I hate to ask this but, is it possible to schedule a birth?

Question

I'm due October 9th with our first child, a boy. My parents are moving to Georgia next week from here in California. My grandmother is also flying in from South Africa which is incredibly expensive and a hard trip for her. My doctor doesn't think there is any reason why the baby wont go full term so, we could just have them come out a few days before the due date and wait, but they could be waiting for weeks and they don't have that kind of money for hotel rooms. I was wondering if it was possible to ask him if we can schedule the birth. That way they can plan flights, hotels etc.

I hate even suggesting it or asking him about it so I haven't yet but I just wanted to ask:

*if anyone has scheduled the birth of their child

*How did it go?

*what were the reasons?

*What was the method?

*Was it safe?

*Did your doctor agree with your choice?

Thank you everyone, its really on my mind!

Answer 1

im also due october 9th and with that said we have 7 weeks left and im not sure a doctor will allow that if there is no reason other then your family. Not to be mean but thats kinda selfish i understand you want your family there but there is a reason babies stay in the womb til there ready to come out. I wouldnt do it for such silly reasons there are to many risks involved in asking to do that. I mean if your gonna go past 37 weeks then maybe but consider they could be off on your due date 2 weeks on either side soo your run that risk.

I personally have gestaional diabetes among other problems sooo im high risk and im trying hard to keeo my son in me as long as i can sooo you should feel blessed that you have no issues as my son may.

Answer 2

No doctor in their right mind would do this.  Unless there is a medical reason for doing so, they aren't going to risk getting sued for malpractice should something go wrong because you had the baby early just so your family isn't inconvenienced.  There is a reason why your body goes into labor - because the baby isn't ready yet.  No doctor will mess with that.

Answer 3

I am thinking about asking him for a scheduled date. I am due feb 26, but I want him/her to be born on the 21. Yes it is for my own personal reasons I want the baby due on my grandmothers birthday it is her first great grandchild. Also because than everyone could get to the hospital and be there and not miss anything.  

Answer 4

Do you really want all these people at the birth itself?  Most women would prefer to NOT have a room full of nervous, emotional family crowdng their delivery.  Consider waiting for your child to decide when he is ready and fully-cooked.  Have your family all postpone their trips until the baby has been born... you will be in the hospital anywhere from 2-4 days (depending on the type of birth) anyway.  What would be wrong with your family arriving when your son is a few days old/a week old/two weeks old?  

Your son is going to spend the entirety of his life in the outside world.  Every moment he can spend developing inside of you is so important... don't compromise that for your convenience.

Answer 5

if only it were that easy i would be induced tomorrow just because i'm tired of carrying this baby and because i want to fit into something that is a little smaller and because i want to sleep all night without the bathroom trips and a whole bunch of other  reasons but it's sad to say being pregnant or being a parent is not a 9-5 job of convenience its life and it goes at its own pace now if you are not having any complications don't even think of induction let your little bun cook as long as possible

Answer 6

Don't fell dumb for asking it wont hurt you to ask your doctor since this is your first baby its important to ask your doctor every since question that crosses your mind after all I'm not a doctor so I'm not sure if this can be done or is safe, so go ahead and ask your doctor he or she is the only one with the right answer.

Answer 7

You should be able to schedule the birth of your child.  Some Drs like to do it no earlier than 39 weeks.  You can have your dr induce you.  Some women actually opt to schedule a c-section.... from my experience I would try to have it naturally.  

To be honest, sometimes scheduling the birth can be stressful for the baby.  You are making the baby come before he or she is ready.  I have never seen any baby have any serious problems from being induced at 39 weeks, but I have seen them go into distress.  That means that they have to stay in the nursery for a few hours or more to be observed.  It does not happen in all babies.

I know of one case when this woman had the Dr. induce her because her mom was on her deathbed.  She wanted her mom to see the baby before she passed.  I know that some other women had the Dr. induce them because their husbands worked off-shore and they wanted to have the baby before their husband went back to work.

