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Pregnancy

Induction vs c-section (when I really want a vbac)

17 replies

aquababe · 27/04/2009 11:01

I'm currently hoping for a VBAC (in water if all going well), but if I don't get to start naturally then options are induce or c-section.
I'm trying to way up the pros and cons, but as I don't actually want either I'm struggling.

How have others felt?
How long were your hospital happy for you to go over your due date?
If my cervix isn't ready is it even worth my trying for an induction?

My first c-section was after a failed induction with fetal distress and failure to progress.
I'm worried if I try for an induction It'll just end up as a c section as thats what happened last time.
But think I'd be frustrated in myself if I didn't at least try for a induced vbac.
But of course the rupture rates are so much higher on an induced VBAC and am not sure what drugs they'd use to induce me as this seems to impact on rupture rates.

My pregnancy brain is spinning.

Any help/advice/anecdotes appreciated

OP posts:

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aquababe · 27/04/2009 11:13

i should probably add that I'm 39 weeks and about to have this conversation with my midwife (whom I don't have full faith in)

OP posts:

HeinzSight · 27/04/2009 13:02

I'm yet to see my 'vbac midwife' but saw my consultant last week who told me they don't like to induce for a vbac, the only thing they can do in the way of induction is break waters, if poss. The don't use gel.

CoteDAzur · 27/04/2009 13:08

I would take c-section over induction.

You could always wait until labour starts naturally, be it at 41 weeks or 42. As long as you & baby are not in danger, I wouldn't go down the induction route. It really isn't fun.

FabulousBakerGirl · 27/04/2009 13:09

I was told I had to have an elective after my emergency. Really didn't want too but was scared in to it.

Had a VBAC and then another VBac.

get all the info and make your decision on what has gone before and how you are feeling.

Poledra · 27/04/2009 13:14

aquababe, I can't remember if I've told you this before, so apologies if I have. I had an induction for DD3, who was my second VBAC (after a natural-onset labour and forceps delivery for DD2 and em c-s for DD1 for the same reasons as you). I did not get the pessaries as these can affect rupture rates but went straight to the syntocinon drip. As this puts you into pretty full-on contractions immediately, my hospital offered me an epidural which I accepted. They made sure my epi was in and working before they started the synto drip. It was by far the easiest and least stressful of all my births, though some of that is down to the wonderful mw who delivered DD3.

Have you asked to speak to the consultant midwife at the hospital? I found mine very helpful, and that might be good if you don't have faith in your own mw.

aquababe · 27/04/2009 13:36

my consultant is very anti c-section. I had assumed they wouldn't let me try an induction, but he says its better for many women than c-sections. Have seen my consultant mw about prospective waterbirth, but that's if I go into labour naturally. I know my mw is going to start booking me in for induction/c-section. Just hate the thought that I'm on the clock, not helpful for not being stressed and going into labour naturally

OP posts:

Poledra · 27/04/2009 13:46

Why are you on a clock, aquababe? Is there a reason why you should be induced earlier than any other pg woman? Or is it just the booking for a section/induction at 42 weeks they're talking about?

aquababe · 27/04/2009 13:50

It's the booking at 42 weeks they're talking about, but I guess i'm worrying because I really don't want to feel the way it was last time.

OP posts:

fanjolina · 27/04/2009 18:10

If I was in your position I'd try acupuncture and reflexology to try to induce more naturally

Poledra · 27/04/2009 18:13

Get talking to Lulumama too - she has all the tips on getting labour going naturally (usually sex and nipple stim, mind you )

Hulababy · 27/04/2009 18:18

I personally would have c section over induction, especially for a vbac.

My own induction first birth) was not the nicest experience and after 50 hoursstill resulted in c section anyway. No way would I go through induction again.

MrsMattie · 27/04/2009 18:21

Obviously it's best to research it and think it through for yourself, but all the research I did when preparing for my VBAC led me to believe that induction wasn't a good thing.

Lots of hospitals won't even induce you if you've had a previous section because of the increased risk of scar rupture.

The hospital I had my baby at wouldn't offer 'full throttle' induction - ie. syntocin drip, ARM - to VBAC-ers, and would only offer a sweep and prostin pessaries to some women, depending on their history and pregnancy.

In the end, because of complications in my pregnancy, I had to have a section at 38 weeks. For the condition I had - obstetric cholestasis - most women are offered an induction at 37/38 weeks, but my hospital said absolutely NOT for VBAC women, and I was inclined to agree.

I agree re: talking to Lulu or other doulas on MN re: methods for getting yourself into labour. There are several women who have had VBACs and VBA2C on MN, so hopefully they will also be along for a chat

MrsMattie · 27/04/2009 18:23

Just re-read thread and notice what I've said conflicts with Poledra. I was led to believe that it was syntocin/ARM and the very quick onslaught of contractions that they bring on that was the risk factor for scar rupture, not the slower start to labour that pessaries and a sweep sometimes offer....? Am I wrong? Lulu will know!

misscreosote · 27/04/2009 19:19

Hi there - sorry, haven't got anything very helpful to say, but watching this thread with great interest, as this is pretty much my story and my greatest concern this time as well, although only at 35 weeks so not feeling pressured yet. I guess you need to weigh up just how bad you would feel at not trying for a VBAC (even if induced) versus how good the support might be at the hospital to help get you through being induced without going down the C section route, and whether you are happy to try for an induced VBAC but end up with a c/s again anyway.

I've just spoken to an acupuncturist who will do pre-birth acupuncture, but not happy with induction acupuncture for the same worries as for medical induction. Ho hum.

PS the rupture rate for prostaglandin IS higher than oxytocin, according to the stats the hospital gave me.

FabulousBakerGirl · 27/04/2009 19:33

My labour started naturally but still nearly ended in a scar rupture.

StarlightMcKenzie · 27/04/2009 19:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Chellesgirl · 27/04/2009 19:57

see this thread and I suggest reading Vbacqueens post. As well as read her links!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/744239-Preparing-for-VBAC-or-not

hope this helps. I found the first link to be wonderful when considering your rights as a pregnant mum wanting a VBAC.

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