Early Induction

[LTG]

Does anyone know the risks of early induction, I had an elevated AFP level but everything has been fine throughout the entire pregnancy I'm 37 weeks now and they want to induce me at 39 weeks (5 days before my due date) any thoughts on this?

[sfritz]

I had my daughter naturally at 39 weeks and she was perfect. Babies born anytime after 37 weeks are considedered full term. My doc told me at my last appointment in very few circumstances do infants born at 37 weeks have to spend any time in the NICU. Being induced only 5 days before your due date should present VERY little, if any risk.

[LTG]

But why wouldn't they want to just wait and let the baby come on his own, what is the point of inducing 5 days early?  This is what I don't understand??

[kennedydp5]

i've had 3 babies at 39 weeks and will also be having this one at 39 weeks, too!  so yes, its ok to do....  but if you are questioning why they are going to do it then there isn't enough communication between you and the doc.  make sure you understand what's going on.  i'm famous for asking too many questions b/c i always want to be extremely well informed!  :)  they haven't actually told you why???

[LTG]

Well they said when they have patients who have an elevated AFP level like I did they usually induce early, but everything has been totally normal throughout the entire pregnancy.  I guess I just have to ask more questions like you said and get some further clarification.  I heard when they give you the petocin and the contractions are really close together the baby's heart rate drops is this true?

[kennedydp5]

i've heard about inducing causing fetal distress in some cases i believe...  but i'm not really sure!  maybe research it some more (i try and google like everything imaginable!).  let us know what happens though.

[spade22]

Here is a link to the American Pregnancy Association that discusses AFP:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/afpplus.html

The one thing I noticed is that with higher levels of AFP, this can increase the risk of stillbirths so this could potentially be a reason why they want to induce you early.   There may also be other reasons why your doctor wants to induce you so definitely open the communication line to find out the exact reasons.

Sometimes with pitocin-induced births, stronger contractions can result which may not always be tolerated by the fetus (as mentioned by kennedy).  This will mean you will need to monitored thoughout the process to make sure everything is ok.  The risk of needing a C-Section also goes up slightly when pitocin is used due to possible fetal intolerance.

I know this is no consolation but I am 37 weeks today and my doctor also wants to induce me 5 days  before my due date as a result of gestational hypertension.  This really terrifies me as I wanted to go into labor naturally.

[LTG]

Thanks for the link.  Now that I think about it I think that's what the doctor said that they deliver you early because of the higher risk of stillbirth.  I'm going on Wednesday so I'll talk to the doctor then.  It's just so nerve racking either way, even though nothing has been wrong the entire pregnancy I guess there is still a chance something could happen, so what do you do...let them induce you and then get all freaked out about the heart rate dropping and everything else that comes along with getting induced early or wait until your due date and be wondering if everything will be fine with the baby?!?  I just want the safest thing for my baby.  Thanks everyone for all of your feedback!

[spade22]

Its no fun either way but remember, your doctor has a lot of experience with situations just like these and is going to recommended the safest option for you and your baby.  

[LTG]

Thank you!!!