Waiting for induction

[NP2705]

Hi all,

due to my baby measuring big, I was referred for an induction between 38 and 39 weeks. I’m 39 weeks today and called the hospital to be told there’s no beds etc and I have to wait for a call (which I did expect). However, they didn’t seem concerned that I’m now 39 weeks so any significant delay could lead to me going past full term which fetal medicine said they specifically did not want.

Am I overthinking this or should it be something I should worry about?

I’m sorry you’re dealing with that stress! I am not sure what it’s like where you are but is it possible to call your consultant or lead midwife separately that recommended the induction and see if they can expedite the process for you?

Unfortunately it's the way it is. There may have been a surge of women going into labour, and they get priority. Then there's the maternity version of bed blocking where women can't go home until they've been formally discharged, so postnatal is full. So then no-one can be moved from labour ward to postnatal, so inductions can't be brought down. Then there might not be enough staff around too.

They would have looked at each woman due to be induced and triaged them according to medical need, as well as how long they've been waiting. So while you might not be top of the list at the moment, hopefully you are near to it.

With my second, while the induction started on time, I then had a multiple day wait to go down to labour ward. Even though I had pre-eclampsia, as baby and I were otherwise healthy, and there were zero signs of labour, I kept getting bumped down the list. It sucked, but there was nothing I or they could do about it other than wait.

There's not a lot you can do unfortunately, except phone every day. We waited 5 days for an induction due to recurrent reduced movements, before I went into labour naturally.

My hospital reviewed all the women waiting every morning and (as my movements and CTGs were good) other women took priority. As you get closer to term, I assume you'll naturally become more of a priority?

Thank you all. I thought that might be the case! I’ll just have to be patient 😊

Hello. I was offered early induction due to my baby measuring big on growth scans also, I declined this as growth scans can be inaccurate and I didn’t want to be induced unnecessarily. I then had to be induced at 39+1 due to reduced movements, I was in hospital for 5 days before baby was born and had to wait days on the ward for my waters to be broken

The ‘big baby’ was born one day before his due date at 8lb 6ounces so I really wouldn’t worry too much about the measurements of the scan x