Anyone have an induction with a bishop score of 5 success story?
I’m currently 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant, and my OB is refusing to let me go beyond 41 weeks. He claims it's a "nationwide policy" that everyone must be induced by 41 weeks at the latest, but hasn’t shown me anything to support that.
What’s making this harder is that my Bishop score is only a 5, which indicates an unfavorable cervix. That means an induction right now comes with a higher chance of it failing — possibly leading to interventions I’m trying to avoid, like a C-section. I’ve worked so hard to stay low-risk and healthy throughout this pregnancy. Baby is doing well, my vitals are stable, and there haven’t been any signs of concern.
Still, my OB keeps using fear-based language — saying my baby could die if I go past 41 weeks — but hasn’t provided any specific, evidence-based medical reasoning beyond "you’re overdue." I’ve asked about more frequent monitoring instead, like NSTs and ultrasounds, but he continues to push induction as the only option.
I know they can’t legally force an induction, but he also told me that if I don’t show up for the one they scheduled for next Wednesday, they won’t reschedule it — almost like I’m being punished for asking questions and advocating for myself.
I’m not trying to be reckless. I’m just trying to make an informed, respectful choice that honors both my body and my baby — and it’s incredibly disheartening to feel like I’m being backed into a corner because I don’t want to rush something that isn’t medically necessary.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did you go through with an induction with a Bishop score of 5 and have a positive experience? I’d really appreciate any advice or success stories right now — especially from those who felt unsure but made the decision that ended up working out for them.
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Hello, so there is no “nationwide policy” and you need to report him. He is trying to force you into an induction and that is 1000% illegal. He can recommend, but he’s telling you that you have to which is absolutely illegal. Hope this helps
You can report to the Florida Medical Board here: https://complaint-portal.mqa.flhealthsource.gov/home
ChatGPT: Many OBs recommend induction by 41 weeks because research shows risks (like stillbirth or placental insufficiency) increase slightly after this point. The ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) often supports induction between 41+0 and 42+0 weeks to reduce these risks.
For a more informed decision on if you want to get an induction.
Could you call and reschedule it for later?
Your baby COULD die if your placenta starts to calcify, which the risk goes up after 41 weeks. When picking your OB, you should have discussed their policy on how long they allow you to go past your due date.
There was a recent post on the pregnancy subreddit about a woman who waited to be induced because she wanted minimal intervention/to avoid c section and she lost the baby.
While your doctor cannot force you to induce, they can drop you as a patient and suggest you transfer care for going against their medical advice
Try getting a second opinion from a midwife.
Yes, while they can drop her as a client they must give adequate notice and a transfer plan under EMTALA and patient abandonment laws.
while the risk goes up, that doesn’t give her OB the right to lie to her and not properly explain the risks behind why he’s highly encouraging being induced at 31 weeks.
@sherri that doesn't fall under EMTALA or patient abandonment laws. If she was in active labor and he walked away and didnt get someone, yes that definitely is examples of that. I was a paralegal as well who worked under malpractice and personal injury attorneys.
Hes not lying to her but definitely not explaining it in full.
patient abandonment isn’t just when she’s in active labor. There needs to be a doctor-patient relationship, ongoing treatment needed (which there is as she needs to continuously see the provider due to pregnancy), and termination without reasonable notice. The provider just can’t just refuse to schedule appointments or threaten to not reschedule an induction if the appointment is missed unless he gives reasonable notice since treatment is still needed from her. Please stop giving false information.
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