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AIBU?

To think there might be a slight overkill of inductions?

77 replies

Mrsknackered · 28/06/2017 06:45

Firstly, I am in no way blaming anyone for this. Both of my pregnancies have been induced.

When I had DS1 nearly 5 years ago, I was the only induction at 42 weeks - everyone else I knew expecting had gone into labour naturally (minus 1 who had placenta praevia, so had an elective)

Since having DS2 late last year I've made a lot more 'parent' friends and my own stepmum and a good childhood friend have also delivered.
SM and 4 friends have all delivered in this past fortnight and have ALL been induced because they were overdue and it's ended in Caesarian. One of the five had a C-section after failed induction for RFM at 41+4, so not quite the same reason for induction but all was fine at birth (thankfully)

Is this an oddly high number? I've spoken to a few people recently about it and they too have said it seems that failed induction/C section is much more common now. Am
I missing something?

Is there a chance that if these overdue babies were left a little longer that perhaps the mother would go into labour naturally and avoid all of this medical intervention?
I often wondered this with DS1. If I had had monitoring once a day for say another week would he have perhaps come naturally? (I know there is a higher chance of stillbirth after 42 weeks)
I suffered severe tears with my births and again a larger amount of women I know who were induced and didn't have to have CS also tore more than those who went into labour naturally.
Is this all just coincidence?

  • I start Midwifery training in September, so I'm not MW bashing!
OP posts:
CountryCaterpillar · 28/06/2017 06:50

Both of mine were induced at 42 weeks.

I think I'd have liked to have known if inductions at 42 weeks usually lead to c section as I'd have skipped the 2 day labour and failed induction and just booked a c section....

I always wondered if either of them would have come out naturally if left a bit longer. no 1 is already had the mucus plug and no 2 my husband was away and I didn't feel safe to give birth but if had really strong Braxton hicks.

They were huge babies though at 42 weeks maybe they wouldn't have come out...

LittleKiwi · 28/06/2017 06:57

FWIW I was two weeks late and my mum had a nightmare of an induction. With my sibling she refused the induction and sure enough went into labour naturally at 42+ a couple of days.

Anecdotal, I know, but then again the doctors on my maternity ward first time around were joking about how inductions "never work"...

Eastpoint · 28/06/2017 06:57

I've had friends who have had still births when they have gone to term, I wouldn't want to go up to the very limit, I'd rather have a c-section just after 41 weeks.

My first two dcs were born vaginally, one at 41+5 & the other at 41+6 on the day my OB/GYN suggested him being induced. Last baby was induced after my waters broke and I didn't have any contractions exactly 2 weeks late according to the dr but not late by when we'd had sex.

sadmum2017 · 28/06/2017 07:05

I was induced at 41+6. The issue for me while being unable to move around because of the monitoring equipment. It ended in an EMCS due to failure to progress - no wonder, I was stuck on my back for 12 hours. The also blame the constant interference and examinations for the uterine infection I developed. Honestly, I would tell anyone about to have a baby to skip the induction and go straight for c section.

icelolly99 · 28/06/2017 07:13

I had an induction with my 3rd child at 42 weeks; 'just' a pessary massive pill up the bum in the morning (no canula thank goodness). Once that kicked in I had a quick labour and successful vaginal birth by tea time.

CuppaSarah · 28/06/2017 07:17

I've had a spontaneous labour and an induction. My induction was because of pre eclampsia so not being overdue, but I think it's more down to how the hospital manages it. I was encouraged to move, try different positions, bounce on the ball etc. I was able to progress quickly and though it ended with forceps, that was down to poor positioning of ds and the lack of time I had to push him as I was very unwell.

