is induction always the better option over cs?

[AliGrylls]

I have been watching one born quite a lot recently and have been reflecting on my experience of childbirth and also those of my friends.

I have been thinking recently that induction over a long period of time as in like the 4 day induction process where they do the pessaries, amniotomy and syntocin drip is actually quite inhumane and that they (medical establishment) should move to c-section earlier. I don't see who benefits from really painful inductions.

The way I see things is that either a woman is ready to go into labour in which case it will probably happen quite quickly (with one or two pessaries) or it won't happen at all. The poor woman on OBEM had the full works and they knew it was going to go to c-section but they still carried on with the induction.

I am starting to feel quite strongly about it but DH says there must be a reason why they do what they do. Do you think that c-sections should be more easily available to women rather than a really long and painful induction? Curious to know people's thoughts on this.

I had a 13 hour syntocin induction which was quite painful, of which 7 hours was with only gas and air. Don't really know what counts as a 'long' induction.

I was told after DS came out that if I hadn't been diliated at the last exam, then I would have had a CS.

I'm really glad I didn't have to have one, as its quite major surgery and requires recovery. I feel that if I had need that time to myself to recover that I wouldn't have been as able to take care of DS.

I think if there is a chance of doing induction and avoiding cs though many women will go for it, even if the induction is going to be quite drawn out. I had that type of induction for my ds1 lasting over 3 days but if I had the choice again of that or a csection would go for it again, although if you end up in csection anyway I suppose you end up thinking what's the point, and I very nearly did with ds but narrowly avoided it.
I suppose its just because csection is a major surgery and sometimes can have an effect on subsequent births if not able to have a vbac, then its worth considering if possible to avoid it then may be worth doing.
Defiinitely think epidurals should be available with the drip though, have heard of people who didn't get it and found it awful!

Firawla I had the drip with a back to back baby and wasn't allowed an epidural, you're right it was awful. My induction wasn't long but was very rushed (due to pre-eclampsia) and I would have rather had a c-section. However At the time I probably would have wanted to try for a vaginal delivery, not knowing what I was in for, I mean most people would want to try, if it was an option surely?

I had a 5 day long induction ending in CS and would agree with you that it is not always the best option. my recovery from the cs was no more problematic than some friends who had unpleasant vaginal deliveries (one ended up with forceps and still wasn't right months later). The night I spent on the drip was completely awful and I had morphine in the end which meant I was very fuzzy when my DS was finally born. Am having an ELCS this time.

It can be better for the baby to have some time in labour and with contractions, which squeeze the baby and help ready it for life outside the womb and breathing unaided.

I had a 4 day long induction, ended in forceps and lots of tearing, blood transfusion, nerve damage, infection, restitch, physio. I so wish that I had a CS.

I don't have experience of really long induction and I guess I am thinking of one friend in particular who was in labour for 15 hours and had only dilated 1cm by the time an cs was called. I couldn't help thinking how ridiculous this was and how exhausting it must have been for her.

With my first I was induced and after 7 hours had cs. The cs was competently managed and I recovered quite quickly. Also I was given really good pain relief. My second was normal delivery (which I have to say was managed really badly) and I remember actually feeling in much more pain the second time round.

I think the hospital were quite sensible in not dragging out my labour in the first birth (second time less choice in the matter). I think I sort of feel that there is a level of dishonesty between medical staff and patients where the medical staff are saying even a really long protracted labour is better than a c and ime it is not the case.