QuestionWhat are some of the common reasons my OB Dr would choose to induce my labor at 37 weeks or after? He said he was not going to make me stick it out to my due date of Feb. 8th after he measured my stomach. I asked him why and he was indirect and just told me to look forward to having a baby before Feb. 1. I just want to try to compare common reasons of why a Dr. would make that decision and see what may apply in my case so next week I can ask him direct questions in relation to my pregnancy and maybe get a direct answer if I am more specific in relation to any conditions that apply to me. Also, is there any thing you may recommend me doing that has statistically shown to work to help my contractions I am having more productive.ie...walking, swaying hips, nipple stimulation. I am contracting according to my NST tests, but no dilation or anything. I just want to naturally boost the process if I am ready to avoid an induction if at all possible. I want to help my body naturally take its course rather than do something that could be working against it.
AnswerHonestly? Maybe he has a vacation planned. One of my closest friends, when pregnant with her first, was convinced she needed to be induced early. When she finally asked, the doctor told her that her due date fell at an inconvenient time for him because he was going to Myrtle Beach to golf.
First, you absolutely can refuse to be induced. No doctor or hospital can do anything to your body without your informed consent if you are conscious. If they do, it's malpractice. You can refuse this induction and tell your doctor that you want to go into labor on your own- which is the safest way for both you and your baby. Induced labor has a higher chance of turning into a cesarean section. In addition, and most importantly, you just expressed to me that you want to go into labor naturally. Your desires, your wants should take precedence.
Perhaps the doctor thinks your baby is getting big. However, he should do a diagnostic ultrasound (which can be off by as much as 2 lbs.) rather than going entirely by fundal height- which doesn't indicate well the baby's size either. In addition, I personally know of a woman who birthed a 10 lb. baby vaginally and naturally... and she said she'd gladly do it again. Our bodies are made to give birth and to accommodate larger and smaller than normal babies.
The fact that you asked him directly and he would not give you a direct answer worries me. A medical care provider should NEVER withhold pertinent information from a patient. That is taking away the 'informed' part of informed consent. I would strongly recommend switching to another OB/GYN in his practice, using a staff doctor in the hospital, or trying to find another caregiver altogether. Since you mentioned having a NST, it makes me wonder if you've had complications in your pregnancy so far. If you have, this may be why he wants to deliver early. However, there is no doubt that he should have told you why. There is no reason a doctor should withhold vital information from a patient.
As for natural labor induction, there are several things you can do besides nipple stimulation. Sex is another great induction method (and ripens the cervix). This site is a great one that hits the major points and also goes into when a labor induction is necessary:
http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/natural-ways-to-induce-labor.html
Please let me know if I can help you further or with anything else.
Best wishes,
Helen =)
