induced labor at 40 weeks?

Question

Hey ladies I am searching for some answers. I am currently 38w2d pregnant with my first baby and my doctor has given me the option to have an elective induction at 40 weeks (her due date). I am still not dialated at all and doctor also says she does not for see my water breaking naturally. Has anyone had an elective induction? Can it harm baby? Any advice is appreciated.

Answer

I was induced in the middle of week 38, and it failed. I would not recommend inducing unless you have to. I spent 40 hours in medically induced labor. I only got to a scant 2 cm before they sent me home. A week later I was induced again (in my case if was medically necessary because of pre eclampsia) this time my water broke while I was getting the epidural and 24 hours after the induction started I had the baby. It won't harm the baby, it's just that if your body isn't ready it can be stubborn.

Answer

There are risks and most of the time an intervention leads to more interventions. You can go into labor and your water not be broken. I labored for 4.5 hours before they had to break my water. I was close to 7 cm.. so that's not really an excuse to be induced. It's your choice but it's much easier on baby and you if you let things happen naturally.

Answer

There are risks to induction, and your doctor has an obligation to review those with you. 40 weeks seems early for induction, we usually don't start talking about it at my hospital until closer to 41w.

Answer

I’m actually being induced this afternoon. I’m 40 weeks and 4 days. My Doctor has been checking me and my cervix is still closed and no contractions. Our Hospital will let you go to 41 weeks but then they induce you. My husband and I just decided to get induced instead of just waiting a few more days and still end up getting induced either way. My son is healthy and is currently 8lbs 8oz. 
From what my Doctor told me I will be taking a pill that helps get contractions started. I forgot the name of it. My plan is to still go all natural with no epidural, but we will see what happens. I’ve done some research about being induced and found that being induced with contractions are a lot stronger than naturally going into labor with contractions. 
Praying everything goes smoothly.

Answer

I haven't but from what I've been reading. If you already have signs of labor (dilated a couple of cm, effaced, baby engaged...etc), it can help speed things up. If not, it may lead to intense prolonged labor which potentially can lead to issues and may require an emergency c-section.

The choice is your's. You'll hear many success stories and many horror stories as every birth has different circumstances.

The hospital where I'm delivering won't talk elective induction until 41 weeks and even then, they don't start with pitocin. They use the gel first to help ripen the cervix, then they break the waters and if those didn't jump start labor, they may start pitocin.

Answer

I was dilated 1cm during my 9th month. At 41 weeks I went in for an induction and it failed. The reason I never dilated any more was because the cord was wrapped around baby's neck and hips that's why he never engaged in my pelvis. I ended up having a C section. I wish you the very best.

Answer

I was not dialated or anything and was induced with my first. Her due date was was December 22 and I went in on December 19th and had her in the 22nd. I had no complications or anything

Answer

I was induced 2 days b4 my due date. I was 4 cm for over a week.

Everything went well

induced labor at 40 weeks?

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