A week over... induction help.

[boobiepiebaby]

First I'm going to say I do not want to be medically induced, as in go to the hospital, get hooked up to machines and lay in bed all day...
I am a week over due and my Dr. had me down for an induction tomorrow even though I told him SEVERAL times during the last month I wasn't interested. After firmly telling him NO more than once during my appt. today he finally gave up and asked why... which among the other problems with induction, the first one out of my mouth was risk of c/section... so he says "let me alleviate those fears for you" and said that my cervix was in good shape for induction (50% effaced) and I was already dilated 3 cm... Then he went on to say that the longer I waited the more complications I could have... and he didn't forget to name "fetal death" as one of the top ones.
I have tried a lot of induction methods, walking, sex, spicy food (horrible for my reflux), pineapple, evening primrose oil... and it isn't doing any good.
I'm nervous about trying the cohoshes... as well as the castor oil. What is your experience with these? I really don't want to be running to the bathroom every 5 minutes but I'm starting to get desperate. I don't know how much longer I can keep telling this guy no. I about broke down in his office.
I have to go for stress tests tomorrow so I was thinking if everything went fine there that I would start the cohoshes tomorrow maybe? I don't know. Any help ladies? Or encouragement? Which is what I think I need most.

[justmandy]

A week is not that over due...it's really not even overdue at all. They say that EDDs are within 2 weeks either way. ("They" forget that once you hit 40 weeks though.)

I have done castor oil and it wasn't that bad. A woman in my DDC just did it at 2 weeks over due and less favorable then you and had her baby with out medical inductions or drugs. It is the way I will go if I find myself needing to induce.

After your NST if your dr is happy with the results, see if you can get to 42 weeks. If you ask nicely maybe he'll see it as a compromise and not hassle you too much.

Here's a link for you to check out on natrual inductions.
http://www.lifepassages.net/NaturalInduction.html

[ACsMom]

Gosh, I sure wish this Dr. wasn't pressuring you like this. Like Mandy said, a week is NOT overdue and YES your risk of c-section goes up with artificial induction!! (It happened to me!). Just a note: you can put off the non-stress test, as well. Just call and cancel in the morning and say you'll call back - that will buy you some time. Could you sit tight for a few days, even longer if necessary, kind of "go into hiding"? If you're comfortable with that, I would do it. The "risks" he's describing of being "late" are infinitesimal compared to the risks of induction and possibly abdominal surgery. As long as you are eating well and healthy, the likelihood of there being problems with the placenta is very small.

If you do decide to go in for an ultrasound and/or non-stress test, drink tons of water tonight and tomorrow morning, so there's less chance they'll be able to say your amniotic fluid is low. And keep in mind that late-term ultrasounds are notoriously inaccurate in measuring AF levels and the baby's weight.

Good luck, and sending happy baby/easy birth vibes!!

[IAMommy]

Maybe your baby is just not ready to come out. The non-stress test might calm your doc down, and might reveal if there IS a problem, but until you're actually 42 weeks, aren't you okay to wait?

Here's to hoping your labor starts and progresses naturally!

[GearGirl]

My dd was born a day before 42 weeks, it was just when she was ready to come. She seemed a little older and more alert, and there were zero complications! 37-42 weeks is full term, so your baby isn't late! I did the non stress test.

[alegna]

If you are 41 weeks you are not overdue at all.

Babies come when ready. My ds was 43 weeks 5 days. I would refuse to induce (in ANY form) without medical reason.

-Angela

[Carley]

My daughter was born at 42 weeks at only 7lbs 4oz - can you stand your ground? Go in armed with information about EDD?

[BarefootGirl]

If you want to skip the test, just call your doc's office and tell them you need to reschedule your test. The receptionist shouldn't give you a problem. Reschedule it for a week or so out, and then do what you want as far as trying to non-medically induce on your own. I work at a doc's office and we don't hassle the patients for rescheduling. We send a letter if they don't show up for scheduled appointments, but that's about it.

They aren't going to come after you. But if you think the test might make you feel better, then do it. Just don't do anything you aren't comfortable with, including both induction or cohoshes/castor oil. If you feel pressured, just remember YOU are in charge of your baby and your body. Get out of there and get some time to yourself to think and consider your options. If you decide to get induced, you can always go back in and take that option.

[BlackSheepPDX]

My daughter was born at 41w5d per EDD based on LMP. We did a NST at 41w at our midwives suggestion, to be sure things looked ok to just continue waiting. Baby looked fine, and DD was born in the free-standing birthing center as planned, with no signs of being "overcooked."

Interestingly, I have 31 day cycles, and in my current pregnancy, (which happened with an IUD ) I just had an necessary early US that dated me at, guess what, 1 w 4 d earlier than LMP would predict. EDD's are ESTIMATED.

What I'm suggesting is, the NST is a good idea for sound mind, and there's nothing wrong with continuing to wait for things to happen. It certainly sounds like your body is already on its way, and the less you WORRY about it, the better. Your MD can be patient, too.

[SeattleRain]

Originally Posted by ACsMom

If you do decide to go in for an ultrasound and/or non-stress test, drink tons of water tonight and tomorrow morning, so there's less chance they'll be able to say your amniotic fluid is low. And keep in mind that late-term ultrasounds are notoriously inaccurate in measuring AF levels and the baby's weight.

