Early Induction with No Medical Reason

I was just wondering the same thing. Yesterday I went to my 2nd internal appt (37 weeks) and my Doc said that she is weighing in at 7 lbs..last week she was 6.. he said that if she stays cookin till May 14th than she will be a big 8 pounder if not 9..and that was something I mentioned before that I was really worried about delivering a bigger sized baby because I'm so small..so then he just set up for me to be induced in 11 days!! Week early here too, but still making me crazy! It makes me kinda wonder, does he have plans? Somewhere to be? All the women I have talked to were suprised he even offered to do an induction just based on the estimated size of the baby. Do you think I have something to worry about??

Alot of the time if the doctor is not going to be avalibable on your due date or if the baby is getting to big they will schedule an induction prior to the due date. I think its best to let your body tell you when its time......alot of the times labor goes much smoother and without complications.
Best wishes.....E.

Hello J.! I was induced with Petocin at 38 weeks for no medical reason and everything came out fine (my doctor was moving to Washington the day after she induced me). She induced me at 4 pm and I had my daughter at 2 pm the next day. Now, I wasnt in pain that whole time. The hard labor came right at the end. I've only had one child so I cant compare the contractions to a non-induced labor, but as you know, it's not gonna be plesant either way! I know it doesnt sound good that your doctor would schedule your labor for her convienence, but honestly I wouldnt have it any other way. It was great knowing exactly when everything was to start rather than waiting until who knows when. Your baby is healthy and I'm sure you are ready to pop! Let us know what you decide to do!!

A.

Unfortunately, some OBs like to induce their patients so they are not bothered by deliveries at night or on weekends. They want to deliver babies on their schedule. In my opinion, this is wrong. Personally, I would contact the doctor and tell her you want to go into labor on your own. She cannot force you to be induced if you do not want to be. You are the patient and should be in control.

If the doctor can not give you reason why he or she feels you need to be induced, then do not do so. I was told to get induced and was given no reason...that there was a problem with my carrying her longer, or other bad reasons.
The second time was told to induce...they were able to tell
me and show me why...and that was 3 weeks later. I would have
had her the next day or sooner without the induction as what I thought was slow movements was contractions. Also they broke the water to help dilate..and speed it up...it failed.
Labor was less than 8 hours after the chemical...no pill, no epidural...the pain was more with my daughter than with my son...and son was less than 8 hours without induction. *guess I had that easy time wise*.
Again...unless the dr can tell you why it is best to induce for the WELFARE of your child...do not go for it. Make them tell you their reason for it. If it is just because they can schedule the rooms...labor and after labor...bull hockey. It is not your duty to have a baby by their schedule.

Hi J.!
I just wanted to say, you can say no! My dr wanted to induce too, for no medical reason. I was struggling with it also and prayed a lot about it. I ended up calling it off! I didn't want to 'rush' my baby. I felt he would come when he was ready. I found out the only reason she wanted to induce was she thought I was ready to have him and she wanted to do it when she was on call. I ended up having him when he was ready and was so happy about my decision. If it is weighing heavy on your heart, don't do it!
Good luck with your decision and congrats on your new baby!
C.

My doctor spoke to me about inducing early on. His reason was basically "everyone is doing it" and he would be able to deliever the baby. I was totally against it and so was my husband. After speaking with him about it, he understood and said that he would not induce unless I went 14-18 days past my due date. I wanted nature to take it's course and she did. My daughter actually ended up being 6 weeks early (unknown why). Just talk to your OB and tell him that you are against inducing and that you want for nature to take it's course (unless he can give you a actual medical reason why it needs to be done). Good Luck and let us know what happens.

M.

J. I was induced but because of a medical condition but my doctors had to take that percaution. Sometimes doctors do have thier reasons. I would deffintaly call to speak to your doctor about this because he or she would probably be the only one that knows why they choose to do this early. HOwever, I got induced with pitcoen and it was easy.. you will do good.. dont worry!! Take care and just stay calm.. say a prayer that always helps me...

um, they induce by then because the placenta STARTS TO DIE and the baby will lose oxygen as well as possibly have its first stool, that's why they're inducing you then...

Well, I have s 3 year old and a 7 month old, and I had the first without induction and the second with. I can tell you that I DEFINITELY had a much better experience with induction!! Hands down, if I were to have another, I'd request induction again. Going into labor naturally means that you may end up with another on call doctor delivering your baby, and its for this reason that many OB/GYNs like to schedule. They would like to ensure that they deliver their own patients. The other thing that made a world of difference was the fact that, with induction, my epidural was already there and waiting, and labor progressed much faster. With my first, I was in labor for 22 hours, and my second only 5 hours. I had horrible pain with the first, and with the second, very little. Another thing I would recommend is to talk openly with your Dr. about her reasons to induce. There may be something that she has thought of but not mentioned. Bottom line- its the birth of your child, and you want to be comfortable. BUT...if you're asking about pain, my recommendation is to induce! Good luck!

