elective induction?

i just came from my ob and she mentioned at 39 weeks (if my cervix is favorable) she is going to offer for me to be induced
at first i was mortified and immediately said no but as i drove to work, i realized maybe its not a bad idea.
i have a 15 month old at home so this would allow me to make arrangements for her and to try to keep things as normal for her as possible (we are also moving in 2 days, im looking to put her into a daycare program etc, so she has a lot of change all happening at once).

just curious what others would do; is this something you would consider?
if i didnt have DD at home i would absolutely refuse

Thanks for all the feedback! Dh and i spoke about it and decided to stick with my gut of "no way!" (assuming baby is healthy and there is no medical need to induce)
at my 40 week appt with DD, the doctor mentioned inducing me and i practically cried! i pushed it off as long as possible...we scheduled it for 11 days past my due date (DD was measuring big my dr wouldnt let me wait any longer then that)...and she came on her own 8 days late
going to let this one come when its ready

Message edited 4/8/2014 11:47:44 AM.

Re: elective induction?

You ultimately have to decide what you're most comfortable with. But I had a terrible induction 7 days past my due date and wound up with a c-section. This time I had a scheduled repeat c-section and it was a breeze compared to my induction. So if I were in your position, I would wait to go into labor on your own. However, my scheduled c-section was very convenient when it came to making arrangements for my 2 year old. So I can definitely see both sides, and it's not an easy decision. Good luck!

elective induction?

After my induction experience, I'd never opt for an elective induction, especially before 40 weeks.

Re: elective induction?

My understanding and experience is that pitocin makes your contractions much more painful and strong, and that a failed induction often leads to a c-section. I really wanted to avoid an induction at all costs but ended up induced because my water broke and I was not progressing on my own. I was able to deliver vaginally but the pitocin also made my DS heartbeat spike a few times and we were close to a C. Personally I would not opt for the induction unless it was medically necessary

elective induction?

since ive been induced once, and as quick as it was, i would still never elect to do it again. Especially a week early. I dont think making arrangements for her is going to make a new baby any easier on her. You will all adjust no matter when it happens.

Re: elective induction?

Re: elective induction?

I was induced at 39+6 (not optional). I would not opt for an induction at 39w. Or 40w. Or probably unless I was past 41w.

Re: elective induction?

I had a medically necessary induction with my first at 39 weeks. It failed and i ended up with a c section. If i could have avoided the induction i would have. Same goes for the c sections. I know it sounds easier to make arrangements for your other child but i can say from experience that it's hard to plan around birthing. My second was supposed to be a planned c section... she decided to break the water at 37 weeks and I still needed a section. We scrambled for someone to watch our older child who was 14 months old at that time, but we made it work. I'm scheduled for a section on May 15 and I still don't rest easy and I have things prepared and in place to have the baby from this very moment till 5.15.

Re: elective induction?

I was induced with my DD at 41 weeks, 1 day. It was pretty awful. If I could actually go back and wait a bit longer for her to arrive I would do so.

I really liked the idea of having a date and being able to plan. If my induction had gone more smoothly I probably would have voted differently, but for me it took forever, I pushed for 4 hours, and it was kind of awful. I think she just wasn't quite ready yet.

Re: elective induction?

Both times I was induced (first one at 38.5 weeks and second one at 40 weeks) first time it was medically necessary and the 2nd time technically it was also. Both times delivered vaginally and the first one was a little rough (contractions were really strong and I pushed for 2 hours-but i think the pushing was b/c it was a first baby) and the second was easy and the contractions (had lowest dose of pitocin) were not strong at all and I had no problem getting through them. never had an issue with the baby';s heartrate either time.

It's a personal decision and you have to do what you're comfortable with. even though I've been induced twice with no issues I'm not sure I would choose to induce if it wasn't necessary.

elective induction?

I think an induction when you are not showing signs of being close might be a set up for a failed induction.

I truly believe our bodies need to be ready and seeing that you can go 42 weeks, 39 is early.

I would not do it.

elective induction?

I had an emergency induction at 38 weeks. I would not reccomend an induction unless you have to have one. I was in labor for 24 hours with horrible contractions. The epidural didnt work so I felt everything. The pitocin also contributed towards water retension after the birth which affected my ability to nurse.

Re: elective induction?

For me, I would not choose induction unless it was medically necessary.

Re: elective induction?

I had a scheduled induction due to my Gestational Diabetes for DC #1. It may happen again for this DC #2. So, in my case, I didn't have a choice.

The pros: You can make the proper arrangements ahead of time. You don't have to worry about the what-ifs if you go into natural labor. You know that one way or the other, your baby is coming out within 24-hours.

The cons: The PAIN! The medication they use - cervadil and Pitocin (spelling?) can cause horrible, painful contractions. It isn't pretty and from what I was told, is nothing like natural labor pains.

So, as PP stated, the decision is ultimately yours and you have to decide what you feel most comfortable doing.

Re: elective induction?

Re: elective induction?

elective induction?

I would not, because I don't believe in forcing a baby out before he/she is ready, unless medically necessary of course.

elective induction?

I was induced at 41 weeks and it was a failed induction and ended up with a c/s. I know others that did have successful ones. I'd wait it out if you can.

Re: elective induction?

I had a successful induction at 41.5 weeks and I still wouldn't recommend it. It took a long time (making it actually LESS convenient), and I think it led to more intense contractions, more drugs, etc.

I would choose to go into labor on my own.

elective induction?

I was succesfully induced post 40 weeks due for medical reasons but I would never consider another induction for convenience purposes. Good luck :)

elective induction?

I guess I'm the odd one out, but I did have an elective induction at 39 weeks. My ob was going away and I did not want the covering doctors to deliver me. It went great. Never needed pitocin, just cervadil. The induction started around 12pm and my dd was born at 5:42pm. 5 minutes of pushing.

I trust my doctor and since he said my cervix was favorable and it was my second pregnancy, I took the chance and it worked out for me. It was completely my decision. He just gave me the option.

Re: elective induction?

I am all for drugs, epis, modern medicine, every unnatural thing in the book when it comes to childbirth, but even I would say no to an induction for no medical reason.

Re: elective induction?

I was induced with both my kids. The second time my dr offered to induce me at 39 weeks but I really wanted to go into labor on my own so I waited till I was 40 weeks and then asked to be induced. It was great bc I was able to make arrangements for my dd. The induction went well and was only about 5.5 hours from the time I got in a room till I had my ds.

Re: elective induction?