Induction happy drs.-- vent

[cachet]

I just had an email exchange with my sister, who is due with her first in a couple weeks.

I was surprised to read in her email that her dr. (family practice) told her:
they would discuss induction at her next appt. because he doesn't like his patients to go "overdue" more than 4 days! She said a week is the most he'll let her go over.

I told her that I wanted her to know she doens't HAVE to be induced and recommended Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide... to her. She replied with her dr. said studies show that every day a woman goes over her due date the more complications that can arise, and some drs. prefer inducing right at or before the 40 week mark!!!

UGH!! Makes me nuts. I didn't respond b/c I didn't want her to get frustrated with me. I just tell myself "it's not my birth" and that I had to go through the hospital experience to get to where I am now. i just hope it all goes well and she doesn't end up with an induction...

And WHY is this? Convenience? Fear of malpractice? I just don't get it.

[njbeachgirl]

[Arwyn]

Convenience, fear of malpractice, wanting to be in control, needing to perpetuate the belief that women's bodies don't work, pressures from peers and hospital administrators, and, unfortunately and in the face of evidence, most doctors actually believe this stuff.

"It's not my birth" is a good mantra, for your sanity's sake if nothing else.

[Fyrestorm]

Does she understand that she is putting herself on the fast track to a section?

[Kappa]

Well, even if she has to get a little frustrated with you, make sure to tell her that there are such a thing as Bishop scores, and that she needs to be evaluated for favorability for induction regardless of dates. If she is unfavorable at 40 weeks 4 days, or whatever day she schedules, she may as well go straight to the OR and skip the 24 hours of horrendous pitocin contractions.

[cachet]

Thaks for the replies, ladies. She doesn't want an induction but I'm afraid she'll be swayed into getting one since everyone around her doesn't think it's a big deal. :

I've told her that once you start down the intervention path you're more likely to end up with a c/s.

The Bishop score idea is a great one- I will let her know that!

[poetesss]

Originally Posted by Arwyn

"It's not my birth" is a good mantra, for your sanity's sake if nothing else.

Ahhhh, yes... I have heard too many depressing birth stories recently, last one was an induction (due to "low amniotic fluid") that led to a c/s... poor mama was so eager for a BC natural birth.

"It's not my birth..." I'm going to have to remember that. Thinking about my own totally awesome birth also helps me not go absolutely mad when I hear crazy sh!t about birth.