Pregnancy and Induction (Update on Pg 4)

Migration Michelle · Post by **Migration Michelle** » March 7, 2008 12:30 am

Hey there...

I've had 4 C-Sections...and I am a retired Labor and Delivery Nurse.

95% of all deliveries happen within 5 days post dates. Tell her not to worry and to wait it out....as long as the doctor says that all the baby's test are coming back positive.

The doctor is probably inducing her out of convenience or a tee time.

Labor and delivery goes much smoother when allowed to occur naturally.

Hang in there and good luck!!!!!

Oh...and get some rest now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » March 7, 2008 12:35 pm

I spoke to the doctor and she reiterated that she does not let babies go past their due dates. After explaining how we felt and what we wanted again, she said that if we will come into her office and sign something saying that we understand that going past the due date increases the chances of the baby inhaling meuconium and potentially getting pneumonia and dying, then she will let us wait longer.

Any thoughts?

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » March 7, 2008 12:51 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:I spoke to the doctor and she reiterated that she does not let babies go past their due dates. After explaining how we felt and what we wanted again, she said that if we will come into her office and sign something saying that we understand that going past the due date increases the chances of the baby inhaling meuconium and potentially getting pneumonia and dying, then she will let us wait longer.

Any thoughts?

she's been thru a malpractice suit in the past for that and she's being over cautious. She's using fear tactics to get you to do what she wants you to do. I'd report her.

Personally if it were me - I'd be calling around to find someone else. However I've already had a baby and I'm looking at it from a different perspective. My regular doc did not deliver my son another doc did (HMO and mine wasn't on call) so I realize that basically all they do is catch during a normal vaginal birth. Your wife probably has a certain comfort level with that doctor too. I damn sure wouldn't ever go to that doc again that's for sure!!

You might wanna print this and show it to your doc - I don't want to scare you but it's something to consider http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,223017,00.html

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » March 7, 2008 12:56 pm

another site to check out. this is a brochure from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patien ... /bp069.cfm

Mon · Post by **Mon** » March 7, 2008 1:01 pm

A normal pregnancy is anywhere from 37-42 weeks. If there aren't any "known" problems I would let nature take its course. The baby knows when it is time - don't let the doctor "scare" you into doing something you don't want to do.

green1 · Post by **green1** » March 7, 2008 1:25 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:I spoke to the doctor and she reiterated that she does not let babies go past their due dates. After explaining how we felt and what we wanted again, she said that if we will come into her office and sign something saying that we understand that going past the due date increases the chances of the baby inhaling meuconium and potentially getting pneumonia and dying, then she will let us wait longer.

Any thoughts?

Wow, I can't believe that. Two things must be decided. First and foremost this pregnancy, Second, what happens after this delivery.

She is using scare tactics to get you to do what she wants you to do. For whatever reason. It is low and damnable, but that is what it is. Lot's of women, as PH4ever said, deliver with another doctor beside their own Ob-Gyn. Consider that. But first and foremost speak with your wife and figure out her comfort level. What is more important to her now, delivering with this doctor or letting the baby come in it's own time. Answer that question and then move on. If the answer is staying with the doc, then sign the form, but line through the items you don't agree with such as "getting pneumonia and dying" and add your own about the risks of inducement. If it's waiting then call the hospital and talk to a doc or nurse there about what's happening and what your options are. There are always options. If you were in Key West and your baby decided it was time, the hospital would assign you a doctor. It's not like your wife will go through delivery without a doctor or nurse present so don't worry about that, it just may not be the one you have been around for the last nine months. And given what she is doing, that may not be such a bad thing.

Sorry this is happening to you at this time. Good luck and keep us posted.

Migration Michelle · Post by **Migration Michelle** » March 7, 2008 1:33 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:I spoke to the doctor and she reiterated that she does not let babies go past their due dates. After explaining how we felt and what we wanted again, she said that if we will come into her office and sign something saying that we understand that going past the due date increases the chances of the baby inhaling meuconium and potentially getting pneumonia and dying, then she will let us wait longer.

