Pregnancy and Induction (Update on Pg 4)

[blackjacks wife]

Jeff,

Congrats!!!

I had 2 c-sections due to our first being breach and our 2nd being due on Christmas Eve and I wanted to be home for the big day, not sitting in a hospital - it was my personal preference to have the 2nd c-section.

That said, I agree with everyone here. If your wife feels as though she can hang on for a few more days, than let your doctor know that that is what you want to do. It's common practice here in NJ to give the baby 2 extra weeks to make a grand entrance. At that time induction is offered. (and many women demand it at that point, I think the technical term is "get this thing out of me!!!! )

If you want a second opinion, call your regular doctor - or even call the maternity ward in the hospital you will deliver in and speak with the head nurse. These professionals will be able to tell you the pros and cons on both sides of the issue so you can both make the right decision for you.

[ph4ever]

Congrats on your impending blessed event.

Fire the doctor if you're not given a decent medical reason for the induction. It's not as if induction is without its risks either - although they are slight there are risks.

Always remember - you are your doctor's employer, not the other way around.

[FunkHouse9]

We really just want to have a healthy baby. Our preference would be for it to just happen and have it squeeze out the old fashioned way instead of inducing or c-section. I'm sure many people feel that way though.

We are a little afraid that we're going to anger the doctor by essentially telling her how we're going to do it despite her standard timeline.

[Mottola-Buffett]

Jeff,
You've already gotten some great advice here and I don't know what I can contribute that hasn't already been said, BUT, having gone through this giving-birth thing three times, I have to add my 2 cents. In my less than medical opinion, unless the baby is too big, or the amniotic fluid levels too low, or there's merconium in the amniotic fluid, or some other medical reason, then let the pregnancy progress another week or two. At that point, I'd consider induction. Actually, with two of my children, we'd scheduled induction dates and sure enough, the night before going in for the inductions, I always went into natural labor.

Sounds like you need to discuss this further with your doctor. When you go into that hospital for the delivery, you've got to be on solid ground with your doctor and have a clear understanding and trust of eachother. More often than not, giving birth is a natural, straight-forward event, BUT (and not to scare you here), if a life-threatening issue should occur (I've had two) then you need to be 100% confident in your doctor's ability to take charge and handle the situation on you and your baby's behalf.

On a side note: as you and your wife have surely noticed, you're going to receive all sorts of advice regarding pregnancy, labor, delivery and raising your child. Some of it you'll agree with and some of it you'll just nod your head and move on. Basically, this whole child birth/rearing thing is a crap shoot. You really don't have the ultimate control over it. You just have to have a positive attitude and an open mind because, believe me, all sorts of things can happen that you'd have never guessed.

I encourage you to enjoy the moment. Commit it to memory. Whether giving birth is a breeze or whether it's agonizing, it's still one of the most amazing and miraculous things you'll EVER experience.

Congratulations to you and your wife!
Please let us know the outcome. We'll be thinking of you.

[buffettbride]

We are a little afraid that we're going to anger the doctor by essentially telling her how we're going to do it despite her standard timeline.

And what do you think she is going to do about it? She will (or should) give you the same standard of care no matter what you decide, or whose timeline you're on.

[ph4ever]

We really just want to have a healthy baby. Our preference would be for it to just happen and have it squeeze out the old fashioned way instead of inducing or c-section. I'm sure many people feel that way though.

We are a little afraid that we're going to anger the doctor by essentially telling her how we're going to do it despite her standard timeline.

F that Shiat!!! The doctor works for YOU. You (your insurance) pays that doctor their salary.

Too many people put their faith and trust in a doctor wholeheartedly. Doctors are people they make mistakes and they do things contrary to what they should (look at the recent headlines about the endoscopy clinic in Nevada for example). We, as patients and consumers have more information available to us than ever before because of the internet. Be your own patient advocate - don't rely on the doctor wholeheartedly. If your doctor gets angry because he/she was questioned then you're dealing with a doctor that thinks they are god and is more concerned with their own well being rather than their patients. A good doctor will advise their patient of all the different courses of treatment and the pros and cons of each and honor their patients decision, even if it is contrary to what they would do if they were in the patients shoes.

