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Childbirth

Is induction really necessary?

32 replies

clemsterdarcy · 28/09/2006 15:55

Am 7 days overdue -- from what we all know are arbitary estimated dates in the first place and biased to the individual.

Was planning to give birth at birth centre ... all midwives there are lovely - except 'the boss' ... aka Nurse Ratchett.

sigh

Went in there for check this morning (had three 'start and stops' in the night since Friday so body obviosuly gearing up, baby happily moving, all physicaly well) ... but ol' Ratchett started on about booking an induction on day +11 within seconds!

When I said, without meaning to be adversarial, I don;t see the need for that, inductions don't guarantee success, contractions more painful, baby more distresed hence interventions become more likely ... she started down the 'research shows the placenta starts to wear out...' route.

I responded ... research can always be cut different ways, and I don't think there's a calender in there ... it isn't a sudden stop ... we can monitor and signs of slow down ....

She then kicked in with the 'well you've come so far, why put your baby at risk now'. Clever, Floored me.

SO I am booked into my local hospital next Tuesday -- at 1930 ... they don't let you go to the delivery suite nor allowhusband to stay in normal ward after visiting hours so he ould have to go 30 minutes after my arrival leaving me alone to labour.

When I pointed this out ... I was then told I would probably be given something to help me sleep anyway. And so the sequential synthetic interventions begin ... I bet 'mother's little helper' is pethidine ...

I'm strong willed, but I gave up with her. The centre won't accept +12 days apparently so she is working to protocol.

Although I thought in the UK you had the legal right to give birth where you choose. My final question to her was ok so if I turn up at 23.59 on day +11 you still accept me ... apparently so.

Overall, I just want to do what is best for the baby ... but my instinct and learning so far tells me that being induced at day +11 is not necessary.

What are your thoughts/experiences about this?

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TheBlonde · 28/09/2006 16:00

Have you been offered a scan to check the status of your placenta?

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Mum2FunkyDude · 28/09/2006 16:12

Induction policies varies from hospital to hospital. I was induced on 41weeks+1 only because my blood pressure was very high. It was not successfull at all and ended in an emergency c-section 3 days later. What they do not tell you is that once they've started intervening, they can't stop. They have to push it through till birth. If you feel this strongly can you approach a different hospital in your area? Be warned it is not always the best option. If your body is busy preparing itself, you might find you'll give birth sooner rather than later, my body was not ready neither my ds, full stop. Try other methods at home? Reflexology etc. anything to start the contractions. Apparently sperm contains the same hormone as with which they induce you.

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wools · 28/09/2006 16:16

Clemsterdarcy, I really do sympathise - it is so frustrating isn't it. I was induced last year with my second ds and had to labour alone (dh sent home) at night on the antenatal ward. I didn't feel I could walk around the hospital as everybody was sleeping and so stayed in my bed suffering very painful contractions and being sick. In the end, dh came back in early morning and I was moved to the labour ward - ended up with an epidural and a ventouse delivery. I too was spun the old "placenta is likely to deteriorate" line. I have since found out the evidence for this is a bit flimsy to say the least.

I am 2 weeks away from expecting my 3rd baby and I was so nervous that I would be induced again but because I'm under a different consultant he is happy for me to labour naturally this time.


If you don't go into labour naturally by + 11, could you go to another hospital which is a bit more flexible about partners staying etc.

I wish you all the best. Hope things happen very soon for you.

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maretta · 28/09/2006 16:19

My midwife was fairly anti-induction. She talked to me about it when I was 41 weeks but I went into labour that night.

If I remember correctly - but could be wrong about this - she told me that when you go for induction, the first thing they do is put you on the moniter for a while to check the baby's heart rate etc.

If this was all OK, you could then speak to your consultant about delaying the induction.

Good luck.

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clemsterdarcy · 28/09/2006 16:23

Thanks guys.

I had to push ... asked if there was anything more I could do between now and Tuesday ... THEN she offered me a sweep ... booked for Saturday.

Apparently according to UK NICE guidelines, she should have suggested that before booking an induction.

I've also learned that the increased liklehood of stillbirth as you go over is very small and based on somewhat flimsy research conducted in the 1960s. SOmething like 1 in 3000 to 3 in 3000. As with all statistics, they are open to the interpretation that suits your particular argument I guess!

I haven't been offered a scan -- I should have been, In the UK you are perfectly entitled to decline induction whereupon they MUST at a minimum give twice-weekly heart monitoring and scan to assess volume of amniotic fluid. The placente will deteriorate but not suddenly.

