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!

Yes you can. I was offered an early induction at 37/38w due to mental health (antenatal depression) but I didn't take them up on it. They said they offer early inductions for all sorts of reasons and I should imagine pain is one of them!

Wow! @Mrsttcno1 I think you need to leave this convo! You are not helping at all. And are you a doctor or a midwife? If not everything your saying is from experience and everyone's experience is very different.

Yes you definitely can ask to be induced early if they are offering a C-section early anyway. I would just ask at your next appointment. Least then your know for definate, rather than people's pointless opinions.

Jesus, could t believe what I was reading!

I wanted to add I requested an induction for my little boy born last December. I was in severe rib pain to the point I couldn't move or sit down or lie down without being in pain. I had a conversation with the consultant who was happy to book at 39+3. He specifically said to me that I didn't need to convince him that I wanted an induction but I needed to be sure in myself and after discussing risks ans pros he would book me in.

(In the end I went into spontaneous labour at 38+5 so did not need the induction and the physios and midwife's were very much correct that my rib pain eased as soon as baby was born).

I was induced early (38.5 weeks) with a big baby. We discussed c section vs induction and I chose induction. If they've already suggested an early c section I don't think it's unreasonable to discuss the possibility of an induction instead.

It's worth asking. I had an elective induction at 37 and a bit weeks. It was mainly due to my mental health but we discussed and agreed to it at about 33 ish weeks. Definitely have the conversation, the worst they can say is no.

As someone who had a big baby and was "encouraged" to try induction at 40 weeks rather than a c section, I would personally go for a planned c section if they offer it. The chances are you will still need one but will already be tired and potentially have a distressed baby by the time you get there.

A planned section means there is much less chance of issues arising, all very chilled and good care.

My emergency c section was fine in the end, but it could have been a very different story.

Back in 2014 I had an induction agreed at 39 weeks because of discomfort, I have a scar on my stomach from surgery as a child and it goes through my muscles so I was in absolute agony the longer it went on. I asked if it was an option at one appointment and the consultant said "yes, absolutely, we'll get that sorted" - no fight needed.

I ended up getting pre eclampsia and being induced at 37 weeks anyway 😅 early induction isn't a walk in the park but it's also not the worst thing ever; I had everything all the way up to my waters being broken and the drip and while yes the contractions were intense, gas and air was fine for them. Personally I didn't feel like I needed an epidural, but that's always an option too.

Gosh @sparklingspark I'm sorry the initial responses to you're question were so unnecessarily antagonistic! People love to half read a post and then assume you're 'requesting' an induction because you're 'uncomfortable' 🙄

I was induced at 42 weeks because she wouldn't budge so I can't offer any advice on a large baby I'm afraid, but it does seem like a valid question to ask your clinician if the alternative is a c section. Like you I know which one I'd prefer so there's no harm in asking, I'm sure the response from a healthcare professional will be a lot more rational than what you've received here!

Is personally go for the planned section. I found both of mine great, and they are great for arranging childcare. No unpredictable and long labour, go in, have baby, recover for 24hrs in hospital and come home.

I don't know many people with his experiences of induction and I think it can be pretty rough, especially if your body isn't ready or it's early.

I had horrific SPD from 4 weeks pregnant (yep, before I even missed my period) and looking after my toddler with that was the hardest thing I've ever done, so I get your frustration. They still wouldn't do my section earlier than 39w.

The only good thing about SPD was that it meant I was more mobile and in less pain 24hrs after my sections than for about 8 months previously.

Thanks everyone for the kinder and informative responses! Will be speaking to my consultant at my next appointment and will update this thread to help others in future!

@Unexpectedlysinglemum so they retested me this week and turns out I have it 🥲 a whole lot of stress, been using the kit to test my blood sugars but just been crying for the past 2 days😂 I know it sounds pathetic but I'm already stressed during pregnancy just feels like yet another thing to worry about.

At least there's a reason why he's measuring so big I guess? Not sure about induction/c section plans or whatever now, I'm not sure how having GD affects it but we'll see!

@sparklingspark the GD diagnosis changes everything - they may well offer you an induction at 38 weeks if you want to. If not and the baby is measuring big I’d go for a c section - GD babies often have large abdomens which makes shoulder dystocia more likely.

@sparklingspark one of the mums in my antenatal group had GD and was induced at 38 weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if you are offered the same. Hope you're not too stressed with it, better to know and then they can monitor you and baby appropriately!

They may induce at 38 weeks. When I was thought to be having a big baby they offered induction at 38 weeks. But I refused and went for an ELCS because at 38 weeks it's going to end in a lot of intervention and potentially a c section anyway. Growth scans are horrendously in accurate but if you're sure there's no harm in asking.

Do you had SPD? I had crippling SPD with both DC’s but majorly with DC2 and I felt completely paralysed. I wasn’t able to care properly for my DC1 and was utterly miserable. Baby was also measuring very big. However because there were no other mitigating factors beyond size I was booked for a section at 39+4.

Oddly they would have induced me slightly earlier if that was my preference as I went to triage with some reduced movements at 38 weeks. It turned out to be false alarm but they said they offered an induction as standard if a mother presented at triage from 38 weeks onward. I definitely didn’t want an induction and confirmed ELCS was my choice and they booked me in there and then for the following week.

