How to decline induction… help!

[GetInLoserWereGoingShopping]

Hi ladies,

I have my next growth scan tomorrow where I will be 36+4, due to gestational diabetes.

Abit of background info… at my 20 week scan, baby was measuring below 3rd centile, 28 weeks 10th centile and 34 weeks around 25th centile.

I have been told that they will discuss dates for induction at my next growth scan tomorrow. I really do not want to be induced especially now baby is growing nicely up the chart. I had my first daughter in 52 minutes in 2018 on her due date, so the thought of an induction potentially taking days or even failing is making me so anxious! I’m on 14 units of insulin at bed time for fasting levels at the moment!

My question is… how do I decline induction 🙉 it might sound silly but I hate any type of awkward conversation or anything slightly confrontational 🤣🤣

You just say,

No thank you. I've considered the risks and benefits, and what feels right for me and I will be declining an induction.

You could add in that you'd be happy to go in for additional monitoring should anyone think it necessary, but totally up to you!

Don't think of it as you vs them. Think of it as them offering you options and you choosing the one you prefer. Don't worry about them being annoyed with you - it's not emotional for them, it's just their job. It's your baby and your choice.

Tell them you'd like to know more about all of the risks and benefits of the proposed induction to help inform your choice.
Be open about your concerns with induction so they can address your concerns

Oooh I feel for you. Not the same circumstances as you, but I went overdue with my baby and they started suggested induction at 41 + 3. I luckily had a very nice midwife and I convinced her I would go into labour over the weekend and if not I would have induction at 41 + 5 then told them one more day. I never did go into labour so had the induction at 42 weeks.

Everybody was really lovely. Maybe you could ask their opinion on not having the induction due to baby growing nicely now. 25th centile sounds really good and those scans are notorious for not being accurate!

I’m so with you on the confrontation thing though. I hate it. Can your partner go with you as back up?

As above, you simply decline. Or if you feel awkward about it you could pick a date you're comfortable with and tell them you'll consider one then if baby hadn't arrived.

It might differ by trust but my experience was an automatic booking at 41+2 (I think) I had a nice midwife who booked mine for 41+5 as I was planning a home birth.

When I said not to book it as I was declining it, she said she had to (protocol) and I could decline it on the day. It then turned out that I couldn't decline over the phone, I had to go in to decline! Then when I went in the really laid it on thick about why I was declining, I suppose they hope once you're in you'll just be swayed by them. So just be prepared for that if it's the same where you are.

DD was born naturally at 41+6 so induction needed.