Declining induction....crazy??

[amberg007]

I am 5 days overdue (1st timer) and my midwife wanted to schedule me for an induction on monday. As much as I want to meet my dd, I am not comfortable with messing around with nature. I want to give her the chance to come on her own. Dh is concerned that this decision may lead to a C section since the babe is quite large (so they say). Now I am second guessing the decision to wait. I am feeling quite frustrated and a bit sad. Anyone else in a similiar boat? Please send good vibes my way!

:

[jmmom]

I thought a big baby - they really can't tell at all, btw - was actually a CONTRA-indication for induction, I think even according to ACOG - it makes sense, trying to force a big baby out vaginally before it's body and yours are ready is really asking for it. If that is the only reason your midwife gave you, there is absolutely no way I would schedule an induction. Most 1st pregnancies go at least 41 weeks, 42 is still within stastical normality, and 43 or beyond isn't dangerous unless you have specific reasons to think it is. Relax.

I have a friend, btw, who pushed for a few hours with a big baby who really wouldn't come out - she had studied Bradley method and really knew her stuff - and she finally had a C-section. The baby's (HUGE!) head was really pointed where it had been trying to squeeze through! No danger to either mom or babe from trying things the natural way before eventually going to c-section when it was obviously necessary. She had no medical intervention prior to that point. A big baby really isn't dangerous, and most big babies can fit through the birth canal just fine. They also do better once they're out!

[amygoforth]

I haven't been to MDC in a while, and I saw this while scrolling down the main page, and I had to respond. It's a sore subject with me, lately.

Is your midwife offering a medical justification for induction (other than big baby)?

JUST SAY NO to non-medically justified induction of labor.

Suspected big baby is not a valid reason to induce labor. Ultrasounds can be WRONG, and often are, when estimating baby size. But let's say, for the sake of argument, you do have a big baby. The female body is made to birth babies of all sizes, and given the freedom to assume a variety of positions for labor, as well as an upright squatting position for birth, you can safely birth a large baby. Squatting during the second stage of labor (pushing) can open the pelvic outlet up to 30%. You can do this!!!

Induction prior to 42 weeks gestation is not backed by current research. It is not uncommon for first-time moms to go past the magic 40-week mark. And some babies need a little more time to cook! Let your baby pick his/her birthday. Current research is revealing is that it is the baby who actually initiates the labor process by secreting a surfactant from the lungs once they are fully mature. Letting your labor begin spontaneously is the only way to assure that baby is ready for life outside your body.

Induction comes with a ton of risk to you and your baby. Depending on the type of medication used to induce, the contractions are longer and stronger than naturally occuring contractions, which can put the baby at risk of decreased oxygen levels, which can lead to distress. Not to mention, one intervention begets another and another. Pitocin, for example, can make contractions very uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that you are tethered by an IV. So, to be able to deal with the contractions, you might turn to pain medications that can slow down labor. At which point your midiwfe might want to increase pitocin. Is a vicious cycle, that can adversly affect your baby, which can lead to cesarean.

The next time you discuss induction with your midwife, as about the benefits, risks, alternative options, and waiting (what if we do nothing?). Those answers will help you to make a truly informed choice. And you can always SAY NO!

Peace and luck to you.

[aurora_skys]

couldnt have said it better

just say no and stick to your guns! you arent actually "late" at all and remember that a due date is really more of a guess with two weeks either way. inductions can be dangerous and they triple your risk of a c section. it sounds like you are already educated on the topic so good for you! rest assured, you know whats best for you.

[Montse]

I am going through the same thing! My midwife is putting so much pressure on me it's RIDICULOUS! Apparently, the perinatologist told her today after my level II ultra sound that my baby's head was too large to engage. She keeps saying my baby is too big to deliver naturally and if I don't go into labor soon, she wants to induce. Well, if she's too big to deliver, what the heck is an induction going to accomplish??? I am adamantly declining induction. I've been feeling a lot of pressure in my cervix area and believe my baby is engaging just fine. What is up with this? I'm so tired of going through this and I don't know what else to do but continue to ignore them. Argh! I'm not the only one with a big baby. Moreover, my sister's midwife pulled the same crap on her. She insisted and insisted her babies were too big - well over 10 lbs and guess what, neither of them were close! Her first was 7lbs 13ounces and her second was 8lbs 7ounces - no where near over 10lbs. He estimated my baby's weight today at 10lbs 4ounces and he even said they OVERESTIMATE WEIGHT! He also mentioned late term ultra sounds were inaccurate at determining weight. Geez.

I'm finding I need to stay firm and not let her scare me into unnecessary procedures. I hope your care providers don't try to intimidate you this way and it works out better for you.

: : : : : :

[dimibella]

to you both mamas, I agree with pp, supposed big baby is no real reason to induce.

