getting pressured into induction...what to do?

[skmama]

I got induced by choice with both previous babies.
Now I'm pregnant with baby #3 and today's my due date. I do not want to get induced this time. At my appt today, the doc was asking me if I wanted to get induced. I told her no, and asked her to strip my membranes becoz I've heard it can start labor in some women if they're ready (within the first 48 hours after the procedure). So far I'm feeling fine. Maybe I'll try a long walk and squats, etc...to speed things along if possible. She wants to see me again in 2 days (this coming Friday morning), when she'll check me again and quite possibly pressure me to get induced AGAIN. Due to insurance issues, I can't do anything if she insists on induction.
What should I do?

[notjustmamie]

Not in your DDC, but I had to respond to this part, especially the bold:

Originally Posted by skmama

She wants to see me again in 2 days (this coming Friday morning), when she'll check me again and quite possibly pressure me to get induced AGAIN. Due to insurance issues, I can't do anything if she insists on induction.

You could simply not show up for the appointments. She cannot force you to have an induction if you don't want one.

I know this is easier for me to say than it is for you to decide to do (if it's what you want to do), but I figured I'd throw it out there.

Good luck as you choose your battles!

[skmama]

Thank you for the response & advice. I am seriously considering not showing up.

[*~Danielle~*]

Don't just not show up...but call and reschedule for next week. You'll get the secretary and she will just reschedule you on a day that is better for you. Hugs.

[_betsy_]

Call ahead and reschedule it for a week after your latest appointment. Fi anyone questions you, tell them you're feeling fine, baby is doing well, and you want baby to come when baby is ready. They can't force you into a medical induction.

[Multimomma]

Originally Posted by skmama

I got induced by choice with both previous babies.
Now I'm pregnant with baby #3 and today's my due date. I do not want to get induced this time. At my appt today, the doc was asking me if I wanted to get induced. I told her no, and asked her to strip my membranes becoz I've heard it can start labor in some women if they're ready (within the first 48 hours after the procedure). So far I'm feeling fine. Maybe I'll try a long walk and squats, etc...to speed things along if possible. She wants to see me again in 2 days (this coming Friday morning), when she'll check me again and quite possibly pressure me to get induced AGAIN. Due to insurance issues, I can't do anything if she insists on induction.
What should I do?

Not in your club, but wanted to say that I had a similar issue, induced with my first three, and my mw with #4 said I had a pit dependency. She did break my water to induce, but I was at 14 days past due, dilated to a five and fully effaced. How dilated are you? Why will she not let you go over?

Who said that you must be induced due to insurance issues? Your insurance or hers? I would seriously call the hospital she works through and ask to speak to their legal team about this. It doesn't sound legal to me...and it doesn't sound medically sound. I agree with everyone else about pushing off the appointment, three days overdue is not that bad, and she WILL pressure you because it's Friday and she wants it done before the weekend starts, so she doesn't have to worry about a mom going into labor on the weekend.

[skmama]

Danielle and Betsy, I agree....rescheduling does sound better than just not showing up. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Hopefully, there won't be a problem.
Multimomma, I am 1 cm dilated, baby's low, and cervix is soft. The baby and myself (thank god) have no health issues going on. I'm learning exactly what you said....that she is pressuring me to avoid a delivery on the weekend. (The insurance issue I'm referring to is that I can't change docs at this time in the pregnancy, if I wanted to, in case she gave me a hard time about waiting longer.)
Thanks so much for all your advice and responses.

[_ktg_]

I know I'm weighing late on this - but I agree with all the PPs. I went right up to 42w with this pregnancy to schedule an induction. I would really respond back to your doc as your not "overdue" yet medically speaking. Overdue medically starts from week 42 of a pregnancy. Talk to your doctor, and get an agreement of weekly NSTs and if there are problems there - then maybe an induction could be needed. But if your weight, BP or anything else is fine and the baby is fine I would strongly have a conversation with the doctor.

FYI - mine tried to pressure me for an induction 5 days after my due date, I agreed to the NST and just put off scheduling the induction. Then at my NST I just said when I would come in for the induction if I wasn't in labor (at 42weeks) and since the NST was fine I would be more than happy to come back for another NST the next week so he could be reassured the baby was fine too. If distressed at all -we would talk after that NST.

For my induction mostly because I was trying for a VBAC I really specifically called out what I would be inclined to do vs. not do - ie the use of PIT. Convince your doc that you want a foley bulb instead - it did the trick for me, and when I checked in for the induction I was measuring about where you were too. Now looking back even if I wasn't a VBAC candidate - I would go the same route.

You can do it - remember doctors can't just tie you down and do something, you have to consent to it!!!

[milky80]

From another due date also. My last doc tried this because I had one high BP early in pregnancy. I simply but firmly told her she could set the date all she wanted I just would not show up. You could just dig your heels in and tell them you WILL NOT be induced unless they can prove your babies life is in danger. They can't force you to do anything. This is YOUR birth, not theirs!