I have raised 5 children. I have had a baby without being induced (without Petocin) and have had a baby by being induced (with Petocin). They both hurt equally (sorry, but it does hurt). Woman who go into labor naturally and the contractions are hard enough to push out the baby, do not need the Petocin to make the contractions that hard. But the hard, natural contractions hurt. If you need to "make" the contractions begin, then the medicine starts them going. Woman who have had Petocin and say it hurts so badly, were not having proper contractions normally (thus they "thought" the Petocin was making them hurt, but it was the normal contraction that was hurting). The contraction has to be strong enough to be doing its job. Also, I have heard woman complain that the medicine made the contractions so close together---but they are close together in a birth without Petocin also. They have to be close together in order to get the baby out. They should come every minute toward the end. So, my advice is not to worry about being induced. The reason you are being induced may be that the doctor feels the baby will get too big for an easy delivery--that was my reason---they gain a lot in the last few weeks (but you should specifically ask the doctor so as resolve the mystery). Not knowing is what is freaking you out. You'll be fine. Even though it hurts, it is still an awesome experience---and you get a beautiful gift to take home for all your trouble :)
Dr. P. Flint

I was induced with my son because he was a week late. I was given Cytotec and then the plan was for me to be given Pitocin. However the Cytotec worked on its own. I was not even dilated when I went in for the induction, but 1/2 hour after the Cytotec I was 3 cm dilated (at which point I got an epidural) and my son was born 3 hours later with minimal pushing. My doctor wanted to induce me sooner because I had been so sick the whole 9 months, but I convinced him to wait because everything else was fine. We were not quite sure of the conception date and the in-utero measurements gave so many different due dates that I just wanted to wait. Everything went so smoothly for me and I will probably get induced if I have a second one. However everybody is different. DO what YOU want (unless of course there is a medical reason).

GOOD LUCK!!!!

I was induced both times with my boys. However, I was post dates. 42 and 41 weeks. I wish I would have gone on my own. I waited until the very last date my doc would let me with my oldest and he was 9 lbs. I was afraid of another big baby so I allowed my DR to induce at 41 weeks with my younest. He ended up being 7 lbs 9 oz. Both labors were a breeze. here's how it went down... The dr broke my water, started pitocen, I got my epidural, and the rest was history. It really was a great experience for me. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to go on my own, but my guys just liked the womb. If you are uncomfortable with an early induction ask your dr why the rush? If it is a valid reason that you are okay with and you decide that it is right for you, go for it, otherwise stick it out. Wait as long as you can. You and your body know what is best. Don't let the dr rush or talk you into something you want to do. If you do go with the induction don't be afraid. Good luck and be sure to update us.

W.

THIS IS YOUR BABY, YOUR BODY & YOUR PREGNANCY! As a mom of 2 with the first go around in delivery being largely orchestrated by my doctor (a contol-freak), I had a doula (birth asst.) took Bradley childbirth classes b/c I wanted full control (w/in reason) & I wanted it all natural- no pressure & no pushing from dr. or nurses. The second go around was great. I had a long, difficult delivery, but it was my choice & it was according to my plan, not the doctor's. TAKE CONTROL! And you & your husband tell her what you want.

Good luck!
D.

2 out of 3 of my children were induced. My first induction was because my Dr was going on vacation around my due date and I didn't want another Dr to deliver since they didn't know my pregnancy.

The second induction (third child) was at my request however, I was dilating much sooner than my induction set date (39th wk), so we had to induce at 37 wks because my Dr was worried I would be delivering in an elevator somewhere... at the time I went to the hospital for my early induction, I was already dilated at 5 with no labor pains and my water was still intact!

Both times, they first broke my water, then pitocin. Worked great both times with no complications.

You shouldn't worry too much on the inductions drugs, rather why your doctor wants to induce with no medical reason and without your request to. If your OBGYN didn't explain why she wants to, that doesn't make her look too good in my book.

You should call her office and ask for an explanation/reason for the induction.

Unless there is a medical reason, it is not uncommon around here for doctors and parents to want to induce for the convenience factor. For the parents, it means that they can plan their visitors better, for the doctor it means no middle of the night labor calls. It's shocking to me how prevalent this practice is around here, as well as only letting moms go a very minimal number of days past their due date. That kind of stuff just doesn't happen on the west and east coasts. Don't feel pressured to be induced. However, if you have another child, interview your doctor in regards to their normal practices before deciding who you want to deliver your baby.
And most importantly, congratulations! We all hope your first birth meets your expectations!!

