HELP! I don't want to be induced! ~ETA~

I didn't know this until my appt yesterday, but apparently it is common practice for my OB to induce at 39 weeks if a patient has asthma. Yes, I have asthma. Yes, it has been bothering me this allergy season... I have had to use my puffer 4-5 days in the last month, which isn't much compared to how often I had to use it through the winter.

I was induced with my first and it was horrible. I'm fully aware of all of the dangers that come with being induced (although it is touted as being so safe yadda yadda.... sure, whatever). I'm aware that 50% or something like that end in a C-section. I was two hours away from having one last time (water broke around 9:30-10:00am one day, delivered at 7:30 the next day).

I'm not dialated at all. My mucous plug is still there. My cervix is "softening" but it's been that way for a while now.

Does anyone know anything about asthma and whether or not it necessitates induction? I'm doing some reading now but it'd be nice to hear some personal experiences. I plan to spend the weekend trying every healthy self-induction technique I can find on the web because I go back to the doc on Monday and he wants to induce by the end of next week at the latest. He originally said "by the 39th week" (which is Monday) but then I sort of freaked out and he suggested I just come back in to get checked Monday. I know I can refuse to be induced but if it's really what's best for the baby and NOT something he's doing out of convenience then I'll do it, but I'm hoping to do this on my own without being induced.

ETA:

After looking around, I found the below mentioned article as well as these two. The article in my reply below isn't published by a huge organization or association, but it was written and edited by a total of 8 doctors and medical professionals so I trust that it's true. The two articles right here were written by highly reputable, trustworthy associations. Nothing I've read has given me any indication whatsoever that there is any need to be induced just because I have asthma. If anything, I should NOT be induced because I have asthma due to the fact that my chances of delivering a low birth weight baby are higher.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=65 

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmaandpreg nancy.stm

So yeah, unless by BP shoots up or my doc gives me some solid info on his reasoning, I'm definitely not getting induced.

Oh wow! Girl I had no idea that induction could be a possibility. I had an attack last Friday due to Bronchial Asthma.. had a viral infection that turned nasty. I was in L&D Emergency and was freaked the hell out. My OB has been asking about my asthma very often and looking at me sideways. I am 37 weeks today. I am going to ask her about her "induction reasons". I understand you completely about the procedure and your reasons for not wanting it. I am a FTM and I have read a few and heard a few horror stories.. however.. being a fellow asthmatic..you know your health is a necessity!

Keep Us Posted!
Jazz

I'm in the same boat but it's due to Diabetes. Came as a complete surprise to me too. I'll be induced at exactly 39 weeks and I'm so upset about it. On the other hand it's been proven that Diabetics have a higher rate of stillbirth an I'm not going to take any risks with that. I feel you...it sucks.

See if it were for something really common like blood pressure issues, diabetes, etc. I wouldn't be questioning it and I know it's safer to induce then because there are real reasons why one should.

But the asthma thing... my asthma has barely bothered me lately. I don't see how inducing a week early will change any part of the labor process. I'll still be huffing and puffing either way. I go for walks regularly and have never felt the need to use my puffer from exerting myself. The biggest thing that gives me asthma trouble is lots of dust from housework... IE cleaning out the garage or digging around in the attic.

I managed to find this article which says - in a nutshell - that asthma generally improves toward the end of pregnancy (which would explain my previous mention of how it was much worse over the winter) among other things like how it's less severe in the last month, L&D do not worsen asthma usually, etc....  http://www.utdol.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~d__ Fa5A5woQUd

I'm miserable and want the baby OUT, but not like this.......

I don't know about the asthma thing but I was able to get the mucous plug out by bouncing on the birthing ball daily for the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Yeah, I have asthma and mt OB certainly never brought it up as a reason for inducing! I imagine if your pregnancy is really causing some frequent and serious breathing issues it might be necessary, but not otherwise!

Also, my asthma caused me NO trouble at all during labor! I did have to be induced, but only because my water broke but I didn't start having contractions on my own.