Concerned about sister's scheduled induction

[daceysmomma]

My sister is 25 and is expecting her first baby. Her EDD is Nov. 3rd. She has had a great pregnancy - no complications whatsoever (no GD, high blood pressure, nothing of concern). She had to have an u/s last week because she hadn't gained any weight at her 37 week check-up, and the baby weighed in around 6 1/2 pounds.

Today was her 38 week appointment. After her internal exam revealed no dilation and that baby was still head down and had dropped some, her OB offered her an induction any time she wanted after 39 weeks. She happily scheduled one for Nov. 3rd.

First of all, I was shocked that the doctor offered her an induction at this point! In my last OB practice, they wouldn't even entertain induction dates until your 40 week appnt, and that was only with great caution. Is this really becoming standard?

Secondly, my sister has Asperger syndrome. I am very concerned that her practitioners have not taken the time to fully explain to her what an induced labor will be like. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I get!

When she called to tell me about the induction, I warned her that she may end up with a c/s and she said "there's nothing wrong with that" and what could I say? Both of my daughters are Cesarean births . . .

Anyway, what resources could I draw from to try to gently encourage her to consider waiting until she goes into labor? As is typical of people with Aspergers, once she gets an idea in her mind, it's very difficult to persuade her. I just want to make sure she is fully informed.

TIA for any ideas.

[Beccadoula]

OH, I am sorry to hear all this...but you have to keep in mind that it is her choice. She may not think it will be a big deal, but many women feel that way the first time around. It is common to not see the real issues until you've been through it. I think the best thing you could do for her is get a book like "Mothering the Mother" or "the Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Birth" and tell her why you have strugled with your own experiences. THIS is VERY common these days...they do it alot now. You might hire a doula for her...and that could help a lot. If you can be there for her after the birth (no matter how it works out) you may be able to help her deal with how things went...but only if you're able to avoid "told you so" and the sort. Elective Cesarean is becoming a huge problem these days...so elective induction is no big thing at all...inspight of all the evidence. As to the Asperger's...I feel your pain. My son has it and the disconnect from reality has all kinds of baggage with it. If she trusts you then you may be able to explain the problems, but only if you can keep cool about it. You might challenge her to research the topic...but so close to the induction date it would take a lot of conviction to say no once she's already agreed to do it.

[whalemilk]

So far as I know, people with Aspergers normally have average or above average intelligence so I'm not sure what that would have to do with her comprehending this situation?

[infraread]

Originally Posted by whalemilk

So far as I know, people with Aspergers normally have average or above average intelligence so I'm not sure what that would have to do with her comprehending this situation?

Sometimes, someone with Asperger's has a hard time comprehending consequences. My brother is a very live-in-the-moment type person, what happens afterwards simply does not compute for him, until it does.

Keep in mind, I said sometimes. It's possible the OP is worried about a similar situation with her sister.

[FondestBianca]

here is my story... maybe this can be of some help... idk. whenever I hear about induction, sepecially elective induction I have to mention my situation with dd back in 05. \

Let me first mention that I had to be induced because I had pre-e and non stress tests were indicating that it was negitivly affecting dd. I was also doing damage to my kidneys in the mean time. At my 38 week app, I wasn't dialated or thinned and dd hadn't really come down much. My doc figured that I'd probably go to 42 or 43 weeks if I waited for natural labor. My kidneys nor my baby could handle that much more time. I was scheduled for induction the night before my due date.

They tried the little insert strip that night to ripen my cervix... nothing happened, they then broke my water, not much happened, then they started pitosin. THEN labor started... oh and did it ever start... and hurt! They also had me pretty much glued to my bed while on the pit. They didn't want me up around around much more than to go to the bathroom. They were constantly monitering, checking my cervix, monitering dd, poking around, and adjusting my pit. It was aweful pain... I mean AWEFUL. I passed out twice from the pain... and I'm typically pretty good at dealering with pain. I went from a 1 on the pain scale to a 10 in under 30 minutes on the pit.

I thought, "ok, since it worked so quick that should equal quick labor". WRONG! I was in active, painful labor for something like 15 hours. After 5 hours of moaning, yelling, passing out, and to quote a nurse "disturbing other laboring mothers" I opted for the epi.... which didn't go well either. Due to a crooked back and narrowing spinal column it took them a soild 1.5 hours to get my epi set. They stuck it in and pulled it back out 3 times before getting it somewhat in place. The tech was about to give up because with all of that pain it was extremely hard to stay sitting up, hunched over, and motionless through all of the painful contractions... so I donm't doubt that some ladies arent' able to get an epi with induction if they wait too long because the pain is simply too horrid to be able to stay prefectly still for the epi tech.

