37.5 weeks to early to induce?

So I had my 32 week appointment today and the doctor doesn't seem to think I will make it to a full 38 weeks. I'm not sure why because I still feel good, huge and uncomfortable, but good He has not started pelvic exams and has no reason to suspect ptl. Needless to say I have my eyes set on 38 weeks, which would be Jan 24th. Today he seemed really adament that if I were "around" on the 20th he would want to induce me. I realize it's only a 4 day difference, and there I could still go naturally before then anyway, and it will be after the 36 week mark. But it seemed odd that he is so determined that I won't even make it to 38 weeks and that he would want to induce earlier than "term." I realize it's still a month away, but still. Any thoughts??

 

Is he going on vacation or something? I really wonder why he's so adamant about it.

I think it would be fine to induce at 37.5, but as you said, it's only 4 days either way, so why not wait a bit as long as you're feeling OK?

 

That was my first thought as well. ardon: Can you ask him to hold off until the 24th if it makes you feel better?

 

First of all, good for you momma wanting to keep them in as long as possible. My plan was to shoot for 38 weeks. I was set to be induced at 38 weeks on the dot. My water broke at 37 weeks, 4 days. They were fine and very healthy - 7 lbs. 13 oz. and 6 lbs. 2 oz. I think you should shoot for 38 weeks if you can, but I think they'd be fine at 37 1/2. And, of course, you may be like me and have them choose for you! Best of luck!

 

If you discretely ask...maybe the nurse...I'll bet you find that they schedule inductions on a certain day of the week...and c-sections on a different day.

There's one OB in my town who's well known for "scheduling" his babies and not letting nature take its course...

 

Congratulations on your healthy pregnancy. I agree with the previous posters. We were recently discussing this within another post. Here are the highlights:

There *isn't* consensus on the optimal gestational age for multifetal pregnancies. However, a host of research studies suggest that the primary outcome, perinatal mortality, is lowest overall (i.e., not stratified by complicated v. not complicated pregnancies) for a twin pregnancy at 37 to 38 weeks of gestation. In complication-free twin pregnancies, when each fetus is prospering and the mother is healthy, neonatal complications do appear to be reduced with delivery post-38 weeks. Click here for additional details.

Since your pregnancy appears to be complication-free, I'd tell the doctor you need medical evidence for a pre-38 week induction and that convenience does not qualify.

 

I agree, it could be vacation, but it may also be the day the doc works/on-call day. I was induced at 37 weeks and 5 days, because my doc knew he would be on call the next day and able to deliver the babies himself.

 

For what it's worth, I wanted to add that I actually did deliver "early" for doctor-scheduling reasons. I was due right around Thanksgiving and my OB was about to go on vacation. So she scheduled my c-section (one baby was breech) for 36w5d instead of the target date of 37w, to make sure she'd be there. I didn't have a problem with it, as I was desperate to get them out by that time. (And they were healthy and fairly big.) So I'm not necessarily opposed to doing something like that, but I would want to know what his reasons are.

 

Most likely you'll be fine either way, but a few days longer are most likely better. My hospital wouldn't induce until 38 weeks anyway (not without medical reasons). If you're feeling OK, there is no reason to induce prior to 38 weeks, nor plan it already. Mine wasn't scheduled until 36 weeks and a few days ... you can schedule all you want, in the end you just have to wait and see. I would just keep aiming at the 24th and see what happens (and have a chat to see if there are other reasons ...).

 

My Drs. told me from the beginning that they would induce me around the 37 week mark (SOP at their office?). I have had no complications and babies seem to be growing quite well. Everything I have read about twins (so far) targets the 38 week mark to be induced. I am so uncomfortable now at 31.4 weeks that I don't think I would argue with Dr. if she decided to induce me at 35, lol. I know it sounds selfish but I just want my BODY back! Is it to naive to just trust the Dr.?

 

No! I think it would be more stressful going into it NOT trusting your doc. It sounds like it's for his convenience though. But 37.5 weeks is fine. It's full term and two or three days can't make that much difference at that point.

And I'm with you. I want my body back, too. I want to bend over and walk further than the mailbox! I am ecstatic to still be pregnant but the thought of going to 38 weeks makes me want to cry.

 

Hi! I agree that a few days earlier wouldn't be terrible. Keep in mind that most doctors/hospitals will not stop a labor that starts after 36 weeks. At the end of the day, it is really your decision and I would push the doctor to acheive what you want as this is your body and your babies. However, just a though, going a few days earlier might give you a chance to still have it scheduled rather than have you go in to labor at an unscheduled time. This might give you your choice of doctor. I know that my favorite doctor in our practice is not on call the entire week before my scheduled C. So, I'm really hoping I can wait until the scehduled date.

Good luck!

 

i was induced at 37 weeks and they were happy to let me go to 38 weeks... but i begged my doctor friend at the hospital and she was more than happy to get me started! i also go pre-eclampsia but they were still going to make me wait! i delivered the next day and both weighed 5lbs 10.5 so it was good weights. remember it's your decision when to get induced unless there is a medical reason (in which case i would say LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR!!)
hope everything goes ok
rachel xox

 

My MFM doctors always said they would schedule my c-section at 38 weeks if I hadn't delivered. It's a huge practice so they can schedule any day M-F. I had a target date in mind that would have put me at 37 weeks, 4 days (to avoid being in the hospital for DH's birthday), and I was surprised when they told me that scheduling that early would be "controvertial". Now, I do think I could have talked him into doing it that early, but I didn't want to argue with the expert. I am scheduled for 38 weeks 3 days (to avoid DH's birthday and because of a weekend). So, it's almost a week later than I expected, but whatever. I'm now 28 days away and am trying to figure out how to get through these last days. I'm so grateful to have made it this far!!

PS I think they also might make decisions based on the race and gender of your babies - white boys tend to do the worst when they come early, while black girls tend to do the best

 

I'm at 36 and 5 today and perfectly willing to have a c-section in a week at 37 and 5... we'll finalize the date at my appointment today. I too was feeling great up until 34 weeks, and my Ob/Gyn didn't start doing cervical checks until then because I had no signs of ptl. Somehow, though, once I hit the 34/35 week mark I have been feeling terrible. I was still working 10 hour days prior to that, and even went on a 5 mile walk at 30 weeks, but now I struggle to work 8 hours a day and I am exhausted with achy joints, swollen everything, consistent Braxton Hicks, and sleepless nights. My blood pressure is still great at 100/60 and I have no medical reason to go a little earlier than 38 weeks, but as mentioned above, there have been studies to show optimal outcomes in twins delivered around 37-38 weeks instead of later. Just wanted to say that you might change your mind as time goes by! A few days shouldn't really make much difference in how they do overall. I'm sure the doctor has a reason, just ask him next time.