Induction - yes or no?

Question

38 weeks pregnant with my first. OB asked if I was interested in being induced after 39 weeks. Not for any necessary medical reasons. I am 1 cm dilated today. 
I was thinking of doing it at 40 weeks if he doesn’t come on his own. Let me know your thoughts/experiences

Answer

This is an unpopular opinion on this app, but I would choose induction at 40 weeks if there are no signs of baby coming. I’d maybe wait until 40+2 or 40+3, but I personally wouldn’t be comfortable beyond that. At 40 weeks, your chance of going into spontaneous labor goes down, your chance of a successful vaginal delivery goes down, and the risk of stillbirth goes up. This obviously doesn’t mean those things WILL happen, but the risks shift. 🙂

Answer

If it's not medically necessary - Avoid at all costs! 
Letting things start naturally is way more gentle on the body, and allows you to get used to things happening.

Answer

I was electively induced at 39+2 and has a really positive experience. Just wanted to throw a positive induction comment in there rather than horror stories.

Answer

Check out evidencebasedbirth.com. It summarizes all the major research trials. After reading the section on induction for due dates I personally wouldn't be induced before 41 weeks.

Answer

I’ve heard horror stories of being induced, before I was more educated on it, I opted to get induced with my first at 39 w exactly, my doctor was going out of town and wanted to deliver my baby, i was already 4 cm dilated when I went in though, he probably would’ve came within a couple of days anyways, I had a really awesome experience with mine!
my friend got induced and she was 1cm dilated, and ended up needing a c section because baby wasn’t ready to come out, so I would say no, wait until baby is ready!

Answer

I have two kids and both were inductions. I actually had a good experience but I think it’s because my body and baby were both ready. My first I was already in the beginning of labor 3 cm and got pitocin just to help things progress. It was smooth and only 12 hours. My second I chose to be induced because I was giving birth in a different city during covid and I needed to plan child care. I was also 3 cm and it was only 5 hours long. I’m considering it again this pregnancy just because I had good experiences and I have two kids and need to plan childcare for them. However this time we are going to do a membrane sweep at 38 weeks and 3 days first and then set an induction date one week later if it doesn’t work. Maybe a membrane sweep is something you can try out first before jumping to induction.

Answer

When your baby is fully developed and ready for the world they will release a chemical that your body will react to and then release hormones to start labor. Induction eliminates that natural process and causes your baby to be born when they’re not ready. This is one of the reasons why 38 week old babies end up in the NICU.

Answer

Was induced with my first at 39+2. If I had waited, I would’ve needed a c section because her head was almost too big and I tore pretty badly. 
Was induced with my second at 39+4 due to same concern. Her head ended up being fine but I’m glad I was induced because the day I went in I started having issues with my blood pressure. 
HOWEVER. I am now pregnant with my third and want this birth to be natural, so I’m debating an induction because contractions with pitocin are BRUTAL.

Answer

I was Induced with my 1st it was only 12 and half hours because my cervixwouldn'topen lol. Not bad tho i was 39+6 this one is going to be 36 to 38 weeks due to GDM . I found my first indication fine and i enjoyed labour.

Answer

I will never allow a doctor to force me into induction ever again. I have high bp they said it was necessary so I went in at 30+ 1 and my labor was 57 hours ending in emergency c section. So big no from me.

Induction - yes or no?

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