Concerns About Inducing a Late-Term Pregnancy Without Labor - First-Time Mother

Question
She is 39 weeks pregnant.  Dr. wants to induce her on Monday the 26th.  Due date is 28th.  She has no signs of labor at all--hasn't dropped, no braxton hicks contractions etc.  This is her first child. The baby hasn't turned as of last week. The only medical problem is that she had surgery on her esophagus at 14.  Very healthy pregnancy no problems at all.  The doctor wants to induce her because he is going out of town for 2 weeks.  I am very concerned that this is way too soon.  What is your opinion?  Thank you for your time. Wendy

Answer
Usually, a pregnancy is 40 weeks in length. If this is your sister-in-law's first pregnancy, we usually allow her to continue to 42 weeks (two weeks after her due date) according to guidelines of the American Collete of ObGyn. If she reaches her due date, we start Non Stress Tests twice a week and get a BioPhysical Profile each week, and, if she does not go into labor by 42 weeks, we insert a Cervidil suppository into her vagina and leave it there for 12 hours. If she still has not delivered, we start Pitocin induction. Usually, a woman having her first baby will go into labor before 42 weeks. When she starts to have contractions every 3 minutes at the level of her belly button, with each contraction lasting at least one minute, for a full hour, she is in labor.  She should not be induced merely because her doctor is going out of town. The doctor must have someome covering the practice if the doctor is going to be away.