[FunkHouse9]

We are a little afraid that we're going to anger the doctor by essentially telling her how we're going to do it despite her standard timeline.

And what do you think she is going to do about it? She will (or should) give you the same standard of care no matter what you decide, or whose timeline you're on.

I would hope she would be supportive and agree that it is reasonable to give it another week. But, unfortunately, we aren't certain what her reaction will be. Although it's much better than the alternative, she seems to err a little too far on the side of caution.

[Carolinadreamin']

Congrats!!!! It's pretty exciting and a little scary....here's my 2 cents based on the fact I was an L&D nurse for many years before I became a school nurse.

Ask these questions: Why does the baby need to be delivered on the date of your docs choosing? Just because isn't good enough. The cord isn't wrapped around his neck, fluid levels are good. Did your wife have a non-stress test? Was that OK? If not, why isn't further testing being conducted? Is the doc going away on vacation? Ask the receptionist at the office, she'll know....I've seen that happen...
Is her cervix "ripe" meaning will respond to the induction? How many steps are planned in the induction? A primary cervix that's long and closed is not considered "ripe". One day they can insert Cytotec and soften the cervix and over the next few days do the Pitocin induction. I've seen women in labor for several days and then after the membranes are ruptured, when there's no turning back, they wound up with a c-section.

Placentas get "old" and don't work as well when the due dates have long past and babies will get stressed....babies keep growing and if a women is on the smaller side and the baby is big, it would make a vaginal birth pretty hard to do, so not all inductions are bad. Most docs are flexible with deciding inductions and make decisions for each individual patient. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your concerns....you should not be uncomfortable explaining your thoughts and your doctor should respect your intelligent questions!

Also, when your wife is in labor, you will need to be her advocate because she may not be able to that for herself......

Make people explain what and why they are doing what they are doing...IT"S YOUR RIGHT!!!! And Mal is right....your doctor can't MAKE your wife be induced....

Good Luck and can't wait to see the cute baby pics!

[FunkHouse9]

Did your wife have a non-stress test? Was that OK? If not, why isn't further testing being conducted? Is the doc going away on vacation? Ask the receptionist at the office, she'll know....I've seen that happen...

Is her cervix "ripe" meaning will respond to the induction? How many steps are planned in the induction? A primary cervix that's long and closed is not considered "ripe". One day they can insert Cytotec and soften the cervix and over the next few days do the Pitocin induction. I've seen women in labor for several days and then after the membranes are ruptured, when there's no turning back, they wound up with a c-section.

I believe that a non-stress test is monitoring the baby's heart rate when resting and active. If that is the case, one was done a few weeks ago and it was fine. Tuesday's BP was fine as well. She was softening but not dilating as of Thursday.

[popcornjack]

Margaritas and mexican food.

I was waiting tables and a couple showed, with a wife who was very pregnant, and they each ordered a margarita. As I got the drinks, I pondered "Should I say something? She's obviously pregnant. But is it my place to say something?" I didn't have to, because as I got to the table, they explained to me that it was on doctor's orders. She was 2 weeks past term and had seen the doctor that day. She told them to go out, have a couple of margaritas and some spicy food.

I saw the couple a month later back at the restaurant. When they saw me they started laughing. After they had been in for dinner that night, she went into labor at 2 the next morning.

[Desdamona]

...she seems to err a little too far on the side of caution.

Sounds more like erring on the side of convenience to me. Being the only doctor
in the practice could case this. A good reason to choose a small group practice.

Both my boys were delivered "the old fashioned way" back in the '70s, and both were
about 8&1/2 pounds. I'm a big lady, but my pelvis is not. The first took way too long
and the doctor finally convinced me we needed pitocin to "speed things up" for the
baby's safety. It did kick my labor up a few notches, but he still didn't come because
he was in the wrong position (face up). Once rotated with forceps, he popped right out.

I can say that the pitocin experience wasn't very pleasant, but if it had actually proven
helpful, that wouldn't have mattered. But in your case, inducion for the sake of convenience
seems "wrong" to me, especially on the part of a medical professional. (I don't agree with
it on the part of parents either, though. Whatever happened to "don't fool with Mother Nature"?)

