Can I Request an Induction?

A responsible doctor would not. Gestational age can be off by 2 weeks or more, in either direction, which means 39 weekers *can sometimes really be 37 weekers. Why take the chance of having an even earlier baby?
78% of near-term infants are diagnosed with a medical condition.

I was induced 3 weeks early with my youngest, she's a bright, happy and healthy child of 14 months. We had a slight problem with jaundice, but we put her in some sunlight for a little bit each day and she was fine.
Good luck and congratulations!!

http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/09/every-week-counts-ca...

If your mother in law really wants to be there, she'll re-arrange her schedule. Why would she want to put her grandchild health @ risk?? How selfish!!!!

Most mothers and all doctors do not think one wit about astrological timing. We are conceived at a time when our birth would work right for our MISSION in this lifetime. Then some doctor wants to go to the theatre performance on Thursday night so your baby gets induced on Tuesday and then she is born without the impedus to do the work the Holy One sent her here to do. She is an Aquarius rising rather than a Taurus. Or she has her personal planets in all the wrong places.
After all these scheduled C Sections and induced births we have a nation of people who wander around aimlessly waiting for they don't know what.
People who have trouble getting started or finishing projects. People who feel they have no purpose in life. Some try and try and never succeed and others find something do the best they can and it is not good enough.
You husband's mother lives in Europe and is too poor to take another flight for two years. Give me a break I work here for the good salary and the five weeks of vacation.
Your baby needs to be born when he and his advisors decided would be the right time for him to be able to fulfill the entire Mission of his life time. Somebody else's convenience isn't worth his sacrifice.

You could ask but then any decent health care provider would say no. I don't know why you are scheduled for an induction but the average delivery fir first time vaginally-delivered babies is closer to 41 weeks. In France, where my sister-in-law lives, that is considered full term. You are already planning an induction a full two weeks earlier than that.

Every day counts in fetal development, and that is supposing that your pregnancy dates are correct, which many times they are not. There is an increase in respiratory problems with earlier deliveries, as well as possibly a weak suck reflex which can impact breastfeeding. More recent research has pointed out other possible links with developmental delays.

Can't your MIL extend her trip?

Brain and lungs are developing to the very last day. I don't think any doctor should ever induce unless the baby or mom is in active distress. I would never sacrifice the health and development of my grandchild just to hold him/her for a day - your MIL might feel the same way. Send videos instead.

For your safety and your childs health please let your baby come on his/her own. Induced babies have a higher rate of issues/complications then babies that come on their own.

Based on your other post today, I'd wait a couple days to see what happens.

No ur baby needs to finish developing. Give your baby a good start.

Btw I had an induction and it was the worst. I would NEVER recommend an induction unless absolutely medically necessary

I would really recommend that you wait. Just because you are full-term does not mean your baby is ready to be born. Not only do inductions increase the likelihood that you will have a cesarean, they can really put your baby at risk. Watch this video to find out how: http://www.nnepqin.org/jwplayer/movie.html.
I am a birth doula and of the last 3 births I attended, 2 of them were born at 42 weeks or beyond (the other one was born at 41 weeks) and those babies were very normal in size. The baby that was born at 42 weeks and 4 days was 8 lbs 5 oz. The baby that was born at 42 weeks was 8 lbs 1 oz. The baby that was born at 41 weeks was 7 lbs 7 oz. Babies can gain up to 1 lb a week in the final few weeks so these babies, had they been born at 38 weeks, could have been considerably smaller and might have spent a few days in the NICU if their lungs weren't mature enough. In the absence of a solid medical reason to induce, you are introducing real medical risks without any medical benefits. I know you're anxious and you want your MIL to have as much time with the baby as possible, but if it were me I wouldn't take those chances with my health and the health of my child.

No offense to the mothers on here but EVERY situation is different. You need to speak to your doctor and let them make a judgement on your PERSONAL case. You picked your doctor for a reason, they will do what is in the best interest of you and the baby....not on someones flight schedule.

