38 Weeks Pregnant: Understanding Induction & Labor Decisions

Question
I am 38 weeks pregnant and am scheduled to be induced in one week exactly.  Yesterday at my appointment I was dilated 5 cm and 50% effaced.  One physician want to send me to labor and delivery then and there another doctor decided to send me home.  I should mention that my doctor is out of town this week.  I thought that if a pregnant woman was dilated 4 cm or more and already to term that she would be admitted and labor started.  Of course I don't want my baby to come too early but could ou help me understand the decision to send me home?

Answer
If you were having contractions at the level of your belly blutton that  occurred every 3minutes and lasted for a full minute,  and you were already 4cm dilated, we would admit you to the hospital. We would not induce you  unless there was a problem. If you are 4cm dilated but are not having contractions, there is no reason  to admit you.Why are your doctors planning to induce you in one week? We usually wait until 40 weeks before inducing labor. However, if your doctors believe that you are induceable and you are already 5cm and 50% effaced, you can be brought in to the hospital the night before and  you can be given a prostaglandin suppolity to "ripen" your cervix. It is difficult to induce someone until they are 100% erfaced. Good luck.