Dear Abby and social induction of pregnancy

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

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?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

It's Dear Abby, not a medical advice column. Of course she didn't cover it.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Why in the WORLD would anyone turn to an advice column like Dear Abby for such an important subject as the induction of labor in pregnancy? Sheesh.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Isn't she dead? I didn't realize that column was still around.

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Isn't she dead? I didn't realize that column was still around.

Her daughter is now writing Dear Abbey responses.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
It's Dear Abby, not a medical advice column. Of course she didn't cover it.

Right...it's very possible she doesn't know what if any risks are involved. If he was so concerned about the baby's safety, he should have gone to the OB-GYN's medical director.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

And not knowing the situation, I don't know if the risks DO outweigh the benefits. Do OB-GYNs really still do convenience inductions at 36 wks? I know they still do at 38-39 wks, but 36 is actually preterm, right?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Do OB-GYNs really do convenience inductions at 36 was? Hmmm...

Right. I think the situation, as described third-hand, is very specious. Even 12 years ago, among private practice docs who did not practice evidence-based medicine, I never saw one situation where a convenience induction took place at 36 weeks.

Maybe she's further along than she is leading her husband to believe and some other guy is the father. But if she's actually 40 weeks instead of 36, he would know that he absolutely couldn't be the father of the baby. I've seen weirder ****.

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I don't believe the question was real, it's far more likely the husband would seek answers from Dr Google than an advice columnist.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
I don't believe the question was real, it's far more likely the husband would seek answers from Dr Google than an advice columnist.

I don't know "Abby's" political stances, but I would find it realistic to think she may have fabricated a question in order to express her opinions on gender issues (By the way, I am not saying her views are right or wrong--just that she might sharing her opinions under the guise of advice).

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the OB Nursing forum for more responses.

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"Dear Abby" is like a print version of "The View".

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