Induction or No?! Nervous FTM

Question

First time mom here. Currently hv a low risk pregnancy, I am 36 weeks. At my last OB apptment dr stated we needed an induction date scheduled just in case baby didnt come out on his own. Im wondering if its best to get induced at 40 on my due date or wait till 41 weeks and see if i naturally labor on my own? He stated stillborns and other complications increase after 41 weeks. Would appreciate any advice. Id love to labor on my own, inductions worry me but if its medically necessary in the end I am all for it. Not sure what to do honestly. She currently has me scheduled for my due date on 2/17 (at 40 weeks) but i feel like i should hold off until 41 weeks. Is it okay to change my induction date if i change my mind? I am just hoping my body goes in labor on its own and i dont even have to worry about an induction. Would appreciate any advice.

Answer

I think 41 weeks is pretty standard unless there is some health reason to start earlier. It can be dangerous for both mommy and baby to give birth to a baby that is too big, but otherwise there is no reason not to wait. Especially since induction is not usually a fun process.

Answer

How has baby been measuring? If baby has been measuring big, I would shoot for a 40 week induction. Last time, I had my “just in case” induction scheduled for 40w6d, but I went into labor on my own at 40w2d.
This time I have a 39 week induction scheduled, due to the fact THIS baby is also very large. Ha. And new research suggests a 39 week induction decreases the risk of a c-section.
Trust me, I never wanted to be induced. But between the size of baby and some care that requires an MD after, we had to schedule it. Pitocin is the devil, so I’m not looking forward to it. Some people can handle Pitocin without an epidural, but I am not one of those people. Haha. 
Will your doctor sweep your membranes each week to help jumpstart labor? I do feel like it helps. The first time, it didn’t do much, but the second time, I did lose my mucus plug, and the third (combined with a birthing ball), my water broke and I went into labor.
Going into labor at home spontaneously was special, and I want that for you if that is what you want. I wish I could do it again. ❤️
BUT, you have to have a back up. Baby baking too long can have lots of complications.

Answer

When my baby came at 41 weeks, he had meconium in the fluid which ended up causing lots of issues for stimulation and what not. I recommend trying to keep it closer to 40 just for that factor. Scared the bananas out of me. ￼

Answer

I would go for 41 weeks with a low risk pregnancy and especially with your first :)

Answer

Hi! We are due date twins! I am setting mine up for 41 to give baby as much time as she wants. I was induced at 42 with my first hoping I would go into labor naturally but no such luck! There’s so much good brain development that still happens in the womb but I also agree that when I went past 41 weeks my anxiety kicked up a little bit so 42 is a good middle ground for me personally 😌

Induction or No?! Nervous FTM

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