Any thoughts?

Wow!!! What a charmer for a doctor!

Will she sign something stating that your chances of a C-Section are a lot higher if you induce someone?

Is her cervix dilated or effaced at all? She definately needs to be effaced for a favorable induction.

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » March 7, 2008 1:37 pm

ph4ever wrote:another site to check out. this is a brochure from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patien ... /bp069.cfm

THANK YOU!!! I had spent the last 20 minutes looking for exactly this. I couldn't remember where I had seen it. I plan to use this to support our decision when talking to the doctor later. I just spoke to our sonogram doc (high risk guy) and he didn't seem troubled by our preference. We'll probably just sign the paperwork and hope for the best.

It looks like my wife lost the mucous plug this morning,

so if we're lucky, the baby will come over the weekend and all of this worry will be in vain.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » March 7, 2008 1:41 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:
ph4ever wrote:another site to check out. this is a brochure from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patien ... /bp069.cfm
THANK YOU!!! I had spent the last 20 minutes looking for exactly this. I couldn't remember where I had seen it. I plan to use this to support our decision when talking to the doctor later. I just spoke to our sonogram doc (high risk guy) and he didn't seem troubled by our preference. We'll probably just sign the paperwork and hope for the best.

It looks like my wife lost the mucous plug this morning, so if we're lucky, the baby will come over the weekend and all of this worry will be in vain.

She probably will. I hope so. Good luck and best wishes for an easy delivery of a healthy baby!!!

flyboy55 · Post by **flyboy55** » March 7, 2008 1:43 pm

We went through the child birthing process (did I say 'we'?) quite a few years ago, so anything I may say would be dated.

It goes without saying but I'll say it anyway: since I'm not a medical professional, take everything I say with a grain of salt.

But from what I remember about the risk meconium aspiration, it seemed sufficiently small to us (and our doctor) at the time that we avoided induction, compared with some of the risks of oxytocin induced labor. Oxytocin is what was in use at the time although there may be other methods available now, and from our research back then (stressed and worried as we were in those last weeks) we decided that FOR US, the risks of using oxytocin to induce labor outweighed the risk of meconium aspiration from going past term.

We were fortunate in that we had a supportive doctor who agreed with us.

Good luck with your birth!

On another note, I'd be trying to get lots of sleep now, because starting next week, you won't sleep right for the next twenty years!

Salukulady · Post by **Salukulady** » March 7, 2008 2:02 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:
ph4ever wrote:another site to check out. this is a brochure from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patien ... /bp069.cfm
THANK YOU!!! I had spent the last 20 minutes looking for exactly this. I couldn't remember where I had seen it. I plan to use this to support our decision when talking to the doctor later. I just spoke to our sonogram doc (high risk guy) and he didn't seem troubled by our preference. We'll probably just sign the paperwork and hope for the best.

It looks like my wife lost the mucous plug this morning, so if we're lucky, the baby will come over the weekend and all of this worry will be in vain.

If she lost her plug today that is a very good sign.....exercise, especially brisk walking will move it along. Get her up and moving, even after your at the hospital.....as paranoid as this doc seems, I'm hoping she doesn't con you into a c-section if you labor doesn't move quick enough for her. I understand your comfort level with your doc. keeping you from getting another docs opinion, but I would seriously get a new OB after the birth. On my first childs (out of 4) birth, my doc I'd had for 9 months was out of town. The doc on call delivered me and I like him sooo much better I never went back.

surfpirate · Post by **surfpirate** » March 7, 2008 2:14 pm

Hey neighbor! Wishing the best for you, your wife and new baby-to-be. I have no advice to offer other than to echo what someone else said about paying the most attention to what your wife's comfort level is regarding all decisions. The doc seems to be an overly-cautious goober.

It'll all work out and we'll soon have a new healthy happy NYYankee hating/Go Terps/Go Redskins Marylander to celebrate.