I would pose the question to your midwife and see what she says. I don’t think they’d ever do an induction pre 38 weeks without a serious health concern for baby (or mother) and ideally always wait until 39 weeks but I wouldn’t hold back on opening the discussion .

SPD is brutal and brushed aside by many health professionals as par for the course. I found it debilitating in the extreme and so incredibly painful. My pelvis felt like it was collapsing in on itself and I was housebound for at least the last month of pregnancy. All I can say is that the second DC2 was out my SPD disappeared in its entirety!

Best of luck OP 💓

Have a c section, much less risky than trying to push out a massive baby.

c sections are major surgery yes, but they really overstate the risks. The risks in a planned c section and minuscule, myself and everyone else I know who’s had one went home after 24 hours and up about about pushing the pram going for walks etc after a few days. It really isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be and is much safer for baby if they are really big than an induction x

Take the C section. I was induced at 36+5 for pre eclampsia, 60 hours in induced labour, everything from gel, waters broken & drip, ended up with emcs, I had no sleep for 3 nights, was practically hallucinating from lack of sleep, was very ill & ended up in high dependency for 48 hours after. My body was simply not ready to give birth.

If he is already massive then you would be at high risk of shoulder dystocia even if induced early. Speaking from experience of that happening to me you should have the c section.

Even if born big the lungs are still not quite finished developing if you are thinking a pretty early induction.

From experience i would absolutely, categorically not opt for an early induction unless there was a life or death risk to you or your baby. I had an early one and looking back it was for absolutely nothing the hospital were just more than happy to induce me because i had cramp. It was absolutely HORRIFIC and i don’t say it lightly. The hormone drip was quite frankly barbaric.

I am now pregnant with my second and will be opting for a c section regardless if it happened to be at 42 weeks!! (i know it won’t be)
But i seriously wouldn’t be opting for an early induction unless medically needed

My son was measuring big they brought me on his due date and induced me . He took 2 days to come and induction didn't work ended up haven a c section

Standard practice is to offer induction at 39 weeks for babies shown to be over 90th centile on recent scan. If massively over then would consider offering CS. The main reason is to reduce the risk of shoulder dystocia (head out, shoulder stuck), which is a small risk but serious if happens. You would be hard pushed to get induction for SPD, but can do if you have significant mental health issues. Childcare/looking after toddler isn't going to change what's offered, but it is important for you to consider in choosing which option you take (there is always a choice/options available to you).

With the diagnosis of gestational diabetes this will may change that advice - depending on how well controlled you are they might offer induction/CS earlier than 39 weeks. Risks of CS before 39 weeks is that it increases your chance of baby needing breathing support in NICU as they're not expecting to come out. If they have vaginal birth via induction the contractions release hormones in the baby to prepare their lungs so they do better, but there is still the risk of shoulder dystocia. Poorly controlled GDM is a risk for stillbirth, hence offering earlier delivery, so try to optimise your sugar levels to minimise risk. I'm sure your consultant will go through all of this with you and help you to make an informed decision :D Don't be afraid to ask questions/clarify things at your clinic appointment as it's an important choice.

Hello @sparklingspark I know this conversation is over but keen to hear how it went? I’m in the same situation as you were. I was shocked by some of the mean comments. Totally unnecessary and also not true! I hate when people say, ‘babies come when they come’, - Big Babies can break shoulders or clavicles and the risk of stillbirth increases. We have access to modern medicine. We shouldn’t feel guilty for using it. It all comes down to a balance of risk.
Im 38 weeks, baby is tracking big, I’m in huge amounts of pain particularly at night. I have a toddler and our care of them does matter too (it’s not irrelevant), what if there was an emergency and you can’t move!
I too want to avoid a c-section - usually more risks than an induction.
I think people who judge the desire for an induction have not experienced how painful pregnancy can get. It can be completely debilitating and almost paralysing. This isn’t irrelevant.
I was induced with my first as I was almost 42 weeks (so I know the pain).
Hope yours went well. Curious about how it turned out and whether it changed your mind on anything?
Wishing you and baby well 💗

@CMAC86

Hi! Sorry you're in so much pain, it's bloody horrible. Especially with a big baby!!

So I ended up having a c section. Consultant pushed and pushed for a section as his abdomen was measuring super large. I had gestational diabetes and they said that by 37 weeks he was too big for a natural birth... so safest option was 39 week c section. I was scared with all the shoulder dystocia facts presented to me so went ahead. Experience was really lovely and I don't regret it.

However

Do not be pressured into this like I was. He was born 9lb at 39 weeks. Any baby can get stuck. 9lbs isn't overly big and I still think, given the chance of a natural labour, I could've pushed him out!! However, an induction does increase the risk of needing assistance due to your labour not progressing etc. so in turn the risk of baby getting 'stuck' can sometimes be higher apparently (what I was told).

Advocate for yourself! I know it's easier said that done, I'm a bit of a wuss and wish I'd done this more! You have the right to choose, and an induction for the reasons you've stated above, I don't think is unreasonable at all 😊

Basically-
C section was lovely, if you want this optjon I'd raise it asap! I was terrified of recovery but it really was a breeze. But I appreciate this isn't everyone's experience!

If baby is predicted to be over a certain weight they should be offering alternative options for a 'watch and wait' birth! Let me know how you get on and good luck! ❤️