Dear Abby and social induction of pregnancy

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Nurses Month 2024 | Discounts & Freebies AORN Celebrates Nurses Month

Good morning all,

I don't post very often, and I do not work in L&D. However this morning I read a Dear Abby that left me speechless. The second question for her was a man who was asking for advice regarding his wife's social induction of labor at 36 weeks. Per Abby, the father is outvoted by the wife and OB/GYN and does not have a say.

I know that this can be a touchy subject in regards to a woman's right to her body, but I don't feel that the risks of an early social induction were addressed at all by Abby.

Your thoughts?

Waiting for this to show up at work, though. "I read in Dear Abby that it's fine to induce at 36 weeks!" :dead: Sigh.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Please google 'Dearest Scooter.' He gives Dear Abby the what-for. Sorry, I'm not in L&D either, and can't add much to the thread, but this guy really puts Abby in perspective.

He also hosts the best podcast ever for people who can't sleep... 'Sleep with Me'. Just sayin'.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Most hospitals by me only will induce at 39 or 40 weeks unless there's a clear medical reason

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

You can learn something new every day on this forum. I'd never heard of 'social induction' ... sounds like a peer pressure group :^). I looked it up, saw that it was an actual thing, but still didn't see a real explanation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Can someone provide a link? I couldn't find it. From the NICU perspective, it's absolutely unconscionable to allow an IOL for no medical reason at 36 weeks and any OB who would consent to this should be reprimanded by the board.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I looked it up, saw that it was an actual thing, but still didn't see a real explanation.

The reasons are many and varied. Physician going out of town, patient's family coming into town and want to see birth. Husband being deployed. Previous term IUFD.

Again, in over a decade of doing this, I've NEVER seen firsthand (or heard of one from colleagues) a case of social induction at 36 weeks EGA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

Unlike how the OP summarized it, it seems like "Abby" is saying that the OB has a big say in things. All in all, I don't think Abby's response was unreasonable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I don't think you understand- inducing a baby at 36 weeks for convenience is dangerous and quite honestly medical negligence. The only thing I can see is maybe the OB means to induce at a later time instead of 36 weeks. ACOG has very clearly stated that IOL should not be done before 39 weeks unless there is a medical reason to do so...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Unlike how the OP summarized it, it seems like "Abby" is saying that the OB has a big say in things. All in all, I don't think Abby's response was unreasonable.

Yep. In fact, he did not say that she wanted to induce at 36 weeks, just that she is 36 weeks NOW and wants to induce "early". "Early" might be at 38 or 39 weeks. The article also didn't say that the OB was in favor of inducing at 36 weeks, just that he agreed that the last couple weeks of gestation are mainly about the baby gaining weight.

It doesn't sound like the husband actually witnessed the OB say "Yes, induction at 36 weeks is perfectly fine and safe" but that perhaps the wife simply told him that the OB agreed with her that the last couple weeks are just for fetal weight gain. That is a LOT different than an OB agreeing to induce labor at 36 weeks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yep. In fact, he did not say that she wanted to induce at 36 weeks, just that she is 36 weeks NOW and wants to induce "early". "Early" might be at 38 or 39 weeks. The article also didn't say that the OB was in favor of inducing at 36 weeks, just that he agreed that the last couple weeks of gestation are mainly about the baby gaining weight.

It doesn't sound like the husband actually witnessed the OB say "Yes, induction at 36 weeks is perfectly fine and safe" but that perhaps the wife simply told him that the OB agreed with her that the last couple weeks are just for fetal weight gain. That is a LOT different than an OB agreeing to induce labor at 36 weeks.

Yep, and patients are also notorious for selective hearing, and for hearing entire conversations that never happened. :wacky:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I believe the awon standard is 37 weeks for preeclampsia but that is the earliest induction I have seen/heard of.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment