doc wants to induce for no reason except "due date"! help!!

[tofutti]

well, what has been a great pregnancy has turned scary for me. but for no GOOD REASON, darn it.

i am 41 weeks as of this coming mon/tues. at my OB appt yesterday i was neither diated or effaced. no mucus plug, no nothing.

my doc got very serious and made a "plan" for me. my doc who i put so much trust in. i feel she is going against me now. she made me an inducement date when i will only be about 41.5 weeks pregnant. why? because they cant induce over MEMORIAL DAY. WTF!?!?! ANGER!!

the worst part is she mentioned the word that i never thought i would hear "cytotec." i have been warned and scared never to let anyone give me this stuff. then she said after the cytotec will come "pitocin." WHY?? how can i trust someone who is recommending CYTOTEC? that is scary stuff am i right?!?!

my question is WHY DO WE HAVE TO INDUCE. me and the babe are 100% normal and healthy. the ONLY reason she gave is that risk of stillbirth goes up past 42 weeks.

i wanted to avoid any drugs or medicalizations -->unless in an emergency.<--- and this seems like we are going WAY in the wrong direction here. i feel like a failure. terrified. wondering if my fears of birth are not allowing my body to progress. i have been trying SO HARD to trust the baby, my body and the natural process and now this.

pitocin will lead to an epi. epi will lead to a c-sec. what the F(*&^% is going on here!?!!?

last night i had my first dream of labor EVER (weird i know). it involved induction in a weird 1950's era hospital room. the nurse was very nice though, and she put a gel on my cervix and promised "this works every tiime."

i am not religious but i am praying this dream was sent by my unconsious to my body, to tell it to GET STARTED.

i am really upset. thank you for listening.

deb

[momto l&a]

why? because they cant induce over MEMORIAL DAY. WTF!?!?! ANGER!!

That tells you something They don't want to be delivering a baby over a weekend, they want to be out playing instead.



I am 'late' but fortunately my mw is ok with it. I know she isn't comfy with most mommies going late but being I have a history of this, she knows my body and the baby need to be 'late'

We are just slow cookers :

[Quagmire]

Can't induce over Memorial Day? Wow :

I'd be mad and freaked out too if I were you. Here's some good reading. If it were me I'd be prepared to discuss this at my next visit and refuse the induction. If all else fails, and the doc insisted I wouldn't show up for the induction. You know what's best for your body. Trust your instincts

[Synchro246]

Just remember this no matter what they say they can't or won't do--- YOUR BODY YOUR CHOICE. PERIOD.
Yes, sure the risk of still birth increases as the pregnancy progresses. Look into ultrasound assesment of the placenta and biophysical profiles and non-stress tests. These screening tools might help aleviate some of the doc's stress. You can have them during when they are saying to induce. . .if you really want you can be induced AFTER the weekend. Not that I even think you'll make it that far.

Good luck. Remember who's in charge. Follow your gut and your research

[tofutti]

oh my god, ladies the STUFF I HAVE FOUND ABOUT CYTOTEC is putting me into a RAGE.

EVEN THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT APPROVED THIS STUFF FOR USE IN PREGNANT WOMEN!!!!!!!! WTF??? WTF????

women have died, babies have died. the worst thing is i have lost my trust in my doctor. and she has been super hands off & crunchy so far.

even scarier is i had my appendix removed as a child, and cytotec is especially dangerous for those who have had abdominal surgery in the past. would she have even asked?!?!!

its incredible how proactive we need to be about our own health care.

i also read you are not considered POST DUE until the LAST DAY OF 42 WEEKS.

---------------------

The Company warns that Cytotec should not be used by pregnant women. In 2000 the FDA and the manufacturer of Cytotec have issued warnings to health care providers that Cytotec is not approved by the FDA for the induction of labor and delivery.

