Induction - why so many doctors are doing it now?

Is it me or do most doctors seem to be inducing labor these days more than in the past?  I know so many of us are being induced, and so many women I know of personally who are or were before their 40th week.  Is there some information we are missing out on?  Is there some magic formula for when an induction happens?  

Personally I'm torn about asking for an induction at 39 weeks and staying pregnant a little longer.  I'm for it because I can't wait to hold Lilith and know she's doing well and so the insurance company for STD stops jerking me around (apparently dizziness and all these contractions amongst other things doesn't qualify me because they were stupid about getting a phone interview not the actual doctor notes).  But I don't because I don't know when/if I'll get pregnant again and I want to enjoy feeling her move.  I feel as big as a house and I'm tired and all that comes with being 37 weeks... but I'm worried as well.

[Crritter]

It depends on the Dr. Mine holds out till you are past due unless there is a medical reason to induce sooner, and even then will not go before 39 weeks unless the pregnancy is harming mom or baby.  I made it a little over a week past due with my first.  He was so big and I tore completely through, so she did opt to induce at 39 weeks with baby #2.  I was of ourse told I did not have to be induced if I wanted to wait till I hit my due date, but htey were concerned since there were so many problems due the the first baby's size when I delivered.  Inductions can take longer and if you are not ripened and favorable, it may not take.  My sis went in twice and on the second try the baby did not tolerate it and she had to be put under and whisked away for an emergency C-section.  I would not ask for one if you may be able to go into labor on your own, but each person is different.  My coworker was due 4 days after me and was tired of being pregnant.  She got induced 4 days before me.  Hang in there.  

[nikkicole827]

I think a lot of doctors are doing it for convenience.  They know when they're patients will be delivered rather than getting midnight wake up calls.  My brothers g/f was told by her doc that he doesnt like to be waken in teh middle of the night so he would schedule her for an induction before her due date!  Isn't that crazy?  A friend of mine's husband is in a wedding one weekend and so their doc offered to induce her before the wedding so that she wouldnt go into labor and compromise his best man role.  

[Van73]

Well I had DD# 2 six years ago VBAC and the dr induced 1 week early.  My now Dr said he will NOT induce VBACs because he doesnt feel it is safe.........GO figure.......

[kjbutcher]

my doctor didnt give an exact time.  she just said if it is favorable.  i was there at 36 weeks and she said i was closed, high, and long.  she said if she tried to induce that way i would end up with a c section.  ( i was not asking to be induced at 36 weeks.  she was just giving me info.)

[mum2beagain]

I read that in north america the average pregnancy is now only 38 weeks long (rather than the old fashioned 40 weeks!) mainly due to planned c sections and inductions. I think inductions and planned c sections have their place, ie when there is a risk for mother and baby if a pregnancy continues or a previous birth has been particularly traumatic but surely inductions for convenience are a bit much! I ended up with a planned c secton this time (I was pretty disapointed, I had hoped for vaginal delivery) because my baby was breech and I had excess amniotic fluid but I still think baby is generally best left where it is until nature decides it is time!

[mgi]

i think it is our society we all want what we want when we want it

[Crritter]

The thing about an induction is that it can take longer, so the Dr. isn't really avoiding getting up at night, plus you do all of the hard work with the nurses.  Dr. pretty much shows up to deliver and check in on you.  I preogressed slow with my second one and when they checked me at 2 pm I was at a 4, had been there since really early in the morning.  I cried when my Dr. got there.  I was so scared she was going to do a C-section since I was not progressing enough.  She told me I was fully effaced so I would get there and it may just be a night baby.  Of course then she checked me and little Cameron was crowning.  I felt funny vibrations but didn't think much of it, till they told me I was going to have him in a matter of minutes.  The girl in the room beside me was a pt of my Dr. too and induced with baby #2 like me.  The nurses kept joking we were having a race to see who could go slowest.  The nurse came in to check on me and help me to shower around 10 in the evening and told me it took them awhile to come in because the girl next door finally delivered.  Even with my first baby my Dr. was in to see me in the middle of the night.  Two girls were delivered at the same time and she was literally back and forth (one of the girls was a cousin of a friend).  She came in to check on me to see if she needed to stay, so even if they induce you, still a good chance they will be having a long night.  Some Dr.'s want their patients to be comfortable or go for convenience.  Mine is not one of them, but there are plenty out there.  I guess as long as everybody is healthy.  I felt better letting mine stay as long as they needed to though.

[peekawho]

It's mostly for convenience, and because women beg for it and cry if they can't be induced.  Some doctors just practice that way.    

[Crritter]

I was scared to ask my Dr. and even then didn't ask her with #2.  She kept telling me that if I tried really hard and kept working full time on my feet all day and kept up the contractions that I may go on my own.  At 38 weeks she told me to keep it up, but they booked me just in case he didn't come on his own.  I was told at my first appt. though that die to my first delivery and baby size they would monitor this one and induce at 39 weeks if she felt it was necessary.  Not another word till the end.  She also sent me home both times without pain meds.  She felt that if I had a baby at home I needed to be clear headed.  It was tough with the first one, she had planned on sending me home with something and left for vacation that morning.  The other Dr. told me I only had a baby and pain meds were not necessary, made me cry and feel awful for bringing it up.  It would have been nice though since I tore completely through with a 10 lber.  With baby #2 I was terrified to go home without anything, but I was okay and it was so much easier with only 2nd degree tearing.  Peek, is it a common thing to go home without anything?  I had my m/c at 11 weeks w/out pain meds and was fine, but I see women get narcotics for headaches in pregnancy and see lots of women get them when they go home.  It would have been nice since I couldn't sit well even at 10 weeks when I went back to work.  At my 6 weekcheck up I oculd get an internal since I was still very tender and when the 2 year mark hit and I was still having problems they began to work on it.  A friend had her first baby and needed a vaccuum and tore 3rd degree.  She was on pain meds continuously for over 3 months till they tapered down.  I didn't want that, but it would have been nice to be able to walk a little better and sit without crying.

[lovefamily]

My Dr talked about inducing me at 38 weeks, because I just turned 41.  I feel great and all is going well.  I declined being induced and we will have an ultrasound Tues and make sure the baby and amniotic fluid is good.  She said she will not let me go past my due date of Aug 24.  I may now get induced on the 21st if nothing happens.

[girlyredhead]

Well, if you go over your due date, there is a certain point when the placenta starts to deteriorate and become an unsafe environment for the baby to be in.  This is usually at 42 weeks.

Personally, I've never made it full term with any of my pregnancies (I deliver at 37 weeks, right where you are now), so I can only imagine how hard it must be to go past your due date.

Honestly as far as inducing goes, it's really how up for it you are.  If you induce your body into labor it can be more intense than if you start labor naturally, and each hospital differs as to how soon you are eligible for the epidural (if you plan on having one).  

Good luck either way.  I know you're exhausted now, but your body will get through this :)