Don't get me wrong, I absolutely don't want a C-section. The aftermath of that for me would be very difficult mentally (trapped at home essentially, being close-but-not-close-enough to friends and family, but not able to drive - that's a nightmare for me).
But I don't want a 50+ hour labour that has to involve an epidural due to my tiredness/pain level of drip, resulting in a C-section or theatre instrumental delivery MORE than I don't want a planned C-section.
Out of 11 women I know who have been induced at my local hospital since I've been pregnant, 8 ended up with a c-section anyway, the others all had theatre forceps deliveries (and had been prepped for C-section). I get that this is anecdotal, but there is nothing to suggest I'd be different - especially since I've found the obstetricians in conversation to be bossy about all this stuff.
Of course I understand that if I go naturally into labour all of the above could happen too, but I think I'd be able to deal with it better mentally if I'd let things initially happen by themselves.
The problem with this stuff is that there is no one to give you an unbiased opinion. Doula's have said just don't turn up to the induction appointment. An independent midwife says don't turn up to the induction appointment. Midwives here at consultant appointments don't really give opinions. A consultant anaesthetist friend says 'If they are wanting to induce you, then don't delay - it's for a reason' (except I don't believe that from my experience of speaking with consultants here). Who else can I ask?
I'd pay for a C-section if I knew that the induction route would be long and painful and end up with one anyway. I'm just trying to work out at what point I need to go down these routes.
The problem is with all of it, is when I'm at home and thinking about it, I'm very reasonable and able to talk about it logically. When I'm in front of medical professionals, I just want to cry. Which doesn't help my case really!