[mrsbass]

I'm not from your ddc, but had to respond! Hang in there! If there is no medical reason to induce, then don't do it. My midwife stripped my membranes at 4 days after due date without my knowledge and put me into labor the next day. It was SO SLOW and I went in too early. She broke my water at 5 cm to get things moving (I was so out of it - not next time, though!) just 6 hours after I got there. I was tranferred for pitocin and epidural, which did nothing after 2 hours of hard contractions. Then the heartrate dropped and we had a semi-emergency cesarean.

Found out at the hospital that his station was -2! He simply wasn't done "baking" yet, and if I'd been left alone, I'm confident I would have gone into labor on my own and progressed just fine. :

Anyway, hold your ground! Can't wait to hear about your LO soon. :

[allisonrose]

No, I don't think you're crazy for turning down an induction. Sounds like she's offering it as a convenience.

I'm not to my DD yet but last week spoke to my (hosp birth) midwife about going pastdates. She told me that they will offer induction at 41w but as long as the pregnancy is going well, I can go until 42w. I fully intend to take them up on the extra week if I go late. Some babies just need to cook longer.

[Marcimama]

I went 13 days over due with my 1st. It made me worry...waiting that is, but so glad I did. She was only 8 lbs and it was totally manageable. You can do it momma!

[misraloeb]

I'm 5 days overdue today. I have had no ultrasounds or western medical intervention, but the midwives are now tossing those concepts into my consciousness which is driving me crazy. The baby is kicking up a storm, so I know we're fine. I'm just ignoring the midwives, and will no-show to the next appointment (they insist on weekly at this point). The baby will come when the time is right. I am doing acupuncture inductions, however, because that's non-invasive and works with the body's energy. Other than that, I trust that the baby is in alignment with the Divine plan, and all is unfolding perfectly. It is scary though to have the professionals project negativity into your space. But hold on. Trust in your innate wisdom, and that of your body and your baby.

[gagirl2008]

You're not crazy at all!!! Stand your ground!!

[hsofia]

Nope, you're not crazy. Inductions are just recommended all the time now ... it's really alarming. Your due date is EDD - going up to 42 weeks is fine! Some women even go past that. Baby is still cooking, and inducing for a so-called large baby (what do they even mean by this) is just silly.

[honeybee]

FIVE friggin' days past your edd? You've gotta be kidding me. You are not OVERDUE until after 42 weeks! It's an ESTIMATED due date!

Sheesh! Why does the medical community not understand this? And you're using MIDWIVES?!

Good for you ladies standing your ground and not letting anyone scare you into a convenience induction.. convenient for them that is, not for you and baby.

[JesseMomme]

I don't think you're crazy, so long as you and baby are doing fine. Hang in there

[PassionateWriter]

Originally Posted by amygoforth

I haven't been to MDC in a while, and I saw this while scrolling down the main page, and I had to respond. It's a sore subject with me, lately.

Is your midwife offering a medical justification for induction (other than big baby)?

JUST SAY NO to non-medically justified induction of labor.

Suspected big baby is not a valid reason to induce labor. Ultrasounds can be WRONG, and often are, when estimating baby size. But let's say, for the sake of argument, you do have a big baby. The female body is made to birth babies of all sizes, and given the freedom to assume a variety of positions for labor, as well as an upright squatting position for birth, you can safely birth a large baby. Squatting during the second stage of labor (pushing) can open the pelvic outlet up to 30%. You can do this!!!

Induction prior to 42 weeks gestation is not backed by current research. It is not uncommon for first-time moms to go past the magic 40-week mark. And some babies need a little more time to cook! Let your baby pick his/her birthday. Current research is revealing is that it is the baby who actually initiates the labor process by secreting a surfactant from the lungs once they are fully mature. Letting your labor begin spontaneously is the only way to assure that baby is ready for life outside your body.

Induction comes with a ton of risk to you and your baby. Depending on the type of medication used to induce, the contractions are longer and stronger than naturally occuring contractions, which can put the baby at risk of decreased oxygen levels, which can lead to distress. Not to mention, one intervention begets another and another. Pitocin, for example, can make contractions very uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that you are tethered by an IV. So, to be able to deal with the contractions, you might turn to pain medications that can slow down labor. At which point your midiwfe might want to increase pitocin. Is a vicious cycle, that can adversly affect your baby, which can lead to cesarean.

The next time you discuss induction with your midwife, as about the benefits, risks, alternative options, and waiting (what if we do nothing?). Those answers will help you to make a truly informed choice. And you can always SAY NO!

Peace and luck to you.

great post!!!!!

[spiderdust]

The best thing you can do is go with your gut... your gut told you not to mess with the natural process, and so you declined on the induction.

Good for you!! Due dates are all guess work anyway, and even a 40 week gestation is an estimate. Some take a little longer, some take a little less time. In any case, they all come out.