Can you change your mind if your induction is booked?

I was booked in for induction at 39+3 days for recurrent reduced movements but scans were always fine and baby was measuring 7lbs 8oz, I went for the induction and baby actually came out 8lbs 14lbs and had shoulder dystocia. I think it’s just hard to say with scans, do what you feel is right. I was told you can decline an induction x

I declined my induction 24 hours into it! Said, this isn’t working, no thank you 😄 So you can absolutely decline at any point.

Yes of course you can. I had mine booked for today and cancelled an hour beforehand. The risk of shoulder dystocia is the same for big babies and non big babies. I’m currently 41+2 and had growth scans due to big baby and my midwife confirmed there is no evidence that an induction will actually reduce any risks. The scans can also be wrong

I had an induction in August - the consultant had in my notes to be offered it from my due date (not actually sure why, baby was measuring big but I was seeing the consultant because of fibroids, but don’t think it was specified to me why I could be offered one from due date). I had one and it was fine, baby boy did come out at 9lb13oz lol, which was pretty much spot on to what they were estimating at earlier scans. However you absolutely can change your mind on having an induction, no one can force you to have one.

Of course you can! I even said outright I don't want an induction and the midwife said "well I'll leave it booked anyway in case you change your mind, you can always just not turn up" Also I 100% agree with you. Scans are notoriously inaccurate, and not a good enough reason. Plenty of women birth big babies perfectly fine only discovering after the baby was born that they were big, and plenty of women are told their baby is big, get induced, ending in EMCS only to find out their "big" baby was perfectly average sized

This happened to me in November - I declined an induction until 42 weeks when I was ready and had enough of being pregnant. My boy was on the big side and they tried all the scare tactics on me. He was then born 42 weeks on the dot weighing 9lb 2 with no complications

Yeah as others have said, you can cancel at any point. Doctors and midwives can advise but ultimately all decisions are yours. Check out the BRAIN decision making tool, if you haven’t already. It really helped me with making decisions about what I did/didn’t want.

I declined for one week. Well they kept booking me back in every day two days and then I delayed longer to allow my body more time but I eventually Came in week later than planned I just decided each morning of the planned induction x

Thanks all this is really useful! Apparently they estimate he’s currently weighing 7lb 7, so I was quite confused as to why they suggested it so quickly! I’ll definitely be asking for benefits, risks and alternatives at my next midwife appointment. Here’s hoping that I go into labour before then anyway!!

Yes you can! 50% of shoulder dystocia cases happen in babies not classed as big by the way. I could get hit by a car if I step outside my front door, but equally, may not! The fear-mongering is so not cool!!!! This is why induction and c section rates in hospitals are through the roof. Do your own research so you are able to advocate for yourself 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

@Romy this was my thinking as well! I even saw on a NHS trust website that there is even the risk that it can happen if I do get induced so I don’t think the decision should be taken lightly at all!

@Romy this is so useful! Maybe I’ll show this to the doctor if he tries to scaremonger me 😂

If you don’t feel comfortable then you can definitely decline. I’ve had two inductions 1 which was due to baby measuring on the larger side ( born 8lb 12). The reason I agreed to have the induction is due to fear of shoulde dystocia, which thankfully didn’t occur, although I did need forceps to get him out. both times my inductions were classed as failed as the pressary and Gel did nothing to bring on my labour with the whole process being extremely stressful. Xx

This is such a weird reason to discuss shoulder dystocia... They measure femur length when they measure the legs so not sure how that can cause the shoulders to get stuck 🫢🤷‍♀️

@Hannah my large baby is due to tummy size, so it also begs the question. I am seriously struggling to trust any medical professionals in this pregnancy, it’s really sad!!

@Romy for sure! It's terrible that you can't trust them and it feels like there's an agenda to just get all babies out regardless of ACTUAL risks!