Would you have an induction or go straight to C section?

[Howdidido]

Over 41 weeks now. Stretch and sweep suggests this baby is in no rush to come out at all.
Midwife suggested induction starting on Monday.
I'm more scared of full induction - drip etc- than of a c section.
Was looking for stories of experiences of inductions when nothing seems to be moving- and what people would choose retrospectively.
So my plan now is to try just pessary part of induction and if that goes no where then straight to C section.
AIBU to ask for c section without trying induction?

(For context, second child..first was hassle free, gas and air and water birth. This one has been heavy on the hassle and caused loads of worry- and doesn't seem to want to come out at all)

Yanbu because its totally your choice!
I I desperatly didn't want a c section.
I wasnt dilated when I had my sweep. Went in on the friday and finally gave birth on the monday after 3 pessaries, water being broken and the drip.
I still would have done it the same though because I didnt want to have a caesarean..
Its what youd prefer. If you hfear forceps more (I fudnt have them as when she finally went for it she shot out) then ask for c section .
Good luck!

It’s not really a choice as far as I’m aware, you can’t just go in and say I’d rather not be induced I want a section and just get one?

@Tweetingmagpie I believe you can!

I was offered early induction or CS for DD which I refused, but of course you have a choice in how you delivery your baby.

They asked you if you wanted a c sections when there was no medical reason to have one?

Tweetingmagpie how rude . DH did a piece of commissioned research on inductions and that was one of the findings.

Actually, yes, you can request a CS.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg132/chapter/1-Guidance#planned-cs

On the whole, medics will try to dissuade you if there are no clinical reasons, and offer you support if your request is due to previous trauma/psychological reasons, but if you really want one, you can ask and they are supposed to grant your request - see in particular sections 1.2.9.5 and 1.2.9.6.

(Of course not all health authorities will adhere to NICE guidelines on this one - but the guidelines themselves are unequivocal).

From memory NICE guidelines state CS can be given on asking yes.

And yes @Tweetingmagpie in my opinion there was no medical reason (big first baby but born naturally with no complications) , no real indication second baby would be bigger than average but even if there was, I didn't need intervention with the first so why would I with the second? That was my thinking but the consultant asked without weighing any of that up and just said "oh big first baby, we would offer you induction or CS at 38 weeks".

@BarbaraStrozzi Thank you for digging out the info I couldn't be bothered to look up!

I'd try & avoid the section. Months later I still have pain, can't run or twist without searing pain! The antenatal group I'm in, all those who had vaginal births it's a distant memory.

Admittedly I did end up with a nasty infection a few weeks after which complicated matters, but the recovery was far far worse than expected. Honestly, the surgery was fine, aftercare was not. It's major surgery and I don't think my postnatal ward was properly set up to support post surgery ladies (e.g. fetch your own water policy despite not literally able to feel legs for hrs after?!).

Actually the day 2 - 4 were worse, DH found me crying in pain in the shower on day 2. Get help if you end up with a section, and be very vocal if they're slow on keeping the pain med schedule on track!! And set up at home well before e.g. achanging table is not optional!!

They asked you if you wanted a c sections when there was no medical reason to have one?

Yes, you can definitely request a c section. Elective c sections, on the NHS and done privately, at patient request, have been available in England for many years.

I chose a section over an induction (at 38 weeks) and I’m glad I did. I’m n my view it’s sort of the middle road- an uncomplicated vaginal birth would obviously be better, a traumatic vagi all birth with tearing and forceps or an emergency section would be worse.

I had a planned section (my pelvis is shot), and was up and walking down hill to local shops and back up again 9 days after once I got my bead stitch out so my recovery was ok - I know vaginal delivery pals still v much struggling then so you just don't know how your body will recover till you go through one or the other. First 2 days were tough as you literally cannot sit up but after that I was fine. Its obvs not without risk as its major surgery but don't be scared if you get one, I was surprised how routine it is nowadays and a planned is very different to an emergency. You do what feels safer for you and baby.

I haven’t had a birth that wasn’t traumatic, both normal and c section. I would avoid a c section as far as possible! Too long to recover as it’s major surgery. I am terrified of another c section this time.

I have had two sections.
One emergency section at 41+4 after a failed induction. I never dialated, my waters broke I was 0.5cm dilated and put straight on a drip, I didn’t dilated beyond 0.5 despite 16hrs of misery resulting in a partial placental abruption and emergency section. I sailed through and was back on my feet within 24 hrs like nothing had happened.
One elective section at 41+5 after planning for a VBAC, after the last failed induction I had said throughout pregnancy that I would go into labour naturally or be a section, I was monitored weekly due to previous abruption and at 41+5 was told there are no signs of labour and the placenta was looking slightly suspicious so was taken for surgery that afternoon. Despite being planned it was the recovery was hideous I felt like a train wreck for weeks and three years later still have numbness across my stomach and down my left leg.

Moral of my story is despite the horror induction and emergency of my sons birth that is the one that I recovered from with no lasting damage.

I have had 3 inductions and a hysterectomy. An induction isn't a pleasant experience but as long as you end up with a viginal delivery you should recover quickly. Having a c section is a major procedure like what I had and I would avoid it if possible as the recovery is so much harder and you won't get the chance to just lie about to recover as you will have a baby to look after. I was in really sore for 3 weeks after the operation where as you will be fine after a day from a natural delivery. I an epidural with all 3 inductions and never had forceps. I could feel the contractions but they were not agonising just muted so was able to push with them.