Would the hospital consider moving induction forward due to anxiety?

[YourCoralPoster]

Just curious to hear people's thoughts.

I'm 38 and a bit weeks pregnant with my double rainbow baby. I'd say I've handled the pregnancy pretty well but there's always been a small part of me just convinced that something is going to go wrong again.

Now that we're in the final stretch, with everything bought and set up and ready, I've found myself increasingly anxious and just want the baby out and safe now.

My hospital have told me they admit pregnant ladies to be induced at 41 weeks if they haven't given birth yet, but I was wondering if they'd consider inducing me any earlier for anxiety-related reasons?

I don't want to ask if that seems a ridiculous request.

There’s absolutely no harm on asking. Remember it is your body and your baby.

It's not ridiculous.

Tell tour MW how you feel and ask.

I've got 2 rainbows so know exactly how you feel, anxiety does definitely ramp up towards the end.

Hi, I had a late loss in 2023 and have been offered a c section from 37 weeks if I'd like it. I'm aiming for a planned section at 39 weeks but I'm already very anxious at 21 weeks so I may take them up on it and move it forward if I can. I'm not sure if it's because my loss was late (second trimester)? As you're already so close I'm not sure how quickly they'd get you in, but I'd definitely speak to your midwife/consultant asap and see if they'll do it asap. Good luck!

previous losses under what circumstances? if it was late still birth then i would totally understand your reasons but if it was miscarriages then i would think its best to try to remind yourself that naturally going into spontaneous labour is far better for both you and baby? having had 2 inductions i would only choose one for good clinical reasons.

I would suggest that induction is less likely to work the less your body is ready. I believe that us based on actual science, but it is also personal experience. Then you risk having more procedures and potentially being more traumatised. They do tend to perform elective c sections before the due date to avoid you going into labour naturally. Is that really what you want though?

Yes, where I am this would be considered a completely reasonable request, usually done after 39 weeks if everything else is fine. It is worth being aware that if you’re having this kind of induction and the maternity unit is very busy then you may face some delays (as they will prioritize cases where mum or baby are unwell to some degree). All the best - soon now :)

If you are going to deliver before going into labour then I would choose c section rather than induction personally - safer for the baby.

Bear in mind that 38 or even 39 weeks is not the same as full term in terms of the baby’s health and development. Doctors are now calling it “early term” as it is increasingly recognised that even just a couple of weeks early has downsides for the baby. There is a whole list of health problems that are statistically more likely to affect early term babies.

I can completely understand that you are terrified but would you really want to put your baby at a health disadvantage. In your shoes I would ask for extra monitoring rather than early delivery.