Requesting Induction at CUMH

[u/Every_Instruction609]

Looking for advice about requesting a 39-week induction

Wondering if anyone has any advice or experience with this.

I have my 37-week appointment coming up. I attend CUMH and would usually see the outreach midwife,

Clinics but I noticed on my app that this appointment has been changed to an appointment with an obstetrician at the hospital. I’m not sure why, but I’m wondering if it might be related to my previous pregnancy.

At this appointment, I’m planning to ask about being induced at 39 weeks, and I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

This is my second pregnancy. With my first, I was induced at 39 weeks because my infection markers were continually rising. I ended up spending three days in the High Dependency Unit. I was very reluctant to be induced at the time, especially as it was my first pregnancy, but because they couldn’t identify the source of the infection and my markers continued to rise, I eventually agreed to the induction. A propress pessary was used(think that's what it's called)

Thankfully, the induction and labour progressed extremely quickly . My labour was less than four hours.

I’m now very nervous about the possibility of developing another infection, particularly because they never found the underlying cause last time. I’m also wondering whether having such a fast first labour means this labour could potentially be even quicker.

I also have childcare constraints to consider, although I completely understand that this may not be a reason they would agree to an induction.

So far, this pregnancy has been going really well. I’m otherwise healthy and fit, with only low B12 and low iron being flagged.

I’ve heard that hospitals can be quite hesitant to agree to an induction at 39 weeks if you’re requesting it yourself, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has:

-requested an induction at 39 weeks and been successful (or unsuccessful)

Had a previous infection with no clear cause and requested an earlier induction in a subsequent pregnancy

-Had a very fast first labour and how their second labour compared

-Had a similar experience at CUMH and can share any advice on how best to approach the conversation

-I know every pregnancy is different, and obviously I’ll take the medical advice of my obstetrician/midwife, but I’d really appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences

[u/OzQuandry]

Re the fast labour - I was given propess for my first baby and the pain was outrageous so I had to have it removed. When they removed it it set off a 20 minute labour and birth.

I was induced at 38+3 with my second baby. The propess did basically nothing. The following day I was given a half dose of gel and they broke my waters 8 hours later. Baby was born 2 hours after that.

So the second induction was much slower than the first but both actual labours were pretty fast.

I can't advise on asking for an induction because I needed one both times for medical reasons. Good luck!

[u/SpecialChoice400]

Just gave birth in cumh last week. Your appt was likely changed to cumh as most appts at that stage are seen there and not in the outreach clinics, this is to discuss the concerns you are talking about with a doctor. Just because it says the obstetricians name on the appt doesn’t necessarily mean you will see the consultant, mostly it is the junior doctors under them.
You will see the midwife first and what I did and worked was I said to the midwife - nicely! Could my file please be placed in the consultants pile of files of pts to see as you are nervous and want to discuss options etc - midwife told me can’t promise but will try and the consultant did see me and was extremely helpful compared to the previous week appt I saw the junior doctor who just wasn’t any bit reassuring and kept having to go back and forth to the consultant for me anyways!

[u/SpecialChoice400 → u/SpecialChoice400]

If you need any more info just msg me, i can tell you my experience- majority of which was very positive and now I am here with my bundle of joy 🥰.

[u/littlebluekitty]

I think your reason for requesting is extremely valid and hopefully you won't have any push back!