Doctor wants to induce at 39 weeks due to COVID?

Question

What the title says. Has anyone else heard similar from their doctor? Mine said it’s optional, but they’re recommending it so that pregnant women aren’t exposed to COVID through one final (unnecessary?) doctors appointment. I let my OBGYN know that I wasn’t comfortable with that, since I was induced with my son when he hadn’t dropped yet (and the induction didn’t work as planned - he couldn’t drop due to poor head positioning and I had to have an emergency c-section). Poor previous labor experiences aside, it seemed a bit absurd to me to try and get baby here earlier to reduce the risk of ONE additional doctors appointment. 
What are your thoughts?

Answer

Glad you made it clear you're uncomfortable with that! I wouldn't be comfortable with that either and I think it's ridiculous how some doctors push inductions on women without a good medical reason. 😅

Answer

I’m with you. I would refuse the induction if there’s no medical reason for it.

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I’m glad you advocated for yourself and your baby! I’d rather just not have the last appointment and let my son come on his own terms if the ONE appointment is that big of a deal to them🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

I heard about this through a friend who is due about 10 days after me.  She said the dr told her they were inducing at 39 weeks and asked if I had heard about that yet.  I hadn’t and told her I was not getting induced.  Baby will come when baby is ready and I’m not forcing anything.  Plus I am not going to go to the hospital and sitting for hours and hours and being pumped with meds. My last one was born 45 minutes after we arrived and it was perfect timing. Hoping that can happen again. So we can then be discharged as quickly as possible.

Answer

I’m gonna be the unpopular opinion here, my dr said they are inducing at 39 weeks and at 37 weeks pregnant patients are to be quarantined so we do not expose our newborn babies to the virus. I think it’s smart and a great way to make sure we can hold our babies and not be separated 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

My OB is spreading out my appointments to avoid exposure, so I’m going every 3 weeks instead of every 2 like I normally would at this point. Then I’ll go every 2 weeks instead of each week. I will go each of the last 3 weeks (38, 39, and 40).

Answer

My doc said elective inductions are only possible 39 weeks and beyond and she supports me wanting one if that’s what I choose. I plan to schedule it at 39 weeks if she isn’t here by then, my first was born at 36w5d, I was induced due to advanced dilation (6 cm) with no contractions. I do doubt I will make it to 39 weeks but will see. Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t induce unless medically necessary but given I’ve been through an induction before and I am so much more comfortable knowing the hospital is ready for me rather than coming through ER when water breaks etc. To each their own!

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My doctor said elective inductions aren’t allowed in my state currently. My baby is measuring on the larger size which is why we talked about it.

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From day one I asked for an elective induction since my last labor only lasted 2hrs and there is a real fear of not making it to the hospital on time. So my dr hasn't brought it up, but that could be cuz I had already brought up wanting it. When I was at my appointment today she said as long as it continues to be a healthy pregnancy on June 11 we can talk and schedule the induction (since I will be 39 weeks then which is when they would do elective inductions)

Answer

If I were you I would remind your OB that induction for VBAC isn’t the best option. Induction drugs like Cytotec can significantly increase the risk of uterine rupture.

Doctor wants to induce at 39 weeks due to COVID?

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