I know this video is 2 years old, but I am 36 weeks + 5 days today. At my last appointment, my OB suggested an induction at 39 weeks. No reasons given other than scheduling. I have felt so uneasy about it because of the horror stories I've heard, and started researching it. Thank you for videos like this! No induction for me unless necessary! Now going to binge all of your other videos! 🎉
@@drlevetteI was told the same and just replied politely that I would like to deliver when the baby decides, due date or later works perfect to me, I am not going to rush just because she said so.
I'm 37 weeks and I got asked if I wanted to be induced at my last appointment I let my doctor know I want to give it some more time. My doctor seemed surprised, yes I'm uncomfortable but baby is going to let me know when its time!
@@arshirashid7240 He came on his own! Unfortunately my doctor cut an episiotomy and I did get a 4th degree tear 😔 I just had a surgery on the 10th of this month to repair everything because my initial repair after delivery failed
@@christinaa3160 I did have to have another emergency surgery because I just stopped being able to go #1 and #2 and ended up on a liquid diet on the bright side I lost 10 pounds 🤣 now I'm eating and able to return to work on monday. I do have a dime sized wound still that did not heal however I was prescribed some santyl to help it close it is just a surface wound so hopefully it heals fast! I am not 100% and I know it is going to take a while but I am getting closer every day 🙂
Love this video! Thank you Bridget. I'm 41 weeks and feel great. Baby is safe, I'm safe... Statistically 80% of first time mothers naturally go past the due date. A recent study in Aussie asked 600 mothers if they would be induced 2nd time around and 93% said NO! We need to honor our bodies and our babies timing- not the system.
I was 39 weeks when I was persuaded to get induced and I totally regret it. There was no medical reason to do it. I was told it was a normal fast procedure that wouldn't harm my baby and when I got to the hospital I stayed for 3 days & only dilated 2cm! My baby was not ready to come out so I was told I might need a c section so I said NO! I decided to leave the hospital since my baby and I were healthy & it was the best choice I could've done. Don't force the baby to come unless there's a real medical reason for it. It can be dangerous for the baby so please do y'alls research.
I know so many friends who got pressured into induction before 40 weeks being totally healthy, no health risks/complications.. all ended up getting lots of interventions as a result. Gosh.
This happened with my mother during my pregnancy, she told me how they told her to induce me on my due date and she went along with it. She was given all the maximum doses of pitocin and a couple of days as well… Nothing happened, no contractions, no dilation and the midwifes and obgyn just discharged her and gave up. I came out on my terms a week later after a couple of hours of labor.
My OB was telling me that it was new research that proved that it is necessary to induce at 39 weeks. So he scheduled an appointment for induction for me even though I felt uncomfortable doing it. Luckily my baby boy decided himself when to come out. Exactly 24 hours before induction. You can not imagine how happy I was!!!
Congratulations! There is research that says induction at 39 weeks is safer than at 41 weeks and have lower outcomes of C section but I would at least like to go to my due date!
@@ajam4988 Agree! Completely! Or at least not feeling to be forced doing it or judged if you do not want that. Some women are fine to be induced before due date.
It is not that it’s required however the study he is referring to is the Arrive Study which has shown that induction at 39 weeks reduces the risk for complications during labor and specifically emergency C-Section. He may follow this guideline as your provider.
Idk where you ladies are getting your doctors from but my doctor has been great. She says baby will be ready when she is ready. I am 40 weeks today and have not even been asked the question of if I would like an induction or not. She says that at 41 they will reassess me and baby and make decisions from there.
I was offered and induction was scheduled for me today by my midwife. They do that a whole lot in the UK. They gave me an information leaflet and lots of links after scheduling it. After reading it i said NO
Great video- My personal experience is that it’s very worth the wait. The babies are getting everything they need right up to the time they are ready to come. All five of my babies including twins were born past their due date. All natural childbirth and very healthy at birth. I went into labor naturally. It was a beautiful experience.
This video helped me feel more confident on my choice to not do the suggested induction. The only reason was simply because my baby is measuring big…. Baby and I are completely healthy and safe; we will be waiting for when he wants to make his appearance! Thank you for your videos!
Fantastic video. You didn’t talk about age but I had my babies at 37, 40, and 43. All born way past 41 weeks and thriving with health. Because of my age, I was pushed every time, but I am a healthy person with very healthy lifestyle habits since my 20s. Me, my baby, and my womb were doing completely fine and dealing with pregnancy well. I’m so glad I didn’t get induced. I birthed the last two at home. The birth experience and the advantages, both long-term and short-term, for my health and theirs, are immeasurably enhanced by this decision. In conclusion, age alone also may not be a good reason to induce. The three questions in the video apply perfectly.
I LOVE how simple and easy these questions are. It makes it very easy for me to remember and discuss when/if that conversation pops up with my care provider. Thanks for this vid, Bridget!
I was induced via the balloon at 41 weeks and I really enjoyed my birth experience still! I also liked that I knew when to go to the hospital and didn’t have to question or worry about when I should go in. I do, however, think I could have waited until he was ready as I was already starting to show signs of early labor. I don’t think I’d change my decision though! Everything went great and I got to deliver my beautiful boy vaginally at 7lbs 7oz
I was told after an ultrasound on my due date that my babe was going to be 11.5 lbs. I was so scared I accepted the induction and had a terrible feeling about it the whole time. He was born at 8.5 lbs and it still bothers me that I fell victim of such ignorance on my part.
i was encouraged to try for a vaginal birth even though my bub was estimated to be in the 88% for size, and two weeks overdue (and only getting bigger). After gently trying to coax her out through 4 days of multiple induction methods (the foley balloon finally succeeded), i dilated fast, but was stuck at 7cm for 12 hours. turns out she was too big to fit through my pelvis, which was probably why i never went into spontaneous labour. it became extremely painful even though id had an epidural, from the pressure against my pelvis. i had an emergency c-section, and she turned out to be 9.2lbs, in the 90% for size. for such an unexpectedly medical process, i couldnt have asked for a more positive experience. the staff were patient and reassuring the whole way. it went as well as it could have, and i'm so grateful for that. always ask questions, but i hope you can find trust and comfort in the staff too, if it turns out you need medical interventions.
Thank you! Just reached 40w and induction was brought up at my check-in yesterday. Me and baby are healthy and everything's been normal throughout, so I'm feeling good about my decision to keep going. Happy to keep my little buddy in here a bit longer 🙂
@@mandymoreau I went with induction. At my checkup at 40+5 they did a stress test and ultrasound to look at the level of amniotic fluid. Fluid was pretty low so I went to the hospital for induction using pitocin. Looking back I would have loved a doula to help and probably would have put off induction for another day or so. But you just don't know and you make choices based on the info you have at the time. I was also quite ready to be done being pregnant 😂
It’s like you heard me?! Had my 40 week appt Tuesday. No signs of labor whatsoever, of course doctor discussed induction and I let her know I want more time. Honestly , Induction scares me as I want my body to go into labor on it’s own and do this as natural as possible.. Thank you for this :)
As long as you and baby are healthy, your placenta and amniotic fluid levels are looking good, you should be perfectly fine waiting. Your body will go into labour on its own soon enough at this point 😊
Hello you could try this ua-cam.com/video/PmwRWTr4zuk/v-deo.html I did some long walks and tried the above exercises, and went into labour after a few days
I plan on getting induced after 39 weeks just to make sure I have someone home to watch my first baby. I also don't want the experience of me laboring in front of him to scare him anymore than this whole experience is going to. Being able to calmly leave my home and say goodbye to my little one, while leaving him trusted people, is definitely the peace of mind I need going into labor for my second.
I'm doing this as well I have 5 kids I need them in a safe environment so I can deliver baby #6. I'm bring judged by this discussion but I need to make sure all is of my kids are good.
I live in a remote area, and have a significant trip to my hospital. I also live in an area with particularly harsh winters. Many women in my area get induced to allow for safe arrangement of care for other children, and safe transportation to hospital. These are not trivial reasons to ask for an induction.
I think it’s also important to consider mamas mental health on your list. If mama is having a difficult pregnancy and it’s significantly impacting her mental health or already has perinatal depression that also makes it unsafe for her and baby.
@@iamwhoyousayiam6773 I think there is different between sadness and depression, having a hard time and suffering from suicidal thoughts. Many moms might feels "sad" not all will get postpartum depression. A friend of mine had postpartum depression so severe she wanted to drown all her kids and needed outside help her cope so please do not diminish ppls struggles with mental health by saying "oh everyone feels like that". Everyone might feel sunburn not everyone gets skin cancer. BIG difference between feelings and having a mental health condition that is morphing into a clinical disorder.
Mental health is so often placated like this. “Oh it’s just hormones...everybody feels that way at some point in their pregnancy...think positive... you wanted a baby...” gaslighting and invalidating does NOT help women with actual antenatal anxiety and depression.
Thank you so much for talking about this!! I was told in the last appointment that my baby was measuring big and that my chances of shoulder dystocia would be higher. They made me come in 2 weeks later for a stress test and ultrasound and found baby is healthy, everything looks normal and when I tried talking about my birth plan, it was just kind of dismissed a bit.
Thank you for this info! My doctor has been mentioning induction since 38 weeks even though my baby and I have been perfectly healthy and shown no risk. I’m now “41 weeks 2 days” and they are continuing to push it even though we are still showing no signs of risk. I personally think their due date is two weeks ahead of what it actually is and it’s crazy how I’m having to persuade them to keep pushing off induction when we’re perfectly healthy.
I'm currently 37 weeks and my doc recommends I get induced in 2 weeks, a week before my due date because my baby is "measuring small" when I normally give birth to smaller kids 5lbs 7lbs and 6 lbs. When I asked why she said to avoid a still birth and that was it. I'm feeling nervous about it but I've been feeling good throughout my whole pregnancy so idk what the deal is. My fiance and I are pretty small people so we aren't meant to have 8-9 lb babies. At my last ultrasound they said he's weighing at 5 lbs rn which is how much my first born weighed at birth and the doctors didn't have any concerns then. So I'm just confused about the whole thing.
I am so confident with my birth plan, I want it unmedicated. My only fear is being induced as I know it can make things harder for you plan to work out. Thank you for this video!
My doctor is pushing me to induce with my 5th baby he even told me if I don’t do it my baby have a chance of being still born. I am not swayed but I think gaslighting your patient should be an ethical issue which should allow patients to sue. Because it is not the best interest of the patient and it is manipulation. Why do you think there are so many people seeking mental health assistance? Someone in a position of authority should not “recommend” a procedure when there is no medical reason. I’m being seen weekly by my doctor and getting weekly ultrasounds. And they BOTH say my health and baby’s health is fine. Yet pushing me to get induce. No thank you. I’m stick to my decision. My baby will get here when she’s ready.
How did your birth go? That is so weird that they would recommend induction with your 5th baby when your body is already an expert birther. I hear each subsequent birth is quicker and faster and sometimes easier.
I had an induction without an epidural with my first baby back in February. I absolutely LOVED my induction process and I would prefer it again with my next baby 💛💛💛
I was induced due to BP at 39+5 with my daughter and likely will again with this baby. It was a really quick experience for me (wish I had gotten that epidural way sooner though 😂). I was really against induction to begin with, but it guaranteed a healthy baby. But I'm totally against it with no health issues. Great questions.
I'm currently 40 weeks along, and I'm getting induced tomorrow. My OB didn't give me any say in whether or not I wanted an induction, and I asked them these 3 questions with no real good reason as to why it's medically necessary that I go forward with it. I'm so confused and nervous because it's definitely not what I wanted. Your videos have been so helpful this whole pregnancy, and I'm hoping that I'll still be able to have a positive birth experience!
Doula here: if you at 42 weeks, and you are both healthy, there is no definite reason to be induced - and you can say no - but you can ask for more regular assessment. Use the BRAIN acronym: Benefits, Risks, Intuition (what do YOU feel), Nothing (what if we do nothing, even in the short term?) You can’t have both - placenta is not functioning properly AND your baby is going to get too big. At 42 weeks the risk to negative outcome for the baby is 1.55 in 1000 (BMJ 2000) . Think of it like fruit on a tree, not all will ripen at the same time. I’m not saying don’t induce, I’m saying think about the pros and cons, because induction has its own risks.
Have you taken When Push Comes to Shove Doula Course by chance? I am a doula as well and did take her course. Glad to see someone talk about the whole 42 wk things she mentioned here bc I didn't agree with what she insinuates on this video regarding that situation....
