Wondering if induction is right?

[MSUmama]

My LMP was October 1. I'm POSITIVE of this. I had hyperemesis with this pregnancy as I did with my other three. I've gained 8 lb. Early on an US was done because we couldn't pick up baby's heart beat. My OB adjusted my due date from July 8 to July 19 based on US results. My OB knows I want things as natural and as little interventions throughout pregnancy and birth as possible so he's left me alone for the most part. He did check me at 36 weeks, the 21st of June, and I was dilated to 4 and 80%. Last week on the 28th, I'd gone up to a 5. He said I had the option of being induced on the
3rd as that was the soonest he felt ok about inducing. I'm having braxton hicks, but I have been all along, nothing else, no blood, nothing. Now I am wondering if I should ask to be induced if I don't go soon. One, I am worried about going too far beyond my due date, whatever it may really be and two, my husband works nights over an hour away and I don't want him to miss the birth! My other labors were all about 7 hours long but my water broke with 2 of the 3 and contractions didn't start for a couple of hours. How long can one really walk around this far dilated? I'm working and pretty much doing my normal stuff, when I looked online the docs who talk about it made it sound like being dilated beyond a 3 and not being on bed rest is impossible. My secretary keeps telling me if I sneeze too hard the baby's going to pop out. I really don't want to induce but, is it best in this situation?
Amy

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Well, you're the only one who can decide if induction is right for you. I wouldn't induce in your situation, if it were me. You can be closed up tight and have a baby an hour later; you can be 4 cm for a month or more. The only way to be sure the baby is ready is to wait for the baby to decide to be born.

[olive&pimiento]

It is not uncommon for women who have had babies to be dilated, even to 4-5 cm, this late in pregnancy. You can still walk around for a couple of weeks like this. I've seen it happen. More likely though, your due date by LMP is accurate (surprise, surprise) and you'll go into labor soon. If I were you, I try to relax and let this baby decide when it's coming out. I realize this must be difficult with dh working far away, but you will still have to have a labor, even with a jump start of 5 cm. Hope all goes well for you.

[MSUmama]

Thanks for the replies, I'd rather not induce but my hormones have been such a mess lately, I don't trust myself anymore, lol. Just needed some reassurance from outside sources, have a great holiday!
Amy

[Veritaserum]

Eh, I walk around at 3-4 for at least a couple of weeks. One of my friends walks around at 5+. Baby will come when he or she is ready.

[Ruthla]

From what you've said so far, I don't see any medical reasons for induction at this point. You and the baby are both healthy.

Keep in mind that hormonal-induced mood swings are NORMAL!!! It's normal to be sick of being pg, to feel impatient to meet this baby, and then 5 minutes later decide you just want to be pg forever and are scared of the reality of having a new baby! Generally, the impatience to meet baby and being tired of being pg wins out, and it's a very vulnerable time- if the dr offers an induction, it's very normal to feel "yeah, I get to have this baby already!"

But keep in mind that induction carries risks- since your body isn't quite ready for labor yet, labor may be stalled, you may need a whole bunch of interventions to keep labor going, and you're more likely to end up with a c/s. There are also risks to the baby if it's born too soon- however sure you can be of conception date, maybe this particular baby just needs a little more time until he or she is truly ready to be born.

IMO, which is shared by many on this board, induction shouldn't be taken lightly, and "I'm tired of being pregnant" isn't a valid reason to induce. Why deal with a medically involved labor and birth if it can be avoided with a little patience? Certainly, there are medical reasons that make induction appropriate; that make a medicalized birth appropriate, but if mom and babe are both healthy, it's best to let nature take its course.

[1stimestar]

I was dilated to 5 two weeks before baby and dilated to 6 for a WEEK before baby, my first baby! I agreed to induction at 11 days after my due date, which I knew was accurate from LMP, for severe pre-eclampsia. So yes, you can walk around this dilated. For my second baby I have no idea how much I was dilated because I didn't have any vaginal exams until the midwife came to my house to birth my baby. She got there at 7 cm. which I thought was perfect. Good luck.

[MSUmama]

Well, still no baby, and I should have explained better, I am NOT tired of being pregnant, in fact, I have plans until the 9th that I'd like to be able to follow through with so if baby wants to wait, it's all good with me. I was actually just kind of worried. I've been very blessed in that all three previous births went well and smoothly, I always knew when things were happening and with this one, I had no idea I'd been dilating. Now I'm having severe leg cramps, my back is killing me and I've been just feeling really sick for about 24 hours, so I think baby is getting ready. I don't want to push anything along, I just don't want to take any risks either.
Amy

[olive&pimiento]

Hope you have an amazing birth!

[alegna]

Inducing is a risk. I would not ever induce without true medical reason.

-Angela

[turtlewomyn]

It doesn't sound like there is any medical indication for inducing (both you and baby sound healthy). Inducing is dangerous for both you and the baby if there is no medical reason for it.
I am sure your baby will come soon on their own time!

[prothyraia]

Originally Posted by MSUmama

I'm working and pretty much doing my normal stuff, when I looked online the docs who talk about it made it sound like being dilated beyond a 3 and not being on bed rest is impossible

I know of someone who walked around at 7 cm for a little over a week.

[DoomaYula]

I agree with everyone -- don't induce unless you have a medical reason. Induction is a slippery slope that can lead to all kinds of other interventions you don't want. It may sound appealing to try and plan so that your dh can be there, but I'd just focus on letting the baby come when he or she is ready.

[bobandjess99]

Am I reading this right? You are not even "due" until July 19th? Or, possibly, at the earliest, July 8th? No way I would EVER recommend inducing for a non-medical reason - especially not prior to at LEAST the due date!
I'd just thank my lucky stars your body has already done SO MUCH of the "work" in advance, and chances are you will have a super quick and hopefully very easy labor!!! Although, I would prepare myself for an unexpected homebirth, LOL!

[MSUmama]

Juat an update, July 6th I started feeling like I needed to pee constantly at about 4:15 am, waited an hour to decide to call dh home from work and then had to have a neighbor drive me to the hospital about 5:30 when I realized something was really up. Contractions were never consistant, ranging from 3 to 17 minutes apart and lasting from 10 secs to 2 minutes. Got to the hospital fully dilated with my bag still in tact. Dr. made it to the hospital in a couple of minutes, beat dh in fact, lol. I never had contractions strong enough or long enough to push well, it was like swimming upstream. Dr. broke my water when dh walked in hoping it would help and then they just stopped. I ended up having to have petocin a few hours later and finally a very healthy 8 lb baby girl made her appearance. So much for July 19, lol, even the doc said the US could be off by 10 days either way, which is why I thought the 8th was more accurate. Anyway, thanks for everyone's help and advice, birth is so amazing and so toally unpredictable.

[MidwifeErika]

Congrats on your sweet baby girl!

[Mrs.Floyd]

Wow, Congratulations!