I don't believe in inducing for non-medical reasons (for *me*. I am so glad the option exists for others who would make that choice).
It's a highly personal decision with lots of factors to consider.
The most commonly touted reason for inducing by (Insert date here; it varies so much by region and provider) is the doubling stillbirth rate. But while the relative rate of stillbirth does double, the absolute risk does still remain low.
Having a big baby is not something that has scared me (even if I had any risk factors for having a big baby). Shoulder dystocia is certainly a risk of having big babies, and the below study focuses on risk factors.
Shoulder dystocia is a complication of vaginal delivery and the primary factor associated with brachial plexus injury. In this review, we discuss the risk factors for shoulder dystocia and propose a framework for the prediction and prevention of the complication. ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
But ironically, having an induction to make sure baby isn't too big and risk of shoulder dystocia is lower could actually end up increasing the risk of shoulder dystocia, compared to labouring with free movement and giving birth with gravity, since lying on your back for labour and pushing significantly increases the chances of dystocia occurrence (since baby has to go up to get over the pubic bone) and it's extremely difficult to achieve an induction with free movement and alternate birthing positions. Drs want you laying down strapped to monitors the whole time for both.
Tearing is also significantly less likely with upright birth, no matter the size of the baby.
But if you're not planning to labour and birth with free movement and gravity anyway, then dystocia and tearing from a big baby are certainly reasons to consider induction.
Induction risks include increased risk of cesarean (the Arrive study finding that 39 week inductions lead to a lower rate of cesareans compared 39 week inductions with later inductions, not with spontaneous labour. Inductions lead to an increase in cesarean compared to spontaneous labour) and a significant increase in the need for epidurals - but if someone isn't planning on trying to go without an epidural in the first place then that's not a factor to consider at all anyway)
I don't agree with inductions for the *doctors* convenience (women being pushed into an induction because the Dr is going on vacation is one of my big pet peeves), but convenience for the family is a consideration many have to make. Planning around spousal deployment/FIFO spouses, or needing to arrange childcare etc. Or living a significant distance from hospital etc.
Mental health is a factor to consider as well that could be on *either* side of the equation depending what the mom's anxieties are centered around. If she's terrified of a stillbirth or shoulder dystocia, heck yes mama get that early induction. If she has major anxiety around surgery then she's going to want to do whatever she can to reduce the chances of a cesarean and would more heavily tip the scale towards not inducing.
And then your own personal desire for the type of birth you want heavily influence how much weight you put on each of the risks as well.
There are truly too many unique factors to consider that no one can (or at least no one *should*) tell another person they should or shouldn't have an induction.