Inducing Labor?

Question

My wife's due date is Saturday, January 27. However, we have an appointment for her labor to be induced on Thursday the 25th. She had an appointment with her OB/GYN yesterday, and she was the same amount dialated and effeaced (2 cm, 80%) as she was her previous appointment the week before. Since there was no change, are we doing the right thing by inducing, or do you think it would be better to just let nature run it's course? Before we got pregnant, my wife was 5'0", 115 lbs. so needless to say, the weight of the baby has been a burden and is making her more and more uncomfortable. Thanks for your input.

Please note: I didnt reccommend the indcution. Essentially my wife's doctors said she was ready and that the only thing that was going to happen from here on out would be the baby would grow bigger and bigger and make her less and less comfortable. After yesterday when her check up was no different than the previous week, I began to wonder if it was the right thing. Thanks for the input so far. Looking forward to anything additional.

Answer 1

As for helping Mother Nature along on your own, there are several helpful hints. Most of these fall into the category of "old wives' tales," but some may do the trick nonetheless. Intercourse is one method; semen contains prostaglandins and may stimulate labor. However, be sure not have sex once your membranes have ruptured or if you have been diagnosed with placenta previa! Driving on bumpy roads and scrubbing floors are two other tricks. Some women swear by drinking castor oil (I personally would rather carry the baby a bit longer rather than resort to castor oil -- yuck!) or eating certain foods. I've heard there is a restaurant somewhere whose pregnant patrons order a certain salad when they are ready to deliver; where I live and practice, women used to line up for the bean burritos prepared by one eatery (unfortunately out of business now or I'd have one of those burritos myself soon!).

Here is the advice I give my patients who are near their due date and who are getting anxious to meet baby face-to-face: take a drive on a bumpy road, go home and scrub the floors, then eat some spicy food and have sex! It won't hurt, and at least you'll have a clean kitchen and won't be hungry!
http://health.ivillage.com/gyno/gynoreprohealth/0,,4lxm,00.html

Answer 2

This is certainly a personal decision that you, your wife, and her ob should make together. But, that being said, if I were in your wife's place and had no underlying reason to be induced other than discomfort I would stick it out. With induction her risk of c-section goes up to about 50%. Also, induction increases the need for pain medications which can have symptoms for both mother and baby. Now, if there is a medical reason for the induction then by all means you are doing the right thing. Good luck and congrats!!

Answer 3

Induction is dangerous. Induction before a due date is even more dangerous.

Remember that if the induction fails she is looking at an automatic c-section. Not to mention inductions are more painful which will cause more stress on mom and baby. The harder contractions can cause fetal distress. And the pain will likely lead to a need for pain relief (such as an epidural) which have their own risks.

I'm only 5'2" and I was 160lbs before I got pregnant. I was around 150lbs (due to bad morning sickness) when I gave birth at 41weeks . And I still wasn't ready or hoping for labour. You should be working on her comfort not planning a medical procedure that is risky for mom and baby.

Read this:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/inducing.html
http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/cytotech.html


ugh and look up "bishop's score", sorry typing and nursing all of a sudden

Take care

Answer 4

Don't induce labor, I did it for my first pregnancy and it was horrible. I was in labor for three days unable to get out of bed, eat or shower and it ended in a c-section. In fact most induced labors end in c-section, which has increased risks for the baby and risks for the mother during and after the c-section, and with any future pregancies. I found out after my first pregnancy that a woman can be up to two weeks late, and her and the baby will be fine. But if you choose to have the induction first have another sonogram to make sure the due date is right and that the baby is ready to come out.

Answer 5

Induced labor hurts a lot more and is more dangerous to mother and baby so if she can stand it it's better to wait. Dilation and effacement are not good indicators of when labor will start - you can be dilated for a month before you go into labor or you can be dilated not at all (as I was) 24 hours before your baby is born. Rather than chemical inducement, you could try some "natural" inducers like walking, sexual intercourse (semen can stimulate cervix to dilate) or nipple stimulation (sounds crazy but it worked for me). When you're induced you jump from no labor to hard labor pretty fast and it can be hard on your body. Best of luck and God bless your baby!

Answer 6

usually they dont induce unless there is a problem with the pregnancy, or if you are 2 weeks overdue, i would just be patient and let nature run its course. Also, just because you are induced doesnt mean the baby is going to come. I had to be induced 2 times.

Answer 7

If you already set the date then you already have the answer to this question. That is a personal decision. My water broke for my 2 girls but they induced me for my son b/c i was 5 days overdue. Truthfully when i was induced, it was 7 1/2 hours from when they put the petocin into my iv til i had him. For my daughters my water broke and about 10 1/2 hours later they were born.

Answer 8

I would let nature take its own course, womens bodies are pretty incredible and most of the time don't need assistance in the whole birthing procedure.
Said from somebody who has always had straightforward labours!
However, if she is extremely uncomfortable, and bearing in mind that if allowing nature to do its thing, most Drs will allow you to go 2 weeks overdue, maybe an induction is the most appealing.
Just bear in mind that often in induced labours, more medical intervention is necessary.
I hope it goes smoothly.

Answer 9

i does no longer. for sure the infant continues to be in there for a reason. that's diverse in case you're previous due. yet to do it a week forward for no reason is kinda pointless. i will purely inform you procedures magical and particular that's to circulate into exertions on you very own. i did no longer get the possibility with my first 2. my daughter grow to be 10 days previous due and my son had a coronary heart arrhythmia. So i grow to be brought about with the two. yet my 0.33 exertions began on it extremely is very own with my water breaking. IT grow to be an somewhat exciting experience that i does no longer commerce for something. so as somebody who has completed it the two procedures, i could propose you merely permit nature take it extremely is course and permit your physique artwork because it extremely is meant to. that's going to be some thing you will on no account forget. i'm no longer talking concerning the soreness. :)

Answer 10

If the doctor recommended induction then go with it. If it was at your own wish then I would recommend to wait for nature to take its own course. Its not uncommon to be uncomfortable towards the end of the pregnancy.. but every extra day in the womb makes the baby stronger, so its well worth it