Mumsnet Talk

Feeling a bit sorry for myself today, so have decided to start a self-indulgent thread. Anyone with similar experiences or with pearls of wisdom or with wet fish to slap me about the face is are welcome to comment.

With DD (now 3) I had an emcs after induction with pessary and drip and suspected foetal compromise after her heart rate dipped with every contraction. She was lying to my right, and came out with nasty bruising between her eyebrows and the centre of the back of her head. I felt at the time that she was stuck (SPD was way worse than contractions!).

This pg has been a dream by comparison and I was really hoping that the birth would turn out that way too. I'm afraid of induction, since I was strapped to the bed for monitoring and I had such a strong urge to get up and move to help DD get unstuck, but wasn't allowed to as the CFM failed to locate the heartbeat whenever I moved. So I've seen the consultant MW and planned my dream VBAC (see here)

However, here we are at 42 weeks with no progress. I had a sweep on Monday, Wednesday and today with shows on Wednesday morning and this morning. Cervix is 1-2cm dilated, but also still 1-2cm long. Baby's head only engaged on the way to my Monday appointment, 4/5ths palpable. It moved down to 3/5ths yesterday but has moved higher again today. I'm not in any discomfort with it. The past couple of nights I've had really seriously strong BHs that have woken me up due to the pressure on my pelvis (but not my cervix!!), but they stop as soon as I go for a pee. Any serious BH activity during the day seems to be confined to a couple of days a week, today not being one of them. I went for a swim after today's sweep and will head out in the rain for a walk soon, but I'm really at a loss as to how I can do much more to encourage labour (ball-bouncing, stool-kneeling, walking, RL tea, odd curry, floor scrubbing, acupressure points, etc.).

The consultant today raised the possibility that I Might Not Go Into Labour. And what would I prefer then? Induction or elective CS? I've to think about it over the weekend and come back with some ideas on Monday when I go for more scans/monitoring.

I'm really at a loss. I don't want a repeat CS if I can help it, particularly an emergency one. I found the recovery from the last one long and hard, and this time I have a toddler to deal with too. However, if I opt for induction, am I just sentencing myself for one? I think I'd try an epidural last time as I was just using G&A and TENS last time until 5cm dilated (when the emcs decision was made), and fear that this may further increase my chances of not being mobile and able to assist if baby's descent is less than smooth. My mum had 4 cs - there is a chance that my pelvis just isn't up to this.

Sorry, just feeling a bit about it all today. I don't feel like my body is gearing up for labour at all.

Oh you poor thing, it's horrible waiting isn't it. Look, you do have choices here. I would ask for active monitoring of the pool depth to keep an eye on how the baby is doing and take it day by day. Chances are, things will come on all of a sudden and you'll find yourself in labour very soon.

A second caesarian isn't the end of the world (I've had two) although it is very disappointing. But you still have options at the minute, so hang onto them and just get a rest when you can.

Good luck!

Thanks chocolate, I started the active monitoring today, and have to go back on Monday. It's just that with every appointment they are getting more and more like 'what would you like to do?

And if it is a pelvis thing, then they are well within their rights, but the thing is nobody (least of all me) knows.

I'm off for that walk...

Meant to say that this one is a left-lier - another reason I was optimistic that things could be different. Fingers crossed.

How was the CS recovery with an existing DC?

It's really unlikely to be a pelvis thing you know.....

The answer to their queries is: 'I would like to come back in two days for further monitoring and if we are still in the same position in five days I would like a review with my consultant please'.

Recovery from second CS - bad person to ask - I got a very bad incisional hernia and had to have further surgery and was incapacitated for quite some time. But the caesarian itself was okay - I was quite ill and so switched to an elective caesarian - had a failed induction prior to CS with DD and wanted to wrest some control back by making the decision myself rather that leaving it to fate.

Your hospital seem supportive on letting you be in control and actually asking what you'd like.'Statistically' you're more likey to have a successful Vbac if you go into spontaneous labour.My hospital won't even induce for a Vbac.
Such a hard one,I'd try and hang on if the consultant think everything is ok with the baby.
As for you Mum having 4 sections.My mum had 3 easy births and I had a 3 day labour and an EMCS.So definately not hereditary.
Good luck

Yes, I was really and at how supportive the consultant MW was. And also a bit surprised about the induction thing.

