induction

[mimi319]

well im 39.5 weeks and the doctor told me that next week when if i havent given birth yet she was going to to an induction..wat is that???

[kjbutcher]

I would definately ask some questions because you technically can go 2.5 more weeks and that may be what you want to do if you have enough fluid left.  From what I have heard most c-sections happen due to 1st time moms getting inductions when they are not favorable.  
I was not induced and my knowledge is coming from "Birth Day" on TLC or the discovery health channel.  I may be a bit off on this.  First you are admitted to L&D, they put a medicine in you called Cervadil (sp?).  It ripens your cervix.  Then they take it out and start you on a drip of pitocin which makes your contractions regular.  
I would do some walking and having sex to try to bring it on yourself.  I have to say, it is pretty cool just getting up one day and starting contractions and doing the whole packing the car thing.  Hopefully that will happen this week.  good luck on that!!
here are some questions I would ask before you agree
1.  What is the procedure?
2.  Why are you doing it?
3.  Am I favorable at all?  
4.  What is the chance this will result in a c-section?
5.  Can I wait longer to see if I go naturally?
6.  Can we try stripping my membranes first?
Peek has great advice for life, especially with baby.  If you dont know about something ASK!!  Don't trust anyone to just do something because they have a title.  I have to say at least you came here and did some asking so you are in the right track.  A lot of things are going to happen over the next year with baby that you can just go along with or you can ask a ton of questions.  I would definately ask the questions!  You do have choices with this.  Get used to it and dont feel bad for doing it.  Just a quick story (with a bit of advice with it)  The day I had my son I was only at the hospital for 45 mins before he was born so it was a bit confusing for everyone (I guess--I like to think that was the problem).  They gave me my blood work twice, asked all of the questions twice, had me fill out forms twice.  I thought nothing of this until a nurse came in and gave my son a hep B shot.  An hour later another nurse came in and told me she was going to give him his hep b shot.  I ASKED QUESTIONS!!!  THANK GOODNESS!!  The nurse seemed very unwilling to answer me and kept telling me that the machine would not have dispensed the bottle if he had already gotten it.  I was so confused and a bit out of it and really didnt know what to do.  She almost had me convinced to let her give it to him again BECAUSE SHE WAS THE NURSE and she told me so.  Finally I told her to prove to me what he was given an hour ago and if it wasnt the hep b than she could come give it to him.  she came back an hour later and told me he had the hep B shot!  I never asked what would have happened if a newborn could have gotten two doses, but it still scares the heck out of me so now I document everything and ask about everything.  I know you think you feel it now, but trust me once this baby comes, you will truely know what it is like to not only have to care for yourself, but now a totally helpless baby that has to rely on you to protect it.  You need to be up on your game and know what you are doing even if it is just asking the doctor questions until you are blue in the face. Now the bit of advice I was talking about--when you are in the hospital, you are always a bit out of it.  Anything they put in your baby---write it down!  Look at the bottle to be sure of what you are writing so there is no confusion later.  
Well no matter how it happens, it is going to be soon, so good luck and congratulations and enjoy the best day of your life!!  

[mami1323]

I'm sure you don't know but can I ask why they are going to induce you at 40 weeks?  This is a question you want to ask your doctor.  Did they do a stress test?  Is your amniotic fluid low?  They usually let a woman go at least a week past her due date to see if she will go into labor naturally.  

jesslee - actually I was induced and my labor was extremely quick.  It all depends and it varies from person to person.  Yes some inductions can lead to a long labor and c-section but not all.  

[peekawho]

Never agree to do something if you don't know what it is.  If the doctor says "I'm going to induce you next week" and you don't know what an induction is...you would then say "What is that"?

Always ask if you don't know what a something is.  

[Kim1989]

they could strip your membraines at the doctors office and that can usually help with labor

[jesslee83]

mimi....it's where they will bring you into L&D, and put you into labor manually.....i've heard it can take longer if they put you into labor, rather than going into labor....

but then you'll have your baby! so that's worth it!!!

[betty12]

im pretty sure she means that she is probably going to induce your labor make your contractions start. and you'll have your baby ;)