I was induced with my first at 37 weeks for IUGR (which I now believe was BS, seeing as I’ve had other healthy small babies)… but wanted to share encouragingly that I still managed to have an unmedicated hospital birth in about 15 hrs. It can be doable if you set your mind to it, have a supportive team and work with your body through movement and breathing etc. the more interventions you accept the more likely you’ll be confined to not being able to sense what your body and baby needs or move/respond to keep things progressing.
Thank you so much for this! I needed to see it! My doctor told me they want to induce me at 37 weeks (2 weeks from now) due to baby boy being IUGR (4th percentile). He has measured small in all of his ultrasounds though, but other than that, he is appearing healthy. I’m trying not to feel defeated over it. Also, the hospital they want to induce me at is an hour and a half away vs where I was expecting to give birth at is only 12 minutes away. I’m also extremely nervous about if baby ends up not being ready to be born and will have to be in the NICU or incubator for awhile.
My recent visit they said my baby is estimated 5lbs 13oz so 10th percentile at an almost 38week ultrasound. They want to schedule me for induction just based on size(because my first baby was 9lbs at birth) and I’m 35yrs old but my baby is moving great and I think I’m not eating frequently enough and eating late yet no one asked me these questions!! I don’t plan on getting induced or cervical check at 39 week unless there is medically something wrong
@juliescott305 how was your birthing experience and did baby have any nicu time? My baby was diagnosed with IUGR. They are wanting to induce in 3 weeks at 37 weeks due to this and I am also nervous to be induced. Also thank you to the original commenter sharing your support and encouragement! 💜
Thank you for commenting this. I am in the same boat and due 12/24 and have been told that my baby’s stomach looks small and want to induce at 38 weeks. I’ve been feeling uneasy about it since my first baby was 6lbs and I just think I naturally make small babies. This comment made me feel more confident about advocating for myself! Thank you ❤
@@ivonnelopez3048 i'm in the same situation, they said I have to be induced because baby's stomach is measuring small tho everything else looks good he is healthy overall. I am scheduled for induction after 6 days from today. Still wondering if it's safe and healthy for me and my baby to get induced as everything looks good so far. i will be 38 weeks and 5 days on the day of induction
All three of my kids have been induced labors. My first baby I received an epidural, my second and third I went without pain management. No, I didn't really have any medical reason to induce other than my mental health at that point was greatly suffering. Which I suppose falls under mama not being healthy or safe, but I know it was the right choice for my babies. All were vaginal deliveries with minimal tearing. With this 4th baby I really would like to go naturally though.
I was 39 weeks when I got induced due to intrauterine growth restriction. I was so distraught because I had planned to do a natural birth without epidural and I had heard that the pain is much worse when getting induced. I held on for as long as I could but I was not dilating much and my contractions were 1 minute long and back to back. I ended up getting the epidural and after 6 hours I was finally told I was ready to push. I didn’t feel a thing after the epidural. The anesthesiologist tried to put the needle in 4 times and had to keep giving me more anesthesia because I kept feeling the needle go down my spine. It was awful. BUT it is true that once you have your baby everything that you go through is worth it! My baby weighed 5 lbs and was pushed out super quick with no tearing ! I’m pretty small so I think I’m someone that has small babies. Next time if my baby measures small I will want to let my body go into labor naturally because my baby was completely healthy !
@@leticiaribeiro910 at my next checkup, I ended up having higher blood pressure than usual and elevated umbilical cord activity, so I decided to induce. I do not regret my decision. Induction process began at 9pm and baby was born 8pm the next night. My epidural was perfect. Baby was actually smaller than the ultrasound estimated at 5 lb and 15 oz. Baby was healthy.
Sorry yoy went thru that. Nobody told me the epi would lay me out. Or that getting induced would cause IMMEASUEABLE PAIN. I tell everyone not to get induced and to wait, as long as possible. Trust baby before your doctors (assuming you are healthy)
Haha, timing! 39+5 and it's been so rough this time. With my first, 7 years ago, I was determined, and made it to 41+6, but I wasn't having panic attacks, crazy digestive issues, and my husband wasn't a truck driver. He's taken a week off, starting today. I just want to make the most of that support, and to start feeling better. Thinking I'll start with the gentlest options I have at home, and see how far I can get. Anyway, thanks for the reminders. I'll make the best decision I can and hope for the best.
This is brilliant, thank you so much! I am facing the question of induction with no reason given other than "we like to deliver small babies early". And your 3 questions + greyzones are so educational and empowering. Going back to the hospital today to have this discussion, so Thank you so much for preparing us well.
The induction process for me was an absolute nightmare. Every time I think about my birth experience I wish that I gave my body a few more days. I had started to contract a bit on my own the morning of my induction at 41 weeks. My OB told me that I could go into the appointment, that the staff would check out baby, and then I would be able to decide whether or not I would get induced or not. I feel like I didn't really get an informed choice. I think the staff just wanted to get it over with, and I don't blame them because I really didn't speak up. But now that I am a nurse myself I know how important it is to ask the questions and make sure that the client is informed. I ended up having a failed vac and then a bedside forcep removal as the OR was not ready for an emergency section. It was very traumatic and I feel that if I just gave myself a few more days my baby and my body would have been ready. Both my baby and I were healthy. I wish I asked these questions and was told that it was okay to go a bit past 41 weeks.
I'm going to say the ugly side of things that no one likes to admit out loud. Doctors have been known to push induction to accommodate their personal schedule. High BP does NOT mean you have ore eclampsia. I've had 3 pre e babies, one with no pre e. Pre e is thought to be caused by deficiencies in protein intake (you need around 100grams a day, supplement protein shakes) iron, magnesium, and calcium. The only way to diagnose it is when proteins are present in your urine, which is tested for regularly and why you pee in a cup every appointment. Interventions are often "precautionary" but entirely unnecessary. Babies measure big. It's an imperfect science. All of mine measured 9 lbs + at 37 weeks. Two out of four were 8 pounders, the other two were 6 pounds and 7 pounds. Our bodies were made to accommodate baby (save extreme circumstances where the pelvic bones are essentially fused- this is RARE) and I've known plenty of women who have birth to 10 pounders with no issue. Forcing your body into labor early can extend your labor, which brings in needing more pit, then an epidural because pit contractions are unreal for most women. I have personally overheard, several times in several different OB offices, Doctor's talking about convincing their patient to get induced or even have a C section because they needed that patient load cleared before they could go on vacation. I've personally heard doctors discussing the payout difference between vaginal birth and c section (c section pays upwards of 8k to the doctor). I've personally heard doctors being dismissive of their patient's concerns in order to make things more convenient and expedient for them. Go in informed. Ask questions and don't be intimidated by any attitude you may get for asking.
Thanks for this. There really are nasty doctors out there who will humiliate you for being informed. There was once a doctor who told me (since I was asking a lot of questions) to "can you stop googling stuff" like they literally want an ignorant patient.
I had an emergency csection because baby didn’t react well to the pitocin.. I was only 40 weeks and 5 days I wish I would’ve known this before deciding on being induced :(
Praying I make the right decision really I'm hoping the baby comes naturally..I want a natural birth. Through the grace of GOD I was able to have that with my last pregnancy. I've been hearing that being induced makes the pain worse. 😕 I know nothing is too hard for my GOD. So I'm praying everything just happens naturally. With my last pregnancy I felt no pain while pushing..I'm praying HE comes through again...
My midwife is pushing me to be induced at 39 weeks because I’m 41. This is my first child. She said the placenta is known to die off faster with advanced maternal age. I don’t want to be induced and I feel I’m being lumped into a general idea that my womb isn’t safe just because of my age. I don’t have any health concerns and my baby has measured normal the entire pregnancy. I’m more than worried that I have no control. I love these videos because I feel more empowered, but the pressure is still there from the medical team.
My OB wants to induce me at 39 weeks because of the risk of developing pre-eclampsia due to me having Lupus. However, I have been on the baby aspirin as preventative care and I haven't had ANY symptoms of pre-eclampsia so far. My blood pressure has always been good. So I am considering refusing the insucting as long as it stays that way.
Thank you so much for this! My provider is pushing an induction at 39 weeks so hard with no medical reason. I have said no in many forms and he is still pressuring me.
I absolutely love the way that you speak and explain things. It’s comforting and validating yet factual and quite honest. I bet that you have amazing bedside manner. Keep up the great work!
I had to be induced at my "guesstimated" 41 week mark (i found out i was pregnant at ~20 weeks) and it was rough. I never want to go through that again, to be fair everything snowballed. But it was overall for both our safety's because he was large and I am 4'11. I tried natural at first, 16 hours in caved for an epi because i was exhausted and in so much pain. They made me sleep for part of my labor to reduce both our stress after that. Ultimately had a csection because he was stuck at 9.5cm for 3 hours after 32 hours of laboring, and sometime during labor (im pretty sure it was after the epi because he started rolling more) he rolled himself completely up in the cord and couldn't drop any further. I feel like alot of my labor my nurses weren't actually trying to help me, because they seemed irritated the whole time and ignored me when i told them things were wrong until it became an actual problem. I am in no way blaming the induction, but it sucked and im really hoping i dont have to go through that again in 2 months. Prayin for a vbac, normal sized baby, and quick labor/delivery!
I just had my fourth baby. The first three were home births. This time my water broke sometime in the 35th week (not sure exactly when, long story). I was not in labor when we discovered my water was broken, so I was induced in the hospital. My body was ready. All the things I had heard about how bad induction can be were not true for me. And my baby was ready. He passed every test they have him: tolerated labor just fine, held his blood sugar and his temps, processed his bilirubin and everything. All this to say if you didn't want an induction, but you have to have one you can still have a good experience. Hold on to your hope.
I’m really glad to be able to hear more info about this. I’m currently 29 weeks, and my baby has FGR. I’m only 5’1” and my husband is only 5’4”, so it’s not surprising. My husband also had FGR. Our boy is healthy and active and passing all stress tests, movement tests, blood flow tests, etc… he’s just very small. The doctors have brought up the idea of inducing at 37 weeks, but I want to avoid if it’s unnecessary. We are both healthy as of now! I wanted a natural birth at a birthing center, but I’ve been highly advised to stay at the hospital because he’s so small. This is our first baby, so I have no reference as to what is normal for me, but I’m praying everyday that I’ll be able to make the right decision when it comes time. If anyone has a similar story they’d like to share, I’d love to hear about it!
I had my first spontaneously at 39+5. It ended up a traumatic birth.. After 18 hours of back labour, he was born by forceps due his heart rate plummeting multiple times during the pushing phase. The forceps caused a bit of damage - part of my pelvic floor muscle tore away from the pubic bone area, and I’ve got between a stage 2 and 3 prolapsed bladder and uterus. With my second baby, I was induced at exactly 38 weeks due to repeated reduced movement, measuring small/behind and there being little to no fluid left around baby. I was initially nervous and unsure about induction, as I just felt bad forcing him out. But it ended up being almost therapeutic for me (after my first labour experience), and it was clear that it was actually best for him to come out early (I lost no waters during entire labour, he did measure on the small side, and the placenta showed signs of breaking down). I went in overnight, had the balloon put in and slept the whole night. It fell out in the morning and I was 3cm. They start pitocin and after a short 2 hour labour, my son came out in just 3 pushes with no tearing at all. Was a much easier recovery too. I’m now in a funny position where I’m 31 weeks pregnant and baby is doing great so far, but my prolapsed bladder is getting quite bad and uncomfortable. On some days (TMI) it starts to budge out of my vagina by the end of the day. It’s making me wonder about induction again (around 38/39 weeks), as I don’t want to damage it any further. I’d prefer to have a spontaneous labour, but don’t think I’d be happy to go past 40 weeks when I’m already getting this much pressure at 31 weeks!!
I got induced with miprostol powder a bit over week 38 due to IUGR suspicion, and it was a very positive experience. The only thing I regretted was not taking the epidural sooner. Baby turned out ok with healthy birth weight thank god, but it could have gone the other way. I was fine with the doctor’s decision on induction and taking into consideration the 0.5 kg bias from the ultrasound, I was hoping for a healthy weight. What was great for me was that I knew exactly when I was going to give birth and that the whole time during the process I was in good hands.
I know you've already had your baby (congrats!), but I have heard some advice that may help if you feel the doctor isn't meeting your needs for some reason (their convenience, they don't believe you, etc.). You can say, "Can I get that put in my chart?" Most doctors are hesitant to put something in a chart if they aren't giving proper advice, so they may change their mind ;)
So, just because baby weight estimations from ultrasounds can be wrong doesn’t mean they are usually wrong. I electively induced early my last pregnancy at 39,2 days because they said my baby would be over 10 lbs if I went to 40 weeks, and it turns out, the estimates were right. My baby was just short of 10 lbs at delivery, which was a difficult pushing experience because of her size, but I did it! I’m thankful that I was able to avoid a potential c- section BECAUSE of my induction. Would I have preferred to start naturally? Yes, but I don’t regret my decision at all. It was a calculated risk.
