Should I go for induction at 38 weeks?

[Emalouise25111]

Having a bit of a dilemma regarding induction and hoping for any advice/experiences!

I’m a FTM, 36 and 3 today and have had a bit of a difficult pregnancy (although I realise it’s nothing compared to some! We got pregnant straight after a miscarriage which caused high levels of anxiety, I had bleeding from week 10 to 16 and concerns about my cervix shortening which prompted a number of extra scans.

However, nothing has been as stressful for me as tracking movement! I didn’t start feeling movement until 22 weeks (probably due to anterior placenta), baby doesn’t seem to have much of a pattern that I can recognise and because of this I’ve been in a near constant state of panic since I started feeling him! I’ve been in a number of times for monitoring when baby has quiet days which has prompted a few growth scans.

Today I had another growth scan and baby is estimated at 6 pounds 10 and he is growing well. All of the dopplers have been normal and no explanation has been found for the reduced movement.

After the scan I had a midwife appointment and my midwife suggested the possibility of inducing at 38 weeks due to the reduced movement and my high levels of anxiety. This was also suggested as an option by a doctor at the hospital.

My initial thought is to absolutely go for it: my mental health is suffering with all this worry and I feel more than ready to have this baby.

On the other hand, am I crazy to choose induction when there is seemingly no medical reason to do so?

Thank you in advance! Just want to do the right thing for my baby ☺️

In your shoes I would consider induction but probably closer to 39 weeks or maybe 39 + a few days.
At least then you have more certainty about when your delivery would be which may ease the anxiety a little and you know your body will be a little more ready for induction than at 38 weeks so hopefully you wouldn't need so much medical intervention to get things going.

It might be worth reading this - Research

personally I wouldn’t accept another induction, but for some women it works amazingly.

best of luck for a safe delivery ❤️

I was induced for similar reasons and some others. Personally I wish I hadn’t. It was horrendous and I wish I’d either waited for labour to come on naturally or had a c section.

Personally I wouldn't opt for induction again unless there was a serious risk to me or the baby.

Thanks so much for your replies 😊 it’s really helpful to get an idea of other people’s experiences!

Sympathies, I can imagine how stressful this is for you. Have you got anterior placenta by any chance?

I just wanted to comment on 'early' induction as a FTM, be prepared for it to take ages. I was induced bang on due date due to growth concerns and it took several days for anything to get going (I had gas and air for examinations and also had an epidural put it when they put the drip in, but had to argue for both). It wasn't a problem with it taking so long, and was having plenty of monitoring whole I was waiting around, I just hadn't expected it and so by the time anything did happen I was tired and hungry from being in hospital for longer than I'd expected. I was induced at 41+0 with my second and we weren't even there for 24 hours start to finish 😂

If they are offering it, and you are going to spend the next few weeks worried, I'd certainly consider it. Just read all the threads on here about what you can put in place (I called it the secret menu) and pack your hospital bag with lots of comforts and snacks more than you were perhaps going to.

Honestly there's a really a good chance you'd end up with a long induction process and a section anyway inducing as early as 38 weeks. Fully appreciate the stress but I'd personally consider a section over an early induction.

If your anxiety levels are through the roof then tbh I think that is a medical reason. Personally I would push for an elective section over induction. You are more likely to need interventions with an induction. I was induced first time and ended up with an EMCS, second time round I opted for an elective.

I was induced at 37 weeks with my second as her growth had tailed off (and was behind from 20 weeks anyway).

It was a lovely experience, honestly. BUT I completely refused the drip. I had to be very insistent that I didn’t want the Pitocin (I think it had another name - syntocin??) and that they did not have my consent to use it. I’d done my research beforehand and knew that, while it can be absolutely lifesaving when it’s needed, it’s also linked to increased risks for mum and baby. I consented to the pessary and to having my waters broken, and I trusted my body to take it from there.

If there had been a need for the drip, of course I would have considered it, but they wanted to start it as soon as my waters were broken…just for a faster turn around, really.

So it could be the right choice for you, but make sure you do as much research as you can and know what your options are going in.

I was induced at 38 weeks with my first due to reduced foetal movements (probably all in my head!). It wasn’t great. I’m now discussing birth plans for my second and have asked for a c section if induction is recommended for whatever reason.

I was offered an induction at 38 weeks for medical reasons.

I pushed for a c-section as I was worried about the induction. My elective CS was a lovely experience.

I would do research about induction success at 38 weeks. They aren't always successful which could lead to an emergency CS.
They can also check your cervix to see if it's ready. They use the Bishop score to check how ready it is.

Not to scaremonger, but I found my induction really invasive and brutal - you're essentially forcing your body to Labour before it's ready. Major regrets. I'd wait it out if you can.

Have a look at NICE guidelines for induction

Friends have had negative experiences with induction so personally I’d choose a c-seftion over induction. But I wouldn’t do either without a major medical reason. Let your baby relax and grow in there.

Okay so I was really similar. I had an anterior placenta, there was recently a miscarriage and a stillborn in the family so my anxiety was high. I went in at 39 weeks with reduced movements. She was quiet on the scan and because I was full term they offered me an induction which I accepted.

Honestly, I wish I had gone straight for the section that I ended up with anyway!

Have you tried lying down comfortably and relaxing for a few minutes if you want to feel baby moving? It often starts them off kicking.

I sent my reply before reading any others and really shocked that most people are feeling the same as me. A c section wasn't even on my radar and I was told that being induced dosent increase the risk of having a section but everyone I've spoken too has ended up with one!

I've had 3 inductions. One just waters broke and labour started. 2nd was the gel stuff. 3rd was the drip. All of them was OK I had a epidural before the drip started and I let it wear of a bit before pushing. All had no other interventions.

I was induced and ended up needing a section, would never go for induction again, a c section seems a good option for you and baby