J.~
I had a "convenience induction" a couple of days before my due date, though it was at my request. The pitocin was great...they gave it to me at 7 or 8 am, along with an epidural and I had a baby girl before noon. This was my second baby, so I don't know if it is different with the first? I have also heard the pitocin horror stories...but like with anything else, I think we are all different and just as each pregnancy is different, so is each delivery! There is no way of knowing how you will respond to pitocin. My first-born daughter was 10 days overdue...in August! I will take a few days early over 10 days late every time!! LOL! But, that is a decision you and your husband need to make. I would talk to the doc and see why she wants to schedule the induction. And, if you don't feel comfortable having it, be sure to speak up and let the doc know how you feel!! This is your baby, your pregnancy and your delivery! It should be done in a mannor that makes you feel good about it!!

Good luck! And, CONGRATS on the upcoming delivery!
S.

I had a convenience induction with my first child. I was thrilled that I was able to b/c I'm such a planner. And I knew it would be my doctor in the delivery room - not the one who happened to be on call when I went into labor. I had no problems with the petocin or the induction. I was going to have another one with my second child, but he had other ideas and came on his own a few days before. I also have quite a few friends who have been induced with no problems.

That being said, if you do not want to be induced, you have every right to tell your doctor that. She should respect your choice to want to go naturally. If she doesn't and still wants you to be induced for no medical reason, then you should definitely find another doctor after your baby is born. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I was induced with both of mine - the first because she was late and showed no signs of wanting to come any time soon. The second, we went early because my doctor promised he wouldn't let me go past my due date. There was no medical reason. I had Petocin with both - the first I did not get the epidural but second I did. Of course, I know no difference, but I enjoyed the induction for a couple of reasons. It allowed my husband and I to be ready (he was off work when he needed to be, etc.) Second, it helped our families to prepare a trip to be with us. (We were out of state for both of our babies). I'm sure the doctor feels like your baby is healthy enough to go ahead and induce. One more week means that your baby will be that much bigger and maybe harder to deliver. Of course, you need to feel comfortable with the decision, but I have not had any problems with the induction process. Lots of people told me that it makes it worse because it makes your labor longer - it's going to hurt no matter what!! I've had friends who have not been induced go longer than me and shorter than me - I really don't think it's that big of a deal. Just enjoy your day and know that at the end, you will have a miracle staring right back at you!!!

Hi J....
I was induced with Pitocin one day before due date with my son because I had low amniotic fluid. Everything went real smooth. I had no problems what so ever.
If I were you I would just ask your doctor why she is doing this without any medical reason. Maybe it is convenient to her?
If this is bodering you, talked to her. It is her job to explain...

Good luck!
P.

All of my 3 children were induced. I honestly don't think I make that hormone naturally! Pitocin was fine for me. Just ask your doctor for the reason.... if you're anything like me she may have mentioned the reason to you, but you didn't hear. I was really in another world thinking about my baby most of the time before it was born, so I wasn't a very good listener.

I would decline. I would always question a dr. that would want to induce unmerited. For one thing, contractions are much harder, faster and painful this way. I was going to be induced, but I was 4 days overdue and having complications... but my water ended up breaking just 6 hours before my induction time and I was very relieved.

It's up to you, you have a choice to decline. Perhaps your dr. is going out of town and wants to induce you in case you end up with another dr. ? If that's the case, you have to decide if you are comfortable with that... if not, you can schedule to meet the replacement dr. and go over an informal birth plan so you are more comfortable. I would at LEAST call and verify the reason for your induction... the dr. has no right to withold that decision and information from you.

However, some people like planned births for their convienance, so it's your choice. I just think it very odd that she plan it without telling you the reasons.

Early induction with no medical reason puts you at a much greater risk for c section. I would ask your dr.

It is oddly common in this part of the country. I don't really understand it.

Hi J.,

I think this is more common now due to doctors wanting convenience, etc. I don't agree with it at all. I have been induced once out of 3 children, and I would not recommend it (just based on my experience). Now, obviously if there is a medical reason, of course you should do what is best for your baby and you. In this case, it sounds like your doctor is maybe just wanting to plan the delivery for his or her own convenience - I may be wrong, but it sounds that way. The reason I wouldn't recommend it is that for ME (it is different for some people) the contractions came on VERY strong and fast right from the start. I literally could not take the pain, and begged my doctor for an epidural. My labor progressed so fast that I barely had time for it (got it when I was at 8 cm). It took effect just in time for the baby to be born. My recovery was slow (couldn't get out of bed right away due to epidural, had to have episiotomy, etc.). My other two children came naturally, and I was able to have them without any medication, my recovery was VERY quick (within a week I felt great again), and the babies were very alert from the very beginning. Once again, this is just my experience, and I have heard other people say the same thing, but I've also heard people say it wasn't that bad for them. So, I don't want to scare you, but I'm being honest. Good luck and congratulations on your baby!!