic natural birth experience, maternal age (the mum is older) and GD (which I also have but the guidelines don't seem to support this from having a look). I'm wondering about this as I've been pushed an induction at 38 weeks but another consultant said it was only required to be before 41 weeks. Obviously I know I can refuse in my own circumstances but I'm also reading of many others being induced on a few forums too.

I know it's not really my business what other people's personal experiences are but are these genuine reasons or are hospitals pushing and scheduling more inductions in for convenience? Kind of so they can kind of plan for capacity of the ward?

I have just done an induction workshop with a midwife who said the induction rates were 20% in 2020 and now are 40% with no real justification for the increase.

Yes, but definitely not for convenience, they’re very labour intensive.

When you say you have GD, do you mean gestational diabetes ?

I was surprised at my 36 week appointment that they offered to induce me at 39 weeks because I was uncomfortable. I figured they'd start offering at 40 week +.

@chairfellover Yes, GD is gestational diabetes. Very well controlled with no complaints from the team, consultant said they'd be happy to let me go longer and review regularly. I've been told by another now that baby must be out by 39 weeks latest. I'm still weighing this up.

My last induction was because my baby had lost weight between scans which is fair enough and was urgent.

@wishuponastar1988 I had a feeling there was a big increase!

I know they can be quite long so I just can't understand this increase in inductions and how it's benefitting them if not for scheduling purposes? What's the agenda?

@wishuponastar1988 I feel like everyone and their mum is being offered an induction at the moment!

I’ve also got GD and my consultant has booked me in for an induction at 39 weeks, even though I’m diet controlled and levels have been good with the baby measuring on track.

I’ve had a couple of episodes of reduced movements which they’ve said coupled with GD they would advise going naturally.

I definitely feel backed into a corner with the induction and it’s a big decision to make.

I've been wondering about this too ever since I have given birth OP. Me & my sister in law gave birth 2 weeks apart last year, we were both pushed for an induction prior to our due dates but we refused to allow nature take its course. (different hospitals in the same city). I was given a sweep the day before my due date & was told by the midwife that there was no way that I would be giving birth anytime soon as my cervix was completely closed.

They checked my son's folder just before I was leaving and saw that I came in for reduced movements a month prior (he was completely fine btw, being a FTM I was just overly worried). They made me stay to get monitored (both me & baby were fine) & got pushed to get induced that same night. I refused and explained that I wanted to experience labour naturally. They tried to guilt trip me by saying things like "you can go home if you wish but we believe that you're putting him at risk by not getting induced tonight". When I asked why, they didn't have a clear answer. I have no underlying medical condition (my bmi is 22.1). Apart from that one RFM appointment, there was literally no health concern for me or baby to be pushed for an induction.

Lo and behold, I literally went into labour as soon as I went home! My little one was born on his due date, much to the dismay of the doctors & nurses that advised me to get induced the night before!! I'm sorry for the long rant OP, I just needed to get this off my chest

Yes, @Nezuko that's exactly what I'm talking about. It's the pressure to get babies out early and the guilt trip if not.

I'm on another birth group and the amount of posts about inductions has been astonishing. They're handing them out all over the place.

I would not wish an induction on anyone unless it's for genuine medical reasons. I just can't get my head around it.

OP the only reason I can think of is staffing levels.

If most of the women are booked in for inductions they have an estimate of staff they need at a particular time.

What I don't understand though is that with 2 of the reasons you stated I'm puzzled why the mothers have been offered elective C-sections. For example if you had a traumatic natural birth I don't how having an induction would make it any less traumatic.

I was offered an induction within 72hr yesterday due to one report of reduced movements at 38w. They said it was standard practice.

I’ve got a c-section booked & passed the monitoring criteria but I was very surprised at how keen they were to bring the birth forward.

That's what I'm thinking, they can plan staffing. If they know they have roughly how many women are due around the same date then they can stagger inductions and plan staffing rather then being short staffed and overloaded.

What isn't on is saying it's in the mother's best interest or putting pressure on women with the whole "if you don't do this, your baby could die" guilt trip that seems to come up a lot. Especially when the reasons are not necessarily correct. We are meant to be able to make decisions based on facts provided by professionals. There's always a element of risk with childbirth but they can't just induce everyone.

I would love to know when they changed that @Porridgeislife, I haven't been able to locate information on that.

There’s really no way on earth that more inductions help staffing, that I can promise you. They are often offered with a few hours notice and take anywhere from 6-160hrs. And we’re always short staffed, there’s never a day where you’d deliberately reduce staffing.