thinking of inducing because dr. is going out of town

[Enudely]

I really wanted to do a home birth, but it turns out there's a problem with my aortic valve and am stuck in the hospital.
So I finally learn to totally trust and like my doctor. My birth plan is very specific and there are lots of details. My doctor is on board with me. I've been seeing him every week and I really like him. Guess what? He's going out of town from the 6th to the 12th! My due date is the 13th. My first baby was four days early.
I can't even believe I'm writing this, but I'm considering letting him induce me!! I actually have an induction appointment set up for Thursday morning (which I THINK I'm going to cancel). It's such a Catch 22, because I'm compromising my preferences (not to be induced), so that I can have a doctor attending who won't compromise my preferences. What if I wait and end up with a freaky doctor who keeps popping in a messing with me? AGH! I need advice and opinions from you wise mamas!
My cervix is 2.5 cm dialated and very soft, and he would do a very "gentle" induction, starting off with very little pit and probably breaking my water at some point.....
This sucks to even have to be thinking about.

[Larissa]

That's tough. I have no idea what I would do! So sorry you are having to deal with this right now!

[nighten]

Can you hire a doula? I don't think it matters how wonderful the doctor is. If you agree to induction, your chances of other interventions/a c-section rise drastically.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

Maybe a compromise would be some kind of natural induction? Or sweeping membranes or something? I'm just thinking induction = pitocin and honestly the notion of doing that just to have the doctor (or midwife or whatever) that I like isn't worth it.

I don't envy your decision and you need to do what's best for you. But it seems to me that medically inducing when not medically necessary goes against what it sounds like you like about this doctor.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

ETA: I really don't envy your choice. But I don't condemn either. You do what's best for you and your baby to have the birth you need.

[Enudely]

I do have a doula and we talked earlier today. She agrees with me that it's really pretty 50/50.
Does anyone know a good site to tell the chances of induction outcome? I think since I'm already dialated and soft and having lots of crampy contractions and stuff, my chances of a drug free vaginal birth are still pretty good with induction.
Maybe I'm kidding myself though....

[juliebelle]

you should look at your BISHOP score

http://www.amazingpregnancy.com/preg...icles/173.html

[Mainstream Hippie]

I probably wouldn't start off with pit, but would rather do cervadil (if possible- a lot of places don't offer it any longer). I would also hold off on AROM as long as possible, because of the dreaded timeclock.

I would probably try natural induction at home, first. Nipple stimulation and accupressure, then go walking when those kicked things off.

[lauren]

I have never had an induction but everyone I have ever heard from on this topic says that it is a much more difficult experience overall. I agree with others that if you have another support person who can speak for you, the doctor may be less important. Is there any chance you can quickly get to know the alternatives to your doctor in the case that your doc is out of town. It may be that the other doc(s) are not what you fear. It may makes sense to explore all these options. I think induction is a pretty big deal...

ETA: didnt' realize I was in a due date club...apologies...

[cagnew]

That's really tough. I think, if it were me, I would wait and take my chances.

I was induced with dd, but I also had an epidural, so I don't know how the contractions would have felt. I know that after I learned about natural birth and the way the body works, I felt incredibly guity about inducing my dd. I didn't know any better at the time though.

On the other hand, if having your doctor there is very important to you, I have read many positive stories of women who were able to handle the pitocin contractions.

Like e/o has said, you have to do what you feel is best for you and baby. I'm sorry you have to deal with this! What is it with doctors springing these surprises on their patients lately?

[mama-aya]

Enudely-

I would do it. Like you I finally found a doctor I love, and like you I've seen mine every week of this pregnancy. And she'll be out of town the week before my due date! I'm freaking out about the chance of NOT going early.

My last pregnancy was induced, and drug free, but I didn't have pitocin. I had cervadil the night before, in the hospital, and the doctor came in the morning and was planning to start pitocin, I asked if she would just break the water, which she did, and I never needed pitocin. The baby was born that day. I also started taking caullophyllum homeopathic the night before, and once she broke the water started diluting it over and over, in my water bottle, to keep the contractions from fading out or anything. They went like gangbusters the whole time. And I figured, what's the risk? I'll end up on pitocin if it doesn't work, but that's better than starting on pitocin. I never even had to have a hep-lock or anything. The baby was quite nearly born in the tub, and that doctor didn't even make it in time, but arrived 3 minutes after the birth.

It might not have been as nice as the birth I was HOPING for, but it was a sight lot better than the birth I'd had before, with stalled labor after PROM and a huge dose of pitocin and an epidural.

If I haven't had this baby when I go in before my doctor leaves I'll be asking her to induce. She's already agreed to start sweeping the membranes next week.

So. If I had to start on pitocin, I don't know if I'd do it, just to have her there, but maybe I would. Seeing a doctor every week and finally finding a great one is like gold. Heck- I've seen her and had more conversations with her over the last several months than I've had with most of my friends! She's not just a doctor, but a key figure in my birth team, and I hate the idea of her NOT being there, after all this work to make it to term!

[Devaskyla]

I wouldn't do it. It's not worth the risks. The doctor probably won't even be there for most of it & you'll have to deal with hospital staff no matter what.

[LionTigerBear]

I can understand the temptation, but I wouldn't do it. You may very well go til your due date and still get your perfect birth with your doctor-- and even if you don't, I wouldn't risk an induction when it's not necessary.

[andbabymakes4]

I wouldn't do it, you could go late and still get your dr you like. I was induced and it was horrible.

[justKate]

Enudely,

I'm sorry about your situation. Is there a middle ground? Maybe your OB would sweep your membranes, then you could try some "natural" induction methods--whatever you're comfortable with--blue/black cohoshes, the labor cocktail S&D used (posted by LTB?), that sort of thing?

I sort of know what you're feeling. My midwife and OB rotate weeks, then three other intervention-happy OBs rotate weekends with them. So its a crapshoot as to who will deliver me, and I'm seriously considering attempting a natural induction to get someone I'm comfortable with when the time comes.

Of course I agree that having a doula will help regardless of your decision. Good luck with whatever you decide, and keep us posted!

[Enudely]

Thanks so much for all the support
I'm thinking, after sleeping on it, that I am going to cancel the induction. I think what's meant to be will happen, maybe my doctor is not meant to be there, maybe he is. I'm just going to let it go and trust that it will work out.....

[juliebelle]

whoever is meant to be at your birth will be there...hold onto that

[LionTigerBear]

I'm glad that you've found a peaceful decision for yourself.