Induction

Feel like I’ve just been pressured into booking an induction for this weekend due to the baby now following the growth line. I felt like I couldn’t answer all my questions as I was on the verge of tears and now I’m panicking as he said a induction has higher c section rates😢 they said his heart/water/placenta flow was all okay but something must be unhappy if he isn’t following the growth lines. Any advice or similar story’s?

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They’re trying to push an induction on me due to baby measuring big but don’t let them force you into anything and stand your ground and ask if there are alternatives. You know what’s going to be best for your baby 🥰 I’ve opted for a sweep a week before my due date and then another growth scan to make a final judgement on baby’s size xx

I've been booked in for an induction this weekend too. But the consultant said I can show up and decline it if I want to. She said I can change my mind and opt for a c section, or I could be on the table about to have a c section and change my mind. Nothing is set in stone, if you've changed your mind, just tell them xx

If you feel you have been pressured into having one and aren't happy with the decision I would either ring to cancel or just not turn up to the appointment and ask instead of being induced if you can just have additional monitoring over the next week or so to see how things go. If baby seems happy and moving everyday and placenta etc all okay then all sounds good. Trust your instincts 😊.

Remember that scans can be up to 20% off, and the later in the pregnancy the more inaccurate they are for estimating the baby's size. If there are no concerns for the baby's wellbeing or yours, then I would strongly consider pushing back and firstly thinking about your own feelings. You know your body and your baby better than anyone else. Your intuition is valuable Secondly you can ask to see some actual statistics on any proposed risk factors they suggest. If they can't give you a solid reason for induction then you have your answer. For me personally, I wouldn't accept an induction. If there were real concerns for the baby's wellbeing they would be saying C-section, not induction

@Emma 🌱 I’m in the same boat and have found this comment really useful so thank you!! Please can I ask what you mean by statistics on any proposed risk factors? I know that’s probably a stupid question to ask x

This is your decision, your baby, your body. Do lots of reading up on it all ask any questions then make a decision. I was due Oct 10th and had my baby on sept 29th, I went ahead with induction and had her on Sunday lunchtime. It’s not all negative so take your time and don’t feel pressured

As in asking them to back up the reason they're giving for the induction If the baby is small, ask them for the statistics to show what the risk is for waiting until birth Vs induction. You might find that they say something like "the risk of stillbirth is doubled" but that actually doesn't tell you much. Doubled from what? That could mean it's going from a 25% chance to a 50% chance, in which case you'd be more inclined to accept, or it could be going from 1 in 10,000 to 2 in 10,000, in which case you might see that its still actually an extremely small risk and be happy to continue. Remember induction also comes with its own risks too. You're more likely to experience further interventions, increased pain, shoulder dystocia, post partum haemorrhage, and fetal distress leading to C-section, so while induction can go smoothly for some its by no means a risk-free solution to be taken lightly. https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/five-questions-to-ask-if-youre-offered-induction-of-labour/

Dr Sara Wickham has done extensive research and published papers and articles on induction. It's definitely worth having a browse on her site for information https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-of-labour/

Also, definitely not a stupid question 🙂 It's absolutely the right thing to be asking questions when you're given a choice without being given all of the information on both sides to be able to make an informed decision

https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/the-risks-of-estimating-an-unborn-babys-weight/ If baby is small, some food for thought: A 2013 study of 2378 babies which concludes: "Early term induction for SGA (small for gestational age) fetuses results in an increased risk of cesarean deliveries as well as neonatal metabolic and respiratory complications, with no apparent neonatal benefit." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24139542/ If baby is large: https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-for-big-baby/