C-Section?

[Shallow07]

Hi,

Up worrying about what the morning might bring and hoping for a bit of clarity.

39+4 with DC1, and was induced Friday night after weeks of reduced movements and very regular monitoring. It's Monday morning, and 1 pessary, 3 lots of Prostin gel and 2 very painful sweeps later, the induction has failed. Still only 1 cm and contractions have totally halted.

I've had counselling throughout the pregnancy for tokophobia following childhood sexual abuse- I was offered an elective c-section at 16 weeks but decided to try for a vaginal birth. As lovely as everyone is here, the repeated painful vaginal examinations are now starting to upset me and I'm very sore. Gas and air is no longer enough for me to get through them as my cervix just isn't opening enough.

My options are: go home for 24 hours and start this all again in pursuit of the vaginal birth I've worked so hard in hypnobirthing/therapy etc to aim for, or to have a c-section. Worried the recovery from c-section will be worse, but am lucky my DH is off for 3 weeks and is very supportive (I don't drive anyway but where I live that's fine).

I would be very grateful for any advice or experience you might have.

I had an ELCS, it was a calm experience and my recovery was faster than my friends who had had vaginal births. There is a huge difference between an ELCS and an EMCS, but they both get lumped together when midwives tell you about risks and recovery. Good luck, I am sure you will make the right decision for you.

ELC every time! I would sign the consent forms with no hesitation if I were having another. Recovery is surprisingly quick. By 3 weeks I was pretty much back to normal.

I had exactly this. Induced on the Friday and nothing it completely failed. I found it both physically and emotionally exhausting being in for the induction because nothing worked for me either. I actually begged for a c section in the end and had one on the Tuesday afternoon. Recovery was fine I felt pretty much back to normal after around 3 weeks. Good luck whatever you decide I know how draining and painful the failed injections can be. x

Thank you so much for sharing your positive ELC experiences! It's so nice to feel heard. Am having a bit of a cry- I sent my DH and mum home last night as I knew nothing was going to happen here and it's getting hard to keep a brave face on things for them. I've barely shed a tear through the whole pregnancy but feel like I've opened the floodgates a bit!

Hi OP, another hand hold here from me.
I had exactly the same with my first DC which ended in an EMCS. I didn't even consider a VB with my 2nd DC and booked a ELCS.
The second time was more relaxed obviously as it was planned, but with both sections I made a great recovery and felt 100% physically myself in just a couple of weeks.
Good luck whatever you decide!

C section all the way. It sounds like you've had enough! Best of luck

Similar to you. With my first had done all the hypno birthing etc.

Had failed inductions over a week; pessary, sweeps etc.

Went on syntocin for 18 hours and ended up having a EMCS. Which wasn't too bad.
But I had ELCS second time round and that was very calm and cheerful even!

Recovery time was around 3 weeks, with the first week being the most sore. But my mum was around to help out.

Can't advise what to do but personally for me because I never went into labour for either, CS ended up being the only way but it was really straightforward.

In your shoes I’d definitely go for the section. You’ve done amazingly well so far and the hypnobirthing and therapy and the rest have got you through the joys of the Induction attempts and examinations - they’ve helped to get you where you are now regardless of how baby ultimately comes out! Be proud of how well you’ve done so far, have a lovely chilled semi elective section and enjoy cuddling your baby very soon! Good luck

Oh you poor thing, totally understandable to have a bit of a cry. Sending a virtual hand hold. If you have any more ELCS questions just ask. I had a friend to stay this weekend and she reminded me that when she visited less than a week after my ELCS we went for a walk of about a mile together, which I had completely forgotten. I must have recovered very quickly!

Thank you ♥️ your support is so appreciated. How long were you all in hospital for after the section?

Two nights for me, but the second night was only because I was struggling with breastfeeding. They tried to make sure I was up and moving as soon as possible.

I had my EMCS just after midnight one day (say, the 22nd). Was in hospital until 6pm the next day (say the 23rd). So 36 hours-ish after EMCS. I would have been discharged earlier but my baby had jaundice and feeding issues. In terms of my recovery, I was only really in pain for the first 3 days, then I felt largely back to normal.

I’m having my second section in a few weeks time and despite having an active toddler I’m still not too worried about the recovery from the c section. I would have been fine to leave hospital after 2 nights the first time and I’ve heard of women coming out after 1 night if all is going smoothly with baby feeding and the mum feels ready. For a few weeks you’ll need to let other people do the housework and any heavy lifting but then as a first time mum with a newborn that’s what you should be doing anyway.
It didn’t effect me being able to look after the baby; take pain killers when you need them and take it easy in terms of trying to do everything. All that really matters the first few weeks is that you and baby are fed, nappies are changed and you sleep when you can. Good luck!

