Can I request an early induction?

[sparklingspark]

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant. Baby is measuring huge off the charts (know it's not always accurate), having 4 weekly growth scans, measuring big all round but abdomen especially big. Consultant said if he carries on at this rate we will speak about delivering him via c section. Quick appointment so didn't ask much more. I have another consultant app in 3 weeks after my scan. Nothing mentioned about an induction, just c section which I want to avoid.

Reasons for asking for induction:
In agony with pelvic pain, can't sleep- struggling to run round after my toddler.

Big baby, worried he'll get stuck

And probably won't be taken into account but I'm struggling with childcare for my toddler, afraid to go into labour in the middle of the night since my husband may not be home (works shifts)

Has anyone been granted an early induction? If so what reasons were given and when did they induce you?

Thank you!

None of those things will get you an induction.

You will only be offered an induction if it is necessary for baby.

Nobody can sleep well while heavily pregnant, running around after a toddler is irrelevant, and so is childcare. Induction isn’t a treat you know? It’s very painful, and no hospital will do it unless absolutely medically necessary for baby.

@Mrsttcno1 I've already had an induction so know it's not a treat 😅 I just thought since they're so keen to deliver him via C section there may be a possibility they'd induce me early instead? I don't think that's such a crazy thought but may be wrong hence my question!

Plus I think running round after my toddler is kinda relevant! I'm trying to look after my child whilst being almost bed bound with pelvic pain most days... not asking for sympathy but its defo a problem!

My experience of induction was horrible. I wouldn’t be requesting one. If you’re early you’re highly likely to need the drip and those are not normal contractions ime. Loads more painful than natural labour. If baby needs to come out early I’d rather have a c section.

I think you'd need a medical reason why baby needs to be induced early, I don't think they'll induce you just because it's uncomfortable to be heavily pregnant.

Have to say if I thought I was having a massive baby I'd be going for a c section if it was suggested! Obviously not without risks and hard recovery but I find that less scary than the thought of baby getting stuck and the damage that could do to you both.

It’s wrong. My daughter was measuring huge all through my pregnancy, I was induced with her in the end for unrelated reasons as there were concerns for her, she was born 1 day before her due date at just under 8lb- the scans can be really inaccurate.

You will only ever be induced if there is a genuine medical need for baby. That’s literally it. Babies come when they are ready.

C Section allows full term, inducing early is always a risk to baby, would never ever be done UNLESS the risk of leaving baby inside is greater than the risk of getting them out.

My bad I just thought maybe to avoid having a c section (major surgery!!) they may induce me at 38 ish weeks. I have heard of it being done before but appreciate everyone's experience is different! I don't really want a c section although will obviously have one if medically necessary but just thought maybe this is a way I could still maybe have another vaginal birth! 😫

I had a big baby who was measuring on 97 centile and I had an appointment with a consultant who was keen to induce me at 39 weeks. In the end I refused and in the final growth scans he had gone down to 90th centile (which was where he was at when he arrived at 41 weeks - vaginally - he didn't get stuck). But it was offered to me so I don't think it's so outlandish an idea. Just depends on the consultant I suspect.

How early do you want to be induced?

Different Trusts have different policies, but I think broadly the current approach is to induce at around 39 weeks. I was offered c section or induction twice for large babies and took the induction both times (didn’t need it with the second as he arrived before the date of the induction). My understanding is that induction can be more likely to work as it’s your second because your body has already been through labour and so knows how to respond. I would definitely ask to discuss options at your next appointment. Good luck!

You can speak to your midwife and she will tell you as per the guidance they would never offer an induction unless absolutely necessary early because there is evidence to show it poses a risk to the baby.

You haven’t heard of it being done in any case unless there is an actual medical need for baby to be induced, that’s a fact. Nobody is getting induced early because they’re tired and can’t sort childcare for labour, anyone involved in that would be struck off and unable to ever practice again.

@Mrsttcno1

I don't know why you're being so defensive!! I have heard of it happening before 😅 I was speaking about being induced for a large baby. My other reasons (okay not valid in this situation maybe!) were just other things that I want an induction for personally! Medically, I have heard of induction for large babies. Sorry!

