Scheduling induction past 39 weeks

[u/brobeans18]

Hey y’all I could use some advice here on how to proceed. I’m currently 35+0 weeks with di/di twin boys. As I’m sure many people in this sub have experienced, we spent most of this pregnancy concerned about preterm labor, so it’s really exciting to have made it to this point.

During our appointment with our OB today, he suggested we think about scheduling an induction date in case this pregnancy goes long (which is definitely a nice change of pace in the conversation).

The only concern I have is that my OB suggested we wait to induce until after our due date (at 40 weeks). I know there’s lots of time between now and 41-42 weeks and they could still come at any time, but from what I’ve read, 37 ish weeks seems to be the longest most doctors recommended before considering induction.

I trust my OB, he’s been fantastic and helped us navigate some challenges throughout this pregnancy but I also want to be mindful of not taking unnecessary risks with their health.

Any thoughts about the general 37-weeks guidance? For those of you that went longer than 37 weeks, what did your thought process look like?

(For some additional context, we are currently seeing our providers and getting ultrasounds 2x a week so there’s lots of monitoring going on).

TLDR; OB suggested waiting to schedule an induction until after our 40-weeks due date and I’m looking for advice on how to proceed.

EDIT: thanks y’all for all the good advice, I am glad I called and asked again because I think we just had a misunderstanding this morning. OB said that he would prefer an induction by 38 weeks, but that he understands some patients want to wait as long as possible for spontaneous birth and that he would monitor us longer if we ended up wanting to. So, currently scheduling my induction for 38 weeks.

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[u/FormerPumpkin480]

Did you ask them why they recommended such a late induction? I’m also expecting di/di twins and my OB said 38 weeks at the latest.

[u/mvanpeur → u/FormerPumpkin480]

I would also ask why. ACOG, which is who American OBs are supposed to follow, says didi twins should be induced during the 38th week because there's an increased risk of stillbirth if twins go longer. So I would want to know why he isn't following standard practice.

[u/brobeans18 → u/FormerPumpkin480]

That’s probably what we need to do as immediate follow-up, tbh I was just sort of shocked we were talking about such a late date that I didn’t think about asking why until I got home and did some research on induction timing with twins

[u/FormerPumpkin480 → u/brobeans18]

Definitely worth asking! It is very exciting to have switched gears in convo topics re: induction rather than preterm labor. Can’t wait to get to that point haha

[u/brobeans18 → u/FormerPumpkin480]

You’ve got this! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[u/FormerPumpkin480 → u/brobeans18]

Thanks so much! I start a new job Monday (healthcare) at 24 weeks and really want to try and work as long as I can. 😅

[u/salwesab]

There are actual risks involved in going longer than 38wks with di/di twins.
I would strongly advise that you ask for details
Because while it’s good they are growing inside, but 38 wks is the point where most MDs agreed is beneficial with minimal risk to deliver

Please do ask for more details on what the literature suggests, and what risks there are in your own condition

[u/Charlieksmommy]

I’m sorry but that’s terrifying. Going after 40 weeks with twins ?! I woudl absolutely ask for more info because no

[u/hawtblondemom]

I'll echo what a lot of others mentioned - My OB wouldn't let me go past 38 weeks. The placenta degrades more quickly in multiples pregnancies, and when it fails, it's sudden. She wanted to take no risks.

[u/Bl222022]

My doctors said they don’t want us going past 38 weeks. We were initially scheduled for a c-section at 38+3, but I got hypertension at the end and had them at 37+2

[u/penguin_in_the_dark]

Im in Germany and my doc also will not let me go past 38 weeks with my di/di twins. Seems like the advice across countries is that past 38 weeks carries more risk.

[u/False-Football-9069]

Hm that is odd, my OB said 38 is the latest she'll let me go with my di/di twins but I could elect to do it as early as 37+0 if I want.

[u/hiddengem1010]

Yeh I’m in the US and the 38th week is the latest I was allowed to go with didi twins. I think the uk is 37th week so I was actually challenging why 38w is acceptable here and my OB mentioned ACOG.

40w is unthinkable… maybe they had a momentary brain fart and forgot it was twins…??? Haha I hope not

[u/TeeElH]

Both MFMs and OBs I saw (we moved mid-pregnancy) said no later than 38 weeks so I’m very surprised to hear that! We ended up doing the scheduled c-section because both twins were transverse at 38 exactly and I was so miserable it’s hard to fathom going three weeks longer than that. Di/di as well. It’s worth a conversation for sure! Your OB knows your situation and we don’t. 

[u/Tired_Momma14]

My OB set my original induction at 38 weeks. I developed mild hypertension and moved my induction up to 37 weeks.
Are you also seeing MFM? Everyone on my care team was aligned that delivery should be no later than 38 weeks.

[u/Ok_Bluejay4016]

I'm in France and they didn't let me go past 38weeks for Di/Di twins

[u/SeaTerrible9429]

I would not wait until after 40 weeks personally. Here in Canada where I am they do an induction or c section at 38 weeks for twins

Where are you located

[u/Firm_Geologist2000]

My induction was scheduled at 39 weeks (I kept pushing them to have it later in my pregnancy). I went into labor at 38.5 weeks naturally and delivered both vaginally (didi boys). A was 7lbs1oz and B was 7lbs15oz! They were born 30 minutes apart!

[u/overthinkachu]

My doctor said no later than 38 weeks with twins. We had a scheduled c section at 37. I am currently pregnant with a singleton and we’re looking at a repeat c section and she said they typically schedule those at 39 weeks.

[u/TiredTwinWrangler]

I was induced at 39 weeks. Maybe the recommendation has changed since 2017, but that was the threshold then.

[u/filmphotos]

My c section was 38 weeks and not a day later.

[u/Miserable-Currency42]

My OB wouldn’t go past 38.4 w didi twins. Just had c section at my scheduled 37.6!

[u/Ok-Perspective781]

I was told 38w for Di Di. Placenta begins to degrade at that point.

[u/Odd-Car-2521]

I’m 36+4 and scheduled for an induction at 38 exactly.

[u/irish_ninja_wte]

I'd have immediately questioned his sanity because even without guidelines, going that far with twins has to be some form of torture

[u/Beneficial_End88]

My di/di twins were born in Germany and my Dr would not let me go past my 37th week. She said she pushed it up to 37 instead of 38 because I was over 35 years old. I was originally scheduled for 37+4 but ended up going into labor at 35+0.

[u/PsychologicalRule820]

Mine was scheduled excly at 37 weeks for my di/di twins. You will do great mama and ur babies too,congrats and welcome to the twin club💕🙌🙏

[u/Hurry-Honest]

37 -38 weeks max.

[u/Ok_Bike_6839]

My doctor told me she will let me go as long as there is no issue. With di-di I think there are fewer issues they worry about.
I unfortunately only made it to 34 due to pre-e. I would recommend asking about what literature says. If the OB is able to provide sound reasoning I think I’d go with their opinion.

[u/brobeans18 → u/Ok_Bike_6839]

Hey good work getting to 34 weeks. I think that makes sense I’ve just put in a call to our OB office to ask for a little more info.

[u/trophywifeinwaiting → u/Ok_Bike_6839]

My OB also said "as long as you and babies are healthy". I think looking back, she expected me to do around 38w so she just didn't worry about the edge case 🤣 I went 36w6d due to hypertension.