I had an emergency one the first time and having a planned on in 4 months.
The only thing that will happen in 24 hours is your anxiety is going to go up and this way they are giving you the control and the power to have a good positive birth.
I don't know anyone who has regretted a planned section.
My heart goes out to you coz I was induced for my first one and it's hard and it hurts and you probably have slept horrendously since it started.
If I had the choice I would opt for the section and try and get some sleep beforehand.
You got this mama! Time to meet your baby and start the next stage of your life. Xxx

Honestly OP you've done so, so phenomenally well to get to this stage - massive for you.

Secondly I was in the same boat - failed induction, fears over childbirth, reduced movement. On the third day of failed inspections I begged for a ELCS. They gave it to me without hesitation.

I was in hospital five days but that was because DS dropped a lot of birth weight and I had a water infection (possibly from all the internal examinations) but I suspect had I not had that I would have been out in two.

I recovered so well from the c section - better than some of my friends who had routine vaginal births.

for you again and good luck x

I'd go for the c section! I had one 12 weeks ago. I was home the next day. Much easier recovery than my first vaginal birth. Good luck and congratulations!

I had a semi elective for failed induction in 2018, by 3 weeks I was feeling amazing..

I had another section last week, took longer than last time due to scar tissue, and pain was a little worse for the first few days but is now easing up.

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have whilst it's still fresh x

I had an ELCS, primarily because of PTSD because of a sexual assault. It was absolutely the right choice for me. I left hospital the next day and had a very easy recovery - I popped out to the supermarket within 48 hours to pick up some bits and was back running within 8 weeks (with approval from my GP).

@Shallow07

Had ELCS for breech just over 8 weeks ago. Also a toko sufferer here (I would have declined induction due to that) who worked on hypnobirthing ready for birth centre birth... I was in 4 days but should have been out in 2 had they not cocked up and forgotten to give me pain relief on time once I got onto the postnatal ward. Once I got home, recovery was straightforward - left the house at one week (DS had a tongue tie we had to get snipped) and was then regularly going out for coffee (walking) to keep me sane. Only thing really for me was tiredness but that was due to low iron as I had a small ooh (750) which could have been similar after a physiological birth - we had to limit things I did to one event per day (appointments etc) as I was wiped out.

Good luck OP 🤞

*pph

Go for the section, I was out after 36 hours and driving two weeks later. Recovery was fine. I should have stayed at home longer after being discharged but where I live you have to go to the community midwives they don't come out and see you, so I was out the next day. Next time I having a weeks rest at home and demanding iron tablets, I lost a lot of blood in labour before the c section so you might be fine. Good luck

You can still use your hypnobirthing techniques with a section OP. If the induction has failed and you are feeling as you are about more examinations and sweeps a section is a good option. I had an EMCS 7 weeks ago and was able to use some of the hypnobirthing during- I found the breathing and relaxation helped a lot (I was terrified of needing a section but my contractions halted so vaginal delivery was out). My DH was there for it all and kept me focused, the whole thing was very calm.

Recovery wise it's different for everyone. For me the first few days were tough but by day 4 or 5 I was doing most basic things again like being able to get on and off the toilet or walk. At 10 days I was back to doing the school run and driving by the end of week 2. Pain relief and finding a good routine for it makes a huge difference.

I feel for you. My induction ended in EMCS and I wish I had listened to my instincts earlier and asked for a section instead of repeated intervention. You can use the hypnobirthing breathing techniques which kept me calm (DD was in distress). In terms of recovery, take it slow, don’t overdo it and keep topped up on painkillers. The first two-three days were worst for me as I didn’t know what to expect.

Good luck

Am still waiting to see a doctor and find out if it will be today... Haven't eaten since 10 pm last night and they are about to dish up lunch on the ward so am not in the best of moods.

Have decided to definitely go for it with the c-section though- contractions totally stopped and just can't face doing this all again. I'll definitely be using the hypnobirthing techniques as I have found them helpful in induction.

Another person who just wanted to say how well you’ve done, in terms of your history, to have even attempted a vaginal delivery and induction. I think a section at this point sounds like a wise decision - I made a similar choice myself 48 hours into an induction which failed to get me more than 2cm dilated. I was offered the chance to carry on for a few more hours (number unspecified) or section, and went for the latter as I felt it clearly wasn’t working.

Good luck, and I hope you get a straight answer around timings (if nothing else, you must be starving!).