Every dr is different.  My Dr. tries not to induce women.  He believes it is better for the labor to come on naturally because, it is safer for mom and baby.  The other Dr in our town loves to induce woman and  it has caused a lot of problems.  Some women have had to have total hysterectomies.  One almost died.  Another go an infection.  Some of the babies had to be transferred to a NICU.  It is not just that he induced the women early, but he also has really  bad techniques.  So, I don't want to scare you.  

You may want to talk to your dr and tell him your situation.  He and you may be able to come up with a solution.  I know that my Dr was open minded to situations like yours.

Answer 8

I know that you cannot scheldule your birth unless it is a c-section. Other than that doctors want it to be natural and whenever the baby is ready that's when you will have the baby.

congrats

Answer 9

If your not due until October, no dr in their right mind will deliver your baby now because you want it to be convenient.  You could ask for a c-section closer to your due date and have them come out then. You dr may be able to be better okay with that than delivering the baby 6 wks early.

Answer 10

dear, dear, dear....don't plan on scheduling your birth for the convenience of someone else...this is about you and your baby being healthy!!! They can either wait to come or stay until your baby is born...I'm sure your dr. won't go for that!!!! You should really think about this sweetie

Answer 11

Why don't you just give them a call when you go into labor and they can book their flights and hotels then.  That's what I am doing with my grandparents, I don't think they need to be there the second he is born.  Baby's are a lot cuter when they are like a week old compared to a day old lol.  But I guess do what you must do but being induced can cause unnecessary stress on you and the baby, so it is always better to let nature take it's course.

EDIT

I hear a lot on here "most inductions end in c-section" don't listen to that because it is NOT true.  I know plenty of people who have gone past their due date by 10 days - 2 weeks and had to be induced and none of them have had to get a c-section.  There are so many women who have to get induced and a c-section is not usually the result.  Now getting induced can cause complications but definitely not in most cases.

Answer 12

I have asked about induction - being induced on my due date 12/19.

I asked because I cannot take a medication during pregnancy and I really want to take it. My doctor said that he would do it if the baby's head is engaged and my cervix is ready. He said if it is not then induction can cause some problems including increased rate of c-section and he doesn't want to see that. He told me other than that it is safe. So, I guess in a sense he does agree with my choice and in another sense he does not. I would ask your doctor because it can never hurt.

Answer 13

I agree with excited, you shouldn't schedule your pregnancy just for your parents and grandparents. Let the baby be born naturally, unless really needed to(let's say the baby is late and you need to induce so you don't get an infection). I really don't think that's fair to you, your partner or your baby boy.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 14

First off, October 9th is a great day to be born (my birth date ;)  Second, don't induce if you don't have to!  Most inductions end in c-section.  It is incredibly hard to have a vaginal birth after c-section because of the lack of Dr support.  Really consider this.  I know your relatives really want to meet the baby, and I know you really want them to, but putting your health and the baby's on the line is not worth it!

Answer 15

There can be complications from scheduling the birth. C- section or inducing labor (which can often end in C- section) I've heard too many horror stories, to think of risking it. I didn't do it myself, but I heard of true second hand stories where the doctor of friends of my friends did it, and the after results were not positive. unless you're two weeks overdue, and the dr. insists that your womb is not the safest place anymore for your baby (because the amniotic fluid is diminishing) I wouldn't do it.

Answer 16

Based on your relationship with your doctor, I really don't see what the issue is. If you have started to soften up and dilate, then there should be no issue. Simply explain your situation to him. I hope that my doctor will induce me based on the fact that we are due 12/31/08 and my boys are expecting their sister for Christmas. They are people too and really understand. If you are healthy, it should be no issue. Good Luck and sorry to hear you have family so far!

Answer 17

You can schedule a c section, but your insurance won't usually pay for the surgery, because you elected it.  Your only choice is to wait and let the baby come when he/she is ready.  Talk to your doctor.  But I dont' think they will do anything.