to be completely terrified?

[GoldenR]

Hi MN. I need your help.

Went for a very precautionary scan at 36+4. I've been admitted and wasn't expecting to be. It's a shock. They are talking about induction but said I might not be ready at 36+4. Desperate for an induction and not a c section. I know nothing about these and haven't had a birth class yet.

Had a cry about not having my water birth. Slowly letting go of the idea.

Hospital bag isn't here/ready. Mum and Dad are away.

Anyone have a successful induction at 36 weeks? Can I refuse a c section if baby looks okay?

I've been admitted due to blood flow being poor from the placenta.

Feeling a bit scared and lost and totally unprepared. I'm not ready for baby yet.

Exactly this happened to me with my first although I was 36+6. Admitted to hospital for a urine check thing (routine midwife appointment picked up some protein), next thing I know I've got a doctor shoving pessaries up my whotsit and I'm being hooked up to a drip to bring on the labour. It was completely unexpected. Everything had been fine up until then. I had nothing with me and we had an old friend staying with us who, in the end, packed me a bag (under instructions from my OH) and brought it to the hospital. I had a pretty quick labour as they were worried that our DS was struggling so they ramped up the induction drugs (syntocynin??? I forget what it's called). About 6 hours in they were worried DS was too stressed and my OH was literally signing the papers agreeing to a C-section when my brilliant midwife realised I was about to deliver and she helped me give birth without assistance from the surgeons hovering in the background. I was able to cuddle DS and attempt to give him a bit of a feed before he was whisked off to NICU as he was quite small but otherwise in reasonable health, all things considered. I think we were in hospital for around 5 days in the end with DS in NICU for most of that time. It wasn't what I'd wanted or expected but me and DS were fine. That was 15 years ago and DS is now a massive strapping teenager. You'd never believe he was 3lbs9oz at birth or that he spent time in NICU. Please, although it's difficult, try and relax as much as you can and know that the medical people will be doing everything to keep you and your little one in the best possible health. Good luck xx

I understand it is difficult to let go of your hoped for birth plan but in my experience very few birth plans go as expected especially in a first pregnancy. I had pregnancy induced hypertension with my second baby and was taken in at 34 weeks and induced at 36 weeks. Luckily being my second it was a normal delivery and the baby was fine, no special care needed. My daughter had an emergency admission at 36 weeks with her DD1 due to pre eclampsia and was induced and ended up with an emergency C section. She recovered fine but the trauma of being in labour for 2 days first before the midwife discovering the baby was breech was difficult. With her second DD she was admitted at 35 weeks again with pre eclampsia and opted for an elective c section at 37 weeks. Both babies were fine and she said the planned c section was much better. Don't reject the idea out of hand. The main thing is you and the baby are safe.

Oh it must be a shock.

Just wanted to say that I have had three sections and they were all great. Calm, focused and I breastfed all three.

Good luck.

I might get (kindly) tough on you now.

It is time to let go of the idea. Events have overtaken your plan, just like they do for the vast majority of us.

I know one -one - woman who has had the birth pool birth of her dreams. Everyone else was some combination of section/induction/forceps/intervention.

It is what it is. One day of your life. In exchange you get a healthy child to enjoy during all the other days of your life.

Don't let this change turn the birth of your baby into a catastrophe. I think you'll be surprised by how calm and routine it will feel.

My daughter was born at 35 weeks after going into spontaneous labour at 34 weeks - though it took me a couple of days to realise what it was

I was given my steroid injections at 34+2 and 34+3, and I was talked through the NICU care my daughter would receive and what to expect at the birth. Originally I was scheduled for an elective section but was advised that it's better for their lungs to be born vaginally if they're coming a little early as the pressure encourages their lungs to clear.

My daughter arrived safely at 35 weeks exactly less than 5 hours after my waters went. She didn't end up in the NICU as she was absolutely healthy and holding her own. We spent 2 nights on the postnatal ward and then went home.

I know it's scary but you're in the safest place for you and your baby. At 36+4 you're only 3 days away from being classed as full term medically. I hope everything goes smoothly and you're having baby cuddles soon.

One day of your life. In exchange you get a healthy child to enjoy during all the other days of your life.

How beautiful

Good luck OP!

Hope you're doing OK OP - it sounds upsetting and scary to find yourself in hospital unexpectedly. I had the birthing pool ready but gave birth before I could get in it! When it is time for your LO to arrive pretty much everything is out of your control. It doesn't mean that you'll have an awful experience - just potentially a different one! Breathe. Ask for the options. Lean on your DP when he arrives. Get ready to meet your baby! Sending lots of love.

36+4 is not horribly early, you won’t be having a very prem baby, and it sounds as though the baby needs to be out now, so try not to worry too much. I know lots of babies born at around 37 weeks.
I understand it is scary because it came out of the blue, but you are in good hands now, I hope the birth goes well and you are ok.

Good luck op.i was induced at 37 weeks. Not going to sugar coat it,it was a little hairy. But you are in the best hands and so is baby. Better they are out and being cared for than in and struggling . They will hang on if they can to induce you at 37. They may give you steroid shots and wait 48 hours .

I was induced at 36 weeks - not enough amniotic fluid & enough slow down of growth to cause concern.

I was shocked and scared, like you. But it turned out to be by far the easiest birth of all three of my children - I wish the other two had been anything like as painfree and simple!

@Badtasteflump did the induction go okay? I'm really scared that I will have a failed induction and emergency section...

I’d listen carefully to your obstetrician and ask questions about comparative risk applied specifically to you.

Thirty six weeks wouldn’t even really be considered pre-term. The baby is unlikely to suffer because of prematurity but if the baby is showing signs of distress or there’s placental problems an elective section may be much nicer, more comfortable and safer for you both than failed induction and emergency section.