Serious adverse events reported following off-label use of Cytotec for cervical ripening and/or induction of labor include maternal and fetal death; uterine hyperstimulation, perforation, or rupture requiring uterine surgical repair, hysterectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy (excision of a uterine tube and ovary); amniotic fluid embolism; severe vaginal bleeding; retained placenta; shock; fetal bradycardia; and pelvic pain. There is an increased risk of uterine rupture when Cytotec is used in patients who have had prior Cesarean delivery or major uterine surgery.

[Synchro246]

It's incredible how proactive women have to be about their care indeed.
It's so sad.

America could have incredible, amazing, beautiful rates of maternal and neonatal mortality if docs just practiced evidence based medicine. Too bad money and insurance and malpractice has screwed it all up.

So. . .just out of curiosity. . .what are you going to say to your doc about the cytotec thing? ((())))

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Like a pp said they cant make you do it just say no or dont show up for the induction. Did she threaten to drop you from the practice if you didnt show up??

[dannic]

I just wouldn't show up for the induction. Also, I've seen posts before that said that a dr cannot fire you after a certain point...could you look this up? And yes, CYTOTEC is very scary and very irresponsible. It's for peptic ulcers--so what freak decided--"Oh, I'll take a peptic ulcer med and stick it up my preggo patient and see what happens"???? Can we say maternal and infant death?
Could you try some less invasive ways to get started at home, as well?
Good luck!!! Keep us posted.

[tofutti]

first i am printing off a bunch of articles about cytotecs dangers. i want it written in my chart that i am refusing to ever use it.

second i am making it clear that i am not 42 weeks til the monday after memorial day, and i dont want to even hear about induction dates til that day.

third i am drinking super concentrated RRL tea and making DH get busy. i dont know what else to do ?!?

also i am bringing in a list of safer alternatives including laminaria (seaweed) and cervadil which does not have the dangerous history of cytotec.

monday i am scheduled for a BPP ultrasound thing and i know it will be fine. then i will address this stuff. ((they are making me come in every TWO DAYS NOW THAT I AM "overdue." fun fun.))

one reason i love(d) my doc is she was really responsive to me bringing in new information for her. like when i refused a flu shot (mercury), i brought in an article, she read it, she said it was great to have new info, she said though she still advises flu shots for PG women, she now adds not to eat any fish for the week before and after to minimize mercury. (i know, not perfect, but kind of amazing as far as traditional docs go) so i am very curious as to what she says.

p.s. i dont think she would ever "fire me." but who knows?

[alegna]

Not in your group, but had to respond.

First- they can't dump you at this point.

Next- they can't force you to do ANYTHING- be induced, come in, ANYTHING. All your call.

Stand strong mama. Sadly this is pretty typical for hospital birthing.

-Angela

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by Synchro246

Just remember this no matter what they say they can't or won't do--- YOUR BODY YOUR CHOICE. PERIOD.

Good luck. Remember who's in charge. Follow your gut and your research

:


my son was due October 15th and didn't come until the 30th. we did an ultrasound and he looked fine so my midwife gave me a little more time. he was due to be induced on halloween and i started labor on the evening of the 29th.

after hearing horror stories from all three of my friends that did induce i would NEVER induce unless something was drastically wrong with me or the babe. each and every friend that induced ended up with an epi and two got c-sections.

your body and your baby know what they are supposed to do! my advice would be do not induce unless you get an ultrasound showing something is wrong. never induce to suit someone's schedule. sheesh!

one more thing. try accupuncture! when i was late i went to my accupunturist and she hooked up some stimulating needles (very slight electric current) and i started having contractions right then. there's also points you can use on your hand i think (it's been awhile). i didn't start labor then but i did the next day.

good luck!

[MommyTeesa]

Oh, deb, I am so sorry this is happening! You still have a week ... what about massage (pressure points) or chiropractic?

[tofutti]

i have been to two intense acupuncture sessions in the last week -- had some contrax but ....

and the acu. showed me some pressure points...i am gonna try em.

