I looked up some stats. Based on my Bishop score (& internet research), the probability of me having an emergency c-section if I go through with this induction is 45%
I'd personally wait. Unless the seizures are harmful to you or the baby, I'd wait until I go into labor. Are you and your husband able to handle them well or is there genuine concern that you'll have on you guys can't handle? You need to disregard all of the "I want the baby out now!" sentiment you're getting and decide if the medical reasons are worth the pain of an induction, the possible complications for you and baby, and how you'll feel about the loss of a natural birth.
As for passing of the meconium, etc., a lot of that can come along from induction itself.
Maybe the mood swing mean you'll be going into labor soon?
I personally think you should go ahead with the date. Baby is well cooked by 41w 2d and unless you have reason to believe the doctor is just jumping the gun then go head and get it taken care of. Most doctors truly have yours and the babies best interest in mind. They aren't going to do something harmful to baby but they are going to do something they believe is helpful. You're doctors going to make his money whether or not you have the baby at 41w 2d or 43w so there is no reason for him to push you unless he feels its necessary.
You have no idea when her baby is fully cooked. All babies mature in the womb at different rates. The lungs are the last things to mature. Some babies are ready to be born at 38 weeks and have no problems. Some babies need 43 weeks, or what is otherwise considered "way past the due date
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Agreed, and to add to my original comment-- OP, how are the NSTs going and also ave they done any tests to see if the lungs are mature enough or are they just assuming they are?
There are just so many risks involved with what they're considering. And are you kidding me? They don't make the same money no matter what and they're not always just worried about the patient.
My doctor husband said that there is a risk that the baby will develop a dangerous condition called oligohydramnios (because it will drink the amniotic fluid and cause it to be insufficient) if it's in there too long.
Um, that's not what the link you provided suggested at all. What it says is that it's caused by birth defects or placenta issues.
The baby drinks amniotic fluid throughout the pregnancy and pees it back out too. This in and of itself aren't reasons for the amount of amniotic fluid to be lessened.
I linked to that because it was the most convenient link, but I don't think the information there is complete. By the way, he said that was a risk, not a sure thing. My brother was born a few weeks late and was fine.
I hope your "doctor husband" did not explain oligohydramnios in that way; if so, he might need to take a refresher in maternal-fetal medicine. It is possible for amniotic fluid to decrease at the end of pregnancy - it's actually quite common. Presumably, however, given the other information that we have, the poster is being monitored and conditions which could be dangerous would be determined. As she has said there are none, I think she's okay on that score.
It is not at all clear that the very slight rise in risk to the baby post-dates is actually due to being post-dates, as opposed to having a condition that otherwise impairs the start of labor and therefore causes the post-dates situation.
Personally, I would go through with it. It would suck if your bb aspirated meconium and wound up in the NICU. And you're having seizures!! D: Isn't that, like, dangerous?
There are plenty of worse things that could happen than winding up with a c-section and a healthy baby....
Except that she does not feel comfortable with having a c-section if it's not needed. It would suck if we made all of our major life decisions based entirely on the worst possible outcome and fear mongering
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Except that she does not feel comfortable with having a c-section if it's not needed.
Who does? However, sometimes inductions and c-sections are necessary and unavoidable, and if that winds up being the case, it's not the end of the world.
Regardless of anything else, that whole doctor opinion of "we just don't want it in too much past it's due date" is what pisses me off the most. You're not over due by enough yet that it should be a concern.
I think the doctor probably knows more about the OP's personal medical situation and risks than Dr. LJ.
yes sometimes they are needed - but there is still no proper "justification" for why in the US our section rate is as high as it is - there is no need for any woman to set herself up to become another stat.
I think you should sit down with your husband and discuss your feelings on the matter. That's a really high rate of potential major surgery, which could certainly affect your well-being, and the baby's, after birth.
It is very possible for you to go from "no changes" to "baby" in an extremely short period of time, so don't feel badly on yourself for that.
The key in your post, to me, is that you don't feel that it's time.
Perhaps you could discuss monitoring with your doctor, rather than the induction? You are still well within the normal range of gestational periods, and you seem concerned about the induction yourself. Are there any friends or family members that could help take you out and relieve some of your stir-craziness? That might help you think through things a little more clearly as well. I know when I'm stuck in I find it harder and harder to make decisions. :)
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As for passing of the meconium, etc., a lot of that can come along from induction itself.
Maybe the mood swing mean you'll be going into labor soon?
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There are just so many risks involved with what they're considering. And are you kidding me? They don't make the same money no matter what and they're not always just worried about the patient.
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The baby drinks amniotic fluid throughout the pregnancy and pees it back out too. This in and of itself aren't reasons for the amount of amniotic fluid to be lessened.
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By the way, he said that was a risk, not a sure thing. My brother was born a few weeks late and was fine.
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It is not at all clear that the very slight rise in risk to the baby post-dates is actually due to being post-dates, as opposed to having a condition that otherwise impairs the start of labor and therefore causes the post-dates situation.
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There are plenty of worse things that could happen than winding up with a c-section and a healthy baby....
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Who does? However, sometimes inductions and c-sections are necessary and unavoidable, and if that winds up being the case, it's not the end of the world.
Regardless of anything else, that whole doctor opinion of "we just don't want it in too much past it's due date" is what pisses me off the most. You're not over due by enough yet that it should be a concern.
I think the doctor probably knows more about the OP's personal medical situation and risks than Dr. LJ.
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It is very possible for you to go from "no changes" to "baby" in an extremely short period of time, so don't feel badly on yourself for that.
The key in your post, to me, is that you don't feel that it's time.
Perhaps you could discuss monitoring with your doctor, rather than the induction? You are still well within the normal range of gestational periods, and you seem concerned about the induction yourself. Are there any friends or family members that could help take you out and relieve some of your stir-craziness? That might help you think through things a little more clearly as well. I know when I'm stuck in I find it harder and harder to make decisions. :)
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