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davejag · Apr 5, 2008, 05:43 PM

I have a question again so here we go, how do I discuss with my doctor about Induced Labor before my due date? The reason I am asking is I don't even know to begin the subject.

I am so afraid of the unknown when it comes to going into labour, I don't like the idea of going into labour at any point an time. My husband works an hour out of town and night shifts to boot, I have no one to take me to hospital if I go into labour those 3 days he is out of town. He does not feel save just leaving me at home over the weekend when he is out of town, what do I do? Plus I really am a planner and the unknown is not something I look forward to. Does that seem selfish?

heatherdance · Apr 5, 2008, 06:26 PM

The closer you come to your due date of 40 weeks, the healthier and safer it is for your baby. Make sure you have the same amount of kick counts every day, though. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor to be induced. Doctors are asked this question all the time since parents are so busy these days.

J_9 · Apr 5, 2008, 06:31 PM

Tell your doctor just what you told us. Planned inductions are very common these days, we keep a calendar of planned inductions at the nurses' desk.

Very common and nothing to worry about. Just understand that many doctors will not induce before 39 weeks and there is a possibility of you going into labor before that. So, start making a plan with your husband as to how he will get home when/if the time comes. This is your first, so labor won't be over in an hour, I can assure you that.

davejag · Apr 5, 2008, 06:36 PM

Okay that's good to know, do you think he will understand if I tell him I want to be induced on Monday May 25 when my baby is due May 29?

J_9 · Apr 5, 2008, 07:02 PM

Since I don't know your doctor I can't say for sure, but 4 days is not considered early. You may have even delivered by then. Just discuss it with him.

DoulaLC · Apr 6, 2008, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by davejag

I have a question again so here we go, how do I discuss with my doctor about Induced Labor before my due date? The reason I am asking is I don't even know to begin the subject.

I am so afraid of the unknown when it comes to going into labour, I don't like the idea of going into labour at any point an time. My husband works an hour out of town and night shifts to boot, I have no one to take me to hospital if I go into labour those 3 days he is out of town. He does not feel save just leaving me at home over the weekend when he is out of town, what do I do? Plus I really am a planner and the unknown is not something I look forward to. Does that seem selfish?

Give some consideration to the potential risks and benefits with an induction. Inductions are the fastest growing intervention in the last several years, and while they are sometimes medically necessary, they often are not. An hour out of town is not likely to be a concern... when you consider the length of most labors, particularly first labors. It would be the rare instance where things would move that quickly that your husband wouldn't be able to be there.

An induction can work well for some women... mimic a natural labor pretty well and baby is born not too long afterwards... or, if your cervix is not ready for labor to start, you can find yourself having contractions for the day, stopping the pit at night, and starting it all back up the next day. You will be monitored the entire time to be sure baby is handling the contractions well as, for some women, induced contractions can come on more strongly and faster causing baby to become distressed. Inductions do raise the c-section rate for two reasons... if baby does not handle the induced contractions well or if the mother's body is just not going to respond and progress. These are just a couple of the potential risks with inductions and why they really should only be used for medical need... even though they are the current popular route for many.

Obviously check with your doctor... some may go ahead, some won't induce just for convenience. Ask your doctor about the pros and cons, do your own research, and make your decision based on what you learn... and of course whether your doctor would do it or not in the first place.

Might be helpful to look into a prepared childbirth class as well so that you are more comfortable with the entire birth process, because whether you are induced or not, you will still have decisions to make and it can be helpful to have an understanding of what you are being presented with so that you can make informed decisions instead of ones out of fear of the unknown.