My induction experience was awful-my body did not react well to pitocin, especially once they broke my water :(. Unfortunately, I had to be induced at 34 weeks because of preeclampsia. Rough all around.
I wish I had seen these videos before my sons birth 4 years ago. I had the WORST doctor who admitted she was nearing the end of her shift and wanted me out before then lol she convinced me to get pitocin saying I wasn’t dilating fast enough, and then when she was doing a cervical exam she “accidentally” broke my water, then she promptly told me I should try to push WAY too early. I outlasted her shift and I refused to push because I knew I wasn’t ready. And I didn’t actually give birth until 4 or so hours after she left. If I were more educated and confident, I would have strongly advocated for myself because I was a totally healthy mommy with a healthy baby and pregnancy and there was no reason what so ever for any of her “help”.
Wonderful timing. My midwife is trying to push an induction on me and my baby. I want a natural birth. Just came back from a sonogram baby is low and water is good. I'm in no rush. 40 weeks tomorrow.
I was induced at 40 weeks for high blood pressure. I progressed with the pitocin and unmedicated. Unfortunately at 10cm with a lip at the 11'oclock position that wouldn't subside, my doctor broke my water which caused my contractions to become back to back with no break so they turned off the pitocin and my son's heart rate dropped from 140bpm to 60bpm and it never came back up. I pushed 2 times trying to get him out but my doctor had to call a crash c section. I struggled a lot with the thought that maybe if I had been medicated, maybe I could I have handled the back to back contractions so they didn't have to turn the pitocin off but either way I'm thankful I kept an open mind and trusted my doctor, my son was born unresponsive but only needed a small whiff of oxygen to get him going. Almost 3 weeks postpartum and we're both doing well 😊
@@humanbeing3946 from what I understood from my doctor, I was 10 cm dialted but instead of being a full 10 cm all the way around, there was a lip that they could feel (at the 11'oclock position) when they checked me for dialation. I think it's called an anterior lip. I had this happen with both pregnancies. The first time they were able to pull the lip aside while I pushed (the doctor this time hadn't told me where the lip was) and I had a natural birth. With my second however they were unable to hold it because of the difficult positioning of the lip.
My doctor recommended (tentatively) to induce at 39 weeks because I have high(ish) blood pressure. NOT preeclampsia, and not high enough of a BP to be put on meds either. I am hoping my BP levels out, because most of the time if my BP is higher is because of my normal anxiety going to the doctor. Should I try to push for NOT inducing, as long as my BP is maintained or stays the same level? My "normal" BP is in normal-high category BTW. If anyone else sees this comment and was/currently in similar situation any feedback is so welcome!!
I’m in this situation! I believe my bp was high due to eating out often and anxiety of going to the dr. Once I was switched to high risk dr. My tests have come back great and lower bp. Baby heart beat and growth is good. I don’t have medication for it. I’ve taken aspirin and actually discovered magnesium is affective in preventing high bp but of course they didn’t tell me that. I had to research it on my own. When I looked in my chart it has info about preeclampsia and that was a method they didn’t introduce to me. I wondered why ! For two months now I have not had evidence of preeclampsia . My last appt they said I don’t have any symptoms of preeclampsia. However they are trying to induce me at 37. I have an appt at 35 weeks and I have also seen numerous drs who aren’t the dr I’m assigned too. I will be telling them upon my results that I would like to wait and also I’m terrified by the induction methods. I really thing the first dr I went to changed my care in a haste because they don’t deal with high risk. I liked the care there more 😓
@@simsimah yes why do they not tell us about any preventative measures! I truly pisses me off. i started taking magnesium myself but my provider doesn't even tell me to stay hydrated which also helps... i find it so ridiculous that they will push all day long fro huge interventions and won't even mention anything that will help the situation or prevent it; they just keep blaming my genetics and ignoring everything i say in some sort of juvenile power play
i'm on 36th week now and today doctor asked me when i wanna be induced, like it's a done deal. She said because of my age (i'm 40yo) it's better for me to be induced. I'm healphy, i don't have bad lab results, so why i have to be induced?
I’m getting induced at 37 weeks due to medical reasons. I have high blood pressure, had it before I got pregnant, now I also have gestational diabetes. Also I’m so over being pregnant 15 weeks to go yay! Also my daughter graduates high school 3 weeks after I get induced so I’m happy to have time to recover before then.
I’m in the exact same situation. I had hypertension prior to pregnancy and I now have gestational diabetes. I’ve been knowing for a couple of months that I have to be induced at 37-38 weeks and I am so concerned about it. Did everything work out for you ?
@@ToyaSooooDope everything worked out great. He’s happy and healthy! We struggled with breastfeeding but I don’t know if that was because he was born at 37 weeks or not. I just pump and put it in a bottle for him.
Great scott! When I just heard that Bridget lives in San Francisco, I about cried! Had I known that last month when I was in Oakland, I most assuredly would've looked her up! Love that energy, sunshine and wisdom! An excellent role model as I venture into the world of doulas myself!
This is so hard when you have chronic health conditions. You're used to having to push through everything and then suddenly pregnancy puts your body through too much and they want to induce you even though you wanted a minimal intervention birth. I still want no epidural and minimal interventions, it just sucks that I have to get induced. Big pride hit for the chronic illness management haha!
I was 38 Weeks pregnant when i got induced with my first born son my experience was the best i only got induced because my bag was in larged but my delivery was the best.... Im now 32 weeks pregnant with my daughter and ready for her to come my body hurts bad
My first pregnancy, the triage nurse accidentally broke my water during a cervical check at 39 weeks. I was admitted and given pitocin even though I asked to not be given it. The nurses lied to us instead of simply educating me and husband on why pitocin was necessary in order to reduce the chances of needing a C-section due to having my water broken with such little dilation (lowering chances of infection). My OB is now REQUIRING me to have an elective C-section because my daughter was born with a very slight shoulder dystocia (stuck less than 30 seconds, no maneuvers needed, 1st degree tear, no birth injury). My second baby is measuring right on for size, no macrosomia. So now I am dealing with finding a new OB who will listen to me (I don't want nor need a C-section) and delivering at a different hospital entirely. Doctors are pushing inductions and C-sections at all time high rate, it should be criminal.
I’m 38+5 weeks pregnant and I’m getting induced in the morning! I got 2 membrane sweeps yesterday and it brought on a few painful contractions but they settled down. They found I have preeclampsia. They were going to use cervidil but they found I’m already 3cm so they’re going to start me in an IV drip of oxytocin once I come in 🙂
@@BigmommaDennis it was really good actually! I progressed smoothly and everything felt under control which wasn’t the case with my first, I was able to get an epidural and still progressed smooth 😁
I tested positive for GBS/Strep B. They are now wanting to induce me as soon as I hit week 38 that way there is no way I'll go into labor on my own! I am so torn and stressed with what to do. My son has been growing great. He is my 6th. My water doesn't break until minutes/as the baby is being pushed out! I'd love to know your opinion and advice on this! Thanks so much!
I got induced because the baby was measuring over 9 pounds on ultrasound. (At birth, he was actually 8 pounds 2 ounces). Once I finally dilated enough, I tried to push but couldn't. Had to have a C section to pull him out. I was told afterwards that my pelvis was smaller than average and my baby's head had gotten wedged into the opening but didn't fit through. Part of the problem was the baby was face up instead of face down, but I get the impression that even if he was face down, he still may not have been able to fit. Wish there was a way to know that ahead of time.
it's strange, i actually had the opposite experience - my baby was suspected to be in the 88%...but actually ended up being in the 95% 😱 so BIGGER than they thought. they let me go to 41 weeks before inducing (as is the standard in Canada), which ultimately resulted in 4 days of labour and an emergency c-section, as she was too large to fit through my pelvis. i was a little sad that they didn't mitigate the risk of her size by taking her early, as I didn't get to experience a vaginal birth as a result, and now don't know if I ever will. So the risks and benefits really run both ways with size.
I’m in the US and my baby was 9lbs by his due date but if he didn’t come on his due date they would have induced me a week later which seems crazy cause I probably would have needed a c section!! I managed birthing normally but it was super painful because he was sunny side up and no one helped me navigate or suggest different laboring positions😢. After epidural I was on my back the whole time which just made the back labor pain WORSE cause all the pressure was on my back
I'm 34 weeks right now, but have high blood pressure and to keep the risk for pre-eclampsia as low as possible the Doc has advised to induce at 39+6. I was a bit unsure about this at first, and any and all tests have been really good until now, but I also understand that it might be safest for us to not go over the 40 weeks. We have regular ultrasounds and my condition is checked twice a week, and they want to have the induction as close to the due date as possible... I would not go through with it if I were completely healthy, but since there is a risk of this getting critical fast, I'm very happy to follow my medical teams advice. I hope my little one will start labouring before naturally, but if not I am okay with getting her out at 40 weeks. Thank you for your video, this really helped me thinking this through properly! :)
You're past this point now, but so you know for the future: Gestational high BP and pre e are not the same thing. I've had 3 pregnancies with preeclampsia, one without, and monitoring my current pregnancy. Pre E is thought to be caused largely by certain nutrient deficiencies -iron, magnesium, calcium, and the most important one PROTEIN. Many studies have been found to verify. Gestational diabetes will NOT automatically make you develop pre eclampsia. It is very difficult to consume the amount of protein a pregnant woman needs in one day, nearly 100 grams, in food. With my fourth (first non-pre e baby) I supplemented whey protein shakes several times a day to help. I took additional supplements of magnesium (ask your midwife, off the shelf mag pills don't absorb well) iron, and calcium. I did nothing else different. I did have higher BP, but that seems to be my norm. The primary identifier for pre eclampsia now is proteins present in the urine, which means your liver and kidneys aren't doing what they should be. If you do not have facial swelling, protein in your urine, or dangerously high BP (180/90 plus) induction is not something you need to jump to. You should go weekly for test strips of your urine to make sure no proteins become present, but if there are none, you don't have pre eclampsia. Staying well hydrated and light to moderate regular exercise really helps keep the BP down too. Even with my history, my midwife understands I have technically high BP anyway, a high heart rate, and is monitoring me very casually to keep stress down, due to my previous pregnancies being so traumatic with all the BP monitoring and threats of C Section. I've found I've gotten far better care in the hands of a midwife!!! Much more personalized and less precautionary/paranoid.
Great information. I’m being encouraged to induce at 39 weeks because baby is measuring large, I live 2 hrs from the hospital and I have been known to labor quickly. Feeling nervous about the induction.
I am in the exact situation. Baby is currently weighing 7lbs at 34 weeks and we live 2 hours away therefore induction has been encouraged. What did you end up doing?
Darling, you are everything. This was informative, easy to follow (and remember) and really gave me more confidence in knowing what to do when my time comes in April 2022. Thank you so very much.
My doctor scheduled me without asking for induction at 40w 2d. When I asked why she said because of my high bmi. But I dont have any conditions or anything so I dont want the induction. They have checked the babys size and he's a normal size.
I induced for my first daughter at 40week +2 days after being threatened by my OB that it’s necessary because I’m “old” (I was 33years old). Once my baby was born after induction, she had to stay in NICU for a week because it looked like she had a little bit of irregular breathing pattern but doctor couldn’t tell me why. When I was in NICU, there’s one young outside hospital doctor passed by my daughter, she asked me what’s wrong with her, I told her “I’m not sure but she has a little bit of breathing problem” then she checked on my new born daughter and read the details, she said “looks like she was born a bit early, this is very common symptoms that her lung was not ready yet” NO ONE told me about this from any team member of the hospital but this honest outside young learning doctor who was ok to tell me the truth. I regretted so much that I trusted my OB who just wanted to charge me extra money for induction and get her job done earlier so she could travel to Hawaii for her vacation I guess 🤷♀️ Don’t trust your OB, trust your body and your baby!!
