If a woman asked to be induced, how common is it that the doctor would allow it?

Question

There are no health concerns, complications, etc. My husband is working out of town several hours away and we both desperately want him to be there for the birth of our daughter. We were thinking about asking our doctor if we could be induced about two weeks before our due date, to give him a better chance of being at the birth. We both know that this is not a given date, nessicarily, we would just like to have a better chance. Another patient at my dr.s office was induced b/c the dr. was going to be out of town on her due date. Has anyone ever heard of dr.s inducing because of something like this?

Answer 1

I have only heard of being induced if your doctor is out of town or  when you go past your due date. They usually don't induce for you convenience. Cant your husband come home around your due date.

Answer 2

yes, many drs do that or hand you over to a dr you have never met (not fun) my dr induce my last two pregnancies because i live an hour away from the hospital i chose. and they came pretty quickly. i just told  my dr that i was worried i wouldnt make it a would end up giving birth in the car or in the face of a police officer! share your concerns with your dr, and see what happens. never hurts to ask

Answer 3

if you are at least 1-2 cm dilated and over 30% effeced the dr may concider it, otherwise you don't need to do it unless you definitely want a c-section after trying labor for 12 hrs

Answer 4

Yes, past 38 weeks they will induce so the father can be there. As long as the baby is healthy. My best friend was induced at 38 weeks b/c her husband was being deployed to iraq the week she was due. So he got to meet his baby girl before leaving.

Answer 5

I know all dr's are different but mine will do elective inductions at 39 weeks or later. Mine is inducing me at 39 weeks if i havn't had him for various reasons. I would just insist on being thoroughly checked out before they induce to be sure everything looks ok.

Just curious-what's up with everyone getting thumbs down for simply stating facts?

Answer 6

Doctors usually will only consider inducing as early as 7 days before the due date. 2 weeks is a bit much to ask, but maybe under your circumstances your Dr. will consider it.. It definitely DOESN'T hurt to ask, after all, the worst that he could say is no.. Good Luck and Congrats!

Answer 7

If your over 37 wks with no problems, its actually very common for doctors to do that.

Answer 8

I would ask your dr. I had my fist son in about 2 1/2hours, and my twins in about 2 hours. I agree with you that I would not want my husband to miss it!

Answer 9

It's not recommended. I sailed right past my due date . Labor takes several hours (I was in labor for 24 hours) If you go into labor, just have your husband head back home/hospital.

Answer 10

I think it's ridiculous to risk your baby's health and have her be born early when he can just take off work a couple days!

Answer 11

My Dr said she will induce me because I want to have the baby on or near my due date.  I have a daughter who has a b-day 9 days after my due date & don't want him to be born on her b-day.  My Dr is ok with inducing me as early as 39 weeks as long as my cervix is doing something.  Otherwise she will make me wait until 40 weeks.  The only bad thing about inducing from what my Dr says is that if you are induced and your cervix has not done anything you could have a long labor or end up having a c-section.  

Answer 12

i'm due aug 28th, but since my baby's head is on my cervix and i'm 3cm dilated my doctor gave me the option to induce if i wanted so my day is tomorrow i will be just 1 day shy of 39 weeks!....i guess it wouldn't hurt to ask though.

Answer 13

they usally will not induce you with no health reason before 40 weeks...

Answer 14

Usually inductions are reserved for complications and for going well beyond your due date.  While you might be considered "full term" a couple of weeks early, your baby's lungs are still developing and there are REASONS that it is still in your womb!  Your child is going to be in the outside world for the rest of its life - let her be in there for as long as she needs to be!  

Labor, especially for first-time moms, can take a darned long time from the very beginning.  You'll more than likely recognize the signs of very early labor and can alert your husband to come home.  He may even make it home before you are in active labor and need to go to the hospital.

Also, inductions come with a MUCH higher rate of C-sections and complications.  Don't risk your health or the health of your baby just because you feel a little 'inconvenienced'.  Consider it practice for the next 18 years when your child doesn't do exactly what you want LOL