I do think induction is pretty common, but it's no bad thing. The bad thing is that so many women are forced to be immobile on their backs during induced labour, even if they would prefer to move a bit more. It would mimic spontaneous labour much better if they could do their own thing.

silkpyjamasallday · 28/06/2017 07:23

I went into labour naturally, but my friend had to be induced with her second dc as her late scans said the baby was too small and had stopped growing, baby arrived close to 9lbs and my friend was pretty annoyed they induced her early as she had managed a natural birth with her first and didn't enjoy her second labour because of the induction meaning she had to stay still on her back.

blackteasplease · 28/06/2017 07:38

I've had two inductions, but not overdue, for other reasons. Both were really successful.

I think inductions and c section are both much better than the risk of a stillbirth.

GlitterRoseGold · 28/06/2017 07:43

My 2 friends had inductions and both ended up with Emergency sections.

Cagliostro · 28/06/2017 07:45

It does sound more common these days.

DD was induced just before her due date because of low amniotic fluid (which scarily wouldn't even have been picked up had I not had a late scan for other reasons). It was tough going, and I avoided an EMCS by 4 minutes as she finally arrived (distressed and covered in meconium). Nobody had told me anything about it, I was made to lie down most of the time and DD turned so was back to back.

DS was late. Sweep failed so I was induced. I was terrified because of the first experience but it was so much easier as my body had done it before.

I'm not too worried about DC3 (am 20 weeks) as DS' birth was so much easier. I feel like either way I am likely to be induced - I don't seem to do natural labour so wouldn't be surprised if I go overdue again. Also DS was massive so I'm getting growth scans and they won't let this one get so huge!

I've read on lots of threads now that it's better to opt for an epidural if you are induced because the labour pains are forced. I had no idea about that, I will be requesting one this time

Birdsgottaf1y · 28/06/2017 07:49

I thought that my DD was given a Sweep a bit early, but after a home birth, the MW asked if I wanted the Placenta (my DD didn't) and she said that there was nothing left in it.

She is being Swept again just on her due date, she's lost plug though.

The Placenta has a life span, that's without other issues that can occur.

When I was growing up and having my first in the 80's, there were lots of women who had Still Births, it wasn't shocking. Until the baby was here, you didn't take it for granted that everything would go ok.

If intervention means happy outcomes then that can't be a bad thing.

There has to be clinical reasons based on research for a decision to be made.

HearTheThunderRoar · 28/06/2017 07:56

I was induced at about 42 weeks (cant exactly remember - it was over 18 years ago), the biggest reason was our nearest hospital that could facilitate c-sections was over 100 miles away and DD was a big baby (she was 9lb at birth) but also I was an older mum (had DD at 36) so there was that element of risk too.

I did end up having an EMCS after a very long labour. It was the right decision imo, I dread to think what would have happened if I wasn't induced at the stage in pregnancy.

brexitstolemyfuture · 28/06/2017 07:58

...I thought this would be about induction hobs...backs away...

TwoBlueFish · 28/06/2017 08:01

I've been induced twice, no c-sections

DS1 - 35 weeks, waters leaking but no contractions. 12 hours from start of pitocin to birth. Almost 7lbs, tear.

Ds2 - 38 weeks, planned induction due to size. 12 hours from start of pitocin to birth. 9.5 lbs, big head and broad shoulders, episiotomy.

DuggeeHugs · 28/06/2017 08:28

Some studies put failure rates as high as 35-40% dependent on factors such as age, first baby, BMI, etc. I would be nice to be told this and offered a choice!

Misspilly88 · 28/06/2017 08:33

Where I am they changed it from induction at term +14 to term +12 since I had my first child. I assume that would increase the amount they're doing. Currently being induced with child 2 as I write.

Mammylamb · 28/06/2017 08:33

Because of health issues my son had to be born at 37 weeks. I was offered a c section or induction. I chose c section as induction sounds horrendous, and a huge majority of the women I know who were induced went on to have a c section. The midwive was pushing for me to be induced but the consultant (female) stopped her and said that it was up to me to choose, not her

Spikeyball · 28/06/2017 09:02

There are still risks even with monitoring everyday as things can go wrong very quickly.

