Help - avoiding induction

[becac1271]

I need some suggestions and wondered if anyone else has come across this as well. My due date (based on first day of last period) is Nov 5th. This is also accurate based on the date of conception (we know we conceived our baby around Feb 12th). When I had my 12 week ultrasound the nurse told me I was further gone than I thought...more like Oct 26th. They then changed my due date in my files to Oct 26th. We knew this was not correct, but since this is my first child and it was so far in the beginning of my pregnancy I didn't make a big deal out of it. When I had my 20 week scan a different nurse told me that Oct 26th looks too early for me and I'm more like Nov 5th. The drs would not change my date back - telling me that the 12 week scan is more accurate etc and they will only change a due date once in the patient's file.

So here we are -according to them I'm in my 40th week. I'm getting 2 ultrasounds a week, and fetal monitoring. My view is so long as the fluid levels are good surrounding the baby, the heartbeat, breathing, and fetal monitoring look good, I do NOT want to be induced. I am going for a completely natural birth and do not want to be pressured into anything.
Next week, they told me that they are going to start discussions with me about induction and have a high risk ob/gyn speak with me. (I guess to try and scare me into getting induced). If the baby is safe and all the ultrasounds and monitoring look good, I do not see why they should induce. Additionally, what they are considering my 42nd week is really only the middle of my 40th! Based on what I feel is the correct due date I can go to at least Nov 19th.

Any suggestions and feedback would be so appreciated.

Thanks!

[greenmomhappymom]

GRRRR! OB's make me so damn mad sometimes. They are all about covering their ass, they could care less about a mom having a positive/natural birth experience.

Sorry had to get that out of the way.

First, YOU are in control here. They can NOT pressure you into anything. You are not "high risk" simply because they changed your DD (which is just an educated guess) after your 12 week U/S.

You are already thinking very clearly and logically about this - fluid levels are good, heartbeat is good, etc. The health of the placenta should be another factor. There is no reason for all of this U/S and fetal monitoring business.

Why are they doing all of this anyway? Are you sick? High blood pressure? Gestational diabetes? If no, then they have NO reason for all of this silliness. All they are doing is trying to break you down and scare you.

Trust me mama, YOU are in control here. YOU are the customer. You are not sick, you are pregnant, a very natural state to be in. They can NOT force you into an induction. Even if they want to insist that you make the appointment, humor them and then just don't show up. They can't arrest you or anything.

I have heard from some moms that their office threatens to "drop" them if they don't comply as a scare tactic. Don't let that rattle you if they try to make threats.

If I were you, I would get on the phone and find a midwife or natural birth supportive OB. This office does not have your best interests in mind.

Worse case, you will simply go to the ER when you go into labor and get who ever is on staff. I know that sounds awful BUT, if you have a birth plan in your chart/file outlining your wishes for a natural birth then you should get a nurse who likes to work with natural birthing moms.

My birth for my first was in a hospital and I KNOW that the reason why my birth went to so well with no interventions was due to 2 things: my birth plan and my nurse. She was fantastic. Very sensitive and supportive.

When you write a birth plan it is really more for the nurses than your OB or MW. Because, when a mom comes in they all gather, read the file/birth plan and volunteer accordingly (I have friends that are OB nurses).

Even though I had a MW, I only saw her occasionally and then she was there when DD started to crown. Other than that, it was all my nurse and doula. (and DH of course) OB's and MW's catch babies, nurses are your true labor partners aside from family.

How do you feel? Do you feel like the baby is going to come soon? Things like: burst of energy, excessive cleaning (nesting), loose bowels (sign of your body preparing itself)...or just mother's instinct?

What is your support system like? Spouse, parents, friends? Are they supportive of your choice to have a natural birth? That helps A LOT. Especially helps to have one of these people with you at your appts. Keeps your O/B from bullying you.

I hope all of this helps and that I am not upsetting you more, certainly not my intention. Just trying to give you a pep talk and let you know you have power and rights.

Keep your chin up!

[cileag]

I think if you sit down with them and calmly present your evidence for the later due date, and simply state that that is the dates that YOU are working off of and so considering that so far all is healthy, you will not be planning on an induction or treating this pregnancy as high risk or postdates.

I had a somewhat similar thing happen to a much lesser degree--I know I ovulated three days later than they are assuming based on my LMP and now that I'm over 41 weeks, I'm going by the ovulation date, rather than the LMP date. My midwives are actually fine with it, but the CNMs at the hospital I think would put up more of a fight, just because it's outside their usual dating methods.

Good luck and stick with what you know--YOU know when the baby was conceived.

[MamieCole]

You shouldn't have to present a case for why you shouldn't be induced. They should have to show you evidence for why you SHOULD be induced. Real medical reasons, not "that's our policy" reasons or scare tactics or covering their own butts reasons. You know your body. You know your baby. You know when you conceived. You are your own best advocate.

[Serenyd]

Hospitals to crack down on induced labors
Regulators will introduce guidelines in spring to reduce too-early babies


You may find this interesting. I did. And good reason not let them induce if you know the due date is wrong.

[laitmere]

Looks like you already got some great responses but I wanted to make sure you saw this article posted on the Mothering homepage. It makes a strong case for not inducing labor. Hold your ground Mama - you know what is best! One thing I have always found to be true is that my instincts are a safer bet than the generic protocol of the medical industry.

http://www.mothering.com/pregnancy-b...inducing-labor

Good luck!

--
Baby #2 due Oct 27