Thanks everyone! Just thought possibly they may induce me around 38/39 weeks ish since they're so keen for a c section. Maybe my rationale was wrong! Just thought they may induce me before he gets too huge. But maybe not! I'll ask consultant about it. Made sense in my head to avoid a c section as I think this is risky too!

Yeah you can be offered an induction for a large baby- that’s a medical need- and decided by the professionals, not requested by you.

Even then they wouldn’t induce you until 39th week of pregnancy, as per the guidance, and I know because I was literally having exactly these conversations earlier this year when my daughter was measuring huge (and wasn’t born huge).

And perhaps I’m so defensive as someone who DID have a poorly unborn baby earlier this year, who knows very well the increase risk associated with early induction between 37-39 weeks. The thought that someone would just want to request an early induction that is convenient for them, without being concerned about that risk to their unborn child, really is baffling to me.

I had 2 inductions at 37 weeks, but both were due to baby being too small and they thought they'd stopped growing.
One ended up ventouse/episiotomy and the other c section as induction failed.
I'd take the c section any day, at least I could sit down and have a wee after that.

@Mrsttcno1 seriously bore off 😴 you had a bad experience so now EVERYONE must have one too!! Maybe your daughter wasn't born huge but that's not the case. Some babies are born even bigger than predicted. Sorry you had a bad experience.

Different country (USA) but with high healthcare standards and willingness to adapt to patient needs. They wouldn't induce before 39 weeks here. Baby ended up getting a C section at 37 weeks due to lack of growth/IUGR. I'd be really surprised if they offer it before 39 weeks unless theres another factor at play.

It’s not about a bad experience it’s literally medical evidence which shows that there is an increase risk to baby with inductions between 37-39 weeks.

I didn’t have a particularly bad experience, my baby is happy and healthy, and I’m very grateful for that. But the fact you’re wanting to request an early induction, when the medical evidence shows that doing so between 37-39 weeks increases risks for baby, is baffling.

Babies don’t come at convenient times or in the most convenient way, but we are on their schedule and it’s all about what is best for THEM.

I was induced with my 1st at 39 weeks. No huge reason, my midwife sent me in to be checked since my fundal height measurement came back a bit off. They did a scan and she'd moved like 10 centiles down and they said all was probably fine but did I want an induction today. I accepted and she was here in less than 48 hrs. Body reacted well, I'd have another! If it ended in c section at least I've tried to have the birth I wanted? Seem to have ruffled some feathers but I genuinely didn't think it was such a wacky idea! Never mind!

I was offered an induction at 39 weeks because I'd gone in with reduced movements (nothing wrong with baby, fine as soon as hooked up to the monitor). It's procedure in my area to offer one if you present with reduced movements. I think if you'd like one early it's worth asking - worst they can say is no right?

It is not at all unusual to request and have an induction agreed for a suspected large baby, or for severe pelvic girdle pain, at least is hasn't been in any of the 3 NHS maternity units I have worked in. I would discuss with your midwife/consultant. Good luck :)

They won't do anything before 39 weeks unless baby at risk. Even if you were going straight to c section for big baby would be after 39 weeks. It's the cut off for when babies least likely to have respiratory complications etc. There's a chance they would let you try induction at 39 weeks rather than c section, but if baby is really big you could end up EMCS anyway.

I was induced early. I was already due to be induced but my prenatal care was horrific n my baby was diagnosed with brain damage that he doesn't have.

I saw my consultant told him I wanted to be induced ASAP as I felt we weren't receiving good care and at that point only trusted myself to look after my baby and wanted to make sure he was OK. I was 35 weeks when induced and it was 3 days after the above appointment

Maternal request inductions definitely are a thing and have seen them before 39wks too. They will be able to discuss the pros and cons in the context of your obstetric history, gestation etc. You’ll never know unless you ask so why not mention it when you see someone next.

Have they re tested you for gestational diabetes? If not request they do