Sorry for the long comment... I’m 37 weeks and my doctors (I don’t see just one doctors as they are a group) have been mentioning induction at 37-38 weeks and 38-39 weeks (depending on the doctor) due to my baby measuring on the small side (3rd percentile) but growing. So because of this, they’ve been having me come in twice a week for the past month and a half to monitor baby doing non stress tests as well as ultrasounds. Every appt they have told me that “baby is looking really good” and “baby looks amazing” as he/she is VERY active, and that my placenta, cord, and amnio fluid all look good and “working perfectly” but still insist on early induction, which of of course I’m hesitant about seeing as everything has been looking good according to them. Then to my surprise, on my appt on this past Monday, the doctor that day told us that there’s a restriction of flow to placenta. I asked if it was just that day and he said it’s been that way? Ummm... like if that was the case, why was I only hearing about it now? It just seems suspicious that all my appts the last month and a half it was perfectly fine, and now, a week before they want me to schedule an induction, that now I have a restriction in my placenta? It’s almost as if they just want to say whatever it is to get me to agree with it. I’m just so torn and honestly this has been stressing me out
Same here. The doctors want to induce me at 37 weeks only because my baby is measuring small but every time I go they say everything looks good etc. I don't get it.
@@rayasaya6803 yes! everything looks pretty good and they are being alarmist and scheduling a million appts to get the money from insurance. it's seriously so disturbing
I’m going through the EXACT same thing right now. They want to induce me at 37 weeks (in 2 weeks) and I’m so torn about it and confused. They say baby is healthy, but he’s measuring in the 4th percentile.
I had an induction at 37 weeks with my last pregnancy. I had a fetal growth ultrasound estimating that my baby was ~9 lbs 14 oz and was exhibiting preeclampsia/gestational hypertension. And my pregnancy before that one, while in labor, I contracted chorio and had to get an epidural so that my cervix would stop swelling shut, that baby was born at 10 lbs 5 oz, ended up in the NICU for 6 days with infant pneumonia and blood sugar problems and shoulder dystosia and I ended up with a secondary infection during recovery. For that reason, we induced 3 weeks early with my last pregnancy, and it ended up being a good thing because when he was born he weighed 9 lbs 12 oz and still ended up with blood sugar issues putting him into the NICU for 2 days. This pregnancy, due to my specific history, I may opt for induction again, however, until my fetal growth ultrasound happens on the 19th, we haven’t quite decided to do one. It’s not that I’ll need one as much as it is I want one to provide a smoother labor like the last one I had, where for the majority of it, I went completely unmedicated until progression stopped at 4cm dilated and I got the epidural, after which, by about an hour, I was ready to start pushing. So, when it comes to induction, definitely ask those 3 questions before deciding on whether or not to do it. Every pregnancy is different, and you have to trust in yourself and your care provider to make the best possible decision.
I was induced at 39 weeks due to preeclampsia 😢 spent 45 hours being induced just to find out baby was breeched. My water was already broken so the only option was to do a c section because turning him could apparently cause brain damage. I was so disappointed but I have a healthy baby boy so I can’t complain.
In the Arrive they also surveyed mommas on how they felt about their birth experience; moms who were induced felt equally satisfied and in control of their birth. I really like you and your videos but I think a lot of my dissatisfaction with my past 4 births come from a sort of shaming culture toward people unable to achieve a natural enough birth - I ask myself would I have loved my birth if I hadn’t been exposed to social media telling me what I should want? I think I would have! Wish I could go back and change my mindset to be more open to all types of births….
I'm being induced because my heart and veins are not healthy. My first birth was natural, but this time health concerns are worrying everyone (they think these health concerns were around the first time since some symptoms cropped up but no one caught it). I'm scared and don't want to go through it, but everyone keeps telling me its to keep me and baby safe.
40 weeks is still early, its very common to go to 42 weeks especially for a first time mom. Many women have even gone to 44 weeks with many of their children, no such thing as late for a baby :) (im sure this reply is a bit late for you sorry haha)
I just turned 32 weeks with my first yesterday. Up until now I have been seeing my clinics GP. She is awesome and never made my appointments feel rushed and always made sure she answered my questions before I left. My pregnancy has been going great so far! No GD. No high blood pressure. The anatomy scan was great! And he moves A LOT!!!! 🥰 And I'm measuring right on track! Yesterday was my first appointment with one of the OBs that will be in delivery with me. She rushed through my appointment and at the end as she was kicking me out told me that because I'm 35 they recommend induction at 39 weeks. When I asked why she said that women over 35 have a higher risk of stillbirth. 😥 she didn't give me a chance to ask anymore questions. I left feeling discouraged and frustrated. I looked it up and if I found the right info the rate of stillbirth for women over 35 is like 2 in 1000. This is my first baby! I really wanted to experience a natural birth if I can and don't want to induce unless I'm later than 41 weeks. But I guess since I'm a "geriatric pregnancy" I'm being treated like a statistic instead of a person. 😓 Anyone else had this experience? I'm likely to tell them to shove it!! And decline the induction. Just see what happens! Maybe my little guy will want to come early anyway!! I guess I just feel like if my pregnancy is not high risk in any way I shouldn't be bullied into an induction!! 😩😣
Don't let anyone bully you! Unless the baby or you are not doing well, or there are other health factors that have to be considered, an induction should not be necessary. I had my last baby at 35 years. At that time, the doctors did not even consider inductions prior to your due date. I had my little one at exactly 41 weeks. She and I were healthy and well and I had an excellent recovery.
@@crackedcanvas I had my son on January 19th. The hospital experience was the most traumatizing experience of my life. They forced me into induction because though my BP had been great my whole pregnancy, it was all if a sudden alarmingly high and they rushed me to admit and induce which turned into a c section when I failed to progress. I don't even want to go I to it all because I'm still feeling the effects of the trauma and will probably have to go to therapy. But the nurses were the biggest bullies and made me feel like I didn't have a say in anything. My baby is mostly healthy. He has a severe case of jaundice we have been treating in the hospital for the last few days. I'm not sure if it correlates with my trauma or the c section at all but it's been a long week to say the least.
I was told my baby was going to be too big for me to birth safely and was induced. When he was born he was only 8lbs. They said his cord was the thickest theyve seen and that messed up their measurements.
Yeah that doesn’t even make sense. Cord doesn’t mess up measurements on ultrasound at all. Literally has no bearing on the measurements. Don’t know why I’m commenting on this a year later but here we are lol
I was 41 weeks and the doctors were telling me induction’s benefits one of the midwives did it for me but without rupturing the sac when I was checked by a doctor the sac ruptured and my baby’s head wasn’t stationed in the pelvic! I asked if there is risk for umbilical cord suffocation and the doctor said know! The next day they rushed me to the delivery room and there was a possibility for a c section! I was absolutely in the care of Allah through and through. My baby is one year old healthy and happy.❤
My understanding of the issue is that the baby may not be receiving enough nutrients in utero. So staying in exacerbates the problem and puts the baby's health/life at risk.
I’ve been told I should be induced on the delivery date, because of my age (42), as there is a very small chance of still birth when moms are older. But my baby is very active, I would definitely be able to tell if something changes. And I am healthy…no diabetes or preeclampsia. I really don’t want to be induced unless she is actually late by at least a couple of days. They are going to do the non stress test tomorrow (39 weeks) so we will see what they say after that.
Hi! I “got” them to delay the induction by 2-3 days but she still didn’t come on her own. So I was induced. It took 2 days! The worse part was the foley balloon. But I was trying to avoid pitocin. If I could do it over again I would have the epidural earlier and used pitocin. She was 8lbs 9 oz & I had a lot of tearing & bleeding, so it was probably time to get her out. But I still wish they would have given it 1 full wk though.
I have gestational diabetes in all my 4 pregnancies. I had an induction with my last 2. And they were my better births. My first birth was 3 days labour my second was 2 days. My 3rd and 4th was 6-8 hours. I had energy and strength for my last 2 labours. And i did hypnobirthing with 3. I had an epidural with my last 2 births (but only in the last hour of the labour). The last was an emergency induction which was hard and scary but still my best birth.
I have a very cautious obgyn who prefers the natural route if the mother wants it, as few interventions as possible. At first I was determined to go all natural and unmedicated....then I got slammed with 3 weeks of prodromal labor that kept stalling out. No workout could fix it, nor could Raspberry leaf tea, dates, etc. And my cervix refuses to dilate unless contractions are literal torture. To be in horrible pain that serves no purpose destroyed my self confidence. As someone with chronic high anxiety who went off meds during the 3rd trimester, O made the decision at my last appointment to see how everything goes at my final appointment, at which I will be just over 40 weeks. If all goes well with the NST and my little one doesn't arrive first, I'm going for an induction on October 3rd. Already just knowing when the cutoff point is gives me TONS of peace of mind. I know when this will end and I will finally meet my son. Meanwhile he still has over a week to come on his own.
My baby is gonna know your voice more than my own at this point.
lol I’m saying the same thing
Her voice is extremely high pitched. Listening to the great advice.
😂😂 same here. “Hey mama!”
😂😂
Oh yesss 😅
I know this video is 2 years old, but I am 36 weeks + 5 days today. At my last appointment, my OB suggested an induction at 39 weeks. No reasons given other than scheduling. I have felt so uneasy about it because of the horror stories I've heard, and started researching it. Thank you for videos like this! No induction for me unless necessary!
Now going to binge all of your other videos! 🎉
How's going? I will have induction next monday...
Same just happened to me. I'm 36 weeks. I was told...not asked.
Wow change doctors!!! That’s terrible!
@@drlevetteI was told the same and just replied politely that I would like to deliver when the baby decides, due date or later works perfect to me, I am not going to rush just because she said so.
41 weeks and denied my scheduled induction today. Waiting for Kimberly to come ❤❤❤@@lailamrabtitenani
I'm 37 weeks and I got asked if I wanted to be induced at my last appointment I let my doctor know I want to give it some more time. My doctor seemed surprised, yes I'm uncomfortable but baby is going to let me know when its time!
How are you doing?did you induce or baby came by himself?
@@arshirashid7240 He came on his own! Unfortunately my doctor cut an episiotomy and I did get a 4th degree tear 😔 I just had a surgery on the 10th of this month to repair everything because my initial repair after delivery failed
@@sarahold9465 congrats mama for your birth. Hope u and baby are doing well. Have you recovered well after the repair surgery?
@@christinaa3160 I did have to have another emergency surgery because I just stopped being able to go #1 and #2 and ended up on a liquid diet on the bright side I lost 10 pounds 🤣 now I'm eating and able to return to work on monday. I do have a dime sized wound still that did not heal however I was prescribed some santyl to help it close it is just a surface wound so hopefully it heals fast! I am not 100% and I know it is going to take a while but I am getting closer every day 🙂
When did you go into labour? How long did you wait for natural birth?
Love this video! Thank you Bridget. I'm 41 weeks and feel great. Baby is safe, I'm safe... Statistically 80% of first time mothers naturally go past the due date. A recent study in Aussie asked 600 mothers if they would be induced 2nd time around and 93% said NO! We need to honor our bodies and our babies timing- not the system.
I was 39 weeks when I was persuaded to get induced and I totally regret it. There was no medical reason to do it. I was told it was a normal fast procedure that wouldn't harm my baby and when I got to the hospital I stayed for 3 days & only dilated 2cm! My baby was not ready to come out so I was told I might need a c section so I said NO! I decided to leave the hospital since my baby and I were healthy & it was the best choice I could've done. Don't force the baby to come unless there's a real medical reason for it. It can be dangerous for the baby so please do y'alls research.
So when did your baby come? And did you have any side effects of the medication they used to induce you?
It’s sad that they did that but so happy you walked away not everyone knows they can do that.
I know so many friends who got pressured into induction before 40 weeks being totally healthy, no health risks/complications.. all ended up getting lots of interventions as a result. Gosh.
That’s true. It’s dangerous for the baby and mom. My baby had complications after. Thank God he is now well. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💕
This happened with my mother during my pregnancy, she told me how they told her to induce me on my due date and she went along with it. She was given all the maximum doses of pitocin and a couple of days as well… Nothing happened, no contractions, no dilation and the midwifes and obgyn just discharged her and gave up. I came out on my terms a week later after a couple of hours of labor.
My OB was telling me that it was new research that proved that it is necessary to induce at 39 weeks. So he scheduled an appointment for induction for me even though I felt uncomfortable doing it. Luckily my baby boy decided himself when to come out. Exactly 24 hours before induction. You can not imagine how happy I was!!!
Congratulations! There is research that says induction at 39 weeks is safer than at 41 weeks and have lower outcomes of C section but I would at least like to go to my due date!
@@ajam4988 Agree! Completely! Or at least not feeling to be forced doing it or judged if you do not want that. Some women are fine to be induced before due date.
They can not force you.
It is not that it’s required however the study he is referring to is the Arrive Study which has shown that induction at 39 weeks reduces the risk for complications during labor and specifically emergency C-Section. He may follow this guideline as your provider.