S.,

Do some research - ACOG does not recommend induction for convenience short of 39 weeks. Yes, it would be nice to have your mother in law be here for the birth but is it worth having a baby in NICU for days or weeks because baby was forced to be born too early? Also, your chances of c-section are super high if you are not already dialating and effacing. You can take the baby to see her later. My sister took her baby at 8 weeks to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to meet baby's paternal grandparents. I took my son at 8 months to England to meet family. It is very easy to travel with a baby before they walk - and especially if they are exclusively breastfed.

C.

Don't do it. I understand the wanting of your husband to be there, but your health and your babies health is FAR more important that if your husband even sees the birth. You can have him there via skype or other video chat. I know it's not the same, but seriously NICU bill and visits or a computer holding your hand?
**Ok I re-read it and it's your MIL. . . not your husband. I would say if she wants to be there than she can rearrange her schedule, not risk your babies health. It's not necissary for her to be there so you shouldn't have to make such a huge risk. Silly. Absolutely sill.

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no complications and you are healthy... I don't understand why you're inducing? (it is your body, no one can tell you what to do with it)

but a MAJORITY of inductions fail, (and you have to try a 2nd and sometimes 3rd time) and failed inductions play a large role in the increasing amount (31% in 2006 to be exact) of c-sections bc you put your baby in stress mode to EXIT when/before they were ready and your body was ready.

I would not risk it in order to fit someone's schedule. Pleeeeeease do not make a decision you think you COULD regret later. There is nothing more tragic than having your child ripped away from you the SECOND theyre born and rushed off to a breathing machine and you don't even get to see him/her for hours... then watch them sit in a tube and be worked on all day bc their oxygen levels aren't in the percentages safe enough for you to breastfeed yet. (AND THAT'S a good scenerio)

the baby's lungs are the last organ to develop, please give it time.

congratulations on your little bundle, I wish him/her a safe delivery! xoxo

Ask your MIL to extend her visit. It isn't worth the risk for your baby to make him come early for the sake of convienience. I know its hard waiting, but the reason your baby hasn't been born yet-is because he isn't ready! Wait until he is ready to be born. Unless you have medical problems that we don't know about or are having complications, I wouldn't induce period. It sets you up for an alarmingly high chance of a c-section. Wait until your little one tells you he is ready to come....best wishes!

M

You can request anything you want but your doctor is not obligated to honor our request. I underdstand your reasoning but would caution you against any induction or c-section unless medically necessary. Here is why:

A due date is an estimated date and your babies true due date can be two weeks either way of the estimated date your doctor gives you. So, if your stated due date is on the early side already and you induce early your baby is now born too early. Example: if the 31st is estimated to be 39 weeks your due date is estimated to be June 7th and could really be as late as June 21st. If you were induced at what they think is 38 weeks (May 24) then your baby could be born a month early instead of the two weeks you think. Two weeks can make a HUGE difference in your baby's health, specifically lung development as well as other functions.

Unless you have a medical condition that requires induction or the baby is in distress, I strongly recommend you let nature take its course...the baby will come when it is time. I would think you MIL would understand (and should have planned her trip closer to your due date if it was that important to her) and want you to put her grandchild's health above her wants.

Good luck.

It doesn't hurt to ask your Dr. and see what he/she says?! All they can say is "No".

~Damn, you sure are getting blasted...I had 2 inductions (my 2nd & 3rd children) b/c my first child came WAY fast and both were just fine! In at 6am, holding my beautiful babies by noon.

Just curious but if you are having no complications and are healthy why are you scheduled for an induction at 39 weeks? I'd say wait--its not worth trying to force your body to expel this little one for someone else's convenience. If there were complications for you or for the baby or if your labor was particularly difficult I think I'd be a tad resentful that I had requested a way early induction. Check out this link

http://www.mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/the-case-against...
(Check out the part about how the baby itself helps to trigger labor!)

or this one that is from a more mainstream medical site

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inducing-labor/PR00117

I would never induce for that reason. Induction is a major invasion and can lead to serious complications. If it not medically necessary that you do it, I hope for your baby's sake that you will let your body go into labor when it (and the baby) is ready.

