Does anyone go into Labour naturally anymore?

[hellosunshineagainx]

Ok tell me if aibu. But I am 31 so lots of friends and family having first babies, out of the ten the past three years only ONE has gone into Labour naturally. Is this normal or are healthcare providers too quick to induce?

I had a failed induction leading to a cascade of intervention including a emergency C-section where I haemorrhaged and then had an infection.

We were both in hospital over a week. I was only induced as I was overdue but my cervix was so unfavourable they couldn't even do a sweep so I perhaps am quite biased.

There is unfortunately a trend of overmedicalisation of birth in the uk. In 2021 you were more likely to have an induction or cesarean than to have labour start on it’s own. There is definitely a time and a place for both of those things but to say that over half of uk women need it, to me, indicates either something wrong with the system or a massive health issue with the uk population (and imo it’s the former)

Personally there is no way in hell I would ever have an induction. If baby needed to come out for whatever reason I would insist on a section.

@NordicDancer

There is unfortunately a trend of overmedicalisation of birth in the uk. In 2021 you were more likely to have an induction or cesarean than to have labour start on it’s own. There is definitely a time and a place for both of those things but to say that over half of uk women need it, to me, indicates either something wrong with the system or a massive health issue with the uk population (and imo it’s the former)

I think it’s a health issue. Much older mothers, much higher BMIs. Doctors are probably more risk averse, but the maternal population is much older & heavier than previous generations. If you have babies later you’re more likely to need a c section.

Waters broke at 36week with my first and I'm 23 weeks currently with my second and I've recently been told my pregnancy is now high risk and already spoke about an induction at 39 weeks if I get that far as they don't want me to go over 40 weeks

Of my NCT group:

1. Labour
2. Labour and EMCS
3. Labour and EMCS, baby was 10lb and stuck
4. Labour and EMCS
5. Me - rupture of membranes, no labour for 24 hours, induced with a pessary
6. Induction at 42 weeks
7. Induction due to polyhydramnios, EMCS
8. Labour

So... yes? 3 have had another baby and only one was a planned c-section.

Yes, with all 5. One came early, 3 came late, and I was booked in for induction on my due date with the other, but I went into labour just after midnight and she was born 3 hours later.

I did have a sweep or two though (or five or six...) Only two were born without any intervention whatsoever.

I won't be having a second, but I have to say I think insisting on making women try for 3 or 4 days with induction before going for c-section is horrific. If it's that urgent we should be able to choose. In my case, the infection risk was too high to leave me any more than 24 hours either way and thankfully I only needed a pessary and a sweep.

YABVU to make generalizations about all births and healthcare professionals based on your own pool of experience.

My SIL wasn’t induced with baby 2 or 3.

If induction delivers more babies safely and keeps more women and children alive then that’s what matters. Even if induction is increasing, and I’ve not seen evidence from you that it is, then it’s likely to do with the age profile of women giving birth increasing.

The optimum time for women to have babies is late teens, early twenties - your body struggles more with it the older you are when you start.

@VestaTilley

YABVU to make generalizations about all births and healthcare professionals based on your own pool of experience.

My SIL wasn’t induced with baby 2 or 3.

If induction delivers more babies safely and keeps more women and children alive then that’s what matters. Even if induction is increasing, and I’ve not seen evidence from you that it is, then it’s likely to do with the age profile of women giving birth increasing.

The optimum time for women to have babies is late teens, early twenties - your body struggles more with it the older you are when you start.

Read my updated posts I literally give nhs stats from this year that it is

Labour started on 40+10 for both DC. It was actually the day I was due to be induced each time. They were both born 40+11. First DC was expected to be big plus I had polyhydramnios. Midwives here don't seem to like women go beyond 40+10.

If induction delivers more babies safely and keeps more women and children alive then that’s what matters.

“IF” it does is part of the question but don’t ignore the life-altering complications and trauma it can cause for babies and mothers when done when it shouldn’t be. No one is saying inductions are wrong, it’s wanting there to be a medical reason with evidence to do so and women being able to make an informed choice over it.

I did, first baby at 40 + 1 (at about 3am so very narrowly managed avoid being born on his due date)

I refused anything, sweeps etc and went into labour 5 days over. Early with my second.
They wanted to start intervention on my due date. Why??

Thought these diagrams helpful-yes still birth rate does appear to be coming down as interventions of labour are increasing but the percentage of stillbirths are extremely low anyway and the amount they are coming down is disproportionate to the amount of intervention being applied… not to say if there’s a medical reason for the intervention then it’s absolutely appropriate but 53% of women won’t have medical reasons for intervention

I've had 3 vaginal births no intervention.
My mum had 4 vaginal births no intervention.

Well it’s hardly surprising that interventions have increased. The number of obese mothers are the highest ever, the age of mothers giving birth are higher than ever, the number rod women with gestational diabetes and preclampsia are higher than ever, all of which “can” bring complications.

I did with both of mine.
DC1 contractions started and waters broke on due date, born early the next morning.
DC2 waters broke at 38 weeks and contractions started about 3hrs later.

I did with both.

Dd1 - 40+4 after lots of walking and climbing stairs. Ended in emergency section as she was back to back, face first presentation and contractions stopped after 2 days. I was offered rotational forceps or csection and went for section.

DD2 38 +6 - was booked for an elective section at 39+6 but waters broke early and was having full contractions. Still thankfully had section but not as calm as was planned!

I went into labour naturally in 2013. I was 6 days overdue and booked in for a sweep that day.

@cherryonthecakes

I've had 3 vaginal births no intervention. My mum had 4 vaginal births no intervention.

Now you’ve said it, out of 20 births across both sides of my family, there have only been 2 c-sections, both for breech. One of the mums then went on to have 3 VBACs. Is family history a ‘thing’?

3 times For me....my daughter both times

Yes, at 40+5.

I did twice.
First time at 39 and the night before I was due to be induced at 41.

I did with DS1 at 39+5

With DS2 I was induced due to cholestasis

I did. DD1 40+9. DD2 40+6.