Do not worry about hospital bag being ready, that can all be organised. I went in for a routine check-up at 34 weeks, told my boss I would be back in the afternoon, only to be told by the midwife that I was not going anywhere, I was hospitalised for pre-eclampsia. Nursing staff/midwife/doctors were lovely. Talk to them, as they will help and discuss the options. In the end I was induced at 35 weeks. Being induced is not an easy option , although recovery will be quicker. My daughter was delivered occiput posterior, basically she had turned (head down) but her body was wrong way ). So ask your doctor/midwife to confirm your baby is not just breach but the body is positioned correctly.

I'm really scared that I will have a failed induction and emergency section... I mean this kindly.... why put yourself through the chance of the induction not working, extra stress on you and the little one and upset too. If they are suggesting a section, they are doing so for the safety of you and your LO.

Opt for the section if they are offering it to you.x

In the kindest possible way: this is not about you any more. Your baby needs to be delivered in the safest possible way. You might not get your lovely, calm and natural birth, but that is a very small sacrifice to make for a healthy baby.

It sucks, and you’re not ready for this, but you need to just get on with it. Good luck

Golden I had a failed induction and then a c section, for pre eclampsia. I was pretty upset as I’d hoped for a natural delivery, but things happen and there is nothing you can do. I hope you don’t end up with a c section, but if you do, it is all bearable. Longer recovery, but it isn’t too horrendous. I’d never had any sort of operation, so I was terrified but someone held my hand and talked me through it, the female anaesthetist was lovely. They will know you are frightened and talk you through each stage, the team were all so nice to me.
Thinking of you and wishing you all the best for a safe delivery.

If they recommend a section you need to go with it. It's not a decision they take lightly, in fact it's very hard to get a section when you 'want' one rather than 'need' one. If they think baby needs to come out take their advice.

My second child was born by elective (planned) section due to being a transverse lie and it was amazing. Everything beforehand and during the procedure was very calm and reassuring. Recovery was relatively easy too.

I mean this kindly, you need to let go of your 'ideal/planned' birth. I knew exactly what I wanted with my firstborn, a water birth in the relaxed home from home birthing unit etc etc...I ended up with my waters breaking, contractions stopping, 24 hours later being induced, and giving birth on a bed. Everything I didn't want! But within minutes it didn't matter. I was ok, baby was ok.

Good luck x

OP I ended up with a failed induction at 36 weeks, took three days to get to 4cm and wouldn't budge so we had no choice but c section which after that time was a relief - not due to any pain just to get things going!
My section was great, all theatre staff were lovely and we had the radio on, I asked to tuck my gown down under my armpits so I could do skin to skin which I did. Recovery was fine I was walking and doing stairs by day 5 and drove at 2 weeks post op, I would love another section next time
I also wanted a waterbirth and was sent down after popping out of work to a midwife check so had to wait for DH to finish work and bring baby bag so know how you feel, trust in the midwives to make the right decision for you both they're amazing people and I know the birth seems like the big deal now but once you hold that baby you'll forget what lead up to that moment.
Just because it's not going to your original plan try to enjoy the process of doing the most amazing thing in the world!!

Childbirth is unpredictable. The best laid plans go astray more often than not and the main thing is to keep you and your baby healthy.

I know it is scary when events suddenly overtake you, but such is the nature of pregnancy and childbirth. A failing placenta is potentially life threatening for your baby for obvious reasons. You and the baby may need regular monitoring. Induction might be successful, but as I know from experience, that isn't guaranteed and if it fails, or the baby doesn't tolerate it, then a c-section becomes the only other realistic option, and by far the safest.

I had an emergency c-section at 35 weeks with DD3, who is now a tall, athletic and healthy 16 year old. Waters had gone early, cord prolapse was threatening and she was clearly in distress. Attempts to kick start labour had failed as she didn't tolerate the syntocinon drip, so a caesarean was the only way.

You will cope. Be open to everything the doctors recommend. Don't look at natural childbirth through rose tinted spectacles. It is hardly ever like that. For what it may be worth, my c-section was far better than either of my vaginal births and I recovered from it far more quickly too.

You will cope. Good luck. I hope all goes as smoothly as possible and you have your lovely baby soon.

How it’s all ok op
You have a team of people who will work hard for the best outcome for you and your baby. It’s hard to step into the unknown, but you can do it.

I've been on the ward now for two hours and nobody has been to see me. They're really busy but I am freaking out. I suffer from severe anxiety and am really struggling. Just want to know what's going on and what the 'plan' is as I haven't a clue.

Sending you a huge hug. I had severe pre-eclampsia and an emergency C-section at 34 weeks. Baby fine (after stay in NICU and SCBU), very small but healthy. Not at all the birth I had envisaged, but she was here, safe and well, and that (and your health, obviously), is the only thing that's important. Good luck - you will be fine.

I had an emergency c-section at 36 weeks and my baby is now a stroppy 6 year old. I was gutted that I missed out on my maternity leave before she came along though, I was looking forward to that.
Good luck to you 😀

I had an induction at 35+6 for complications. Was already a bit dilated so had my waters broken 9am put on the drip at 1pm and baby born at 5pm weighing 6 and a half pounds. Needed 1 week in hospital for phototherapy but otherwise healthy.
Good luck !

This is where you need to sometimes be a bit pushy. Use your buzzer. Tell the midwife who answers it that you are anxious because of the problems you were told of earlier and admitted for, and you would like to know what is happening now please. Don't be shy about doing that. It is for your baby as much as for yourself.

When your DP or H arrives get him to back you up asking questions.