Whatsername17 · 28/06/2017 09:04

Hospitals are working to reduce still birth rates. Perhaps this is why they induce? I miscarried at 3 months and, 18 months later I am still traumatised by it. I'm still devestated by it. I can't imagine how much that pain is magnified when you lose a baby that is fully grown and would have been otherwise healthy. Since my mc I've had another baby, I was induced at 40 weeks due to reduced foetal movements. I progressed very quickly and gave birth naturally 6 hours after having the pessary. My dd2 was born completely tangled in her cord and it was wrapped around her neck. Being induced saved her life. There is absolutely no doubt about it. I don't think hospitals take the decision to induce lightly and I'm sure all mums would prefer a healthy baby over the 'ideal' birth.

Whatsername17 · 28/06/2017 09:09

Just to add, with my induction I laboured on all fours. I had no pain relief and dd2 was back to back as well as tangled in her cord. I didn't have to stay laying down - I'd have struggled with that.

PerpetualStudent · 28/06/2017 09:09

I think Cuppa makes a good point that it's partly down to how an induction is managed - there's still plenty of opportunities to be active during an induction (even more if you have mobile monitoring) but some HCP seem to take the view that as soon as something 'medical' is happening to you, you should be stock still and flat on your back.

I had an induction at 37 weeks due to pre-eclamspia. It certainly wasn't my ideal birthing scenario, but I delivered DS with the help of vontouse (not that that is necessarily preferable or makes me any cleverer than those who've had a CS!)

I'm now 27 weeks with DC2 and may well get pre-e and need to be induced again. For my own sanity, if nothing else, I stick to the belief it is still possible to be active and empowered during an induced birth, however it works out (you just need a bit of determination and HCP on your side)

SuperBeagle · 28/06/2017 09:14

I've had four overdue pregnancies, no inductions. I was due to be induced with DC3 at 42 weeks, but went into labour naturally the night before the induction was booked.

DCs were born at 41+2, 41+4, 42+0 and 41+2. I wanted to avoid inductions if possible because I know of the higher intervention rates and the increased likelihood of a c-section. The two friends I have who recently gave birth were both induced and both ended in c-sections (one after a 72 hour labour, with one failed induction in the early stages!)

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Decaffstilltastesweird · 28/06/2017 09:18

Tricky one really. I had a fairly successful induction, but I actually think labour was starting already, so maybe that is why?

My dc had shoulder dystocia though, so I think maybe if we'd left it any longer we'd have ended up with a CS. Although she wasn't a big baby, a mw later told me she thought she was probably a little big for me.

FlapsMcGee · 28/06/2017 09:24

I was induced at 39 weeks due to my waters breaking before labour had started. Induction would not have been my first choice (I was scared of it being more painful), but I went onto the drip straightaway as I was fully effaced and my labour was 4.5 hours and ended in episiotomy (1.5 hrs of pushing meant baby was getting a bit distressed) using a Tens for pain relief throughout. I think my body was reasonably ready, which probably makes a big difference in how well induction goes. I also was very, very vocal about wanting an active labour and managed to stay reasonably active, despite all the drips (oxy and antibiotics!) and monitoring equipment. Being on my back (when examined) was agony so no way I was staying there longer than necessary.
I had planned to turn down induction if I was overdue and opt for increased monitoring, at least initially, but I think I would be happy with be induced again next time if needed, although I would love to go spontaneously next time so I can have a water birth. We'll see!

In my case I didn't get the cascade of intervention that is often talked about, but I only narrowly avoided forceps, so I can see how it happens. In my NCT group of eight there were four sections, one planned, three emergency! All started as inductions IIRC.

RoseVase2010 · 28/06/2017 09:34

My sister is 30. Mum was induced at 42 weeks. After 4 days of labour she was given an emergency c-section. Both nearly died, mum didn't see her baby until she was 2 days old.

Of my friends only one was induced.

I imagine it's a case of your perception of them but also a lack of explanation or knowledge of the problems involved.

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