Elective C-Section vs being induced

[Rosie002]

Hi
I had my baby 3 weeks ago via elective c-section. But now I’m starting to regret it and thinking i should have gone for the induction. I had complications. But i wanted to ask what would you do if you were in my shoes.
Basically i went to my 39 week appointment and my belly was measuring big. Went for a scan and found the i had a lot of amniotic fluid and baby was estimated to be 3.8kg. Because of the excess fluid my baby was not staying head down. He kept moving positions. Turns out i had gestational diabetes but wasn’t told until now. Therefore i was a case of untreated unmanaged gestational diabetes. I was told by the doctor that a natural labour was no longer an option. It had to be induced or opt for a c-section. However because of the GD there were so many risks if i chose to be induced and go for a vaginal birth;

1. Cord prolapse- because baby was not staying head down. There was a risk he would change position during labour and the cord could come out or an arm or a leg.
   
2. Shoulder dystocia- because i am a petite person 5 ft 1 size 8/10. Dr kept commenting on my size and size of baby saying his shoulders could get stuck behind my pelvis.
   
3. Placental abruption- when my waters break my placenta could detach from the uterus cutting-off baby’s blood supply during labour.
   

When i heard about all this risks i immediately thought no way I can’t risk my baby’s health and life.
C-Section was straight forward and only carried the risks that it does for anyone else. But now I’m suffering from C-section guilt and thinking i should have tried giving birth vaginally.

Did I make the right decision?

[RoosterPie]

Yes!

Firstly because it is safer for baby for the reasons you have explained.

Secondly, I would take a planned section over an induction at 39 weeks with a chance of Emergency c-section or an instrumental delivery for my own sake.

Main thing is baby and you are safe. A caesarean is nothing to feel bad or guilty about.

Congratulations

[Needingsupportplease]

I had an induction which started on monday at 9am and baby was born on friday at 23.54 by emergency c section, she was 8.6 at 40+4 and got stuck and was poorly wish I'd of been offered a section will be having an elective next time! Most inductions need intervention I think you made the right choice, congratulations :)

[itsasmallworldafterall]

Have had both, induction was horrific. Like yourself I had a few issues that made it not straightforward. The elective section felt so much safer for me and baby. Don't regret it, you chose the safest way.

[peachesancream]

You definitely chose right! Sounds like you absolutely took the best and recommended option to keep you and baby safe. I had a csection and it's normal to feel guilty like you didn't do it 'properly' or let you baby down but it's partly hormones and remind yourself you got that baby to full term and made the absolute right decision for them!

[peachesancream]

I should add my csection was the result of a 3 day long failed induction which resulted in DS spending a week in NICU due to an infection he caught from then breaking my waters so I'm going for an elective this time!

[booklover164]

Sounds like you absolutely did the right thing! I was induced after my waters broke early but due to ' failure to progress' I had to have an EMCS. It was not what I wanted at all and it took me about a year to get over. I felt so guilty for having a vaginal birth but it was the right choice for my baby. It's now no longer a sore point ( no pun intended!) and I'm at peace with it. Congratulations on your baba :)

[Rosie002]

Thank you guys so much for reassuring me. You have no idea how healing your words are
I was in so much shock when I found out about the GD and the complications that followed it.
When I was making the decision between the two options i strongly felt if i went for the induction something would go wrong. And i kept imagining the scene when the Dr comes to give me the news that my baby has sustained injury due to the traumatic birth like brain damage or that my baby has died. I would never be able to forgive myself knowing that I had the safe option of a C-section but consciously took the risky option of a vaginal birth.
I’m working through these feelings of guilt and failure. Yes I agree it’s probably the hormones and I hope I can get over this soon.
I just keep telling myself that I made this decision for the safety of my baby and there is nothing unnatural about saving my baby’s life. It’s compromise and sacrifice for the benefit of my child which is what we mothers do. All part of the job

[BluntAndToThePoint80]

I actually had two inductions (diff circumstances) and I always wanted to avoid a section but based on your OP I would have opted for the section (and I really didn’t want one if it could be avoided as the idea freaks me out).