Congratulations! Sooo happy for you!
Idk where you ladies are getting your doctors from but my doctor has been great. She says baby will be ready when she is ready. I am 40 weeks today and have not even been asked the question of if I would like an induction or not. She says that at 41 they will reassess me and baby and make decisions from there.
40 weeks as well! No signs of labor just yet, I'm uncomfortable but will let time and baby take its course.
I was offered and induction was scheduled for me today by my midwife. They do that a whole lot in the UK. They gave me an information leaflet and lots of links after scheduling it. After reading it i said NO
Great video-
My personal experience is that it’s very worth the wait. The babies are getting everything they need right up to the time they are ready to come. All five of my babies including twins were born past their due date. All natural childbirth and very healthy at birth.
I went into labor naturally.
It was a beautiful experience.
What was the latest you carried your children?
Well, my sister and friends baby were too tall/ big. If it worked for doesn’t mean it’s safe for every woman. Hence the Video and advise .
This video helped me feel more confident on my choice to not do the suggested induction. The only reason was simply because my baby is measuring big…. Baby and I are completely healthy and safe; we will be waiting for when he wants to make his appearance! Thank you for your videos!
1. Is there a medical regarding safety of mama.
2. If the baby is healthy and safe.
3. If baby's placenta, aminiotic fluid is healthy for baby.
Fantastic video.
You didn’t talk about age but I had my babies at 37, 40, and 43. All born way past 41 weeks and thriving with health.
Because of my age, I was pushed every time, but I am a healthy person with very healthy lifestyle habits since my 20s. Me, my baby, and my womb were doing completely fine and dealing with pregnancy well.
I’m so glad I didn’t get induced. I birthed the last two at home. The birth experience and the advantages, both long-term and short-term, for my health and theirs, are immeasurably enhanced by this decision.
In conclusion, age alone also may not be a good reason to induce. The three questions in the video apply perfectly.
I LOVE how simple and easy these questions are. It makes it very easy for me to remember and discuss when/if that conversation pops up with my care provider. Thanks for this vid, Bridget!
I was induced via the balloon at 41 weeks and I really enjoyed my birth experience still! I also liked that I knew when to go to the hospital and didn’t have to question or worry about when I should go in. I do, however, think I could have waited until he was ready as I was already starting to show signs of early labor. I don’t think I’d change my decision though! Everything went great and I got to deliver my beautiful boy vaginally at 7lbs 7oz
How long did your induction take?
I was told after an ultrasound on my due date that my babe was going to be 11.5 lbs. I was so scared I accepted the induction and had a terrible feeling about it the whole time. He was born at 8.5 lbs and it still bothers me that I fell victim of such ignorance on my part.
Doctors are telling me baby will be big, but I suspect she will be fine and not as large as they are predicting. All non stress tests have been fine.
How early did they induce you?
☹️ It’s ok, you at least know now that you can’t always trust doctors.
It's really sad that we have to do sooo much research so that they don't take advantage of us! It's a seriously messed up system
i was encouraged to try for a vaginal birth even though my bub was estimated to be in the 88% for size, and two weeks overdue (and only getting bigger). After gently trying to coax her out through 4 days of multiple induction methods (the foley balloon finally succeeded), i dilated fast, but was stuck at 7cm for 12 hours. turns out she was too big to fit through my pelvis, which was probably why i never went into spontaneous labour. it became extremely painful even though id had an epidural, from the pressure against my pelvis. i had an emergency c-section, and she turned out to be 9.2lbs, in the 90% for size. for such an unexpectedly medical process, i couldnt have asked for a more positive experience. the staff were patient and reassuring the whole way. it went as well as it could have, and i'm so grateful for that. always ask questions, but i hope you can find trust and comfort in the staff too, if it turns out you need medical interventions.
Thank you!
Just reached 40w and induction was brought up at my check-in yesterday. Me and baby are healthy and everything's been normal throughout, so I'm feeling good about my decision to keep going. Happy to keep my little buddy in here a bit longer 🙂
When did you have your baby?
@@lupiita88gm June 4th, which was 40w5d. Those last few days were tough, but baby is happy, healthy and now 4 months old!
Did you have the baby naturally or induced? I am now 40 weeks and 3 days and not sure if I should induce or not.
@@mandymoreau I went with induction. At my checkup at 40+5 they did a stress test and ultrasound to look at the level of amniotic fluid. Fluid was pretty low so I went to the hospital for induction using pitocin.
Looking back I would have loved a doula to help and probably would have put off induction for another day or so. But you just don't know and you make choices based on the info you have at the time. I was also quite ready to be done being pregnant 😂
It’s like you heard me?! Had my 40 week appt Tuesday. No signs of labor whatsoever, of course doctor discussed induction and I let her know I want more time. Honestly , Induction scares me as I want my body to go into labor on it’s own and do this as natural as possible..
Thank you for this :)
Same, 40 weeks and 6 days today. Ultrasound and non stress test tomorrow so I will definitely be asking these questions.
@@Barbie227243 Good luck! Let me know what your doctor says! Interested !
@@danielaconrad7073 Thanks! 😊 Good luck to you too!
As long as you and baby are healthy, your placenta and amniotic fluid levels are looking good, you should be perfectly fine waiting. Your body will go into labour on its own soon enough at this point 😊
Hello you could try this
ua-cam.com/video/PmwRWTr4zuk/v-deo.html
I did some long walks and tried the above exercises, and went into labour after a few days
I plan on getting induced after 39 weeks just to make sure I have someone home to watch my first baby. I also don't want the experience of me laboring in front of him to scare him anymore than this whole experience is going to. Being able to calmly leave my home and say goodbye to my little one, while leaving him trusted people, is definitely the peace of mind I need going into labor for my second.
Facing the same issue..hope you & your family are doing good🙏
I’m doing the same thing in two weeks and feeling guilty for doing so
I'm doing this as well I have 5 kids I need them in a safe environment so I can deliver baby #6. I'm bring judged by this discussion but I need to make sure all is of my kids are good.
I live in a remote area, and have a significant trip to my hospital. I also live in an area with particularly harsh winters. Many women in my area get induced to allow for safe arrangement of care for other children, and safe transportation to hospital. These are not trivial reasons to ask for an induction.
I think it’s also important to consider mamas mental health on your list. If mama is having a difficult pregnancy and it’s significantly impacting her mental health or already has perinatal depression that also makes it unsafe for her and baby.
I disagree. This usually describes every pregnant woman at some point lol especially with delivery approaching
@@iamwhoyousayiam6773 I think there is different between sadness and depression, having a hard time and suffering from suicidal thoughts. Many moms might feels "sad" not all will get postpartum depression. A friend of mine had postpartum depression so severe she wanted to drown all her kids and needed outside help her cope so please do not diminish ppls struggles with mental health by saying "oh everyone feels like that". Everyone might feel sunburn not everyone gets skin cancer. BIG difference between feelings and having a mental health condition that is morphing into a clinical disorder.
Mental health is so often placated like this. “Oh it’s just hormones...everybody feels that way at some point in their pregnancy...think positive... you wanted a baby...”
gaslighting and invalidating does NOT help women with actual antenatal anxiety and depression.
Sooo true 🙌🏻 I was told to induce because of infection but nobody knows I was sooo depressed in my pregnancy
I agree with you
39+6 today! I’m torn on what to do-I’m on the hospital’s induction list but I think I’d rather wait until 41 weeks unless medically necessary.
Did you wait?
Putting together my whole birth plan based on your videos thank you✍🏽!
Thank you so much for talking about this!! I was told in the last appointment that my baby was measuring big and that my chances of shoulder dystocia would be higher. They made me come in 2 weeks later for a stress test and ultrasound and found baby is healthy, everything looks normal and when I tried talking about my birth plan, it was just kind of dismissed a bit.
Thank you for this info! My doctor has been mentioning induction since 38 weeks even though my baby and I have been perfectly healthy and shown no risk. I’m now “41 weeks 2 days” and they are continuing to push it even though we are still showing no signs of risk. I personally think their due date is two weeks ahead of what it actually is and it’s crazy how I’m having to persuade them to keep pushing off induction when we’re perfectly healthy.
I'm currently 37 weeks and my doc recommends I get induced in 2 weeks, a week before my due date because my baby is "measuring small" when I normally give birth to smaller kids 5lbs 7lbs and 6 lbs. When I asked why she said to avoid a still birth and that was it. I'm feeling nervous about it but I've been feeling good throughout my whole pregnancy so idk what the deal is. My fiance and I are pretty small people so we aren't meant to have 8-9 lb babies. At my last ultrasound they said he's weighing at 5 lbs rn which is how much my first born weighed at birth and the doctors didn't have any concerns then. So I'm just confused about the whole thing.
I am so confident with my birth plan, I want it unmedicated. My only fear is being induced as I know it can make things harder for you plan to work out. Thank you for this video!
I was at 42 weeks and so ready for her to come out. I was induced at 7:30pm and had her by 2:55pm the next day, I didn’t mind being induced at all
It’s fine. I was induced for both of my pregnancy. No problems.
My doctor is pushing me to induce with my 5th baby he even told me if I don’t do it my baby have a chance of being still born. I am not swayed but I think gaslighting your patient should be an ethical issue which should allow patients to sue. Because it is not the best interest of the patient and it is manipulation. Why do you think there are so many people seeking mental health assistance? Someone in a position of authority should not “recommend” a procedure when there is no medical reason. I’m being seen weekly by my doctor and getting weekly ultrasounds. And they BOTH say my health and baby’s health is fine. Yet pushing me to get induce. No thank you. I’m stick to my decision. My baby will get here when she’s ready.
How did your birth go? That is so weird that they would recommend induction with your 5th baby when your body is already an expert birther. I hear each subsequent birth is quicker and faster and sometimes easier.
Good for you! I stand with you. Any updates on how things went?
Thank you really. I am at 36wks and was wondering why my doctor recommended induction at 39 wks during last visit. Your videos help me a lot
.👍
I had an induction without an epidural with my first baby back in February. I absolutely LOVED my induction process and I would prefer it again with my next baby 💛💛💛
If you don't mind me asking, what method did they use to induce you? Thanks!
Could you explain why? I'm on my second and id like more info on this. I was induced with my first.
Following
Wow I hated it! I know for a fact the induction made my contractions worse.
@@Melaniemayday Pitocin
I literally just had a doctor tell me to think about getting induced and I’m 39 weeks and 2 days. We are both very healthy.
I was induced due to BP at 39+5 with my daughter and likely will again with this baby. It was a really quick experience for me (wish I had gotten that epidural way sooner though 😂). I was really against induction to begin with, but it guaranteed a healthy baby. But I'm totally against it with no health issues. Great questions.
I'm currently 40 weeks along, and I'm getting induced tomorrow. My OB didn't give me any say in whether or not I wanted an induction, and I asked them these 3 questions with no real good reason as to why it's medically necessary that I go forward with it. I'm so confused and nervous because it's definitely not what I wanted. Your videos have been so helpful this whole pregnancy, and I'm hoping that I'll still be able to have a positive birth experience!
Hi! May I ask how did it go for you?
Doula here: if you at 42 weeks, and you are both healthy, there is no definite reason to be induced - and you can say no - but you can ask for more regular assessment. Use the BRAIN acronym: Benefits, Risks, Intuition (what do YOU feel), Nothing (what if we do nothing, even in the short term?) You can’t have both - placenta is not functioning properly AND your baby is going to get too big. At 42 weeks the risk to negative outcome for the baby is 1.55 in 1000 (BMJ 2000) . Think of it like fruit on a tree, not all will ripen at the same time.
I’m not saying don’t induce, I’m saying think about the pros and cons, because induction has its own risks.
Have you taken When Push Comes to Shove Doula Course by chance? I am a doula as well and did take her course.
Glad to see someone talk about the whole 42 wk things she mentioned here bc I didn't agree with what she insinuates on this video regarding that situation....
BTW - you left out the A in BRAIN- Alternatives
I was induced with my first at 37 weeks for IUGR (which I now believe was BS, seeing as I’ve had other healthy small babies)… but wanted to share encouragingly that I still managed to have an unmedicated hospital birth in about 15 hrs. It can be doable if you set your mind to it, have a supportive team and work with your body through movement and breathing etc. the more interventions you accept the more likely you’ll be confined to not being able to sense what your body and baby needs or move/respond to keep things progressing.
