[tumblebug]

I'm not a nurse yet but I have a question.

How do you ladies feel about induction just for convenience?

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and my doctor is letting me get induced at 39 weeks if I want to. I have 4 other children and have thought about getting it done because it would be easy to plan for babysitters.

I'm just wondering if it is really safe for the baby to come a week early if they are being forced to and not coming naturally. Are babies born at 39 weeks usually fine without problems?

I was always induced with mine but not until the due date. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not sure if I should do it or not.

[wannabeL&D73]

I personally am opposed to this for various reasons. I believe there are other threads on this with lots of information if you do a search. I wish you the best with your decision.

Shannon

[NurseforPreggers]

I don't feel very strongly about this one way or the other. Personally I think that if your cervix is ready the induction will be a success, and if it isn't then it won't be. I just wish more doctors would send unsucessful inductions home to try again at a later date. I have never seen our docs do this in the time I have been a nurse (1 year 3 months). Usually they end up being a section for "failed induction". I do think that knowing and understanding the method of your induction is important. Personally, I would never have Cytotec used on myself. Many people do, but I hate it. Yes, most babies at 39 weeks do fine unless there is some other outside reason for them not to.

[epiphany]

If I read you correctly, are you looking for the comfort of knowing there is ABSOLUTELY NO RISK from an induction? I don’t think anyone here can, or will tell you that you have nothing to worry about. I don’t judge you for wondering because you might feel induction is commonplace, especially if you’ve gone through it before, and if your doctor suggests it so nonchalantly.

For me, any medical intervention where your body has to ability to do without, is too high a risk to take for a child you will love with your life, especially if it’s over a one time inconvenient babysitting arrangement. I don’t have to be a nurse to know that, just a good gambler.

I hope all goes well, whatever you decide.

[tumblebug]

Thank you for your responses. I know there is no guarantee that there won't be something that goes wrong. I have had very good experiences with induction but I have never been induced a week early.

My mind tells me I should wait and my body is telling me I should do it. My doctors induction would be to strip my membranes the night before so things will start. I'm not sure yet what would happen after that. I have to find that out.

I know I don't want pitocin so I won't be induced if that is the case.

[midwife2b]

Originally Posted by tumblebug

Thank you for your responses. I know there is no guarantee that there won't be something that goes wrong. I have had very good experiences with induction but I have never been induced a week early.

My mind tells me I should wait and my body is telling me I should do it. My doctors induction would be to strip my membranes the night before so things will start. I'm not sure yet what would happen after that. I have to find that out.

I know I don't want pitocin so I won't be induced if that is the case.

IMHO, GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING.

[sirI]

Originally Posted by midwife2b

IMHO, GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING.

[JaneyW]

If you let the doc strip your membranes (notice how I worded that???), then things should get going on their own pretty quick with a 5th baby. If not, then it isn't quite time yet. I am with the go with your gut group. What is your cervical dilation? Is the baby low? These are all things to think about.

[fergus51]

I've seen too many "term" babies induced for convinience who come out not so well. IMO, there is a reason babies don't come by appointment.

[aspenice]

I was thinking about induction this week for some reason. What if you go past 42 weeks? Induction would be inevitable then, right? Is it b/c the baby gets too big. What if you don't want to be induced? Since I am GBS + I am really against any induction unless necessary.