Doctors' "due dates" are guesses meant to be accurate within two weeks, even with Ultrasounds. So an estimated 38 weeks, this could be 36 weeks, and then you have a "preemie". Anything less than 37 weeks is considered premature, and the risk of medical complications goes up. Your risk of medical complications to the delivery and birth increase, also.

I saw my first two grandchildren over Skype for months before I saw them in person.

And, yes, why are you scheduled to be induced in the first place, if there are no complications??

You can, but I wouldn't....especially because you say you're healthy and have an uncomplicated pregnancy!

I get that your MIL would love to see her grandbaby, but there are countless grandparents that only see theirs on skype. I wouldn't jeopardize your health or the health of your baby for convenience.

A good doctor would not do it to accomodate a travel schedule. I really
cannot imagine that he would do it. I, personally would not ask.

I understand the desire for the inductions... but inductions are dangerous and really increase your chances of an emergency cesarean due to all the interventions that happen after an induction.

It's a shame your MIL didn't plan a better time for her visit.

For the health of you and baby - not only would I not get an earlier induction, I'd refuse the OB to give one at all. When the baby is completely ready to be born, it starts a chain of chemical reactions that get your body ready to labor. If you force your body into labor before this chemical stimuli from baby... things don't usually end up as it should.

I requested to be induced at 39 weeks and my doctors said no, I had to wait until at least 41 weeks. I'm suprised your OB even agreed to 39 weeks. I doubt they will let you do it any earlier then that, as baby's lungs are still maturing till at least 37 weeks and they will not want to run the risk that the 38th week is really the 37th week.

*Oh and I hope you don't think I'm blasting you like some others. I'm not opposed to inductions as I had one scheduled (but baby boy came before it). I just think any ealier then 39 weeks is TOO early and you won't find many OBs that we'll do it that early

all you can do is ask...I was induced at 37 1/2 weeks with no problems...

I begged for induction on my second and third...she refused unless I had complications...or I went over my due date. I was in labor with my third for three weeks prior to giving birth...for me that was a complication...for my OB(who by the way is an amazing person) she didnt see that as a good enough complication...I am also a whiner when it comes to pain..so she knew I was just being overly dramatic...I beg to differ. I would lay it out exactly how you feel. In the mean time you can do the natural labor induce'ers...sex, spice, walking and more sex. Not necessarily in that order:)

They probably won't induce earlier than 39 weeks =( Ask your doctor, but I doubt they will induce at 37 or 38 weeks. Can she stay longer? See if you can extend her ticket!

What part of Europe btw? My in laws live in Holland so I am just being curious and nosey =)

I was induced at 38 weeks and it was a very easy labor and my son was healthy with no complications. Like with anything else, this is a decision for you and your doctor. As long as you feel like are well informed than that is all you need to make your decision, along with your doctor. Good luck and congrats!

I would see if MIL can extend her stay. Her leaving late won't affect her health, but your baby "leaving" early could affect it's health in the long term. If it's not medically necessary to induce, I'd rather let the baby "cook" till it's done.

I was induced for all three of my boys and there were absolutely no complications. In fact i'm really surprised at everyone talking about how terrible it is. My inductions were what stopped me from having further complications and c-sections! Having said that, in your instance, you and your baby's schedule is more important than your MIL's, and I hope you are not being pressured by anyone for her convenience! Good luck and congratulations.

I think you should ask your doctor. Is there any way that your MIL can extend her visit?? I agree with the other ladies below that I probably wouldn't for the sake of the baby. Good luck with your decision!!

