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Pregnancy Today's Advisory Panel Answers:
I have fast labors - should I be induced to make sure I get to the
hospital?
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Question
I have had two babies. 1st was 2 hrs 40 minutes from waters breaking, to
giving birth - second was half that length - same experience. Waters
breaking was first sign of labour. First was five days early, second was
two days late. I am now living 25 minutes away from the hospital (no
traffic). My OB would like to induce me a week or two early in case I run
the risk of not getting to the hospital in time. Both previous births were
at night. My husband works an hour away from the hospital, so we only have
an hour to play with if my waters break during working hours. Do you think
I should wait and deliver at the normal time - or should I go ahead and be
induced. What are the odds?
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Answer
This is a question I've had to deal with many times over the years. Women
who have a history of rapid labors starting quickly once their water has
broken, have a propensity to do it again. Therefore, the odds are you will
do it again though no one knows for sure. The decision to induce of wait
for labor must be decided by you and your physician has given you the
choice.
The option to be induced one week early is medically sound as you have
a history of rapid labor and live a distance from the hospital. Some
women prefer not to have interventions, such as having their water
broken. These women can make arrangements to live closer to the
hospital in the last two weeks of pregnancy. Possibly you have a friend
or relative who will allow you to live there for this period of time.
If your cervix is 2-3cm dilated, inductions in this situation merely
require your water be broken and pitocin may not be necessary at all.
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