Good luck, and sending happy baby/easy birth vibes!!

Originally Posted by IAMommy

Maybe your baby is just not ready to come out. The non-stress test might calm your doc down, and might reveal if there IS a problem, but until you're actually 42 weeks, aren't you okay to wait?

Here's to hoping your labor starts and progresses naturally!

I would be uncomfortable not going to the NST, because what if the baby IS ready to come out? What if her amniotic fluid IS low? Then she WOULD be at a higher risk for complications. Best case scenario, if you go to the NST, you'll have more information to help you stand firm on your decision. If the NST is fine, then you can just wait it out knowing your baby isn't fully cooked yet. If the NST isn't fine you can make an educated choice about what you want. Ignorance isn't always bliss.

[kdaisy]

My midwife gave me blue cohosh when we were trying to encourage my 42 week baby out. It didn't do a thing for me.

Try to avoid that induction. (Mine led to a section.) Good luck!

[usagi]

A friend of mine used acupuncture very successfully when she was being pressured to be induced. Is that an option for you?

[MamaMonica]

MOved to Birth and Beyond

[Bluegoat]

If your tests indicate everything is fine, there is more risk to the baby even with a successful induction than with waiting. But if you go, find out the erameters of the test. Sometimes doctors will fudge things and say "you have low fluid" when it is just on the low side of normal. (And it isn't actually clear that low fluid is always the big deal they make it out to be anyway.)

[thismama]

Mine were born at 41w6d, and 41w1d. I wouldn't induce until 42 weeks, as there is no extra risk to baby until that time as far as I understand it.

[kltroy]

I'd say do the test. If your baby is fine, go home with peace of mind and wait for labor to start. If the baby looks like it's having problems (and I would ask LOTS of questions about where you are versus what's normal, what are the risks of waiting versus not, etc - get NUMBERS and REFERENCES if you need to - your doc should be able to provide you with these depending on your situation) then it may be that your babe is better out than in. I had this happen to me - went in for a NST at 41+1 but was also in very early labor. Had low fluids (not just a little low, a lot low) - asked lots of questions and decided to stay at the hospital but just have them monitor me and sit on their hands since I was in early labor. Happily, my labor kicked right into gear and my baby was born, intervention-free, about 12 hours after I checked in.

[Say]

I took both blue and black cohoshes as well as drank lots of raspberry leaf tea the week before and during my labour. Walking and nipple stimulation are what finally started the contractions, but I like to think they helped too. There were zero side effects from the cohoshes.

[katmann]

I think you've gotten really good advice re the NST. I wonder how you're taking the EPO? I took capsules orally and also broke them open to rub on my belly. I don't know if it helped or not, since DS was only 2 days late. We also tried eggplant parmesan, which doesn't have to be spicy. Some people think the reason it stimulates labor is the oregano. It's a great meal, anyway, which makes it worth a try .

I really hope you can avoid the induction! All the pps are right - ask lots of questions, and don't settle for vague answers. There's tons of research out there on the risks related to induction - you can cite those right back to your doc.

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by justmandy

A week is not that over due...it's really not even overdue at all.

41W0D is absolutely, definitely NOT overdue AT ALL! I'm going to guess you are a first-time mom. If so, AVERAGE gestation is 41W1D. That is AVERAGE! So you aren't even at the average length yet! You could easily go over that average by a week (42W1D) and still be within a standard deviation of normal! By that I mean, it's well within a normal range, still on the upper portion of the bell curve, perfectly normal.

If you can, BRING HELP to your next doc apt! Ideally your DH, otherwise maybe your doula or a natural-birth-oriented friend who can say, "We understand your concerns, Doc, but we've researched this extensively & decided that as long as the NST & AFI results are good, we're waiting at least until 42W."

if he REALLY pushes, you could just, literally, hold out your hand to say 'STOP' "I've made my position clear. I understand your concerns & realize I may be taking a risk, but this is the decision I'm making. I appreciate you respecting my autonomy as a patient." Or some such other terms that tell him, "Listen, bud, my body, my baby, my birth and my choice. I ain't doin' it, so STFU!"

I would NOT argue with him on risks of induction vs. risks of 'expectant management' (waiting). Don't bother. He doesn't care. He knows the risks of induction, but he considers them to be less significant than the risks of "letting you" go "late." But that is not his choice to make - it's your choice! & he just needs to respect that.

So I think you need to tell him, 'I hear you, I know where you're coming from, I know the risk I'm taking not inducing, but that is my choice.'

Based on how much this doc is pressuring you on being:
1. ONLY 41W
2. NO alarming results of tests
I WOULD NOT TRUST HIM! Yeah, ask Qs, but come do your own research afterwards. Sad to say, but the fact alone that he's pressuring you to near tears brings up huge red flags in my book. I sure hope you have a kick-butt doula & great nurses to support you while laboring - because that kinda pressure is the last thing you need while birthing too.

[boobiepiebaby]

Thanks so much for the encouragement! The NST went fine, so I'm still waiting. I have to go back Monday for another if nothing has happened before then.
I am seriously thinking about acupuncture if I can't get this going on my own.
Again, THANKS SO MUCH!