((one thing is my back is all screwed up so i had to cut my exercise down from a lot to almost nothing. i wonder if this is the problem?))

thanks for the kind words

[megviolet]

Oh crappy! Sorry you are having this thrown at you now! I'm 42 weeks today, i had an induction scheduled and didn't show up, so they scheduled a second one, phoned my DH and told him when it was... i didn't show up for that one either

Here is another interesting article, mostly regarding Pitocin:

(from the article) "Robert Hamilton, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at UCLA, says that in all his years as a pediatrician, he has seen actual postdate babies less than 5 percent of the time. Moreover, the vast majority of post-date babies overcome problems after birth and are ultimately healthy.[39,40] AGOC estimates that 95 percent of post-term babies are born safely between 42 and 44 weeks.[41-45] (Perhaps these babies were meant to "ripen" a bit later than their "average" counterparts.)"

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m..._76587472/pg_3

I was very comforted by the thoughts in the responses i got to a similar thread a few days ago:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=675720

Anyway, best wishes to you!!!

[shelbean91]

They can't induce over Memorial day weekend? So what? You're not asking to be induced, you're waiting for baby to come naturally. If what they're saying is they don't want to have to come IN on memorial day- well, then they should reconsider the choice of career, since last I checked, babies can be born any day of the year, any time of day. Let her know since you're not being induced, you're perfectly happy waiting until after Memorial day.

Good luck.

[BrooklynDoula]

First of all, nothing is going to happen without your permission - so take a deep breathe and continue to focus on the fact that you are going to have a wonderful, natural birth well before the issue of induction even comes up. Relax. Have a glass or wine or a bath or a massage. Have some sex and have lots of nipple stim and orgasm(s) if possible. Go for a long walk. Be gentle with yourself and release your fears and the baby will come, I am sure. and

[kittn]

you have every reason to be upset. Hell i am upset for you!:

maybe there are some other ways to get things started any of which I believe to be safer than cytotec. I have read on that stuff and it is scary as all hell.
This is your body and they cannot MAKE you show up for the induction. I am so sorry lovie. Im praying for you

heres a link
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natInduxSum.html

[mm72873]

I was 43 weeks with my son......an induction turned C/S


so this time around I am doing everything possible to make it happen....I can e-mail you this online book I found about accupuncture and inducing labor.....

and here is my own personal list I gathered of ways to bring about labor....

•Walk
•Sex
•Castor oil - You can take 1 to 4 ounces of castor oil mixed with 6 ounces of orange juice to cut its oiliness. You'll want to drink it quickly because of the unpleasant taste. Some practitioners suggest taking a single dose; others suggest repeated doses depending on your response. Keep in mind that castor oil usually will cause your bowels to empty within about three hours. With luck, soon after that, you will be in true labor.
•Spicy food- Some people swear that it was that extra-hot enchilada
•Blue and black Cohosh
•Nipple stimulation-Some women massage their nipples as a way to induce labor. The usual recommendation is 15 minutes of continual stimulation on each nipple each hour for several hours.
•Stripping the membranes
•Try a warm (not hot) bath in candlelight.
•Get a professional massage with the only goal being relaxation.
•Acupuncture
•Acupressure: Before you use acupressure to induce labor at home, ensure that you have reached the 41st week of pregnancy. And, of course, have your bag packed and ready – using acupressure really produces results! The most effective acupressure points that naturally induce labor, give labor pain relief and help in any stage you might get stuck in during you labor, are revealed in a new labor acupressure guide "Easier, Shorter and Safer Birth" by Lena Leino. Spleen 6 point-This point should ONLY be used during labor, as it can trigger early or premature labor. Location is 4 fingerbreadths up from the inner ankle bone behind the tibia. Use your thumb to press down hard and toward the shin bone for 20 seconds each time, repeat 3-4 times. Press during contractions to relieve discomfort. To be used for easing labor pain and speed labor along. If a woman's membranes have ruptured Hegu L.I.-4, Sanyinjiao SP-6 and Ciliao BL-32 can be used to help establish labour. Hegu L.I.-4 can be used in combination with Sanyinjiao SP-6 with the woman or her support person applying firm pressure to each point for several minutes at hourly or 2 hourly intervals. All four acupressure points can be used, or for practical purposes Hegu LI.-4 on one hand can be used in combination with the Sanyinjiao SP-6 (on the ankle) point of the opposite leg. This combination can be repeated 1- 2 hours later starting with Hegu L.I.-4 (on your hand) on the opposite hand. Ciliao BL-32 can also be used in combination with Hegu L.I.-4 and Sanyinjiao SP-6 with the support person applying firm downward stokes from Ciliao BL-32you’re your back) through to the buttocks for 5 minutes once or twice a day.
•ou will know when you've found the spot because it will be very sore. You rub your calf, or pinch the webbing on your hand, in a circular motion for 30-60 second at a time, taking 1-2 minute breaks in between.
• If there is failure to progress: If a woman is fully dilated but there are problems in pushing the baby down through the birth canal firm acupressure to Jianjing GB-21 (back of the neck) and Hegu L.I.-4 (hand) can be applied for 5-10 minutes.
•Cervical cap problems: This is when, although the woman feels the urge to push, the cervix has not yet dilated fully. The cervix then has a swollen "lip" which makes it difficult to achieve full dilation. The woman will be told not to push by her midwife or doctor. If this becomes a problem during labour Sanyinjiao SP-6 (ankle) and Ciliao BL-32 ( side of the butt check) can be used.

