To think this decision about how to give birth is impossible

[AliceAbsolum]

7 years trying, 5 rounds of IVF, previous loss. Consultant wants to induce at 39 weeks due to ivf. Or I can elect for a c section. I've been incredibly anxious through this whole pregnancy and I have no idea how to make this decision. Every time I read about it I just go back and forth. There are pros and cons on each side. It's impossible!

I'd like a straightforward natural birth but that looks unlikely to happen. How can you decide about something where you have no idea what will happen? I don't have any gut feelings or strong preferences either way. I don't want major surgery but I also don't want 3 days of pain and panic followed by surgery....

Maybe I'll just ask the consultant whats safest for the baby and go with that.

How did other people decide?

I think I would go planned c-section. I was induced and didn't progress at all. The doctor broke my waters anyway and they kept upping the amount of drugs. But from going in on Friday morning to be induced (when I think I was already 2cm) to Sunday afternoon I only got to 5cm. Half the hospital had had a poke around by bits by that point and in the end my husband had to tell me I needed to tell them I wanted a c-section or they wouldn't do it. I was off my head and assuming they would let me know when that was the best option.

DD 2 - planned c-section. Much less traumatic! And quicker recovery

Take advice from the experts. I didn't get the birth experience I had hoped for but I was very glad I listened to the advice of people in the maternity unit. They have experience and judgement (I hope).

I had an induction due to gestational diabetes. It was quick and straightforward. I went in for induction at 7am and she was born at 7.28pm the same day.
I really didn't want a C section due to the recovery.

Planned cesarean every time, I got talked into agreeing to an induction. The pessary acted too fast, DD got into difficulty and I ended up with an emergency cesarean.

The actual cesarean was fine and I recovered well, but the events leading up to it were incredibly traumatic.

My situation was similar to yours. 7 years trying, 5 IVFs (after 5 IUIs).

I had a planned c-section. It was a lovely, calm, controlled, painless experience. I couldn't recommend it more highly. I was 100% back to normal by day 3. No pain, no issues.

ELCS 100%!

It took me 8 years to have my daughter. Due to my anxiety and movements the plan was to induce at 39 weeks. She was nowhere ready! The beginning of the induction was a balloon catheter that was meant to dilate the cervix to 4 or 5cm and then would fall out within 24hours. This didn't happen for me and was still in 48 hours later and its a horrible thing, not pleasant having it dangling down your leg and falling into the toilet etc. It's started mild contractions, I had a show and then it stopped.

I was so grateful that a senior midwife told me that as induction had failed so far it was likely to end in EMCS (in her experience this is usually what happened). The consultants wanted to push on with induction and insert a pessary, but the midwife said it could put the baby in distress because of the failed catheter.

I then said I wasn't going ahead with the induction, I was either going home and go into labour myself or have a planned ELCS. Two days later I had a lovely calm birthing experience. Was home the next day (I was ready to come home). Healed really well, after I had staples out on day 5 I was out for walks. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same again.

Good luck and congrats.

I had no pain after my surgery either. None. Just kept my painkillers topped up til day 5. I was just a bit sensitive but that's all.

I'd go for the induction. Its what I did. It failed and I ended up with an emergency section. I'd still make the same choices though.
I chose the section when I felt like the induction wasn't going to work though, I didn't let it get to the point that we were in trouble. It had been 12hrs since I'd had my waters broken and not a single thing had changed, I was on the drip forcing contractions so I was having full, end stage contraction with a closed cervix. So rather than keep waiting we went for a section.

So choosing induction doesn't mean you can't choose a section if it's not going well.

My section has caused me no end of trouble, I was in agony and had pain for over a year, I still can't wear clothes that sit normally. All my pants/trousers have to be very high waisted.

Elective C section
Best of love & luck , you have waited a long time to meet your baby .

Fellow ivf mama here. I opted for the section. It was calm, I knew what was happening and why and I absolutely loved it. I would do it again right now if I could!

Have you had a growth scan recently? How has baby measured throughout pregnancy?

I've had 2 natural births but in your situation I'd go for a planned c-section. As I understand from speaking to doctors they like this option because it is the most controlled environment where they can plan for emergencies.

Could you speak to your consultant and get them to explain to you the risks you may face if you choose a c-section? There may be some factors unique to you which may make you unsuitable or more suitable.

Hi op. I would listen to your consultant who knows you and your history and your pregnancy.

I've had both a c-section and vaginal births and both were fine. The first day of the c-section was painful and not nice but having my baby made up for it (main issue is that i hate morphine and you have a pump that you self medicate but it makes you feel spaced out and weird). And I was home 3 days later and able to do everything.

All that matters is that you and your baby are safe and sound.

So choose one and then relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Maybe a planned c-section is safer and less likely to injure than an emergency one after a failed induction/vaginal birth?

Inductions generally don't work unless your cervix

Oops posted too soon.

Inductions generally don't work unless your cervix is already in a favourable state. Which is unlikely at 39 weeks. So someone being induced when 41or 42 weeks will have a different experience.

Induction can lead to a cascade of intervention and you're more likely to have an epidural, which increases the risk of an instrumental delivery, which increases the risk of serious injury to the pelvic floor.

In your position, I would have chosen the c section for these reasons.

Planned section - no question.

I had my daughter after 4 years and 7 miscarriages. You better believe I chose the safest option for her which was an ELCS. It was a fabulous experience by the way, I have very fond memories of her birth and I’d highly recommend it.