My labor stalled prior to getting the epi at about a 4 or so. Nurses started using the term "c-section" around my room which is another reason I opted for the epi... something to relieve the pain and allow me to be less tense and let my labor progress. After about an hour on the epi it did start up again luckily. But, I do blame the extreme stalling on the horrid pain caused by the use of pit. By people that have done both pit and natural labor I have heard time and time again that natural labor is much more smooth and much less painful and easier to tolerate and work with. There is almost no time to use your lovely pain management techniques when you go from no pain to passing out pain in 30 minutes flat.

Finally after 3 HOURS of pushing and refusing any offer for c-section (thank GOD for my wonderful doctor who kept telling hospital staff I could do it on my own) dd made her way out. I had to stay planted in my bed until both the pit and epi had somewhat worn off before I was allowed to get up and move into the recovery room.

I would never, and I mean NEVER EVER get induced again short of another bout with pre-e. Thank God my current pregnancy is going well and I will be able to labor naturally. We all get a little cranky, moody, uncomfortable, and impatient toward the end of our pregnancies but, I would very happily take having to wait until 42 weeks of miserable pregnancy then deal with such a terrible and painful birth expereince again. I couldn't imagine if after all of that I ended up having to go through an emergency section also.

I would urge anyone with a healthy pregnancy to just suck it up and deal with the annoyance and inconvience of prolonged pregnancy. This time around I'm having tons of trouble with my back, carpel tunnel, painful vulvodynia (and threat of bladder or uterous prolapse), urinary track problems, etc... and there is still no way I'd risk ruining my entire birth experience again by being induced. Some people may do well with induction and have little problems... I however, wasnt' one of the lucky people.

Everyone is different, everyone makes different choices, maybe if someone read some positive and negitive stories about induction to see both sides of the situation... idk. Mine would definatly go into the negitive category. I certainly wouldn't mind if someone thinking about elective iduction read my story... if it could help even one person have the good birth expeience I missed out on.

[daceysmomma]

Originally Posted by infraread

Sometimes, someone with Asperger's has a hard time comprehending consequences. My brother is a very live-in-the-moment type person, what happens afterwards simply does not compute for him, until it does.

Keep in mind, I said sometimes. It's possible the OP is worried about a similar situation with her sister.

Yes, this is exactly my concern. I'm sorry - I didn't word that very well in my first post, but yeah - very little thought to consequences.

I do realize that it really is her choice, of course. I just want her to be informed and because I have no experience with an induced labor (DD1 was an emergency c/s but I went into labor on my own, DD2 was a SRCS) I am hoping someone here can provide me with some ideas on how I can pass on some information to her. She does trust me, we have a VERY close relationship, and I only want what is best for her.

[**Cat**]

The fact that you needed a c-section might give you more sway with her, explain how unpleasant they can be.

I hope you can change her mind.

Sadly, I do think inductions are becoming the norm. Gah!

[esteg0]

I know most people with Asperger's are very concrete thinkers. What about something as simple as watching Business of Being Born with her. Not necessarily for the homebirth aspect, but for the cascade of interventions information. That might be all she needs. My nephew has Asperger's and he reads about everything and retains so much. He really believes what he reads too. Is your sister like that? You could just find her some info off mothering.com about the cascade of interventions, since I think it might be a little late in the game for an entire book. And she might be more willing to read an article over an entire book. (My sister would look at a book like "oh, some other random thing my crunchy sister wants me to read" and set it aside) Then if she becomes interested you can offer her a book or two to read. Good luck convincing her!

[TzippityDoulah]

Originally Posted by gentlehandsdoula

OH, I am sorry to hear all this...but you have to keep in mind that it is her choice. She may not think it will be a big deal, but many women feel that way the first time around. It is common to not see the real issues until you've been through it. I think the best thing you could do for her is get a book like "Mothering the Mother" or "the Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Birth" and tell her why you have strugled with your own experiences. THIS is VERY common these days...they do it alot now. You might hire a doula for her...and that could help a lot. If you can be there for her after the birth (no matter how it works out) you may be able to help her deal with how things went...but only if you're able to avoid "told you so" and the sort. Elective Cesarean is becoming a huge problem these days...so elective induction is no big thing at all...inspight of all the evidence. As to the Asperger's...I feel your pain. My son has it and the disconnect from reality has all kinds of baggage with it. If she trusts you then you may be able to explain the problems, but only if you can keep cool about it. You might challenge her to research the topic...but so close to the induction date it would take a lot of conviction to say no once she's already agreed to do it.

I agree with this poster completely.