Thank you so much for this! I needed to see it! My doctor told me they want to induce me at 37 weeks (2 weeks from now) due to baby boy being IUGR (4th percentile). He has measured small in all of his ultrasounds though, but other than that, he is appearing healthy. I’m trying not to feel defeated over it. Also, the hospital they want to induce me at is an hour and a half away vs where I was expecting to give birth at is only 12 minutes away. I’m also extremely nervous about if baby ends up not being ready to be born and will have to be in the NICU or incubator for awhile.
My recent visit they said my baby is estimated 5lbs 13oz so 10th percentile at an almost 38week ultrasound. They want to schedule me for induction just based on size(because my first baby was 9lbs at birth) and I’m 35yrs old but my baby is moving great and I think I’m not eating frequently enough and eating late yet no one asked me these questions!!
I don’t plan on getting induced or cervical check at 39 week unless there is medically something wrong
@juliescott305 how was your birthing experience and did baby have any nicu time? My baby was diagnosed with IUGR. They are wanting to induce in 3 weeks at 37 weeks due to this and I am also nervous to be induced. Also thank you to the original commenter sharing your support and encouragement! 💜
Thank you for commenting this. I am in the same boat and due 12/24 and have been told that my baby’s stomach looks small and want to induce at 38 weeks. I’ve been feeling uneasy about it since my first baby was 6lbs and I just think I naturally make small babies. This comment made me feel more confident about advocating for myself! Thank you ❤
@@ivonnelopez3048 i'm in the same situation, they said I have to be induced because baby's stomach is measuring small tho everything else looks good he is healthy overall. I am scheduled for induction after 6 days from today. Still wondering if it's safe and healthy for me and my baby to get induced as everything looks good so far. i will be 38 weeks and 5 days on the day of induction
All three of my kids have been induced labors. My first baby I received an epidural, my second and third I went without pain management. No, I didn't really have any medical reason to induce other than my mental health at that point was greatly suffering. Which I suppose falls under mama not being healthy or safe, but I know it was the right choice for my babies. All were vaginal deliveries with minimal tearing. With this 4th baby I really would like to go naturally though.
I was 39 weeks when I got induced due to intrauterine growth restriction. I was so distraught because I had planned to do a natural birth without epidural and I had heard that the pain is much worse when getting induced. I held on for as long as I could but I was not dilating much and my contractions were 1 minute long and back to back. I ended up getting the epidural and after 6 hours I was finally told I was ready to push. I didn’t feel a thing after the epidural. The anesthesiologist tried to put the needle in 4 times and had to keep giving me more anesthesia because I kept feeling the needle go down my spine. It was awful. BUT it is true that once you have your baby everything that you go through is worth it! My baby weighed 5 lbs and was pushed out super quick with no tearing ! I’m pretty small so I think I’m someone that has small babies. Next time if my baby measures small I will want to let my body go into labor naturally because my baby was completely healthy !
worth it, sure. everyone says that. but why risk so much? it's insane what med staff treat as normal. crazy dangerous.
Thank you for sharing your experience! My doc also wants to induce due to small size, but baby is healthy otherwise so I want to wait. ❤
@@femalignedmy doctor wants to do the same for me for the same reason at 39w.
How did it go for you?
@@leticiaribeiro910 at my next checkup, I ended up having higher blood pressure than usual and elevated umbilical cord activity, so I decided to induce. I do not regret my decision. Induction process began at 9pm and baby was born 8pm the next night. My epidural was perfect. Baby was actually smaller than the ultrasound estimated at 5 lb and 15 oz. Baby was healthy.
Sorry yoy went thru that. Nobody told me the epi would lay me out. Or that getting induced would cause IMMEASUEABLE PAIN.
I tell everyone not to get induced and to wait, as long as possible. Trust baby before your doctors (assuming you are healthy)
Haha, timing! 39+5 and it's been so rough this time. With my first, 7 years ago, I was determined, and made it to 41+6, but I wasn't having panic attacks, crazy digestive issues, and my husband wasn't a truck driver. He's taken a week off, starting today. I just want to make the most of that support, and to start feeling better. Thinking I'll start with the gentlest options I have at home, and see how far I can get. Anyway, thanks for the reminders. I'll make the best decision I can and hope for the best.
This is brilliant, thank you so much! I am facing the question of induction with no reason given other than "we like to deliver small babies early". And your 3 questions + greyzones are so educational and empowering. Going back to the hospital today to have this discussion, so Thank you so much for preparing us well.
The induction process for me was an absolute nightmare. Every time I think about my birth experience I wish that I gave my body a few more days. I had started to contract a bit on my own the morning of my induction at 41 weeks. My OB told me that I could go into the appointment, that the staff would check out baby, and then I would be able to decide whether or not I would get induced or not. I feel like I didn't really get an informed choice. I think the staff just wanted to get it over with, and I don't blame them because I really didn't speak up. But now that I am a nurse myself I know how important it is to ask the questions and make sure that the client is informed. I ended up having a failed vac and then a bedside forcep removal as the OR was not ready for an emergency section. It was very traumatic and I feel that if I just gave myself a few more days my baby and my body would have been ready. Both my baby and I were healthy. I wish I asked these questions and was told that it was okay to go a bit past 41 weeks.
Same. I hated it. It was a nightmare aand i dont trust doctors bc of it
I'm going to say the ugly side of things that no one likes to admit out loud.
Doctors have been known to push induction to accommodate their personal schedule.
High BP does NOT mean you have ore eclampsia. I've had 3 pre e babies, one with no pre e. Pre e is thought to be caused by deficiencies in protein intake (you need around 100grams a day, supplement protein shakes) iron, magnesium, and calcium. The only way to diagnose it is when proteins are present in your urine, which is tested for regularly and why you pee in a cup every appointment.
Interventions are often "precautionary" but entirely unnecessary.
Babies measure big. It's an imperfect science. All of mine measured 9 lbs + at 37 weeks. Two out of four were 8 pounders, the other two were 6 pounds and 7 pounds. Our bodies were made to accommodate baby (save extreme circumstances where the pelvic bones are essentially fused- this is RARE) and I've known plenty of women who have birth to 10 pounders with no issue.
Forcing your body into labor early can extend your labor, which brings in needing more pit, then an epidural because pit contractions are unreal for most women.
I have personally overheard, several times in several different OB offices, Doctor's talking about convincing their patient to get induced or even have a C section because they needed that patient load cleared before they could go on vacation. I've personally heard doctors discussing the payout difference between vaginal birth and c section (c section pays upwards of 8k to the doctor). I've personally heard doctors being dismissive of their patient's concerns in order to make things more convenient and expedient for them.
Go in informed. Ask questions and don't be intimidated by any attitude you may get for asking.
Thanks for this. There really are nasty doctors out there who will humiliate you for being informed. There was once a doctor who told me (since I was asking a lot of questions) to "can you stop googling stuff" like they literally want an ignorant patient.
I had an emergency csection because baby didn’t react well to the pitocin.. I was only 40 weeks and 5 days I wish I would’ve known this before deciding on being induced :(
Praying I make the right decision really I'm hoping the baby comes naturally..I want a natural birth. Through the grace of GOD I was able to have that with my last pregnancy. I've been hearing that being induced makes the pain worse. 😕 I know nothing is too hard for my GOD. So I'm praying everything just happens naturally. With my last pregnancy I felt no pain while pushing..I'm praying HE comes through again...
Just beautiful💕
My midwife is pushing me to be induced at 39 weeks because I’m 41. This is my first child. She said the placenta is known to die off faster with advanced maternal age. I don’t want to be induced and I feel I’m being lumped into a general idea that my womb isn’t safe just because of my age. I don’t have any health concerns and my baby has measured normal the entire pregnancy. I’m more than worried that I have no control. I love these videos because I feel more empowered, but the pressure is still there from the medical team.
same
What ended up happening
My OB wants to induce me at 39 weeks because of the risk of developing pre-eclampsia due to me having Lupus. However, I have been on the baby aspirin as preventative care and I haven't had ANY symptoms of pre-eclampsia so far. My blood pressure has always been good. So I am considering refusing the insucting as long as it stays that way.
Hi, how did it go?
how did it go?????
I've had 4 elective inductions & hope to do things more natural this time around!
Thank you so much for this! My provider is pushing an induction at 39 weeks so hard with no medical reason. I have said no in many forms and he is still pressuring me.
Did you get induced?
I absolutely love the way that you speak and explain things. It’s comforting and validating yet factual and quite honest. I bet that you have amazing bedside manner. Keep up the great work!
I had to be induced at my "guesstimated" 41 week mark (i found out i was pregnant at ~20 weeks) and it was rough. I never want to go through that again, to be fair everything snowballed. But it was overall for both our safety's because he was large and I am 4'11. I tried natural at first, 16 hours in caved for an epi because i was exhausted and in so much pain. They made me sleep for part of my labor to reduce both our stress after that. Ultimately had a csection because he was stuck at 9.5cm for 3 hours after 32 hours of laboring, and sometime during labor (im pretty sure it was after the epi because he started rolling more) he rolled himself completely up in the cord and couldn't drop any further. I feel like alot of my labor my nurses weren't actually trying to help me, because they seemed irritated the whole time and ignored me when i told them things were wrong until it became an actual problem.
I am in no way blaming the induction, but it sucked and im really hoping i dont have to go through that again in 2 months. Prayin for a vbac, normal sized baby, and quick labor/delivery!
You helped me so much during my first pregnancy answering all my questions thank you ☺️💖
What other tests need to be done to measure baby growth besides just an ultrasound?
I just had my fourth baby. The first three were home births. This time my water broke sometime in the 35th week (not sure exactly when, long story). I was not in labor when we discovered my water was broken, so I was induced in the hospital. My body was ready. All the things I had heard about how bad induction can be were not true for me. And my baby was ready. He passed every test they have him: tolerated labor just fine, held his blood sugar and his temps, processed his bilirubin and everything. All this to say if you didn't want an induction, but you have to have one you can still have a good experience. Hold on to your hope.
I’m really glad to be able to hear more info about this. I’m currently 29 weeks, and my baby has FGR. I’m only 5’1” and my husband is only 5’4”, so it’s not surprising. My husband also had FGR. Our boy is healthy and active and passing all stress tests, movement tests, blood flow tests, etc… he’s just very small. The doctors have brought up the idea of inducing at 37 weeks, but I want to avoid if it’s unnecessary. We are both healthy as of now! I wanted a natural birth at a birthing center, but I’ve been highly advised to stay at the hospital because he’s so small. This is our first baby, so I have no reference as to what is normal for me, but I’m praying everyday that I’ll be able to make the right decision when it comes time. If anyone has a similar story they’d like to share, I’d love to hear about it!
I had my first spontaneously at 39+5. It ended up a traumatic birth.. After 18 hours of back labour, he was born by forceps due his heart rate plummeting multiple times during the pushing phase. The forceps caused a bit of damage - part of my pelvic floor muscle tore away from the pubic bone area, and I’ve got between a stage 2 and 3 prolapsed bladder and uterus. With my second baby, I was induced at exactly 38 weeks due to repeated reduced movement, measuring small/behind and there being little to no fluid left around baby. I was initially nervous and unsure about induction, as I just felt bad forcing him out. But it ended up being almost therapeutic for me (after my first labour experience), and it was clear that it was actually best for him to come out early (I lost no waters during entire labour, he did measure on the small side, and the placenta showed signs of breaking down). I went in overnight, had the balloon put in and slept the whole night. It fell out in the morning and I was 3cm. They start pitocin and after a short 2 hour labour, my son came out in just 3 pushes with no tearing at all. Was a much easier recovery too.
I’m now in a funny position where I’m 31 weeks pregnant and baby is doing great so far, but my prolapsed bladder is getting quite bad and uncomfortable. On some days (TMI) it starts to budge out of my vagina by the end of the day. It’s making me wonder about induction again (around 38/39 weeks), as I don’t want to damage it any further. I’d prefer to have a spontaneous labour, but don’t think I’d be happy to go past 40 weeks when I’m already getting this much pressure at 31 weeks!!
Forceps sounds scary.
I got induced with miprostol powder a bit over week 38 due to IUGR suspicion, and it was a very positive experience. The only thing I regretted was not taking the epidural sooner. Baby turned out ok with healthy birth weight thank god, but it could have gone the other way. I was fine with the doctor’s decision on induction and taking into consideration the 0.5 kg bias from the ultrasound, I was hoping for a healthy weight. What was great for me was that I knew exactly when I was going to give birth and that the whole time during the process I was in good hands.