OP I have had 2 inductions and my final baby was a planned c section. I would take the planned c section anyday over inductions. It was much more relaxed and I felt in control.

Eldest was an induction at 12 days overdue. He got stuck in the birth canal for quite a while so it became a we need to get him out now situation. He is now 10 and has a disability. I am not convinced his birth is not a factor in his disability due to being stuck for so long. He should have been a c section in my view and not allowed to go so overdue as my body was struggling by that point.

Second baby was induced at 37.5 weeks due to repeated reduced movements incidents. He shot out like he was on a water slide according to DH but was rushed to scbu for a week with breathing issues. He is now a strapping nearly 6 year old though he suffered badly from croup as a baby and got a diagnosis of asthma last year. I got barely walk for 10 days after and has multiple stitches.

My youngest was an elective section. It was the most peaceful and calm experience at 38.5 weeks . Yes it's major surgery but his birth was calm. He was placed in my arms straight away then given to DH while they stitched me up. I healed quickly though still have the dreaded slight c section overhang. He is a healthy 3 year old. The bonding with him afterwards was amazing as I felt so much less overwhelmed out due to his birth.

If your not planning another child or if it's at least 3 years before you are considering another one a c section is great.

C section.

What you don't want is an unplanned emergency c section, this way it is planned, you know what will happen and so does your consultant.

Congratulations.

Hey, i had IVF so have been in the same situation. The consultant suggested I was induced at 38 weeks but it’s just an automated response.
I ended up speaking to another consultant who agreed with me that I would make a decision at the time based on the factual information I had about how I and baby were at the time.
Every birth and experience is different and there is time for the doctors and nurses to react to what you need at the time of the birth so you don’t have to make the decision months in advance.
They tend to treat IVF babies as high risk but that isn’t always the case. You’ll be monitored by the midwives regularly so as long as all is ok there is no reason why you can’t have a natural birth.
Its easy for them to say be induced or have a C-section but both interventions have consequences. Induction can have a huge affect on your body and can affect the baby, the pain can be much more intense so the likely hoody of needing and epidural is much greater. A CSection, although it’s so common now and made to sound like it’s just a little procedure it is major surgery. They are cutting through layers of skin and muscle so can affect your body for the rest of your life. Although people don’t listen to recovery advice or their body, your body really does need a lot more TLC than advised to make sure you don’t have long term affects from the surgery. I would suggest you do further research so you are more confident in your decision, the info is on trusted websites so it’s not just a Google search and when people say oh no you didn’t Google it did you you can quote respected sites.
I planned to have a home birth which was approved by my midwife which shows with further assessment there is a possibility to have a natural birth.
A plan is important to put together, this allows the maternity team to respect your wishes, but as long as your aware plans may have to change.
I would also suggest researching your local maternity trust as some are better than others and this might affect your decision on your birth plan.
Also would suggest looking into hypno birthing which sounds a bit out there but it’s all about mindset and relaxation techniques. And there is a book called The Positive Birth Book: A New Approach to Pregnancy, Birth and the Early Weeks, which is really informative based on peoples experiences.
Just remember it’s your body and your birth experience which is just as important and equal to the safety of your baby. You have been so much to get here so this is your opportunity to listen to your body and the potential to avoid having any more medical intervention and take back some control.
I hope your pregnancy and birth go well and you get to finally have the bundle or joy you have been waiting so long for.

Also an IVF parent (4 rounds…). I had the same choice but they recommended a planned c section as it had fewer risks for the baby and also was much better than ending up with an emergency c section. That’s what I did, it was fine, I had nothing of the birth experience I imagined (dc was premature due to severe preeclampsia so was whisked off to the NICU) but in the end birth is just one day at the beginning of an epic parenting journey, it seems significant at the time which you choose, but honestly it’s not such a big deal in the big picture. Good luck and happy parenting!

As you say pros and cons to both.

So in your position I would base it on what kind of person you are.

Do you like being in control and knowing what you are walking in to? If so go for c section. It is very likely that nothing out of the ordinary will happen and (if you are fairly fit) you will have a good recovery.

Do you not mind a bit of risk? An induction opens you up to a whole plethora of possibilities. You might have an amazing birth and be out of the hospital and on your feet straight away or you might end up in a very different position.

For what it is worth I adored my planned sections (totally different from emergency sections!)

5 years, 6 rounds of ivf, one early loss I went with a planned c section. Only regret is the belly overhang and back pain I did go on to have a second section though. I was so traumatised by the whole infertility thing on my first I could not have coped with a natural birth mentally I needed the speed of delivery that comes with a section.

I’m in a good place to answer this. Have had both and have looked at the evidence. Answer is definitely planned section.

Inductions as a first time mother are hideous. Slow going excessively painful contractions, high chance of needing an epidural early. High chance of then being unable to push and being converted to emergency section which is hideous and risky.

the second time I had a planned section. It was a million times better. Calm and controlled. I organised for help afterwards. I was in less pain a week later than my friend who had had an uncomplicated natural birth and couldn’t sit down comfortably due to pain and swelling in her nether regions.

C section definitely.
Section is safer for baby, vaginal is (apparently) safer for you. Go for a safe baby.
FWIW I had a section with my ivf baby and it was a wonderful experience. I healed very quickly and well, much better than my friend who had a traumatic vb.
It’s a no brainer imo.

I had an induction and it was great for me, once everything started it was 15 mins with no intervention and just gas and air. Everyone is different though, I found the idea of a c section terrifying. I think speak to the specialist about your specific circumstances and see what they recommend.