[Desdamona]

Margaritas and mexican food.

I was waiting tables and a couple showed, with a wife who was very pregnant, and they each ordered a margarita. As I got the drinks, I pondered "Should I say something? She's obviously pregnant. But is it my place to say something?" I didn't have to, because as I got to the table, they explained to me that it was on doctor's orders. She was 2 weeks past term and had seen the doctor that day. She told them to go out, have a couple of margaritas and some spicy food.

I saw the couple a month later back at the restaurant. When they saw me they started laughing. After they had been in for dinner that night, she went into labor at 2 the next morning.

Sex works quite well, too...
Yes, from experience with "inducing" son #2.
Hope he never reads this.

[Carolinadreamin']

Margaritas and mexican food.

I was waiting tables and a couple showed, with a wife who was very pregnant, and they each ordered a margarita. As I got the drinks, I pondered "Should I say something? She's obviously pregnant. But is it my place to say something?" I didn't have to, because as I got to the table, they explained to me that it was on doctor's orders. She was 2 weeks past term and had seen the doctor that day. She told them to go out, have a couple of margaritas and some spicy food.

I saw the couple a month later back at the restaurant. When they saw me they started laughing. After they had been in for dinner that night, she went into labor at 2 the next morning.

Sex works quite well, too...
Yes, from experience with "inducing" son #2.
Hope he never reads this.

Dez is RIGHT!!! Have sex....we used to tell patients in the office that ALL the time! An orgasm will start contractions.....maybe you can get something going...

[jimsig]

Jeff Foxworthy has a funny bit about his doctor telling him and his wife not to have sex after her water is breaks. He said can you just imagine the husband saying to the wife, "Honey it would be a shame to let this semi- private room go to waste."

[HULA GIRL^]

I promise that baby will join the world when it's time. I have 4 children, pretty easy birth experieces, except the one that was induced.

[Carolinadreamin']

The doc I used to work for always said "No sex between the delivery of the baby and the placenta, other than that it's OK by me".

[CUparrot]

Well, you've gotten quite a few responses, but I'll throw mine in as well.

I was induced 5 days past my due date--my son was born the following day. (which happened to be March 9, so it's not a bad day to have a baby if she does end up doing it on Sunday ) Anyway......my doc said he would wait up to two weeks past due date to induce but I was so GIGANTIC and uncomfortable that I was practically begging for it. I had horrible sciatica so I was in pain all the time, I wasn't sleeping well (though that didn't change much after the birth....haha), I was just miserable. So he did it. He thought the baby was getting kinda big, too--and at 8 lbs 5 oz and 21.5 inches long he wasn't exactly a small fry.

We had no real complications, but it was really painful. The contractions came on HARD and FAST and were right on top of each other right from the get go. I think if I had gone into labor naturally, it might not have been that way--but who knows?

If we do this baby thing again, I think I will try to be more patient and let nature take its course. Induction isn't always a horrible thing, but it is hard.....(like "natural" labor is easy...LOL). I don't know why a doc would rush to induce so soon if there were no health problems and the mother wanted to wait a little while.

I agree with ph4ever--that doc works for YOU and should respect your wife's request, as long as it's not endangering her health or the baby's.

Good luck to both of you. I hope it all goes well for her and you know we expect to see pictures of this blessed 'keet!

[conched]

Congrats!! Keep on keepin on, bless you both and stay happy!

[FunkHouse9]

Thank all of you for your feedback and support! Mrs. FunkHouse read through a lot of this and I think she takes some comfort in seeing that a bunch of crazy people think she's not crazy. The reminder that the doctor is doing this for us was a real good way to look at it.

Our plan is for one of us to call the doctor in the morning and ask for the induction to be pushed back to the weekend to give us just a little more time. If she says yes, then great. If she says no or resists, which we still think is possible, we'll take it from there.

I'll let you know how things turn out.

[Mr Play]

I think she takes some comfort in seeing that a bunch of crazy people think she's not crazy.

At least you still have a sense of humor.