I'm scared of them lying to me tho just for their convenience because I'm due christmas day
Me too
Same here due dec 23 but they want to induce me dec 17 I’m scared bc of my 1st pregnancy went so bad getting induce with the ballon insert worst pain
You're not going to give birth on Christmas and they know that. The rarity that babies are born on their actual due date, is so low
I know you've already had your baby (congrats!), but I have heard some advice that may help if you feel the doctor isn't meeting your needs for some reason (their convenience, they don't believe you, etc.). You can say, "Can I get that put in my chart?" Most doctors are hesitant to put something in a chart if they aren't giving proper advice, so they may change their mind ;)
So, just because baby weight estimations from ultrasounds can be wrong doesn’t mean they are usually wrong. I electively induced early my last pregnancy at 39,2 days because they said my baby would be over 10 lbs if I went to 40 weeks, and it turns out, the estimates were right. My baby was just short of 10 lbs at delivery, which was a difficult pushing experience because of her size, but I did it! I’m thankful that I was able to avoid a potential c- section BECAUSE of my induction. Would I have preferred to start naturally? Yes, but I don’t regret my decision at all. It was a calculated risk.
My induction experience was awful-my body did not react well to pitocin, especially once they broke my water :(. Unfortunately, I had to be induced at 34 weeks because of preeclampsia. Rough all around.
I wish I had seen these videos before my sons birth 4 years ago. I had the WORST doctor who admitted she was nearing the end of her shift and wanted me out before then lol she convinced me to get pitocin saying I wasn’t dilating fast enough, and then when she was doing a cervical exam she “accidentally” broke my water, then she promptly told me I should try to push WAY too early. I outlasted her shift and I refused to push because I knew I wasn’t ready. And I didn’t actually give birth until 4 or so hours after she left. If I were more educated and confident, I would have strongly advocated for myself because I was a totally healthy mommy with a healthy baby and pregnancy and there was no reason what so ever for any of her “help”.
Wonderful timing. My midwife is trying to push an induction on me and my baby. I want a natural birth. Just came back from a sonogram baby is low and water is good. I'm in no rush. 40 weeks tomorrow.
ua-cam.com/video/PmwRWTr4zuk/v-deo.html
You can try the.above with some walks,
I tried it and went into labour after a few days
I was induced at 40 weeks for high blood pressure. I progressed with the pitocin and unmedicated. Unfortunately at 10cm with a lip at the 11'oclock position that wouldn't subside, my doctor broke my water which caused my contractions to become back to back with no break so they turned off the pitocin and my son's heart rate dropped from 140bpm to 60bpm and it never came back up. I pushed 2 times trying to get him out but my doctor had to call a crash c section. I struggled a lot with the thought that maybe if I had been medicated, maybe I could I have handled the back to back contractions so they didn't have to turn the pitocin off but either way I'm thankful I kept an open mind and trusted my doctor, my son was born unresponsive but only needed a small whiff of oxygen to get him going. Almost 3 weeks postpartum and we're both doing well 😊
So happy you and baby are doing well now, Mama ❤️
Oh bless you both
Can you explain what exactly did you mean by "a lip at the 11 o'clock position that wouldn't subside"?
@@humanbeing3946 from what I understood from my doctor, I was 10 cm dialted but instead of being a full 10 cm all the way around, there was a lip that they could feel (at the 11'oclock position) when they checked me for dialation. I think it's called an anterior lip. I had this happen with both pregnancies. The first time they were able to pull the lip aside while I pushed (the doctor this time hadn't told me where the lip was) and I had a natural birth. With my second however they were unable to hold it because of the difficult positioning of the lip.
@@Mandrussa dont feel bad. Labor regret is common. And i struggled for a very long time with my decisions to five birth.
My doctor recommended (tentatively) to induce at 39 weeks because I have high(ish) blood pressure. NOT preeclampsia, and not high enough of a BP to be put on meds either. I am hoping my BP levels out, because most of the time if my BP is higher is because of my normal anxiety going to the doctor. Should I try to push for NOT inducing, as long as my BP is maintained or stays the same level? My "normal" BP is in normal-high category BTW. If anyone else sees this comment and was/currently in similar situation any feedback is so welcome!!
I’m in this situation! I believe my bp was high due to eating out often and anxiety of going to the dr. Once I was switched to high risk dr. My tests have come back great and lower bp. Baby heart beat and growth is good. I don’t have medication for it. I’ve taken aspirin and actually discovered magnesium is affective in preventing high bp but of course they didn’t tell me that. I had to research it on my own. When I looked in my chart it has info about preeclampsia and that was a method they didn’t introduce to me. I wondered why ! For two months now I have not had evidence of preeclampsia . My last appt they said I don’t have any symptoms of preeclampsia. However they are trying to induce me at 37. I have an appt at 35 weeks and I have also seen numerous drs who aren’t the dr I’m assigned too. I will be telling them upon my results that I would like to wait and also I’m terrified by the induction methods. I really thing the first dr I went to changed my care in a haste because they don’t deal with high risk. I liked the care there more 😓
yes im in the same situation and i feel like they are overreacting and also providing no info on the risks on interventions like induction
@@simsimah yes why do they not tell us about any preventative measures! I truly pisses me off. i started taking magnesium myself but my provider doesn't even tell me to stay hydrated which also helps... i find it so ridiculous that they will push all day long fro huge interventions and won't even mention anything that will help the situation or prevent it; they just keep blaming my genetics and ignoring everything i say in some sort of juvenile power play
How I wish I watched this kind of video couple of years ago before decided to get induced with my first baby. I didnt have a good experience with it
It might be worth talking about the results of the ARRIVE trial. Is lowering the risk of c section and stillbirth a good reason for induction?
Good point! Was thinking of that as well. That is really influencing my decision.
i'm on 36th week now and today doctor asked me when i wanna be induced, like it's a done deal. She said because of my age (i'm 40yo) it's better for me to be induced. I'm healphy, i don't have bad lab results, so why i have to be induced?
I’m getting induced at 37 weeks due to medical reasons. I have high blood pressure, had it before I got pregnant, now I also have gestational diabetes. Also I’m so over being pregnant 15 weeks to go yay! Also my daughter graduates high school 3 weeks after I get induced so I’m happy to have time to recover before then.
I’m in the exact same situation. I had hypertension prior to pregnancy and I now have gestational diabetes. I’ve been knowing for a couple of months that I have to be induced at 37-38 weeks and I am so concerned about it. Did everything work out for you ?
@@ToyaSooooDope everything worked out great. He’s happy and healthy! We struggled with breastfeeding but I don’t know if that was because he was born at 37 weeks or not. I just pump and put it in a bottle for him.
@@PrincessSherK thank you so much for responding. This is my first baby and there is a lot that don’t know and I have so many concerns
@@ToyaSooooDope I’m still learning things and have many question. You never know until you ask.
Great scott! When I just heard that Bridget lives in San Francisco, I about cried! Had I known that last month when I was in Oakland, I most assuredly would've looked her up! Love that energy, sunshine and wisdom! An excellent role model as I venture into the world of doulas myself!
This is so hard when you have chronic health conditions. You're used to having to push through everything and then suddenly pregnancy puts your body through too much and they want to induce you even though you wanted a minimal intervention birth. I still want no epidural and minimal interventions, it just sucks that I have to get induced. Big pride hit for the chronic illness management haha!
I was 38 Weeks pregnant when i got induced with my first born son my experience was the best i only got induced because my bag was in larged but my delivery was the best.... Im now 32 weeks pregnant with my daughter and ready for her to come my body hurts bad
Update? Hope everything went well for you & baby ❤
I am told to induce no questions and non of my input. Highly stressed and not sure what to think of my doctor.
My first pregnancy, the triage nurse accidentally broke my water during a cervical check at 39 weeks. I was admitted and given pitocin even though I asked to not be given it. The nurses lied to us instead of simply educating me and husband on why pitocin was necessary in order to reduce the chances of needing a C-section due to having my water broken with such little dilation (lowering chances of infection).
My OB is now REQUIRING me to have an elective C-section because my daughter was born with a very slight shoulder dystocia (stuck less than 30 seconds, no maneuvers needed, 1st degree tear, no birth injury). My second baby is measuring right on for size, no macrosomia. So now I am dealing with finding a new OB who will listen to me (I don't want nor need a C-section) and delivering at a different hospital entirely. Doctors are pushing inductions and C-sections at all time high rate, it should be criminal.
I’m so sorry to hear, it’s so frustrating how hospitals and doctors push procedures just for the sake of convenience
I’m 38+5 weeks pregnant and I’m getting induced in the morning! I got 2 membrane sweeps yesterday and it brought on a few painful contractions but they settled down. They found I have preeclampsia. They were going to use cervidil but they found I’m already 3cm so they’re going to start me in an IV drip of oxytocin once I come in 🙂
Hello! I am 38+5 today. Might I ask how did it go for you?
How was your experience?
@@BigmommaDennis it was really good actually! I progressed smoothly and everything felt under control which wasn’t the case with my first, I was able to get an epidural and still progressed smooth 😁
I tested positive for GBS/Strep B. They are now wanting to induce me as soon as I hit week 38 that way there is no way I'll go into labor on my own! I am so torn and stressed with what to do. My son has been growing great. He is my 6th. My water doesn't break until minutes/as the baby is being pushed out! I'd love to know your opinion and advice on this! Thanks so much!
I got induced because the baby was measuring over 9 pounds on ultrasound. (At birth, he was actually 8 pounds 2 ounces). Once I finally dilated enough, I tried to push but couldn't. Had to have a C section to pull him out. I was told afterwards that my pelvis was smaller than average and my baby's head had gotten wedged into the opening but didn't fit through. Part of the problem was the baby was face up instead of face down, but I get the impression that even if he was face down, he still may not have been able to fit. Wish there was a way to know that ahead of time.
it's strange, i actually had the opposite experience - my baby was suspected to be in the 88%...but actually ended up being in the 95% 😱 so BIGGER than they thought. they let me go to 41 weeks before inducing (as is the standard in Canada), which ultimately resulted in 4 days of labour and an emergency c-section, as she was too large to fit through my pelvis. i was a little sad that they didn't mitigate the risk of her size by taking her early, as I didn't get to experience a vaginal birth as a result, and now don't know if I ever will. So the risks and benefits really run both ways with size.
Oh wow iam having my first baby now in ontario , i didnt know i cant be induced till 41 weeks
If you don’t mind me asking how many pounds was your baby at 41 weeks?
I’m in the US and my baby was 9lbs by his due date but if he didn’t come on his due date they would have induced me a week later which seems crazy cause I probably would have needed a c section!! I managed birthing normally but it was super painful because he was sunny side up and no one helped me navigate or suggest different laboring positions😢. After epidural I was on my back the whole time which just made the back labor pain WORSE cause all the pressure was on my back
I'm 34 weeks right now, but have high blood pressure and to keep the risk for pre-eclampsia as low as possible the Doc has advised to induce at 39+6. I was a bit unsure about this at first, and any and all tests have been really good until now, but I also understand that it might be safest for us to not go over the 40 weeks. We have regular ultrasounds and my condition is checked twice a week, and they want to have the induction as close to the due date as possible...
I would not go through with it if I were completely healthy, but since there is a risk of this getting critical fast, I'm very happy to follow my medical teams advice. I hope my little one will start labouring before naturally, but if not I am okay with getting her out at 40 weeks.
Thank you for your video, this really helped me thinking this through properly! :)
You're past this point now, but so you know for the future:
Gestational high BP and pre e are not the same thing. I've had 3 pregnancies with preeclampsia, one without, and monitoring my current pregnancy.
Pre E is thought to be caused largely by certain nutrient deficiencies -iron, magnesium, calcium, and the most important one PROTEIN. Many studies have been found to verify. Gestational diabetes will NOT automatically make you develop pre eclampsia.
It is very difficult to consume the amount of protein a pregnant woman needs in one day, nearly 100 grams, in food. With my fourth (first non-pre e baby) I supplemented whey protein shakes several times a day to help. I took additional supplements of magnesium (ask your midwife, off the shelf mag pills don't absorb well) iron, and calcium. I did nothing else different. I did have higher BP, but that seems to be my norm. The primary identifier for pre eclampsia now is proteins present in the urine, which means your liver and kidneys aren't doing what they should be.
If you do not have facial swelling, protein in your urine, or dangerously high BP (180/90 plus) induction is not something you need to jump to. You should go weekly for test strips of your urine to make sure no proteins become present, but if there are none, you don't have pre eclampsia.
