Request an Induction?

I am thinking about requesting my doc to induce me, but I have some questions about it.  On the one hand, the docs are estimating that my baby will be in the ten pound range if I wait until full term, so I would thinkt that induction would be a smart thing so that he is a reasonable weight.  Women in my family have been plagued with long, grueling labors (even with small babies) that often end in c-sections, forceps or vaccuum deliveries, or worse.  In my mom's case with me (and I was only 7lbs. 5oz.)she had to have a hysterectomy after my vaginal birth so destroyed her insides.  I have also read that inductions are often unsuccessful and result in emergency c-sections.  I would much rather have a scheduled c if that is the case.  Anyway, I guess my question to you all is, if my doc doesn't bring up inducement or c-section, should I?  Would my insurance consider it "elective" and not cover it even if I had an abnormally large baby?  In my situation, do you think inducement or c-section is preferable?  I really want a vaginal delivery since my DH and I want at least four kids, but I don't want to jeopardize the one I already have if c-section is the best choice?  How have your doctors responded if you've requested a c-section or induction?  

[gml24]

I requested an induction at my appointment last week, and my dr was fine with it, even though my only real reason was that I wanted to get a babysitter scheduled for my ds.  We're going ahead and doing the induction on the 18th, which is only a week before my due date, but if you have a medical reason I'm sure they'd do it sooner.  I was also induced with my son and it went really well, just about three hours of hard labor and ten minutes of pushing, so it wasn't a difficult birth at all.  You should definitely give the vaginal birth a try unless you have a real reason to think you need a c section.  Definitely talk to your dr about it.

[lilcountriegal]

I agree.  My second daughter I was induced and it was teh easiest thing in teh world.  I wasnt induced for any other reason other than it was more convenient to be able to schedule a sitter and with work, etc.  (of course, I was full term).  

I am now almost 38 weeks and actually just got off the phone with my OB office.  I go in Friday to be scheduled to be induced next week.  

you will hear many, many horror stories about being induced.  My first daughter (6yo now) was 2 weeks late.  Labor was okay, but I was wore out and sore.  My second daughter (11 months old now) was induced.  I went in, started Pitocin at 9 a.m. and an epidural shortly thereafter, laid back and read a book.  At 4:15 p.m. I was 4 centimeters and my daughter was born at 5:00.  I could have hopped up off the delivery table and walked back to my hospital room (no exaggeration, I actually asked them if i could because they couldnt find a wheelchair).  I loved the experience of being induced so much that I have asked to be induced with my son (due any day).  

[peekawho]

These are lovely accounts of easy inductions.  Whatever you decide, know that inducing for convenience will increase your risk for a C/S.  If this is not your first child, the risk of a section is minimal.  Your cervix should be open a bit, and effaced with the baby well engaged.  To be induced of at least those criteria are not met is asking for trouble.

While these stories are rosy and happy, I see the flip side every single day.  Inductions are serious business that shouldn't be entered into lightly.  Doctors love them b/c of the scheduling factor.  They could care less if it leads to a section.  In fact, if it does, it's often easier for them.  

Ultimately you are the guardian of your baby and your body.  Talk with your doctor about the indications for induction, ask how "ripe" your cervix is, and ask what the plans are if the induction doesn't work.  Often you could be sent home to try successfully a few days later and avoid a section.

If you don't care about a section, many women are requesting elective primary c/sections these days.  What your insurance will cover is beyond me.  It boils down to how badly you want a vaginal delivery, in reality.

  Doctors are not always right about the size of the baby,too.  Last night we had a woman who was induced for a "big baby".  It weighed 7#2oz.  Supposedly was going to weigh over 9#.   So you have to look at all the angles and make the decision you feel is best for you.  

[mgi]

id request it

you are much less like ly  to need a c if you induce

[gml24]

I definitely agree that you should only go for the induction if all the conditions are right, effaced, slightly dilated, baby in position.  I'm pretty sure my dr wouldn't have agreed to induce me if I hadn't met the standards.  As of last week I was 3 cm, 75% effaced, baby head down.  I certainly wouldn't want to force something that wasn't about to happen.  I think a dr would have to be pretty careless to try and induce a patient whose cervix was tightly closed and who surely wasn't ready for labor.  You just have to trust your dr's opinion.

[Crritter]

Sometimes labor can be longer for your first baby anyway.  In my induction, I was in labor for 38 hours, reacted to the pitocin and my uterus "bunched" so it never came down from the contraction- around 45 minutes later they had to turn down the pitocin and I got an epidural.  It was pretty rough.  I was induced because I was overdue though.  I agree with the others, your cervix needs to be ripe.  My son was over 10 lbs., and the Dr. was off, but because he was so active and kept turning breech to vertex they felt he would not be over 7 lbs.  My friend's sil just had her little girl almost 2 weeks ago, they predicted an 8 lb. baby at her 37 week appt., she went into labor on her own the next day, her baby was barely 5 lbs. so you never know, it's a guess.  I would talk to your Dr. and see what they recommend, you don't want to induce if it's not needed, it's not that much fun.