Log In | Sign Up Now | Help & Support
Need Advice? Ask Your Question

Questions & Answers

Category: Labour & Delivery

Asked by shawna_leigh

Q: Dr said "Get things started"

I went to my 38 week appt yesterday. I'm 2cm dilated and measuring right on what I should be. I have always gone for my appts on Wednesday afternoons. She asked me to come in Tuesday morning and said we'd "see if we can get things started"

My question is...what in the heck does she mean by this?! lol We had talked about stripping my membranes at 39 weeks awhile back but she has never brought it back up. I know she didn't mean she was going to actually induce me because we just talked about how I don't want to be induced with pitocin. Soooo any other thoughts on what she would do to "get things started"??

This question was asked Oct. 24, 2013 12:58pm
Category: Labour & Delivery

Answer This Question
Answered by shawna_leigh - Oct. 29, 2013 3:35pm
She's not inducing me. She is just stripping my membranes at 39 weeks. She said it's normal procedure at my hospital to stip at 39 weeks and then they won't let you go over 41 weeks. She said stripping the membranes at 39 weeks usually prevents you from having to be induced. She said at 41 weeks, the risks increase with a lot of different health issues for mom and baby so it's less risky to just induce.

She doesn't look for me to make it to my due date anyways because of my measurements and since I've been dilated for 3 weeks.

178 out of 372 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answered by eag923 - Oct. 24, 2013 9:14pm
I get so irritated with doctors that induce labor for no good reason at all. If you haven't gone into natural labor at 38 weeks, there is probably a good reason why. Those final days are important for lung & brain maturity. A full term pregnancy can go up to 42 weeks, so inducing at 38 or 39 without a valid medical reason, is not in the best interest of mom or baby.

197 out of 376 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answered by KenpoMommy - Oct. 24, 2013 6:19pm
What's her rush? I agree with Kelliers. Unless baby is in some kind of distress, or you are, there is no good reason to artificially start labor. A normal pregnancy can go up to 42 weeks and you're only 38. If you're starting to dilate on your own already, I would just let your body do what it does naturally. Don't let her rush you. It sounds like she has her own schedule to keep that doesn't involve what's really best for you and your baby.

198 out of 379 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answered by kelliers - Oct. 24, 2013 5:38pm
Just curious-what is her hurry? Why is she opposed to just letting you go into labor on your own? If baby comes at 40 weeks or whenever baby is ready (really it could be any time) then that's extra time for lung development and practice breathing and you'll know you went into labor because baby wanted to come out and not because your doctor was being impatient...I am just fascinated at all these stories of doctors "getting things started" when mom isn't even at 40 weeks and is doing fine and baby is happy.

177 out of 367 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answered by Fitt1981 - Oct. 24, 2013 5:21pm
No she just means do a sweep coz sometimes its takes up to 3 attempts that's all she means good luck x

191 out of 371 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answered by Steph327 - Oct. 24, 2013 5:12pm
Call the office and get a clear definition on what that means. Second make it very clear to her that you do not want to receive Pitocin. I would do it soon, don't want to go into labor with this "grey area", they could still try to give it to you if your not progressing as fast as they would like!!

186 out of 367 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answered by momlove - Oct. 24, 2013 1:15pm
I would say she will strip your membranes.

177 out of 353 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answered by ToniiMaii - Oct. 24, 2013 1:04pm
Could just mean that she's going to strip your membrane, she wouldn't induce you against your wishes unless it was for a very good reason and I'm sure she would have discussed it with you first :)

190 out of 380 found this answer helpful
Was this answer helpful?  YesNo


Answer This Question

You are not logged in.
Log in or Register to post an answer to this question.