Staying well hydrated and light to moderate regular exercise really helps keep the BP down too. Even with my history, my midwife understands I have technically high BP anyway, a high heart rate, and is monitoring me very casually to keep stress down, due to my previous pregnancies being so traumatic with all the BP monitoring and threats of C Section. I've found I've gotten far better care in the hands of a midwife!!! Much more personalized and less precautionary/paranoid.
-gestatiinal high BP, not diabetes, dang auto correct
Great information. I’m being encouraged to induce at 39 weeks because baby is measuring large, I live 2 hrs from the hospital and I have been known to labor quickly. Feeling nervous about the induction.
I am in the exact situation. Baby is currently weighing 7lbs at 34 weeks and we live 2 hours away therefore induction has been encouraged. What did you end up doing?
Darling, you are everything. This was informative, easy to follow (and remember) and really gave me more confidence in knowing what to do when my time comes in April 2022. Thank you so very much.
My doctor scheduled me without asking for induction at 40w 2d. When I asked why she said because of my high bmi. But I dont have any conditions or anything so I dont want the induction. They have checked the babys size and he's a normal size.
I induced for my first daughter at 40week +2 days after being threatened by my OB that it’s necessary because I’m “old” (I was 33years old). Once my baby was born after induction, she had to stay in NICU for a week because it looked like she had a little bit of irregular breathing pattern but doctor couldn’t tell me why. When I was in NICU, there’s one young outside hospital doctor passed by my daughter, she asked me what’s wrong with her, I told her “I’m not sure but she has a little bit of breathing problem” then she checked on my new born daughter and read the details, she said “looks like she was born a bit early, this is very common symptoms that her lung was not ready yet”
NO ONE told me about this from any team member of the hospital but this honest outside young learning doctor who was ok to tell me the truth. I regretted so much that I trusted my OB who just wanted to charge me extra money for induction and get her job done earlier so she could travel to Hawaii for her vacation I guess 🤷♀️ Don’t trust your OB, trust your body and your baby!!
Sorry for the long comment...
I’m 37 weeks and my doctors (I don’t see just one doctors as they are a group) have been mentioning induction at 37-38 weeks and 38-39 weeks (depending on the doctor) due to my baby measuring on the small side (3rd percentile) but growing. So because of this, they’ve been having me come in twice a week for the past month and a half to monitor baby doing non stress tests as well as ultrasounds. Every appt they have told me that “baby is looking really good” and “baby looks amazing” as he/she is VERY active, and that my placenta, cord, and amnio fluid all look good and “working perfectly” but still insist on early induction, which of of course I’m hesitant about seeing as everything has been looking good according to them. Then to my surprise, on my appt on this past Monday, the doctor that day told us that there’s a restriction of flow to placenta. I asked if it was just that day and he said it’s been that way? Ummm... like if that was the case, why was I only hearing about it now? It just seems suspicious that all my appts the last month and a half it was perfectly fine, and now, a week before they want me to schedule an induction, that now I have a restriction in my placenta? It’s almost as if they just want to say whatever it is to get me to agree with it. I’m just so torn and honestly this has been stressing me out
My guess is you have really good insurance
Same here. The doctors want to induce me at 37 weeks only because my baby is measuring small but every time I go they say everything looks good etc. I don't get it.
@@rayasaya6803 yes! everything looks pretty good and they are being alarmist and scheduling a million appts to get the money from insurance. it's seriously so disturbing
I’m going through the EXACT same thing right now. They want to induce me at 37 weeks (in 2 weeks) and I’m so torn about it and confused. They say baby is healthy, but he’s measuring in the 4th percentile.
37 weeks pregnant here!! Thank you for this
Im 36+2! Congratulations momma!
39 🙋♀️
9+2 😅
38+5 I’m getting induced in the morning due to preeclampsia!
@@JessandKhloe best of luck to you!!💕
I had an induction at 37 weeks with my last pregnancy. I had a fetal growth ultrasound estimating that my baby was ~9 lbs 14 oz and was exhibiting preeclampsia/gestational hypertension. And my pregnancy before that one, while in labor, I contracted chorio and had to get an epidural so that my cervix would stop swelling shut, that baby was born at 10 lbs 5 oz, ended up in the NICU for 6 days with infant pneumonia and blood sugar problems and shoulder dystosia and I ended up with a secondary infection during recovery. For that reason, we induced 3 weeks early with my last pregnancy, and it ended up being a good thing because when he was born he weighed 9 lbs 12 oz and still ended up with blood sugar issues putting him into the NICU for 2 days. This pregnancy, due to my specific history, I may opt for induction again, however, until my fetal growth ultrasound happens on the 19th, we haven’t quite decided to do one. It’s not that I’ll need one as much as it is I want one to provide a smoother labor like the last one I had, where for the majority of it, I went completely unmedicated until progression stopped at 4cm dilated and I got the epidural, after which, by about an hour, I was ready to start pushing. So, when it comes to induction, definitely ask those 3 questions before deciding on whether or not to do it. Every pregnancy is different, and you have to trust in yourself and your care provider to make the best possible decision.
I'm currently almost 42 weeks and really feeling like everything is alright, but I'm not sure what to do!
what happened mama?
What happend! I'm 41 weeks, and I don't want an induction I'm willing to go to 43 weeks
I was induced at 39 weeks due to preeclampsia 😢 spent 45 hours being induced just to find out baby was breeched. My water was already broken so the only option was to do a c section because turning him could apparently cause brain damage. I was so disappointed but I have a healthy baby boy so I can’t complain.
I’m getting induced at 37 weeks I have hypertension and preeclampsia I have a bit over a week to go
In the Arrive they also surveyed mommas on how they felt about their birth experience; moms who were induced felt equally satisfied and in control of their birth. I really like you and your videos but I think a lot of my dissatisfaction with my past 4 births come from a sort of shaming culture toward people unable to achieve a natural enough birth - I ask myself would I have loved my birth if I hadn’t been exposed to social media telling me what I should want? I think I would have! Wish I could go back and change my mindset to be more open to all types of births….
I have cholestasis thats y doc wants to induce after 37weeks. I hope my baby will be healthy and safe.
I'm being induced because my heart and veins are not healthy. My first birth was natural, but this time health concerns are worrying everyone (they think these health concerns were around the first time since some symptoms cropped up but no one caught it). I'm scared and don't want to go through it, but everyone keeps telling me its to keep me and baby safe.
I’m a bit confused. Does this video focus on early induction or does it also apply to inductions once your past 40 weeks?
40 weeks is still early, its very common to go to 42 weeks especially for a first time mom. Many women have even gone to 44 weeks with many of their children, no such thing as late for a baby :) (im sure this reply is a bit late for you sorry haha)
Love your videos! Thank you so much, I wouldn't know to look into and research these things otherwise. Thank you! 🙌
You absolutely nailed this video Bridget👍🏿! Thanks for sharing ❤️!!!
I just turned 32 weeks with my first yesterday. Up until now I have been seeing my clinics GP. She is awesome and never made my appointments feel rushed and always made sure she answered my questions before I left. My pregnancy has been going great so far! No GD. No high blood pressure. The anatomy scan was great! And he moves A LOT!!!! 🥰 And I'm measuring right on track!
Yesterday was my first appointment with one of the OBs that will be in delivery with me. She rushed through my appointment and at the end as she was kicking me out told me that because I'm 35 they recommend induction at 39 weeks. When I asked why she said that women over 35 have a higher risk of stillbirth. 😥 she didn't give me a chance to ask anymore questions. I left feeling discouraged and frustrated. I looked it up and if I found the right info the rate of stillbirth for women over 35 is like 2 in 1000. This is my first baby! I really wanted to experience a natural birth if I can and don't want to induce unless I'm later than 41 weeks. But I guess since I'm a "geriatric pregnancy" I'm being treated like a statistic instead of a person. 😓 Anyone else had this experience? I'm likely to tell them to shove it!! And decline the induction. Just see what happens! Maybe my little guy will want to come early anyway!! I guess I just feel like if my pregnancy is not high risk in any way I shouldn't be bullied into an induction!! 😩😣
You should not be bullied at all! What ended up happening?
Don't let anyone bully you! Unless the baby or you are not doing well, or there are other health factors that have to be considered, an induction should not be necessary. I had my last baby at 35 years. At that time, the doctors did not even consider inductions prior to your due date. I had my little one at exactly 41 weeks. She and I were healthy and well and I had an excellent recovery.
my midwives are also bullies and tell me they simply dont have time to form a relationship with me
@@crackedcanvas I had my son on January 19th. The hospital experience was the most traumatizing experience of my life. They forced me into induction because though my BP had been great my whole pregnancy, it was all if a sudden alarmingly high and they rushed me to admit and induce which turned into a c section when I failed to progress. I don't even want to go I to it all because I'm still feeling the effects of the trauma and will probably have to go to therapy. But the nurses were the biggest bullies and made me feel like I didn't have a say in anything.
My baby is mostly healthy. He has a severe case of jaundice we have been treating in the hospital for the last few days. I'm not sure if it correlates with my trauma or the c section at all but it's been a long week to say the least.
careful with ultrasounds. read the studies.
I was told my baby was going to be too big for me to birth safely and was induced. When he was born he was only 8lbs. They said his cord was the thickest theyve seen and that messed up their measurements.
Smh they say anything to get that extra money
Yeah that doesn’t even make sense. Cord doesn’t mess up measurements on ultrasound at all. Literally has no bearing on the measurements. Don’t know why I’m commenting on this a year later but here we are lol
I was 41 weeks and the doctors were telling me induction’s benefits one of the midwives did it for me but without rupturing the sac when I was checked by a doctor the sac ruptured and my baby’s head wasn’t stationed in the pelvic! I asked if there is risk for umbilical cord suffocation and the doctor said know! The next day they rushed me to the delivery room and there was a possibility for a c section! I was absolutely in the care of Allah through and through. My baby is one year old healthy and happy.❤
40+4 here! Hoping to avoid induction, thankfully they will let me go until 41+6 before pushing for medical induction
ua-cam.com/video/PmwRWTr4zuk/v-deo.html
You can try the above with some walks
I tried it with walking and went Into labour after a few days
I’m 41+5 today. Everything looks healthy with me and baby. I have NST and ultrasounds every 2-3 days. I’m hoping she’s ready to come out soon! Haha
If a baby is small for gestational age, does it not make more sense to let them grow in the womb longer?? I’m confused lol.
My understanding of the issue is that the baby may not be receiving enough nutrients in utero. So staying in exacerbates the problem and puts the baby's health/life at risk.
The placenta isn’t functioning as well as it should.
may be another important reason for an induction - previous removal of Fibroid - myomectomy. This can also mean induction along with c-section.
I’ve been told I should be induced on the delivery date, because of my age (42), as there is a very small chance of still birth when moms are older. But my baby is very active, I would definitely be able to tell if something changes. And I am healthy…no diabetes or preeclampsia. I really don’t want to be induced unless she is actually late by at least a couple of days. They are going to do the non stress test tomorrow (39 weeks) so we will see what they say after that.
I know you wrote this 1 year ago but hopefully you see my comment and reply. I’m in a similar situation, did you end up getting induced or not?
Hi! I “got” them to delay the induction by 2-3 days but she still didn’t come on her own. So I was induced. It took 2 days! The worse part was the foley balloon. But I was trying to avoid pitocin. If I could do it over again I would have the epidural earlier and used pitocin. She was 8lbs 9 oz & I had a lot of tearing & bleeding, so it was probably time to get her out. But I still wish they would have given it 1 full wk though.
I have gestational diabetes in all my 4 pregnancies. I had an induction with my last 2. And they were my better births. My first birth was 3 days labour my second was 2 days. My 3rd and 4th was 6-8 hours. I had energy and strength for my last 2 labours. And i did hypnobirthing with 3. I had an epidural with my last 2 births (but only in the last hour of the labour).
The last was an emergency induction which was hard and scary but still my best birth.
I have a very cautious obgyn who prefers the natural route if the mother wants it, as few interventions as possible. At first I was determined to go all natural and unmedicated....then I got slammed with 3 weeks of prodromal labor that kept stalling out. No workout could fix it, nor could Raspberry leaf tea, dates, etc. And my cervix refuses to dilate unless contractions are literal torture. To be in horrible pain that serves no purpose destroyed my self confidence. As someone with chronic high anxiety who went off meds during the 3rd trimester, O made the decision at my last appointment to see how everything goes at my final appointment, at which I will be just over 40 weeks. If all goes well with the NST and my little one doesn't arrive first, I'm going for an induction on October 3rd. Already just knowing when the cutoff point is gives me TONS of peace of mind. I know when this will end and I will finally meet my son. Meanwhile he still has over a week to come on his own.