Requesting early delivery

[fairgame84]

Has anyone been successful in requesting an induction before 39 weeks?

Midwife said hospital policy is not before 39 weeks unless there is a problem with the baby. They have agreed to an induction at 39 weeks as they don't want me to go over but I'd prefer to be induced at 38 weeks. I've seen that women can request an early section but midwife said that still wouldn't happen before 39 weeks.

There are a number of reasons I want to deliver at 38 weeks.
Firstly as above, I can't go overdue because of previous issues with my doppler.

1. Pregnancy is having a massive impact on my health now. I already have severe reflux and a hiatus hernia that I'm probably going to need surgery for and pregnancy is making it worse. I've got constant upper abdo pain, chronic cough and breathlessness due to worsening reflux.
2. DS(17) is autistic and attends a special school. Baby is due 3 days before he breaks up for half term. It would be easier for him to adapt if baby came 2 weeks or so before half term so at least he has school as an escape while he is getting used to the change, then hopefully by half term he will be coping better. He is off for 2 weeks for October half term.

3 is obviously the main reason I want baby early. Im a nicu nurse so I'm aware of the risks of early delivery which is why I've suggested 38 weeks. I don't know how to persuade my consultant to agree or is there no chance?

I had an elcs recently and it was booked for 38 weeks because of my anxieties so it might be possible.

Oh great. Did you have to really push for it or were they quite open to it?

I don’t know about the possibility but I would think reason 3 would be the least likely to actually get you the early section. Even though it’s a massive consideration for you, I don’t think it would be considered one by your consultant.

I remember researching this though because I needed an elective section. Even being born at 38 weeks does present some small risks to baby so I would follow their advise if you can.

I don't want a section, I want an induction.

Sorry. Misread the OP.

I think it will be extremely extremely difficult to get an induction booked for 38 weeks without medical indications. I think it’s due to the “success rate” of inductions at 38 vs 39 weeks (ie lower risk of intervention) and the literature states that inductions after 39 weeks generally are low risk to baby. The only thing I could think of is going in with repeated reduced movements, but personally I don’t think that’s ethical 🤷‍♀️

I understand you want to plan baby around your sons school, but have you thought about if you have complications from an earlier induction? It does have risks at 38 weeks compared to 39 and what if you ended up with a hospital stay or prolonged recovery, wouldnt this be worse for your older son?

How old are you and how many weeks are you now? The reason I'm asking is there are higher risks to the baby of stillbirth, etc the closer to term you get once you are older. I wondered about this myself as I'm 44. I have a 14 and 11 year old, so still quite a big gap. There is a medical argument to induce earlier for older mothers because of this. I don't think you'd get earlier than 39 weeks though as best outcomes are at 39 weeks, unless intervention is needed for preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc. Both my previous pregnancies went 10 days overdue (so 41+3), hence my personal concern now (both also 9lbs 15oz). 39 weeks would be almost 3 weeks early for me (and I ovulated 12 days later than average this time). It may be something I bring up with the consultant down the line for those reasons though. You're not really giving a justified medical argument.

As a nice nurse surely you must know the risks around 38 weeks and to induce in order to make things easier for another sibling? Yes I know its not as simple as that, but imagine something happens, would you want to explain to your you did this to fit in with their brothers school holidays?

Nicu nurse and am sure you're also nice!

@Cinnabomb I know I could potentially keep going in the reduced movements but there's no way I would lie like that, like you said it's unethical.

@somethingluscious im 38. Currently 35+5 weeks. I'm on aspirin due to bilateral notching on my doppler, risk of pre-eclampsia and previous concerns about poor growth but I'm stopping that at 36 weeks because of my reflux. Baby is now growing well and dopplers have all been good since but I don't know if that will change once I stop the aspirin. That's why they have agreed to induce me at 39 weeks.

Failed inductions are so common, even more so if done at 38 weeks. Could mean you ending up with a csection which would be more of a disruption for your son.

If they agree you may be denying your baby 2-3 weeks more development, and inductions aren’t always successful?

It's not to fit in with his school holidays though really is it? It's to try and help him cope better with a massive life change. He's a vulnerable young adult. I'm trying to do the best I can for both him and the baby.

I was induced at 38 weeks with DS and it was a breeze which maybe giving me a false sense of security.
We see a lot more babies in our nicu from planned sections than from emcs for failed inductions which is why i want an induction over a section. But reading some threads on MN, it seems to be easier to demand a section. I really don't want a section.