I think I will see what the next few days bring naturally and then discuss options on Tuesday ... I certainly will not be induced without an urgent medical need that can be totally validated.

It is a shame that we are not supported in our decisions but made to feel guilty ...

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mummymonster2 · 28/09/2006 16:41

I was induced with DD at 41+5. With DS I was dertermined to start naturally. I was set a date to be induced and the night before I was due to go in I bounced on DS trampoline and had an indian for dinner, done some BD before bed and by morning DS was here naturally. It might work for you!!

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docket · 28/09/2006 16:46

I was induced first time round and then dd came of her own accord, 10 days late. I think it's awful the way they seem to want to push everyone down the induction route - with dd the midwife started talking about it when I was only a few days over and was horrified when I refused to discuss it at that point. I've read on mumsnet that the average gestational length should actually be 41 weeks not 40 anyway...

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beckybrastraps · 28/09/2006 16:47

Nipple massage. Apparently...

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clemsterdarcy · 28/09/2006 16:49

Been scoffing pineapple all afternoon, off to walk now, making a vindaloo for super and told DH he's on a promise tonight ...

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NAB3 · 28/09/2006 16:52

Try a long walk, rhubarb and custard, a curry and a raspberry leaf toablet. All worked for me with number 3....Good luck.

BTW I was being scared in to a section with my second child as my first one nearly didn't make it, and I told me consultant I didn't want a section. He scanned me, said all was well, baby would come in two weeks and not to have the seciton if I didn't want it. Baby came naturally 6 days late and one day after the section was due to be done.

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NAB3 · 28/09/2006 16:53

A lot of protocol is to cover themselves should anything go wrong. I had until 10am to deliver my 3rd one before they were going to do a section. He was born at 10.15am, naturally.

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franch · 28/09/2006 16:57

clem, I am passionately on your side (having had a very unpleasant induction with DD1, tho for different reasons). You are absolutely right about arbitrary dates etc.

If you are in London I recommend giving acupuncture a go. It worked for me with DD2 - see this thread. Good luck.

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Kiwiem · 28/09/2006 17:00

Walk, walk, walk. Was probably just luck, but I went for a huge walk before DS was born (had contractions on the way back and was worried he was going to arrive in the street, actually!) and went into labour on my due date.

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mamijacacalys · 28/09/2006 17:36

Was induced with DD at 39 wks due to slightly raised BP (with Propess T-bag thingy rather than the gel). One T bag did the trick and labour started approx 20 hrs later (usually takes longer for it to work).

In early labour, consultant came round and I made it perfectly clear to him that I was not intending to have any further intervention (he started banging on about drips and epidurals etc). DD was born 4 hrs later and I didn't need any pain relief. (I tore badly due to her being face to pubis and 8lb 12 which would also have been the case if I had laboured naturally).

So, my experience of being induced was fine but I was strong willed enough to insist that they left me alone once labour had started, unless I asked for further intervention. Advise you to do same unless curry, trampolining, walking or any of the other tips on this thread help you go naturally!! Good luck!

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bundle · 28/09/2006 17:42

is induction ever necessary? yes, sometimes it definitely is.

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franca70 · 28/09/2006 17:56

I don't understand why they don't offer a scan after due date to check on the fluids and the state of the placenta. what costs more? scans or many unnecessary inductions? all the best

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bluemoo · 28/09/2006 18:58

Lots of sympathy.
I was induced with my ds 11 weeks ago. Like you I wasn't given any choice - just had induction booked after a failed sweep at 41 wks with no option of a 2nd sweep, and no discussion.
The NICE guidelines are worth looking at - they're available on line. They give you risks of problems for you and the baby before and after 42 weeks - e.g stillbirth x3 risk after 42wks, but still tiny. Induction is usually done at 42wks now, so not sure why yours is being booked at 40+12.

I have to say that going into labour on my own in an antenatal ward and not being able to make much noise in case I woke other people up was pretty miserable. Also really wished dh could have been there to shout at!
Having said that my son was 9lb 6, got well and truly stuck and was a difficult forceps delivery - I think if I'd let it go any longer I'd have ended up with a c-section as I nearly did anyway.
Have you thought about asking to go and see an obstetrician to discuss risks etc? Might be more use than just talking to the midwives - I really wish I'd done this before my induction instead of sitting at home worrying....
Apparently acupuncture is the only thing proved to work to bring on labour - I tried every other method known and none of them worked for me.Good Luck!