My plan is to hang on as long as possible, but apparently there is a real possibility that things may deteriorate before labour, so I need to be prepared for that. And from this end, it seems almost foolhardy to wait so long if that is a risk.

I so don't know - so many circular arguments. Anyone out there who went into labour in their 43rd week?

I got to 42 weeks + 6 days with DS4 at the ripe old age of 40 and a half

Every day seemed to last for a week and I got sooooooooo sick of everybody saying 'Are you still here!!!'

Good luck xxx

Well I was up at 2:30 with contractions, but was unconvinced that they were the real thing since I was just after having a sweep yesterday. Some were really sore, but others were really short and not that painful. I got up and found they were much more bearable upright with breathing, and that the breathing seemed to lessen their intensity and duration somehow. So I sat up in a chair debating a) whether to stay up and make the most of them, and see if I could get them to continue or b) go back to bed 'cos I was knackered. In the end, after some toast, option b) won and I was back in bed for 5am.

Now they are just like little BHs. Sending DH off to work and going for a walk with a friend. Either things kick off today or, in the absence of more sweeps, we sit around getting frustrated 'till Monday again hmm

I hope DD behaves today - I'm shattered!

Just wanted to wish you luck really. I am hoping for a VBAC this time after a fairly unpleasant experience with DS's birth.

Hopefully by now things have kicked off for you!

Message withdrawn

how are you doing hobnob?

Not much to report. Very intermittent contractions today, not half as strong as last night. I can't work out whether they're a petering out hangover from my sweep yesterday or about to crank up again tonight .

Had a nap this afternoon when DD did, just in case...

Been for a walk this morning and now sitting on my ball. I feel hungry, but also not hungry at the same time. Something is up, I just hope it gets its act together soon!

Oh you sound very patient - hope all goes well for you. I had a nasty EMCS with my first DS and it was such a relief to finally have him out.
I opted for the elective second time around - and it wasnt a 'disappointment' at all.
On the contrary, it was great and I am so glad I made that decision.

Hope all goes well for you this weekend and it has been worth it for you holding out for the VBAC.

You have obviously made that baby a lovely home and s/he doesn't fancy leaving just yet. Sideways up and down the stairs perhaps?

Hungry but not hungry is a good sign.

I have my fingers crossed for you. Perhaps you'll have a silent labour and only notice something is up when a head pops out!

Hmmm. I think it's all petered out this evening. They've ranged from twice an hour to every 10 mins or so, but never following a pattern. I contemplated a walk, but am still tired so have had a shower and am about to sit down to some sticky toffee pudding. I think I am actually hungry.
No doubt, come 2am, things might be different

I just hope that they are. If all contractions disappear over the weekend I'll be kicking myself I didn't walk for Britain.

Should add that I thought an early night might be more advisable than building up knackeredness.

I ended up not going into labour and having a second CS but, obv, elective not EmCS. I was on th ebrinnk of labour for about a week (3cm dilated, having contractions, fully effaced etc etc - bizarre as couldn';t belive getting to 3 could be so painless aftewr the experience first time round .

I really wanted VBAC (to the point of asking my DH if we should stop the ELCS if, on the way in, I went into labour (he felt this was 'the crazy' talking!) but was very happy with the ELCS experience - much nicer than the emergency and the recovery was great.

Good luck!

Just to let you know that little baby Isla arrived on Sunday night in a bit of a flurry. Birth story here (Thur 26th, 18:45)

Hi Hobnob!!
Just caught the end of this thread but congratulations!! Great story as well (I can empathise with the first bowel mvt feeling a bit like giving birth itself ha ha) and so pleased baby Isla arrived on both yours and her terms!! Brilliant. Also hope her reflux gets better soon. Best of luck over the next couple of weeks - and you're right, the episiotomy stitches should heal lovely - they shouldn't be giving you any gip this time next week...fingers crossed!!
and for you