I feel horrendously harsh saying this, but how is inducing at 38 weeks be doing the best for the baby?

AIBU to be surprised l that somebody here had their baby induced early (possibly 3-4 weeks before they would come naturally) due to anxieties?

A 38wk baby is term. Their lungs are developed, surfactant is produced and they have brown fat. We rarely see 38+39 weekers in nicu unless they have been born via csection. It's certainly safer to be born at 38weeks than post term where they end up with HIE.

I was induced at 38 weeks with DS and it was a breeze which maybe giving me a false sense of security.

I had the same sense of security. Second births are quicker and easier after all. DC1, while not completely a breeze, came after induction vaginally and unassisted at 37+1. DC2 got stuck and came out via the sun roof at 37+6. It's fairly uncommon, but for probabilities to be more than zero, they have to happen to someone. Just so happens that someone was me.

Tbh, all you can do is ask. The obstetricians will probably be more inclined to consider your request since you're staff, and you're hardly walking into this with your eyes shut. Worst they can say is no after all. But I can't help but feel that half term is going to be a challenge for older DS anyway, irrespective of whether baby is =<10 days old or =<17 days old.

It won't be easy for him either way but I just feel if I've got into a bit of a routine with baby and feeding is established it might be easier on him and I'll be in a better frame of mind physically and mentally to deal with any issues. He doesn't get respite or anything like that because he won't engage. Worst case scenario is that my DM will come and help in half term. She's good with DS but she loves drama and interfering and holds every little favour against me so I'll never hear the end of how she had to rescue me 😩

I requested my section at 38 weeks as DH was away for work at 39+3 which he absolutely could not get out of. My 2 previous babies had come on their own steam at 37 and 36 weeks so I was confident she’d agree it, but it was a big battle!! It took 3 appointments for her to finally agree it!
Baby had other plans and came at 34 weeks anyway 🙄

Midwife said hospital policy is not before 39 weeks unless there is a problem with the baby.

None of your reasons indicate a problem with the baby. I think you answered your own question in your second sentence.

I am quite shocked that people want to yank a baby out before it's ready, for convenience - and to appease the other child. Good grief. You can ask @fairgame84 but I think it's ridiculous. For the reasons some pps have mentioned.

The worst case I have heard is someone I know who was due Christmas day - 5 years ago 2017 - and she didn't want her PFB having a 'Christmas birthday.' So she had requested a C-section that was arranged for 23rd December, and she asked to change it to 23rd November. A MONTH early, so her PFB wouldn't be born on Christmas.

They said no, obviously.

I asked my midwife about this (not that I wanted it, just making chit chat) and she said that they are very often asked about this due to anxieties / mild health issues of the mother etc etc and it’s very very rare to be agreed to at 38 weeks as it does present a risk to the baby and their lungs might not be as well formed as they could be by being in that extra time. Only in the most extreme of circumstances would they agree to it.

If you’re going to ask id go down the route of your medical issues because the disruption to another child and basically just wanting it aren’t very strong reasons. I think also it’s better for the baby to be in as long as possible.

I think your view as a NICU nurse is colouring this slightly. You see all the most unwell babies so comparatively a 38 week baby must seem very ripe and healthy but in reality if you’re forcing it out earlier than it’s ready to be, the baby isn’t as healthy and fully ready as he / she could be.

Sorry for sounding harsh but your reasons sound very selfish for wanting and early induction. You are denying your baby that extra few weeks of development which are so important at this stage , a few weeks can make a massive difference on their brain development.
I am 39 weeks and also suffering massively with breathing/acid reflux as baby hasn’t dropped but it’s not going to kill me - it will be for a few more weeks maximum and baby is more important.
& the sibling thing is just not a good enough reason to induce I just can’t believe you even included that as a reason to your midwife.

@WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps appease the other child? It's not as simple as that. And it's certainly not for convenience ffs.
I take it you have never dealt with a 17yo with autism, your ignorance is really showing.
Come back and berate me when you've chased your teenager down the street as he's running barefoot to jump off a motorway bridge. Come back when you're experienced in dealing with a suicidal young adult, getting him motivated to actually eat every day, take his medication and wash himself.

Clearly a lot of posters don't have a fucking clue. I'm not asking about this for shits and giggles like some of you seem to think.