Induction vs expectant management

[knopk@]

Just wanted to start a thread to hear about experiences,being overdue now made me go online.
Pretty much i couldnt find hard evidence for induction being better than monitoring.
The reason i am sceptical is nobody can give you 100% accurate dates and i think.mine are out by 3 days hence considering all the options.
However my understanding is they just push for induction? Expectant management was never mentioned to me.
I know babymother delivered at 42+3 i.think
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[babymother]

Hello I certainly did. 42+3 he was born but I was in labour from 42+2.

I am glad I did expectant management, as he was 9 lb10 oz. inducing me prob would have had a negative effect on his descent. I laboured at home until I was 9 cm. didn't know I was so far along

I have nothing against induction. What makes me cross is women do have another option, but it is rarely mentioned and it should be.

My pregnancy was problem free, so I just thought my baby would come when they're ready, and he did.

Very few babies, go beyond 42 weeks. So why not induce post 42 weeks, why not let ladies use their full 2 weeks over?

Also, induction comes with many risks, which they just seem to blow over. Induction is not a normal process, and should be treated as such, yet it is seen as normal.

Again, AIMS, association of improvement in maternity services, do a good booklet on induction. Which I read prior to making my decision.

My first baby was medically induced for dates. So I have had experience of both.

 

[knopk@]

Thanks a lot for your answer, i hoped you would see it. AIMS is what i found on the internet, too.
I have also read reaearch and there isnt evidence of increased perinatal death if monitoring post term pregnancy.
It makes me keen to give my body a chance to be ready. I dont even react well to codeine and my son's heart rate was dipping during a.natural labour so i.want to avoid any induction.drugs as it increases the risk.of.foetal distress.
Nobody ever mentions risks of induction for some reason like its a done deal. I have notoced they already attached the induction sheet to my notes without even asking me.
Did you have sweeps when going overdue? I had one but not keen on any more really, if my.body ia ready, it will go.into labour

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[LYLLJellyTots]

I have never gone over and need induction for medical reasons but from what I have read induction does seem to cause a lot of problems sometimes. My doctor last time said it's like making the body do something it isnt ready for yet, and once they've started messing about they can't just stop, iykwim?

I am so uncomfortable and in so much pain already because of how big she is with the gestational diabetes that I can fully understand the fed up want baby here stage. In fact with how many hospital trips and problems we've had I'm completely fed up now, but as for what I'd decide to do if bubs is happy / healthy in there I'm not sure.

EDD's can be out and it can make for very frustrating times. That being said (and I'm not trying to scare anyone here at all) an acqaintance of mine was left to go over too long and her baby was born sleeping. From what I understand the placenta stopped working properly, but it could be said that it could have happened at any time?

I think they allow that 2 weeks over EDD for that reason but some doctors are very quick to suggest induction x I think you just have to do what feels right for you and take on board the risks with both, if you feel your EDD is accurate go with that, if you feel it's slightly out, take that into considderation xxx

 

[CARNAT22]

My hospital don't even see you until you are 41w (you have your normal appointments but at 30 odd weeks they book you into the "prolonged pregnancy clinic" at 41w and if you are still pregnant you go)

The appointment at 41w they discuss your options, give you a scan and offer a sweep. They will give you an induction date at this point too. They make it very clear you do not have to accept the induction date though.

Prior to 41w, if you have a normal and healthy pregnancy induction will not be mentioned

xxxxxxx

 

[knopk@]

I think EDD is out by 3 days(had 2 early scan that dated 10 days back but at 12 week one they put me back 7 days). Had similar with my son and i was pretty sure they got it wrong.
I was sirprised that at 40 weeks they were talking about induction, i.have an appointment on Friday, I will be 40+6 so will see what they say. I would of course want a scan to see how.the placenta and blood flow is to make sure everything is ok.

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[LYLLJellyTots]

I honestly wasnt trying to scare you then hun I was just offering what little bit of information I know x

See what they say at your appointment maybe and ask about the cervial balloon if you do choose induction at 42 weeks? At least that's not hormone based x Hopefully you'll just go into spontanious labour tomorrow p

 

[knopk@]

I am not easy to scare lol. I of course googled as i know.there is always a risk involved either way buy its hard to.plow through medical research plus there isnt much which is frustrating. I want to make an informed decision and not just be given dates iykwim. But my pregnancy has been low risk so far so its a different game i think.

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[AmyQ]

I'm the same, the thought of induction terrifies me. It is artificial and forces your body and baby to do something they are not ready for. Women's bodies are designed for labour. Surely in the past no one knew their EDDs so the baby would come when it was ready. I think my local hospital are keen to induce at 41+5, unfortunately the homebirth mw's are reluctant to see through anything later than that for fear of complications, which I can understand but it means I'm on my own a bit if I don't want to take the artificial route.

 

[babymother]

I did have 1 sweep with him at 41+ 3/4 I think, then at 42+1/2 went for ctg monitoring. All ok and midwife was going to give me another sweep but on exam found I was 4-5 cm. so she sent me hope. Needless to say, I had a huge grin on my face

A lot of women are happy and want to be induced but there are also lots of women who do not. And for those women, I believe they should be supported in their choice for expectant management.

@amyq, even of you decline induction, the midwives must still attend you at your homebirth.

I'm afraid with lots of things with regards to pregnancy and birth, if you don't do your research, and know what your options are, you are put on the conveyer belt with everyone else.

 

[AmyQ]

I did have 1 sweep with him at 41+ 3/4 I think, then at 42+1/2 went for ctg monitoring. All ok and midwife was going to give me another sweep but on exam found I was 4-5 cm. so she sent me hope. Needless to say, I had a huge grin on my face

A lot of women are happy and want to be induced but there are also lots of women who do not. And for those women, I believe they should be supported in their choice for expectant management.

@amyq, even of you decline induction, the midwives must still attend you at your homebirth.

I'm afraid with lots of things with regards to pregnancy and birth, if you don't do your research, and know what your options are, you are put on the conveyer belt with everyone else.

I will discuss with my mw on Wed, but I think they prefer you to go to hospital if you refuse induction and go over 42 weeks, just due to the additional risks.

 

[babymother]

I did have 1 sweep with him at 41+ 3/4 I think, then at 42+1/2 went for ctg monitoring. All ok and midwife was going to give me another sweep but on exam found I was 4-5 cm. so she sent me hope. Needless to say, I had a huge grin on my face

A lot of women are happy and want to be induced but there are also lots of women who do not. And for those women, I believe they should be supported in their choice for expectant management.

@amyq, even of you decline induction, the midwives must still attend you at your homebirth.

I'm afraid with lots of things with regards to pregnancy and birth, if you don't do your research, and know what your options are, you are put on the conveyer belt with everyone else.

I will discuss with my mw on Wed, but I think they prefer you to go to hospital if you refuse induction and go over 42 weeks, just due to the additional risks.

If you prefer to go to hospital then that's fine. To have a good labour you also need to be relaxed
Just make sure you are sure what those additional risks are. Not what they think are additional risks. Again, inform yourself before hand so you know if they are fibbing with some things.
The main reason they quote is placental function and still birth. There are stats for this.
Homebirth.org.uk may have a link, I can't remember.
Good luck

 

[knopk@]

I have also read a randomised study on BMJ about it, they said the study they are basing current guidelines on isnt representative because of the small size. They didnt find any difference btw induction vs expectant management with serial monitoring outcomes for babies and mums

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