Can I ask for a c section as Im nearly 41 weeks now and no sign of baby. Worried about being induced...

[Scruffyhound]

I have a consultant appointment tomorrow (as I have an underactive thyroid) im worried as I willl be 41 weeks on Friday. I have heard they induce the baby inbetween 41 - 42 weeks I take it this is becasue the placenta can run out of steam at this point? I have read about women who have refused and in one case ended up with a baby who had problems with liver and kidneys and burns from the baby pooing and it getting "stuck" to baby. Whilst this seems like a rare event and not sure if its even true I do wonder how it effects baby being "overdue" as they call it. Im willing to try anything to get baby out so were both ok. But I have read about induction by gel, a drip, having your water broken. I dont mind the gel I dont think but the rest seem as if they dont work it will end up in a c section anyways? So why not do this first? Why put the baby under stress by all these methods first? Or am I being stupid and a c section is just as risky. I have had my DS normally he came out only 3 days late normal delivery. This one just does not want to come out! I have had 2x stretch and sweeps one of which was yesterday it made me cramp for a bit then nothing now so I dont know! Just wondered if anyone has or is in the same situation.

Firstly, you do not have to accept induction, but refusing induction doesn't mean refusing all treatment. You can ask for Expectant monitoring, which means that they do a scan every couple of days to check your amniotic fluid levels and placenta function, if they found a problem, then you could have elcs, if not, then baby can stay there until s/he is ready to come out.

I am not convinced an OB would consent to elcs simply for being "overdue" (a contentious issue from the outset), as emcs is not a given with induction (although you are right inasmuch as it is more likely). However, I discussed this issue with my midwife in my debrief (although I would be in a slightly different position having had emcs), I asked if I could opt for elcs over induction (as I would not consent to synto again, especially post cs), and her take on it was that if I did not consent to induction, and they wanted the baby out, then they would have no other option. That however, is effectively railroading them into your preferred choice, and anyone taking that route would need to be absolutely sure that the path they were pushing for was the right one for them.

I would suggest that you have a sensible conversation with your OB, after doing a bit of reading about consequences of induction vs consequences of going overdue, so you can ask the right questions, and put your concerns across. Ask about data for outcomes, and why the OB prefers the course of action he recommends. All 3 options (wait, induction, surgery) have their risks and benefits, you and your HCPs just need to work out where the balance lies for you and your baby.

Having had two CSs, I would have much preferred the quicker recovery from a VB to the long recovery-with-a-newborn of a CS, if I'd had the choice.

I was 10 days overdue when I started having contractions, but 24 hours after and I was still only 1cm dilated. They broke my waters, induced me with an injection I think, and still, 12 hours later, only 1cm dilated. They they broke my waters again and I started dilating very slowly, but almost 3 days after my contractions originally started I was still only 3cm dilated and had to go for an EMCS. DD was absolutely fine, despite all the different methods of induction and how overdue I was when she was born.

Personally I wouldn't recommend an ELCS until you have at least attempted being induced. You also have to think about the risks to you, the mother, for having a c-sec. There's infections, greater risk of needing a blood transfusion, and various other complications that arise from any surgery like DVTs. Plus a long recovery time, expect about 2 weeks until you can get around on your own properly, and about 2 months until you feel "normal" again at least. Which isn't very good when you're trying to look after a brand new baby. :)

They won't give a CS just for being post-dates (and you're not actually over term until gone 42 weeks) as it is riskier.

I had to have CS after a failed induction and recovery was fine but am hoping to avoid it this time as I now have a toddler to look after. Talk about your concerns with the consultant but its highly unlikely they will green light an ELCS for the reasons you've given.

Thanks ladies. I was just wondering the outcome of being induced. Im hoping it does not come to that but hey if it does its nice to hear other people stories. Im not even 41 weeks yet but with seeing the consultant tomorrow just wanted to make sure I ask the right questions. Not sure if the underactive thyroid thing might be an issue. As far as I can tell I have had this for 15 years and take my thyroxine and have no problems so cant see that making a difference. But then maybe the thyroxine needs mont more if I go overdue incase it puts stress on me and baby more for whatever reason. All these things I will ask tomorrow. I think a c section sounds more to recover from they did for a min think I woul need one with my son I was in hopsital for 1 week having slow contractions on and off but very painful. They kept me in. I was at 5 cm they broke my waters and gave me a hormone drip I had a epidural as I was so tired and had no proper sleep or food for a week I was so weak the midwife said for me to have one!! She was great. After that is was straight forward had a 2nd degree tear and stitches but they healed and were fine. So I kinda guess I was induced in a way but I was already in labour. The difference is Im not now and they will try to get it going which is fine but like some of you have said if it did not work then you have a c section anyways. Im 2cm dilated cervix 1 cm long, central and soft. Think these are all good things at least and going in the right direction!! Thanks for the advise. I am worried about infection as well when I work Im a microbiologist so Im a bit wierd about that kida stuff too!!