However, I always said I’d do what was best for my baby (and me), even if that was drugs, a section or something else not totally “natural”.

On a side point, no one should feel guilt over how they birth.

[bumblebeefairy]

You are feeling guilty for taking the expert medical advice on the safest means of delivery for you and your baby. Imagine how you might feel if you had done the opposite and things went wrong.

There was no ideal situation and you did the best you could. Congratulations on your little one.

[Ready4abreak]

I have had both. First baby went in for induction on the Monday at 39 weeks. He wasn't ready to come and I finally had an EMCS on the Saturday!! Longest 6 days and I would have hated doing that just now with no partners allowed in til active Labour.

I was adament I wasn't going through an induction again so had a planned CS 6 weeks ago. This was so much better. You have nothing to feel guilty about.

[BabyLlamaZen]

Definitely definitely what I would do! Any reason why you're thinking about that now?

[Rosie002]

I don’t know. I guess it’s just the hormones. I know so many people who have had C-Sections and I never judged them for not having a vaginal birth but now that i’ve had a c-section i don’t knw why I’m feeling like this. But like peachesancream said she also felt like this. So I guess i’m not alone. Thanks to everyones comments i feel so much better about my decision. I’m really grateful that my baby is healthy

[gonewiththerain]

I had a long labour with failure to progress ending in an emcs. I think you took the right decision to just have to c section.
I also would never judge a woman for how she gave birth but I do judge myself. I am however having an elcs this time round.

[Abbyd222]

I can really relate to how you feel. Had my 3rd baby 4 weeks ago, my first two natural uncomplicated deliverys. I opted for a home birth and had my pool waiting for delivery however at 40 +2 found out I had preeaclamsia. I was induced by my waters being broke then the drip and after 12 hours or labour I had an emcs. I only got to 6 cm but she was 10 11 so massive and was not in the right position at all. The preeaclamsia was getting harder to control and my organs where starting to be affected. I got told I could have an hour to get her out (which they said was unlikely) or c-section because after an hour I would defo be having one any way. so I just went for the section as I just wanted her out at that point and was really scared I was leaving it too long and Some thing bad would happen to us. I've been feeling guilty ever since and feel traumatised by it all but I know deep down I didn't have a choice and didn't do anything wrong. C section is also an awful recovery compared to natrual labour and I've also never judged anyone else for having a c section because I've always known that. With both my other babies I recovered quicker ( days ) and felt so proud of myself after with a euphoric high feeling which sadly I just didn't get after my c - section and was in a lot of pain until recently.c It feels like something that was done to me and not something I did if that makes sense. I'm learning to live with it though and just trying to be thankful that we are both here safe. I hope we both come to terms with it eventually I really think it's just time and once our body's are back to normal and the scar completely healed ect it will be easier. My midwife offered to have a debrief with me whenever I feel ready to so I can get any feeling or questions out so thats maybe something you could look into.

[LividLaughLovely]

God, of course you made the right decision.

I had four days of failed induction before demanding a C section and the section was awesome. I might have thought differently had induction worked quickly, but it wasn’t going to for me. I would have a section again, no question.

[Abbyd222]

To add they said my recovery was harder because of the induction and having laboured for hours first then having an emcs which is alot more brutal apparently. so I think if I had known how it was going to go I would have gone for a elcs instead as it was truly awful the way it all happened. So I really think you made the right choice to have the c section but I guess you would say the same about me but it's still hard to look at your own situation and see it for what it is.

[Minesril]

I've also had both. The induction was a nightmare and ended in forceps, 3d tear, episiotomy and 1.2 litre blood loss. The c section was absolutely amazing and mentally was very healing.

[mynameiscalypso]

All bar one of my 'mummy' friends who was induced ended up with an EMCS; often after several days of intense labour. I had an ELCS and my recovery was a walk in the park compared to theirs. I have no regrets; I got to enjoy every minute of my son's life rather than spending weeks (and months) recovering from the birth.

[Nicelunch25]

Yes! I was induced and ended up with a section. Would have been easier to recover from a planned section.