Hi,

I know that I'm only early days but my delivery is already starting to worry me.

Can anyone tell me if there is such a thing as an elective/planned induction?

I had 4 long and arduous days of slow-labour with Eddy and in that time became so tired and had excruciating toothache which saw me go to A&E following fainting. I would do anything to avoid this time again as it was a nightmare logistically with my then 2yo and would be even worse with the 2 of them. I know I can get a C-sec electively done as my 2 boys were both big and Eddy was well over the 4.5kg limit they set on that, however they were both born NVB with only G&A and I would ideally like the try again for this as the recovery is so much easier.

Would I be able to ask for an induction in hospital on my EDD for example? To stop that 4 days of agony and also help with the logistics, or will they just leave me to play it by ear? I don't really know of anything to do with inductions as I've been very lucky and gone midwife led both times so really don't have a clue what help I may have available.

Many thanks in advance.

My last LO was 10lb3oz, with this one I requested a consultant appointment and got it around 16 weeks, where I told them that Baby would be forced out before 40+ weeks..she agreed due to his size and the fact it was a traumatic birth. I was offered induction or section, the choice was mine.
With your LOs size I would say they will offer induction at any point past 38 weeks..as they prefer to indce rather than section especially if you have managed a big Baby already.
I have now been diagnosed with GD again (They said this is why last LO was big-I dont agree as GD big Babies will come out big and then slow down and level out, mine has been off the charts in height and weight since he was born and is going into 4-5 clothing at 2yr 11mths! So think I just grow them big lol) and have been told I will get sweeps from 37 weeks and induced at 38 weeks..

I was induced, but it wasn't a quick labour. 5 days long, failed forceps then an EMCS. An induction doesn't necessarily mean a shorter easier labour unfortunately

I already have either my planned induction or c-section date and it's in June! I don't see why they wouldn't give you one. I was going to ask for induction at 37 weeks, but the MFM told me at my 10 week appointment she was already setting the date and sending it to my regular OB.

P.S. my last induction took 4 days for my cervix to open at all, then I went from 2cm to delivery in 2 hours, so it cold still take awhile.

I would definitely not recommend an induction. It's really hard on the mom's body and also on the baby's. Most of the time, you'll end up having more than one procedure (epidural because pitocin causes strong painful contractions, then the baby's heartrate drops because of the medication and they have to do an episiotomy + vacuum or forceps or even a c-section). I see you're only 8 weeks into your pregnancy, so it gives you plenty of time to prepare your body for a natural labor. Start exercising right now and do it through your entire pregnancy. Do prenatal yoga and other prenatal DVDs at home or find some free on Youtube. I can make a list of my favorite ones for you. It doesn't mean you won't end up needing any procedures, but exercising and strengthening your body will definitely make a big (positive) difference on your entire pregnancy.

Here you go:

I absolutely love Dr.Cathy's workouts (mix-and-match or repeat them a few times each):

Warm up:

Back and Butt:

Chest and Triceps:

Biceps and Legs:

shoulders and obliques:

Yoga:


I also adore Lindsay Brin's mom into fitness DVDs. Those aren't free but too expensive and it's worth it: http://www.momsintofitness.com/

Up to about 25 weeks, I did pretty much any workout I was doing before the pregnancy: Brazilian Butt Lift and Turbofire = more cardio oriented. Now I focus more on strength, endurance and flexibility.

I was induced with my dd and as of today have my elective induction scheduled for January 14th with this LO.

I didnt have any problems with my first and am choosing it again for the second hoping for the same outcome

Thanks ladies for the help and advice.

I do understand that an induction, due to the fact that it's forcing the body to go through a process it's not ready for, can cause more complications and take a long time and be more painful to boot. However, I would still rather work to a date and try to get an NVB if possible. I will though be talking to my consultant at my 12 week ante-natal appointment (I am consultant led as I have hypothyroidism) and will get all my options laid out.

I know it's not exactly what you asked, but just for a bit of balance, I had an induction at 38 weeks this time and it was wonderful compared to my first birth, which was spontaneous but very long and traumatic.

I was really worried about induction beforehand but it went really smoothly.

I'm not sure what criteria you need to meet in order to need one though- in my case it was because I needed insulin for gd.

Best of luck to you, I'm sure it will go wonderfully however you end up labouring!

i had a scan at 37+5 weeks and they said the baby looked like it was nearly 10lb, so they offered me induction or c-section.
chose induction at 38+4, went very smoothly i was already about 1cm, waters broke 9 hrs after being induced, was in labour for 10 hrs and had just gas and air. i would definitely go for induction again, i really enjoyed my experience.
my baby was 8lb 13oz in the end!