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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WWYD/AIBU Elective cesarean vs induction very overdue.

99 replies

Wale90 · 07/05/2019 20:58

NC but first thread.

At 10 days over, with a failed sweep would you chose an EC (offered next day) or go for an induction (3 day wait).

I have already chosen and had my outcome, I just want to know if the consensus was with me or not.

OP posts:
TruffleShuffles · 07/05/2019 21:15

I made the decision at 10 days overdue to have an induction, it was successful and from start to finish only lasted 4 1/2 hours. I’m happy with my decision and I am glad I didn’t go with the ELCS. I also didn’t want to wait any longer as I had just had enough.

I do have two close friend who chose an ELCS though and they had no complications and very quick recoveries.

raviolidreaming · 07/05/2019 21:16

I had an ELCS 12 days overdue. I'm confident induction would have lead to an EMCS in any case and have never regretted it. I had no desire to give birth though.

Jeezoh · 07/05/2019 21:18

I’d choose the c section and refuse induction as I’ve rarely heard of a positive induction experience.

Tootyfrooty35 · 07/05/2019 21:18

At 10 days, or 13 if you count the wait for induction op proposed, I'd wait. For a first baby especially.
But I'd want to know more about the sweep you had, how favourable were you then?

I know the reasons they mostly recommend induction at 40+7 now but having had two at 42+ w, one induced, one spontaneous, I know some women just gestate longer.

Planetian · 07/05/2019 21:19

Induction. Would want to avoid unnecessary surgery.

cannotmakemymindup · 07/05/2019 21:20

I had Induction and like others had 'failure to progress' so ended up with an emergency C-section. So I don't know if I had my time again if I could choose an elective. I definitely liked the fact I tried to give birth naturally, contractions and all.

MumW · 07/05/2019 21:22

DD2 was born at 42 weeks with no inteventions at all which is what I wanted. They would have let me wait longer, provided I went in for regular monitoring.

IDontDrinkTea · 07/05/2019 21:22

I chose an induction. Had a failed sweep, next day started induction, four and a half hours of labour and DD was here. It also didn’t hurt as much as I was expecting, and it meant I was home and out walking the dog the next day

Original poster
Wale90 · 07/05/2019 21:24

@Tootyfrooty35

Not favourable at all, literally couldn't touch babies head.

OP posts:
theboomtownrat · 07/05/2019 21:24

I've not rtft given your opening post.
I've had an emergency crash section. This was following a failed sweep and induction. Terrible experience and I had PTSD as a result.
2nd baby, planned section. It was a walk int he park.
The recovery from a section is awful. Truly brutal.
HOWEVER... I can easily heal from a physical trauma.
Mental traumas aren't so easy to bounce back from.
If I'd have been offered a section sooner with my first, then maybe things would have been a lot different

Eachpeachpearplumbs · 07/05/2019 21:24

C section. Every time. Too many sad stories about vbs gone wrong, particularly when they start with induction.
I haven’t heard a single story about long term effects from a planned c section.
I emphasise planned c section as I have heard plenty of emergency c section horror stories and I don’t think planned/emergency are comparable.

PoohBearsHole · 07/05/2019 21:29

Think if I knew I was having a cs as one option I’d go down the induction route :) Baby will come when baby wants to 😁

DerrenBrownings · 07/05/2019 21:30

ELC

induction was horrendous and ended in a c section anyway.

40andfeelingit · 07/05/2019 21:33

Induction
Did it at +13 for DD, had a great pool north with just gas and air
Same again for DS just only took 1 hour 10 from start to finish!

Shootingstar1115 · 07/05/2019 21:34

I would go for a c-section. My eldest was 12 days, I was induced 10 days over (no option of section), it didn’t work and 2 days later I had a c-section. Induction can be slow if your body isn’t ready for labour!

Original poster
Wale90 · 07/05/2019 21:34

Thank you all for your opinions, as stated in the OP I have already had my outcome but I suppose I have gone back and forth between whether I did right or wrong....your honest, no judgy non confrontational post have made me realise I was right to do what I did. (Mumsnet win)

I chose an EC, I had the dream pregnancy, was actually excited about labour and then it just didn't get started. By 10 days over I was so anxious I couldn't go more than an hour without stopping to make sure I could feel my baby move. Offered cesarean next day, as they pulled my baby out not only had she already passed meconium but her oxygen was so low my surgeon made it clear she needed to be out that day. Recovery was quick, driving at 2 weeks, working out at 4....the only negative was that I didn't hold her quite as much as I wanted to start with but her low oxygen prevented this, not necessarily the c section.

Now I've typed it I dont know why I had to ask...thank you for all your stories.

I think I would hope for an VBAC but frankly, who cares.

OP posts:
PoptartPoptart · 07/05/2019 21:34

I was induced at 41+3.
Awful experience.
After 20 hours of intense contractions (yet still only being 5cm dilated) DS was getting distressed so I was rushed in for an EMCS.
I wish I had just opted for a CS in the first place.

Nat6999 · 07/05/2019 21:38

Section, you have an increased chance of needing one with induction. At least if you go straight to section you aren't worn out from the induction, I was 60 hours from the start of induction with no sleep, full of fluid & drugs from the induction. That's over 2 days I could have been recovering from the section & would probably have been home quicker.

kilburnfrenchie · 07/05/2019 21:38

I would wait for induction and hope baby comes of own accord first. Has worked 3 times for me Smile.

Generally I think if you can avoid inductions and sections birth and recovery goes better. But of course sometimes inductions and sections are necessary.

PoohBearsHole · 07/05/2019 21:40

My induction ended with an emcs. My second was a VBAC.

Of the two, VBAC was my preferred - less stressful and quicker than expected. One was due date one was a week early. I was happy as the hospital was about to close it’s maternity ward (dc2) and amenities were really outdated and I didn’t want to stay in longer than required- I also had another dc at home I wanted to be with.

I am saying this as it really is possible to have an uncomplicated VBAC after a EMCS. Very possible after a ELCS :)

Enjoy baby! You made the right decision and went with your gut x

kilburnfrenchie · 07/05/2019 21:41

Just seen your update- glad you feel you made the right decision and that your baby and you are both well and healthy. Flowers

ree348 · 07/05/2019 21:41

Inductions don't always go to plan and sometimes end up being a stressful emergency c section. I would go for elective, it's a lot more relaxed. Inductions are a slow process and force your body to do something it's not ready to do. Which makes them very painful!

Original poster
Wale90 · 07/05/2019 21:44

@PoohBearsHole

Thank you, I suppose I really should have asked for positive VBAC stories, not that I'm planning on getting pregnant anytime soon!

Part of me just things why faff, just go for another c section (based on recovery this time) the other part of me needs to have a 'natural' birth...that's what it feels like I've been cheated out of.

OP posts:
Scanon · 07/05/2019 21:45

So you definitely, without doubt, made a good choice.

I've just had my third elective csection (various reasons for all 3), and it's taken me this many to be at peace with not having had a vaginal birth.

With the knowledge you now have (meconium, oxygen), you were incredibly fortunate to have been offered a csection and to have gone for it!

KatnissMellark · 07/05/2019 21:47

Depends how sure you are on dates and monitoring offered. For me I had IVF so I was very sure, and the risk of stillbirth increasing so quickly after 41+ weeks was not a risk I would take. So if sure on dates, a CS for definite. If I thought dates were wrong and I wasn't as far on I'd wait for an induction.

I had an induction at 38+3 and it went wonderfully.

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