Just a question about being induced and husband being deployed to Iraq. Please read details.?

Question

I am currently 32 weeks pregnant 33 on Monday. I am due May 28th. My husband has received the dreaded "call" he is being deployed to Iraq for a year on May 21. Is it wrong of us to want to be induced at 37 weeks which would be the week of May 7. The doctor has previously said as long as it was after 36 weeks my husband would see his daughter. I know 37 weeks is considered full term but are there any increased dangers with doing this? My mom says wait, but I just can't see my husband not getting to see his first born daughter (or child for that matter) born. Any opinions are welcome and thanks for not being rude as this isn't exactly the best time for us right now.♥

Answer 1

Trust your doctor and ask them these hard questions. The baby will be full time and maybe you'll get lucky and she will decide to come early for daddy!!! GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS!

Answer 2

God bless you for wanting your husband there to meet his child for the first time. It's a very hard call to make. I remember when I had my last son I wanted them to induce since by parents came out to be with me. I was 39 weeks and the doctor just wouldn't do it. I had two other children and they were very premature. I ended up going 3 weeks over. I was told that God knows what he is doing and has picked my baby's birthday that I should just sit back and relax. It was very hard to see my parent go back home without seeing their grandson. Sometimes it's best to leave it alone and let the baby be born at his/her own time. But I can sympathize with you. I'm sure if the doctor does an ultra sound and sees that the baby is ready then it will be okay. Just be careful like I said with having two babies early you don't want to run into any problems. Your goal is to have a very healthy baby.
Good Luck and I will keep you in my prayers. Maybe your baby will come early all on his/her own and solve the problem

Answer 3

I understand your desire to do this, but you must very carefully weigh the risks.

For one thing most babies are ready at 37 weeks, but not all. That is why they average pregnancy lasts 38-42 weeks. Some babies need longer to get ready than others. That of course is assuming that the date of conception is calculated accurately. If it isn't 37 weeks could easily be 35 weeks.

There are also many increased risks to any induction. Increased risks of needing a c-section, forcepts/vacuum delivery. There is more chance that you will need an epidural (which is not without risks). The risks are very hard to quantify and frankly it would take way, way too long to get into here.

BUT ultimately it is your decision IF you make an informed decision then hopefully you will make the right one for you, your baby, and your family. So really you have at least 3 weeks to research. Use your time well. Then decide whether you want to induce, and when.

Answer 4

If your doctor is okay with inducing you at 37 weeks, which is considered full term then go ahead and do it. Take what some other people said on here with a grain of salt. They don't know what it's like to be in your shoes. Neither do I, but from a mother to a mother we know what we want for our children. Your baby girl will be just fine if she is born at 37 weeks. I had my youngest daughter at 35 weeks and she was a healthy 6lbs 14 oz.

I wish you and your family the best of luck! :)

Answer 5

I think that as long as the Doctor is ok with it then it is OK!

The same thing happened with my first and second daughters. My husband was going out of town on business that could't be reschuled and I was induced with both my 1st baby was at 39 weeks and my second was at 37 1/2 weeks. They are both healthy and happy.

I would do it again in a heartbeat so my husband could be there!!!

Answer 6

your doctor will try to change your mind about being induced as its not a medical reason there may be some things you can try if you can go for a long walk try rasberry leaf tea and lots of sex because nobody really knows if pregnancy should be 40 or 42 weeks the baby can be considered early and if your induced you may result in a c-section this can cause problems as it can leave fluid on the babys lungs and could cause long term problems for the child the only thing i can really say is dont stress relax have some gentle exersise

i wish you all the best and im sorry i couldnt be more help

Answer 7

First of all, the deployment date may change. I know in the Army they never even give us a date - we usually just get a range and then find out a few days before when he leaves. Until he is on that plane/ship, it can always change!

Second, I'm surprised they would induce you that early. My doctor said he'd induce me on my due date, but no earlier. (Hubby was supposed to be out of town for a training exercise around the time the baby is coming.) He also said that he wouldn't induce unless I was already progressing some on my own, because if they did it would just increase the chances of a C-section. The military doctors understand your situation, and they try to help out, but you also need to weigh the possible risks of inducing so early.

I wouldn't induce at 37 weeks. If you go naturally before then, it's fine, but the baby may not be ready yet. Most first pregnancies go past the due date, so 37 weeks could be 4-5 weeks earlier than the baby wants to come. If you were going to be a little further along, it might be different, but 37 weeks seems so early. Trust me, I know how bad it sucks to think that he probably won't be there for her birth, but imagine how bad you'll both feel if she has to spend time in the NICU because of it. I would just start hoping and praying that either his deployment date changes, or she decides to come early! Missing out on important events is just a part of military life, unfortunately. Good luck with the deployment and the new baby.

Answer 8

I am being induced on April 20th, at exactly 37 weeks (this is full term) per doctor's orders. I am quite excited that he is going to induce instead of having me just wait for baby to come out. I plan on working until April 19th and the fact that he decided to induce puts me at enormous ease. Also, I trust my doc 100%, he has been doing this for over 20 years!

Answer 9

I would go for it, as long as the doctor gives the go-ahead. Wanting your husband to see his first born being born is totally understandable. I know plenty of people who have had their babies at 37 weeks with no problem! Maybe the baby will help you out and pop out earlier than expected! Good Luck and Enjoy this time with your hubby!! Bless your husband, I dont think enough of us understand what the troops sometimes have to give up for our country!

Answer 10

As long as the dr says it is ok and that is what you and your husband want, I would do it. I dont think there are increased risks at 37 weeks. My daughter was born at 37 weeks and was perfectly fine. So do what works for you. Good luck and hope everything goes smooth.

Answer 11

I think you need to really think this thru. If the baby is born earlier than it should be, the lungs might not be developed fully, it can develop a very dangerous case of jaundice, and you are really running a risk of visiting your newborn in the neo-instensive care unit, hooked up to machines and all. I understand completely that you want your husband to see the newborn, but does it mean risking your child's life. And if your child in under 5 lbs, they won't let you bring them home until they have reached the 5 lbs and are taking feedings. Also, if you induce too early, your baby might not develop its sucking reflex and will need a feeding tube to get a feedings. All these things develop those last weeks of pregnancy. And a baby is considered full term at 38 weeks, they give a window of about a month for delivery. 2 weeks before your due date and 2 weeks after.