Does anyone know if I can request an induction?

[lostlenore]

Was wondering if it is possible to request an induction, and at what stage it would be considered if this is a possibility...

I'm nearly 32 weeks (by the dates from a scan, by my own dates and the measurements of the baby now I am closer to 36) and have a few reasons for wanting to end this pregnancy asap - mainly because I have polyhydramnios and antenatal depression so I am huge, uncomfortable and just feel miserable all the time.

I know people say you think you can't get any bigger and then you just do but my maternity clothes are so tight that they are cutting into me. I'm having braxton hicks contractions for a couple of hours every day and it feels as though I'm bruised down below but nothing else is happening. My hands and feet are swollen like I've just got off a five hour flight (had to take my wedding ring off in case I got bigger and now it is uncomfortable to stand or wear a watch). I just don't feel as though I can go through another eight weeks - however I try to sit, stand or lay down I can't get comfortable and spent three hours crying earlier about that, then I feel so guilty that I can't just seem to get on with it like every one else and wait until the baby is good and ready to come out.

Feel like a failure and a fraud. Any advice/similar stories would be very gratefully received....

Oh I know how you feel it's horrible late pregnancy, I hate being pregnant, I have SPD though and it means being in practically constant pain.

IME they won't induce you without good cause, I begged my MW last time and she refused. In a way I am glad as induction is not a bed of roses either. They would not even consider it before 38 weeks anyway. The majority of women I know that are induced end up with forceps, ventouse or a C-section and that's ones that go overdue.

I do completely understand where you are coming from though, it seems like an eternity dragging in front of you. Talk to your MW, are you taking anything for your AND?

no hospital in their right mind is likely to induce you before 38 weeks. I know how uncomfortable polyhydramnious, by the time i delivered at 36 weeks i was measuring 47 cm. It was hideous, but bear in mind it will not be forever.

I had spontaneous rupture of the membranes on the wednesday but no contractions etc so was induced on the friday- by the time i was induced (and after the induction was stared) it was decided that the water loss was the 'hindwaters' not the main waters (this had been assumed to be the main waters after an examination and the ammount of water leakage) therefore my main waters were intact and had to be broken by a doc. THIS caused more problems than anything else because i had sooo much water in there that dd just would not engage and so it was a risky business incase the cord came down as well.

Early induction is very risky in these circumstances and if you were to decide and persuade them to do please bear in mind that the likelyhood of a c-section is high.

I tried to get my indction booked last week but my MW was having none of it. I'm 40+3 and our hosptial do not induce until 42 weeks (unless there are other reasons to do so I mean).

I was induced with dd started on the tue and did not have her until the fri so the thought of another 2 and a half weeks fills me with dread.

I had forceps for a large back to back baby as they were too busy trying to get my biosculpture gel off my toes prepping me for a c section (it does not come off like nail varnish!!) we ran out of time! Apart from the worry of the snow and my personal fear about failure of placenta etc.

4 weeks is quite a difference though in dates (my dates have both been pushed forward a week by scans compared to when I know the 'deed' was done)

Thank you sweetkitty and reallywoundup, but ARRRRGGGHHHHH!

I am taking an antidepressant because I wound up in hospital due to it at 23 weeks. Its helping a little, makes me more level but I still have a lot of feelings I would rather not be having.

My midwife is a bit, well, crap. I see her every six weeks or so if I remember to make the appointment (which is difficult with the AND being so consuming) and mine is a high risk pregnancy (as well as the above things I also have a blood clotting problem and a cerebral aneurysm). So its all fun.

I got told about the polyhydramnios by a sonographer when I had a growth scan because it was suspected that I had GD, which apparently I don't (according to the GTT test) but then might due to the polyhydramnios and the size of the baby. That was three weeks ago and i haven't been able to speak to a dr or a midwife about it because no one can make any appointments in the snow, apparently. All I got told was "if your waters break, put your bum in the air and call an ambulance". Which I'm now having all sorts of worries about - like, do you stick your ass in the air while leaking the fluid or do you try to get it out then assume the position?

My husband tried to call up the midwife liason line at the hospital earlier but they are closed due to snow until Thursday (!) and the advice line is also shut for the weekend.

bangs head on wall back to the raspberry leaf tea then...

sticking your bum up is because of the cord- sod the leakage if your waters break get down on all fours with your arse in the air- just incase, its purely precautionary but when you have a lot of water you are more at risk of cord prolapse.

sounds messy....

lostlenore - I would bang on and on about getting an appt with a MW especially with the risks you have as well. I would ask for another growth scan as well as your dates and their dates are so far out.

I'm only 23 weeks and utterly fed up already and this is my fourth! My mantra at the moment is "last time ever I have to go through this hell!"

Thank you, you guys....

Had a good cry and feel better for my rant. Even breathing a bit better now I got it off my chest, so to speak.

I have a scan and clinic booked for Friday but that seems like such a long way away. My back hurts....

Just keep on swimming.... keep on swimming....

x

I think you need to speak to consultant/doctor not to a midwife.

They will not induce before 41 weeks unless medical need - but perhaps you do have a medical need?

Maybe start with GP? Or ask to speak to doctor in hospital?

Also there is a huge discrepancy in dates - if you really are 36 weeks then maybe you'll go into labour earlier.

Your midwife sounds terrible. Try to insist on talking your situation through with a doctor asap. I think in your situation they may well agree to an induction as long as they are reasonably sure you are over 38 weeks. The extra monitoring you get with an induction is probably a good idea for you in any case!!
I had an induction for dd1 at 38+4 for a number of reasons, some of them personal, and it was totally fine.
Good luck!!

I had my very large son at 41+5, and after a very difficult delivery (failed ventouse, prepped for c-section only to find his head wedged in my pelvis and unable to push back up so had very rough forceps delivery)both of us were in a bad way. The size of him and the fear of this happening again has meant that my consultant allowed me to be induced at 39 weeks with my next 2 pregnancies, both of which were quick, easy and drug free. Ask for a growth scan and a consultant appointment and they will be able to advise you of all your options.
PS am currently 36 weeks and am measuring 41!

I had a look at the NICE guidelines last week on inductions. Maternal request is not an indication according to those guidelines, so it is doubtful they will consider it unless there is another medical reason.

That said, I'm using my age as an excuse (although NICE didn't mention that) as I had read somewhere that placentas don't last very long and start to deteriorate after 40 weeks in women over 40. I'm 40+2 now and don't want to be just left for another 10 days which is my hospital's policy.

When I mentioned this to the midwife last week, she arranged an appointment for me to see a consultant straight away. I'm seeing them this afternoon, so it will be interesting to see if they offer me an induction a bit early at the end of this week or whether they tell me I'm being paranoid and to wait longer like everyone else.

So why not ask your midwife to refer you to a consultant to discuss it. I doubt they will do it before you are 38 weeks though, based on actual dates, not what your stomach is measuring, since earlier wouldn't be good for the baby.

Are you starting maternity leave soon?? If not, can you bring it forward or take some holiday?? Its amazing how much better you will be able to cope once you're not dragging yourself into work every day.