[NaturalMindedMomma]

From another DDC, but if she drops you, which I doubt she will, if she wants to make the money off the time she has spent with you, you could still go into labor and show up at the hospital where she works, in labor and they have to attend you. 38-42 weeks is normal gestation, 40 is just the mean of the 2. She has no legal reason to drop you. Just say no mama! Good luck!

[skmama]

All your responses have really upped my confidence....I rescheduled my appt and won't be going in until Feb 3rd!!! Ktg...I will let her do the NST but won't agree to an induction. Milky80 and NaturalMindedMomma, you're right. They can't pressure me or drop me. I just hope I go into labor on my own very soon... Thanks for all the advice and responses.

[Hallielynn01]

Its always good to know what the OBs governing body, ACOG says about inductions too, Drs seem to ignore that stuff for what works for them

http://www.preciouspassage.com/medical_library.htm

I like this part from this link
Generally, induction of labor has merit as a therapeutic option when the benefits of expeditious delivery outweigh the risks of continuing the pregnancy. The benefits of labor induction must be weighed against the potential maternal or fetal risks associated with this procedure.

Question is, what is the REAL risk in waiting?
Another good info link I found
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041201/practice.html

[skmama]

Wow, thanks for these links, Hallielynn01. You know your stuff!

[_ktg_]

Originally Posted by Hallielynn01

Its always good to know what the OBs governing body, ACOG says about inductions too, Drs seem to ignore that stuff for what works for them

http://www.preciouspassage.com/medical_library.htm

I like this part from this link
Generally, induction of labor has merit as a therapeutic option when the benefits of expeditious delivery outweigh the risks of continuing the pregnancy. The benefits of labor induction must be weighed against the potential maternal or fetal risks associated with this procedure.

Question is, what is the REAL risk in waiting?
Another good info link I found
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041201/practice.html

Ooh I love those links just for my own use if issues ever arise again! Thanks

[LorenaAZ]

My drs wanted to induce me too. I went up to 42 weeks and went into labor naturally. My drs were hunting me down, calling me at home, scheduling NST every other day, blood tests and I had 3 biophysical profiles because I kept declining inductions. All my tests came back excellent, my placenta at 42 weeks was a grade 1, plenty of fluid, baby in perfect health. Don't let them bully you around. I know it's hard to wait, but baby comes when baby's ready (SO MUCH easier said than done - I had a very difficult time waiting, but baby couldn't stay in there forever)

You can just tell your dr that as long as you and baby stay healthy you will decline inductions. Good luck! I know how much those pushy drs can stress a Mom out!!

[skmama]

Tell me about it....the docs are the ones that CAUSE the stress, not the actual waiting for the baby!!!

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by _ktg_

Convince your doc that you want a foley bulb instead - it did the trick for me, and when I checked in for the induction I was measuring about where you were too. Now looking back even if I wasn't a VBAC candidate - I would go the same route.

What is a foley bulb?

[Hallielynn01]

Originally Posted by skmama

Wow, thanks for these links, Hallielynn01. You know your stuff!

Your welcome, I know SOME stuff, but I'm real good on Google! :P But really, going straight to governing bodies, like AAP academy of pediatrics, or even better with pregnancy finding stuff put out by ACOG, they can't really argue. Its kinda like the new changes about suctioning on the perineum, NRP no longer recommends it, but Drs still do it. Guess its like teaching old dogs... :P

[skmama]

like teaching old dogs....lol...

[Hallielynn01]

Some more interesting links for you ladies (the newborn is asleep and the toddler is watching football, so I have some time for a change LOL)

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/timely.asp

http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/reprint/160/8/1145.pdf

While there seem to many studies that show decreases in stillborn babies with induction at 41 weeks and even 40 weeks, its important to look at the numbers.

There was a marked increase in the proportion of births at 41 weeks’ gestation (from 11.9% in 1980 to 16.3% in 1995) and a marked decrease in the proportion at 42 or more weeks (from 7.1% in 1980 to 2.9% in 1995). The rate of stillbirths among deliveries at 41 or more weeks’ gestation decreased significantly, from 2.8 per 1000 total births in 1980 to 0.9 per 1000 total births in1995 (p < 0.001).


Its important to see there is a risk, but you have to choose what is riskier to you, the small risk that these stats show? Or the risk of induction, and all that goes with it.


This data follows in the next paragraph.

An estimated 5% to 10% of all pregnancies will be post-term, the rate
depending on the accuracy of pregnancy dating and on the use of labour induction before 42 weeks’ gestation.1,2 Compared with term pregnancies and those delivered at 40 weeks’ gestation, post-term pregnancies have been associated with higher perinatal mortality rates and higher rates of induced labour, fetal distress in labour, meconium staining of the amniotic fluid and operative delivery.

so yes there are risks, though they seem to be minimal (guess its like the VBAC stuff, ahhh the ruptures, Drs seem to upplay the states a lot) but it also tells that a small number or pregnancies will go beyond that, so perhaps just trusting that your body will be in teh 90-95% that won't be post dates may be wise as well?

Of course this is one study, but most seem to say the same stuff.