•Finding a park with a swing and swinging on it.
•Talk to your baby and make sure she feels welcome. Tell her about her room, about her grandparents, about your hopes and dreams for her. If nothing else, it creates some wonderful memories and gives you a chance to bond with your baby while you are trying out natural ways to induce labor.
•Tropical fruits such as kiwi, mango and pineapple contain an enzyme that may cause mild contractions.
•Red raspberry leaf tea
•Evening primrose oil: The most common application of evening primrose oil is directly on the cervix, not on the belly.
•Drinking cumin. Cumin Tea. This is used by midwives in Latino cultures. Traditionally, a raw cube of potato is added to the tea, it absorbs the bitterness of the cumin. You can add sugar to this one or honey. ?1 T. cumin seed to one cup of boiling water, allow to steep for 5 minutes, then drink. No more than 1 cup an hour per day.
•Oregano and Basil have properties that may cause contractions, though it is not yet known how or in what quantities.
•Evening Primrose oil: It can be taken orally as soon as 34 weeks, and can be applied directly to the cervix at full term (36 weeks). The general recommendation is two 500mg ?capsules per day until week 38, at which time you increase to 3-4 per day. The entire capsule can be inserted vaginally (inserted just before bed, it will dissolve before the first time you wake to use the bathroom), or you can use the oil on your fingers for your perineal massage, then also rub on your cervix (assuming you can reach it). Applying directly to the cervix is optimal, but the beneficial ingredients are absorbed through the external skin or the stomach also.
•Pineapple. I just found out about this one, and I love pineapple. If it doesn't give you heartburn, eating lots of pineapple is reputed to begin labor and ripen the cervix. I assume it has to do with the enzyme found in Pineapple

good luck, and e-mail me at [e-mail] f you want a copy of the book through e-mail.


Miriam

[MAMom]

Your doctor has pulled the good ole "bait-and-switch". Good for you for standing strong!

Fact Sheet: Problems and Hazards of Induction in Labor
http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downlo...fact-sheet.pdf

The Six Care Practices that Support Normal Birth:
#1. Labor begins on its own
http://www.lamaze.org/Portals/0/Rese...aborBegins.pdf

[beatee]

I'm in a similar situation (with the added threat of 'losing' my homebirth which I desperately don't want to do).
Grr, we quite obviously have the facts on our side, (plus, ya know, the whole consent thing), but I could really really do without the stress of having to fight the system at this stage in pregnancy. :
Good luck mama.