"Pressure to have an induction"

I was pregnant with my second child. My first child was born vaginally at 42+2 after I declined induction weighing 4.4kg. I was therefore aware I was likely to have a large and post date baby and consideration of induction would be possible.

My usual midwife at the New Vic was always very supportive,  gave clear information and listened to me, showing respect for my viewpoints. Fundal height measured on track throughout my pregnancy and my first child's weight was just below the 4.5kg threshold for additional scans etc. so everything proceeded on green pathway and meant I was hopeful of again giving birth at the midwife led unit at Paislry.

My final appointment was at 39+3 - they had already explained about NICE guidelines changing for induction and we discussed risks and benefits. I explained after consideration of options that I didn't want to be induced before 41 weeks so made appointments for 40+3 and 41+3 however with being on holiday would be a different midwife. I felt listened to, informed, supported and reassured

At my 40+3 appointment with the next midwife  everything I had previously said seemed to be ignored. They told me they were trying to get all women delivered by 41 weeks and would need to book an induction. I explained about what I had discussed previously but they would not listen to me. I felt panicked, frustrated and upset. They then asked another midwife to come in who also repeated what they were saying. I felt spoken down to and ganged up on. There was no discussion of any risks or reasoning. No information given, just pressure to book induction. They told me they would cancel the appointment booked at 41+3, they wouldn't be able to see me. Would have to be the medical team.

There was an overall atmosphere of panic and emergency, particularly with the insistence that I should be scanned urgently , although no explanation was given for what I would need to be scanned for. The only option given was induction. I was told I would have to do things, without any alternative choices mentioned. Only when I was very clear that I did not want an induction was I told that as I was 'refusing' I would need to see the consultant. I felt very angry with the language used and commented that refusing was a very emotive word and I was actually declining induction. 

They tried to urgently book a scan for the next day although once they spoke to the team at RAH they were advised that this wasn't needed. They also tried to get me to make a consultants appointment for the next day even though I explained I wouldn't be able to arrange childcare or have transport. The midwife went to make an appointment, and came back saying it was for the next day. I had already been clear that I couldn't make that day and wasn't actually 41 weeks yet so didn't feel it was that urgent so again explained I couldn't make that appointment. They made a comment about me taking up time then made me walk to the front desk and back to make the appointment. 

Following the appointment I also noticed that the midwife had input the fundal height incorrectly with an additional 1cm so I immediately added a note to Badger Notes to correct this. I was so upset after the appointment and now the fundal height which I had closed monitored due to my first baby's birth weight had been recorded incorrectly I was really worried. 

The outcome was I spoke to a very understanding doctor at the RAH who was happy to go ahead with monitoring and we agreed that I would have a scan to check the levels of amniotic fluid but no measurements for growth would be taken. The scan didn't happen in the end as I went,into labour naturally with my son at 41+2 and was able to give birth with no interventions as I had wanted.

I feel this outcome could have been achieved with much less stress and worry in the last week of my pregnancy. I also worry about the numbers of women who are coerced into induction without realising they have choices to make and it isn't necessarily right for everyone.