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lulumama · 28/09/2006 19:22

ask for a sweep - sounds like things moving anyway

lots of sex

ask for monitoring - to reassure them! sounds like you are ok with this and don't want to be induced!!

EDD - is just that - ESTIMATED due date!!!

can;t you ask them to let you go to 42 weeks? you'll probably have had baby by then!

or find sympathetic hospital and don;t go back to your current one!!
good luck !

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Toady · 28/09/2006 20:18

If you do not want this induction dont have it, if you want to be polite about it ring them and say "thank you have considered your advice but no thankyou".

TELL them you wish to be booked in for a scan to have placenta checked (I would do this after 42+ weeks).

Do what YOU want to do and what YOU feel comfortable with.

Your baby is happy inside you, let him or her comes when ready to come out.

Personally I would also refuse a sweep, do you really want them to stick their fingers up your "fanjo"

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3andnomore · 28/09/2006 22:21

Hi mmost thig have been said already now....so, just wanted to say I hope it all goes well and that you won't need to be induced!
For what it worth...Birthcentres will only take a woman if clearly low risk by the time labour starts...going overdue to a certain stage, I suppose, means that you are not falling into this category anymore...however, you still could give Birth at home if you want to avoid Hospital!
And grrr at that emotional blackmail of that m/w!

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clemsterdarcy · 29/09/2006 09:20

Thanks everyone -- you have given me confidence!

This morning -- I telephone the birth centre and complained that the mw had been alarmist and dismissive. And even if this was a straightforward personality clash then the information given to me was incorrect (not offering a sweep and apparently they should intake to +13 days not +12 days and she should have worked with hospital for monitoring ahead of induction as I clearly communicated this is my preference rather than just 'getting me booked in').

They were pretty good about it and said I don't have to see her again. I have sweep tomorrow and can have another sweep Monday. Plus I have booked accupuncture and reflexolofy on Saturday as additional interventions to avoid the chemical route!

I then called the hospital where mw had booked me in -- they were great and empathetic. They have changed the Tuesday night induction to a Tuesday morning appointment with the consultant for a scan and discuss options and they were completely reassuring that I could have monitoring every other day if still wanted to avoid induction ... up to 43 weeks and of course results of placenta function determining.

It just shows you how 1 person being so procedural and brusque can really affect what happens to you. You have to be pretty assertive and articulate to be allowed to go with your instincts. What do the poor souls who are less well-informed/supported do ...

I guess the medical professionals have to cover their backs -- and I sympathise with that ... but there is no excuse for not clearly discussing the options with a woman and while this mw is professional it is still a 'caring profession' ... ie there is a woman in front of you worried about her baby to adapt your communications to suit ...

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bluemoo · 29/09/2006 10:56

Well done!

I'm really pleased for you - wish I'd done the same. Just shows what you can acheive if you're assertive and stick to your guns.

I had reflexology too - didn't put me into labour but made me feel much more relaxed about the whole thing! Apparently it works better if you have 2 or 3 sessions too. I also went into Neal's Yard and got some Clary sage oil, which apparently sometimes helps and some homeopathic tablets - caellophyllum or something. Might not work but at least it makes you feel as if you're doing something.

You'll have to keep us all updated. Really, really hope it works for you, although if you do end up being induced it really isn't that bad. You do tend to go into full blown labour quite fast, though, so don't rule out an epidural. It was the best feeling in the world having that put in and suddenly being pain-free...

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franch · 29/09/2006 13:58

clemster, really well done. It appalls me that there is still so much bullying of women in maternity services. I'm keeping everything crossed for you and watching this space ...

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joelallie · 29/09/2006 14:17

Walk, walk and keep walking! My waters broke 36 hours before DS#2 was born and I was taken into hospital after 24 and told I'd be induced if nothing happened by 9am the next day. Really didn't want that. So I walked the corridors all night and by 7am he was born.

Good luck

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clemsterdarcy · 08/10/2006 19:31

Well Mums

I am pleased to report that induction wasn't necessary!

On Sturday September 30th I went into labour at 4am and Delilah Beatrice D'Arcy arrived safe and sound at 10.43! I only needed a little gas and air, didn't tear at all and the pushing bit was a mere 8 minutes.

It was a fantastic experience and all the better for trusting my instincts and taking your advice of course.

Thank you so much for all your kind words and reassurances.

Now -- better get back to the SnuffleTruffle!

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