I know you got a lot of answers. Check out this article on doctors views on inductions that was written just a few weeks ago. http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110406/NEWS01/70406984...

I would wait. trying to induce before your body is ready can lead to complications that often result in extreme tears or emergency C sections.

Babies need all the time they have inside to grow as big as they can. I am sure your love for your unborn child would have you pushing back the date if you were equipped with all the information you needed. I recommend watching a great movie to give a lot of information on this subject, I wish I would have watched it before I gave birth. It's on Netflix, you can watch it instantly called " The business of being born", Ricky Lake produced it. She told about her experience with her first child's birth, a c-section & her second child's birth naturally. Too bad she produced it 3 years after I needed it. Well I have it for my daughter when she is old enough to have a baby. Do a search on pitocin & see what you find for yourself. Pitocin is the most prefered way by doctors to induce early.

I wouldn't. I know it would be nice for her to be here but you are talking then 37weeks. My son was unavoidably born at 36 and although it is out of the "danger" zone they still are not always ready...mine wasn't. it's not worth risking NICU or other difficulties so that she can see the baby.

Check with your OB though, I think most wont do it for convenience before 39 weeks anymore, but maybe they can do untrasound etc to make sure baby is ready & lungs are good.

you can always ask, but some doctors won't do it before a certain point.

I tried to request to be induced and my doctor told me no. I would call your doctor and ask since they all have a different policy.

I did. I wasn't due till the 25th of march and had a elected induction on the 15th. My doc does it u just need to ask. Good luck!

I had an induction at 37 wks with my second because I was so uncomfy. My OB said they stopped doing inductions this year before 39 wks unless there is a complication. Every hospital has dfferent poicies, so ask your OB what she thinks. Good luck!!

Depends on how willing your doctor is to do an induction out of personal preference as opposed to considering the health and welfare of your unborn child.

Sure, you can request it. That doesn't mean they are obligated to perform one, especially if there is no medical need/basis for one. Your insurance might not cover it, either, if it isn't medically necessary.

I requested one at 37 weeks because the baby was sitting on my siadic nerve. The dr. said that the earliest he would consider it was 38 weeks (5 days after request). So we scheduled it and it worked!

Now that there is a volcano in Iceland errupting, it might delay international flights, so she might be here on the 31st anyway...

It doesn't hurt to ask the dr., but at the same time, maybe MIL can rebook her flight.

personally i wouldnt agree to an induction unless my doctor could prove health problems for me or baby. anything beyond that is just asking for possible complications. not saying they cant happen during natural occuring labor, but induction increases the risks for multitudes of problems. i'm sure that grandma would understand.

with my first one i was induced at 38 weeks. i asked. i was 4cm for a week so we induced. doesnt hurt to ask

Most doctors won't induce prior to 39 weeks for malpractice reasons. My OB just told me that their office will not perform my c-section prior to 39 weeks exactly (which I'm fine with). Unless there is a medical necessity, you will probably be told no. It doesn't hurt to ask.

My doctor would totally do it as long as I was at least 38 wks along, but she loves to induce! I am always the one pushing it back and trying to get her to wait, so you never know unless you ask. I personally don't think it is the greatest idea bc if the baby isn't ready you do run the risk of c-section which is major surgery and is harder to recover from. So I would hold off personally, but of course that is totally your decision and your dr might be fine with it.

I think it depends on your OB. The OB I am seeing now told me that as long as I was 39 weeks he didn't care and would induce at any time (my son was almost 9 lbs at 40+ weeks so there is no way I am going to wait until I am 1 to 2 weeks overdue like some practices suggest). With my son my pressure had gone up and I was 4 cm dilated for weeks and they would have induced me as early as 38 weeks but my doctor happened to be out of town. I have friends that have planned c sections and they are always done at 38 weeks. A friend had her vag inductions done at 38 weeks and did fine. I think the only risk with a vag induction before 39 weeks is that if you aren't really ripe, you may end up going home or getting a c section.