Help please! At my appointment yesterday, my OB brought up the idea of an entirely elective, convenience-based induction, prior to 40 weeks (probably 39w5d). I'm very against a non-medically necessary induction. I won't fight induction if I'm 42 weeks or probably even 41 weeks....but it seems totally unnecessary and inappropriate to do one prior to even hitting my due date. My OB offered the option, but is in no way pressuring me -- he said he's also totally supportive if I want to just wait it out, so I don't feel pressured from him or anything.
BUT -- DH is another matter. DH can't understand why I don't want to induce early. He sees me uncomfortable now (at 36 weeks), and doesn't understand why I'd choose to stay pregnant longer. Because we also have logistics with our family (no one lives near us) and his work schedule that are made more challenging (but not impossible) by an unknown date (waiting until I just go into labor on my own), he is super pro-scheduled induction.
DH is also a physician (that has ZERO to do w/ anything related to OB), and on medical issues doesn't really accept anything I say unless I have solid peer-reviewed journal articles, etc. to support my points. Right now, he just feels like I am against induction because I've read non-scientific opinions, and believed them.
I tend to just believe that the baby will come when the baby is ready to be born, and rushing it along isn't advisable because lack of labor tends to indicate baby will benefit from a little more time on the inside. I think I've also heard babies who are not induced have a slightly better breastfeeding rate (which is super important to me). I'm also concerned about potential higher need for c-section or longer labor w/ induction. But truly, DH is right that I don't have any true scientific info to support my desire against induction. Ultimately, I know he'll respect my choice and it's not like he's going to try to force me to induce or anything (and obviously, baby might come earlier on her own, anyway) -- but I'd like to give him some data to back up my feelings, if it exists.
So -- anyone know any good resources/scientific peer-reviewed studies that support choosing NOT to electively induce (health of baby or mother)? I know I've read several articles recently about how hospitals are trying to reduce/set rules around elective c-sections and inductions, but those aren't peer-reviewed studies....
Thank you!