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Unless there is some sign that your age is having a negative effect on the pregnancy (low fluid, small baby, etc) I wouldn’t induce prior to 40 weeks. My son was born at 38 weeks (my water broke but they had to give me pitocin to really get things going) and he was so small and nursing was a struggle for a while.

I personally wouldn’t induce unless I absolutely had to. Both of my girls were in no rush to come out, so I get the desire to have the baby earlier, but I also think the longer they’re in there the better!

I was scheduled for an induction at 39w1d. Baby girl was so low I just wanted her out out out!! It hurt! But I guess she was that low for a reason because she ended up coming on her own at 39w exactly!

I was induced at 39 weeks with my second, and the entire process went without a hitch. I would absolutely do it again.

@CatchAFallingStar: I forgot to mention.. although generally I'm not against getting induced at 39w... I wouldn't do it right at this moment, just because I'd want my LO to stay in through as much of this cold/flu season as possible. (My middle child had a cold/virus at a month old and had to be hospitalized for all the testing that comes with a newborn with a fever, and we're still not out of the woods yet with LO3 and trying really hard to keep her from getting sick yet.) My LO was born in December and there has been a lot of staying home (and stir crazy kids too) because everyone around us is sick, and when my older LO (our middle is still home) brings something home it's a mad dash trying to keep it from spreading. Just food for thought.

@DesertDreams88: Yes! I was going to link the article about giving birth at 35 or over. Great website!

I was induced with my first at 39 weeks due to GD, but I wasn't dilated/effaced at all. Took a while but it was fine!

Bump. Any recent stories with this? Copying from my due date thread.

I'm 31 and my midwife said since this is not my first, they know I can have a vaginal delivery because I had one before with my induction due to pre-eclampsia, the research is favorable for an induction at 39 weeks to prevent pre-eclampsia again. I'm at a higher risk having had it with my DD. She also said it would be the kind thing to do with severe hyperemesis lol.

@dc yoga bee: yes, desertdreams88 posted the study your midwife is referring to a few months ago and when I mentioned it to my OB's they said it was super valid--reading it encouraged me to ask for an elective induction for my second pregnancy. I had a normal full term delivery for #1 and asked for the 39-week induction for #2 (mostly for planning reasons, somewhat because of the article)--they couldn't give it to me then because the hospital was too busy, but they scheduled it for my 40w/due date. When I got there I was already 3cm and having irregular contractions (which I'd been having for weeks). The induction was incredibly smooth and easy, I had an epidural put in before they started the pit and literally felt no pain at ALL aside from the anesthesiologist placing the spinal tap. baby in arms 5 hours later, hardly any tearing, the entire thing was amazing. It was so wonderful I honestly felt like I was cheating.

I was induced at 39+1 with my second after a previous vaginal birth. I was induced because of suspected large size. It was much easier than my first delivery. My induction started early morning, and I gave birth around dinner time, so I did not lose sleep because of labor, which really helped my energy level. I also really liked that my ob was the one to deliver the baby. The baby was slightly jaundiced, but nothing that wasn't helped by nursing in front of an open window, and we have a strong history of jaundice on both sides. I am pregnant with my third, and would agree to a 39 week induction again.

@LCTBQE: @Beehive: @mediagirl: @mdf106: @bhbee: Thanks for chiming in! My previous induction was for medical reasons (pre-eclampsia) and while it took three long days it went fine. On the other hand, my SIL just had a failed induction but it was her first baby at 40+1 and not for medical reasons. The midwife said it would qualify due to history of pre-eclampsia and high risk pregnancy. I have my next appointment with MFM on Monday and will ask their opinion as well.

@dc yoga bee: I was induced for both of my kids. Both bc of my age and bc of my blood pressure. I was sent to be induced w LO1 unexpectedly and then I was a scheduled induction w LO2. Both of mine were long and miserable. No joke... my body just wasnt' ready for them to come.. so it took a long time to get it moving. They had to use foley bulbs for both. Once it got going though it was very fast.

@dc yoga bee: I naturally went into labor with DS1 at 40+2. Had elective inductions for DS2 at 40+3 and DS3 at 39+1. Whenever we have a 4th, I will choose the elective induction again! Everything went smoothly, and there is interesting research talking about 39 weeks being the “ideal” time to be born (I believe an article is reference above)

What is making you hesitate? When I scheduled my inductions, I was almost...ashamed?...because I felt selfish. But a) there are actually *positives* to being induced and b) if there is any time to be selfish, it’s when you are pushing a human being out of your lady bits. Just sayin.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

@dc yoga bee: oh shoot I’m so sorry! I just read the original post haha. I didn’t realize it had been bumped! So I just read your bump. The risk of pre-eclampsia is MUCH higher in first time pregnancies/deliveries than subsequent ones. Soooo I would wait until 40 weeks to be induced!