Guilted into booking an induction - advice needed

[Iwannabail]

At my 32 week scan yesterday, I was told by the consultant I had to give birth on the maternity ward because I am over 40 and I needed to book in an induction. She said it’s for the health of the baby, keep the baby out of danger etc. The thing is a) I am not that bloody old and b) my first birth had no complications, so to instantly put me in the care of a consultant feels wrong to me. When I challenged her and said I was getting contradictory information from my midwives who said I could give birth in the birthing centre she finally conceded... well we can’t force you, but by that time mum guilt had well and truly set in. The trouble is I have no idea who to believe and what to believe only that I am now freaking out I have to give birth in a ward in a way I don’t want to and be induced if baby does not come on time - not to mention the horror stories I hear about that. I just feel so sad and guilty my second birth is going to be so different to my first... stupid I know... what advice would you give, am I really endangering the life of my baby if I insist on being in the birthing centre?

Sorry , it should say induced at term....

No opinion as such on what you should do but noticed you said you had no good experiences of induction and just in case you go that route wanted to tell you I did induction twice. Used hypnosis both times and felt totally in control and happy (ok won't push it 😉 let's say totally content) the whole time. Induction can be a very positive experience too should you have to go that route!

I was induced due to pre-eclampsia, I had the pessary in the evening, a very bad night of painful contractions and then ended up having a epidural this slowed things right down again and the baby became distressed and I had to have an emergency c-section.
Since then I have often heard that induction causes very painful labours, which obviously can lead to increased pain relief and that can slow labour as happened to me. So for that reason I would not be induced in your situation where your age is the only risk factor.

Thank you for the positive induction stories and yes there are always the good and the bad. Of course I will do what it best for my baby and not but any unnecessary risk on her. So I will get induced if and when necessary, I have accepted that. What I find interesting and for me it has nothing to do with expertise and experience and more to do with why some women in exactly the same position as me are told one thing by midwives and consultants and other women are told something else. Everyone has access to the same facts so what makes some consultants and hospitals more open to the options than others. To be honest all through my first pregnancy and after I felt constantly faced with contradictory information. It just a shame really it’s an anxious enough time in our lives.

I think they should be national guidelines to induce at 40 weeks for mothers aged 40 and over. I think this came in 3 or 4 years ago. I happily accepted but it's totally your choice.