Now get some rest while you still can.

~~~~~~~ surfpirate

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » March 7, 2008 2:50 pm

One lesson I've learned from all of this is that I don't drink nearly enough!

Salukulady · Post by **Salukulady** » March 7, 2008 2:58 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:One lesson I've learned from all of this is that I don't drink nearly enough!

Wait 'til you have 3 teenagers at home....it's phisically not possible to drink enough!

Hockey Mon · Post by **Hockey Mon** » March 7, 2008 3:36 pm

Hey dude, congratulations! It is exciting times and the best is yet to come. The birth of your kid is something you will treasure forever. It really is a miraculous thing.

You've got a bunch of good delivery advice here so I won't repeat it. But, in the spirt of BN, I'll give you some other advice.

What I would suggest is after the kiddo is born and your wife gets moved out of L&D and into her own room, that you:
1. Let the kid stay in the nursery during the night and have the nurses bring him/her in when s/he is hungry. Some places give you the option to keep the kid in the room at night. We did that for the 1st, but not the 2nd or 3rd.
2. You should not sleep at the hospital in the evening. Go home and sleep in your own bed at night.

For the first kid, my wife and I did neither and were already behind the 8-ball with sleep deprevation so we were pretty well cooked by the 1st/2nd day at home. We delivered at Holy Cross for that one.

Of course, these suggestions are predicated on your wife delivering "the old fashion way". With a C-section, she may need your help going to the bathroom/picking up the kid/changing diapers etc. So you may be sleeping at the hospital.

Hopefully s/he will arrive this weekend!

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » March 7, 2008 4:00 pm

Hockey Mon wrote:Hey dude, congratulations! It is exciting times and the best is yet to come. The birth of your kid is something you will treasure forever. It really is a miraculous thing.

You've got a bunch of good delivery advice here so I won't repeat it. But, in the spirt of BN, I'll give you some other advice.

What I would suggest is after the kiddo is born and your wife gets moved out of L&D and into her own room, that you:
1. Let the kid stay in the nursery during the night and have the nurses bring him/her in when s/he is hungry. Some places give you the option to keep the kid in the room at night. We did that for the 1st, but not the 2nd or 3rd.
2. You should not sleep at the hospital in the evening. Go home and sleep in your own bed at night.

For the first kid, my wife and I did neither and were already behind the 8-ball with sleep deprevation so we were pretty well cooked by the 1st/2nd day at home. We delivered at Holy Cross for that one.

Of course, these suggestions are predicated on your wife delivering "the old fashion way". With a C-section, she may need your help going to the bathroom/picking up the kid/changing diapers etc. So you may be sleeping at the hospital.

Hopefully s/he will arrive this weekend!

My two neices were at Holy Cross, looks like we'll be at Shady Grove.

In our childbirth class, the instructor suggested that the fathers sleep at home. You could tell that almost every mother (my wife included) wanted to jump out of their chair when they heard that one. I doubt that's an option.

I spoke to the Dr. again and my wife and I are going to her office shortly. If my wife has started dilating and the baby has dropped, then fine. If she has not, then the Dr. isn't going to reschedule the induction. I suppose we'll take it one step at a time.

Flowerfield Girl · Post by **Flowerfield Girl** » March 7, 2008 7:58 pm

Had two children, both "natural" the second one was induced. OUCH! Way worse than letting nature do her thing. Just so you know!

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » March 7, 2008 9:36 pm

I'm sorry, did somebody say "mucous plug"? EEEWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

Salukulady · Post by **Salukulady** » March 7, 2008 10:10 pm

popcornjack wrote:I'm sorry, did somebody say "mucous plug"? EEEWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

If you'd like I can describe it.....

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » March 7, 2008 10:11 pm

Ukulady wrote:
popcornjack wrote:I'm sorry, did somebody say "mucous plug"? EEEWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!
If you'd like I can describe it.....

I never lost mine with either child.