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?

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.

You are not asking because of the health of the baby either though, and by your own admission that is the criteria.

I'm sorry and I absolutely do understand your predicament, I have 2 autistic children and am autistic myself.

That sounds really tough op. However I don't think they will grant it, sorry. I asked to be booked in for Ds2 at 38+6 and was outright refused (no, not to avoid Christmas day or anything like that!). The consultant was very abrupt and made it abundantly clear it was against policy, for the safety of the baby. Couldn't get my head around it, as if (for example) I'd have had my 12 week scan and the sonographer had been uncertain on dates by just 24 hours it would have been granted ok (my current pregnancy they moved my due date a whole week?!)....but in any case, I was in at 39 weeks exactly, there was zero wiggle room. Goodluck

You say your mum is good with your DS? If you start making a plan with her now rather than leaving it to a last minute back up plan will she still see it as ‘rescuing’ you?

We see a lot more babies in our nicu from planned sections than from emcs for failed inductions
Also, do you mind me asking why this is? I’m confused as to why a planned section would lead to a higher chance of nicu need than an emergency section.

Would also like to know as have just been advised I'll have to have a planned section and this hasn't been mentioned so far!

The rule of inducing at 39 weeks is strange in itself. In France full term is 41 weeks, I believe most babies worldwide are born after 40 weeks.

I’ve read that the evidence around ‘late’ babies being more likely to have problems is actually very poor, as a nicu nurse have you genuinely seen more problems with ‘late’ babies than early ones? I doubt it.

I believe it's because even some labour contractions helps clear the lungs. Even if baby doesn't descend through the vaginal canal and the final big squeeze.

Ask your midwife for a referral to a Consultant to discuss . If you work in the same hospital you’re delivering in you may wish to ask around as to which Consultant/s might be more open to your request .

TBH as a nicu nurse I'm surprised you're
Putting reflux as a reason for early induction.

I know you are a nurse but at 38 weeks not all babies are fully developed. My dd was born on her due date but my midwife said it appeared she was premature, she was still covered in the chalky vernix and skinny. They said dates aren't always correct! Inducing early for non health reasons just seems risky from my experience. (I had issues with dd for months)

I was induced at 38 weeks due to my health complications. It was tough, very long difficult labour and baby became very distressed, resulting in a vigorous forceps intervention. Baby was bruised, had burst blood vessels in his eyes and I was butchered. He was then very poorly and we had to stay in for ten days. My recovery was horrendous and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

If i had the choice again, I would just try and stick it out and labour naturally, or at least a few weeks later.

I'm stunned at how pervasive the idea is that babies are meant to stay put until 40+. 40 weeks is only an average and as the OP has noted, they're actually ready at 38 (well, at 37, but let's allow one extra week in case dates aren't exact). After 37 they put on more fat and get bigger, which then makes birth more difficult. OP knows the real problems when they're left too long. 40+ is not better just because it's longer.

We would all like a completely natural pregnancy I'm sure but there are actually cases where nature doesn't know best, and imo the last three weeks are one of them. Even if the OP is allowed to be induced at 38, they'll only say yes if it's safe and outweighs the drawbacks. The NHS might be understaffed but they still do have some knowledge of what's safe. I completely understand why they're asking and I don't see why it's so upsetting to others, they were just hoping to find others who had also asked. I'm really interested too as I'm planning/hoping for another pregnancy, I am of advanced age, and would absolutely love to attempt a v-birth by induction at 38 weeks rather than the (very likely) scared doctors arranging a caesar because of me being an elderly pregnant woman.

I was induced at 37+3, prolly would have been 37 on the day but I had a funeral so wasn’t best timing. I was begging for one though and I was unwell and sitting on the threshold on and off for weeks with pre eclampsia , Edema , high blood pressure and GD and they had me in and out for a month with long stays to monitor me etc . They could let me go home incase it got worst but couldn’t keep me as nothing was changing.

I did. But there are several reasons this was agreed. I was about 37 weeks. I eventually have birth around 39 weeks.

1. The biggest reason was that for my first birth the hospital made very big mistakse and there were very serious ramifications for this (including a mw loosing her job.)

1. As a result of 1 there was a lot of work put in to rebuild rapport and trust etc (and specialist mh mw support) to work on the birth trauma and create a more specific birth plan, things were implemented that would have not ordinarily been.

1. I had a high risk pregnancy, my first pregnancy was high risk and I had a significant birth injury, which they wanted to do a planned cs for to begin with. This all just added up on the health side of things. I also had some other gyne health stuff going on as well.

1. There were some minor health issues with baby. (Including group b strep.)

As you can see, each reason on their own may not be enough, but added together it was. My consultant made the call (and he was actually amazing.)

So, we did try the induction, twice! But it failed. Ironically, I was already in early labour by the time they tried the pessary's as the machine was picking up the contractions. I thought I was just having regular and mild braxton hicks!

Any way, it didn't work, and instead of pushing and ending up with stressed out baby, very tired mum and an a emcs we went home.

After 2 more weeks my waters broke naturally, and they put me on the drip to try and get labour going. I ended up with an emergency c sec anyway.

However, they were really really good, and took care of me and my baby and made extra accommodations for us. The emcs was no ones fault and would have happened no matter what.

I hope you have a smooth and uncomplicated birth, a healthy baby, a healthy you, and you have a smooth and quick recovery.

I suffered with quite severe prenatal anxiety and depression. I was under the mental health midwife and offered induction from 38 weeks. I think your reasons are valid enough and you know the risks etc. Good luck