This question is about my sister-inlaw who is also expecting in May. The doctor said he will probably induce her at the beginning of May when she'll be 38 weeks. He told her the reason is because she is measuring a week and a half bigger than normal. She isn't dialated or effaced at all and her cervix is still high. This is her first baby so they have nothing to base what her labors might be like. They did an ultrasound and know it's not extra fluid and she has no medical risks. A week and half doesn't seem that huge to me. Why would her docotr risk inducing her when her cervix is nowhere close to ripe? I'm just worried for her that they'll induce her, she'll go through hard labor and then have to have a c-section anyway. Why couldn't they just wait a couple more weeks and see? My sister in law is pushing for this because she is tired of being pregnant. Has anyone ever been induced under similar circumstances? If so what was the outcome?
I have not been in this situation but I can tell you that medically, her need for a C-section goes up the earlier they induce her.
I am currently 39.2 wks pregnant with my second and the baby is measuring 2 and 1/2 weeks ahead. My OB will not even consider induction before or on my due date because of the C/S risk. He said a few days after he will plan an induction if I haven't gone on my own yet.
At 35 wks gestation my Beanie was measuring 8.5 lbs already! He said I have more chance of delivering a big baby vaginally if we wait to induce after my due date as the cervix will have had a chance to ripen and dilate and will have been given a chance to efface.
I don't know who's Dr is more correct with their medical beliefs but I'd rather be given the chance for the induction to work as oppose to NOT working and needing a C/S.
Also, there is no guarantee about the size of the baby. They can be 20% off either way so she may be measuring bigger but actually have an average size baby in there! That's what I'm hoping has happened in my case anyway!
That being said, I wish her the best of luck and hope that everything works out for her in the end. All that really matters is a healthy baby and Mom right!
It's money for the doctor's and the hospital. This is why I chose to see a midwife instead of a doctor.
Yes, GYN's just want our money and care nothing about the health and well being of the mother or baby.
I am having a c-section at 36 weeks. There is such a thing as medical necessity. 38 weeks is not that early either. The babies lungs are functioning at 36 weeks. The last 4 weeks are for the baby to put on weight.
I was induced with my son at 41 weeks and my body was still not ready. If an induction is done too soon than the outcome can be awful. In my case it took 58 hours or so to work, 37 of it I was in labour and in the end my son was born in stress, with an apgar of 4 and the first month or so was a feeding nightmare due to his stress, severe head bruising, poor suck reflex etc.
Tell your sil to hold off as long as she can or atleast until her body is showing signs of being ready. It doesn't matter how ready the baby is and if the lungs are developed or not...putting a mother through that when they aren't ready is risking harm to the baby.
There are politics involved with this subject. Although not all doctors are concerned with money, many are. Hospitals need a certain amount of patients to recieve c-sections and medication to keep staff. There are some who prefer to induce or give sections because they know when they need to be at the hospital instead of being called in or hanging around when they could be at home. There is some truth to them wanting money. It is rather nieve to think that all of them care about our health and never care about the money.
If the SIL wants the c-section and is okay with it and thats what her doctors see fit, then that is her choice. Is she sure there is no other reason as to why she is being induced early? Every doctor is different too, like Baby # 2 indicated with her and her situation.
I agree with Orange on this one. Induction before a due date for the soul purpose of delivering a "possibly" larger baby is not politically or medically correct. I have seen soooo many situations where they say the baby is measuring 10 lbs (big whoop - I did it and I am tiny!) and after performing a C-section at 38 or 39 weeks the baby is born at 7.5 lbs.....
I think it's best to allow nature to do it's thing first and if necessary then perform a C-section.
In the case of medical necessity - absolutely! There are many reasons why it's better for the mother and baby's health. I however do not think that a "larger" baby is one of those reasons.
I have also heard that many Dr's (hospitals) need to perform so many C/S's in order to fill a quota.... This is not IMO a good reason to put someone's life at risk. It is a much more risky way to deliver than vaginally, not to mention more painful and a longer recovery!
I hope your SIL speaks up for herself if she decides to try naturally. There is nothing worse than being "talked" into something when it's not necessarily the best thing for you.
honestly if i could i would get induced like now. i will be 38 weeks tomorrow and cannot handle it anymore. i did talk to some other moms this past weekend and they were induced but theres turned out perfectly fine. they didnt have anything major health wise going on.
i guess its just another thing that everyone will have their own opinion on.
robin
Thank you for all your replies. No, there isn't any other reason she's being induced other than a possibly big baby. She wants the baby out yesterday which I can understand because there comes a point with most moms to be where you are just fed up. I've been there as well. But I also think if it's a lot better for mom and baby to wait then maybe you should. I don't have a problem with induction as long as it is in the best interest of mom and baby. I'm just worried what she'll have to go through and possible stress on the baby since she's not dialated, effaced and her cervix is still high. I guess in the end all I can do is offer advice and hope all turns out well.
[QUOTE=OrangeCouture] Hospitals need a certain amount of patients to recieve c-sections and medication to keep staff. [/qoute]
Not true. That's the funniest thing I read all night.
C-sections are on th rise yes, so is the DECREASE of infant/birth mortalities.
C-sections are on the rise because woman are waiting to have children later in life, many are having complications and need to have a c section for medical reasons.
Babies are becoming larger in general for some reason than they were 10-20-30-40-50 years ago! why? Who knows, steroids/chemicals added to our meats and food? who knows.
Yes some women do choose to have a c section vs vaginal birth. Not the Doctor. Probably due to vanity, convenice and being fed up (on this board alone I have read many posts from women who are between 36-38 weeks looking for special teas or things they can do to induce labor). Has NOTHING to do with a hospital wanting a quota filled. No Doctor is going to risk being sued for malpractice in a sue crazy society these days.
He said I have more chance of delivering a big baby vaginally if we wait to induce after my due date as the cervix will have had a chance to ripen and dilate and will have been given a chance to efface.
