Measuring 2 weeks ahead in length and weight, OB wants to induce a week early
I’ll start by saying I’m not anti-medical intervention, but I do feel strongly about wanting as much free movement as possible during labor and I want to avoid giving birth on my back. I’d say I’m epidural curious for my first baby. Not against it, but would like to try without to begin with. I had not previously entertained the idea of induction and was planning on going into natural labor, but after my growth scan today and my dr’s feedback, I’m wondering if an induction will be inevitable.
I asked the doctor about the growth scan potentially being off, because I hear how often it is, and she admitted that it can be up to 15% off, but given my belly size (which has been measuring large my entire third trimester) + his projected weight and length, they seem fairly certain that even if delivered early, he’ll be in the upper 8 pound range. Even in my scan today, he was moving around but was pretty scrunched up and sitting quite low. So in order to avoid potential C-section or shoulder dysplasia, she’s advising induction no later than 39 weeks. Right now, the plan is to do a membrane sweep at 38 weeks and see if that results in natural labor and if not, schedule an induction.
Obviously a lot can change in the next two weeks. I’m not opposed to him coming a week or week and a half early (I feel ginormous and am just done being pregnant), but I wanted to avoid Pitocin and an epidural if I could. Honestly, just doing all the thought processing right now. Open the stories/thoughts/encouragement.