I insisted on having a c section with both of my dc's and thus elected. Many people do not realise they can insist to have a c section - it is your choice. I know everyone is different but my experience of an elective c-section was a ver positive one - quite frankly they were a doddle and I recovered really quickly and was never in any pain and was out of hospital in two days and being able to do most things.

Oh well at least there is one positive for a c section! I dont want to have one unless I NEED to really. I was just wondering why they induce then if it does not work then c section. It seems the risks and recovery are the key factors. I dont really want to have stitches in my tummy really but if its needed for me and baby thats no problem whatever is best advised. But sometimes its nice to hear people that have been through. And sometimes medical staff dont always know best?! If they have not been through it them selves if that makes sense?

If you're already 2cm dilated, an induction has a far better chance of not just working but being simple - you may only need ARM for an otherwise natural labour.

Hello Japhrimel thanks I hope that is right!! I went to hopsital last night had a gush of liquid and got there only to be sent home and told it was prob liquid discharge and maybe part of the mucous plug. Man I was gutted!! Having contractions still at least but cervix has not changed still 2cm!! Good grief! Will look forward to baby coming out ofr deffo next week

I had an induction at EDD +12 starting with no dilation at all. It took a long time, even after 24 h with the pessary and contractions there was no dilation and then they started on the drip (wth epidural). We got there eventually, I didn't need a c-section.

I was induced with drip and ARM at 36 weeks and dd came out without needing a c-section, also as you have had a natural delivery previously I think your chances of an induction working are pretty high? I would be very surprised if they gave you an ELCS just because you don't want to be induced?

I don't what the percentage of inductions resulting in c-sections are but of all the people I know the one person who has had a c-section went into labour naturally, anyone who has been induced (all first babies) delivered vaginally.

I hope you get to meet your baby soon, hopefully it will be a ncie quick labour for you, good luck!

I'm due to have my second induction at 41 weeks with dc3 a week on tuesday. I was 40+10 with ds1 and ended up with placental problems, so asked for an induction at 41 weeks with ds2. Induction was very straight forward - went in at midday and had the baby by 8pm. Hopefully it'll be similar in 10 days.

Nice to hear some good feedback about induction. Im pooing my self!! (And I hope not to poo myself whist in labour!) Thanks for the positive feedback. I was new to this kind of birth so just was wondering why they did not go to c section but now I know the recovery time is better after a vaginal birth. Thanks for everyones input good to hear that most of them worked well and quickly in most cases. Im seeing the midwife on Tuesday so prob have another stretch and sweep? Im not sure I guess so. When people were induced did you have partner there? My mum is coming down as well. they said they send people away if nothing happens but if in labour they can stay. Would not mind but we live 30mins away so they coudl send them away and then something could happen?! Maybe tell them to go to the pub or something?! I hope like some others I go into labour on my own. I woudl love to be induced now as I want to do stuff with my DS whos off school Im a wreck so tired and grumpy. Porr little thing. Hes off to his dads on Thursday I want to spend some nice time with him before he goes but have no energy. It sucks. Well I hope you ladies are ok and your babys come soon!!!

My induction was an emergency one (I can't have an epidural for medical reasons so they wanted to avoid c-section at all costs so I could be awake when dd was born) so it was quick and dp was there the whole time. I think it depends on your hospital's policy, my hospital allows partners to stay with you THE WHOLE TIME. From the moment you go in until the moment you leave with your baby, I don't think many hospitals do this though? My sister's dp was sent home even once she was in labour (in Kent) had to call him back 20 minutes later....

I really think they will let your partner stay with you as I am guessing it will be nice and quick for you

You should be able to discuss a cut off point for methods of induction you will/won't try and at what point you move to a CS.

For example I will agree to 2 x pessaries, will consider ARM but won't have a syntocin drip as I'm not comfortable with my hospital's policy on that (and I understand the medical reasoning behind it, it's just that I would probably need to be sedated to get me through it...). So technically I would agree to induction but just not a synto drip.

If I do it again I will agree to the same as you frak

Is the drip bad? Im sure I was given a drip I had been in hospital for a week with slow contractions but quite painful. I was only 2cm!! It killed. Im 2cm now and dont even know it?! It was weird the first time around. I was left on my own pritty much. I went into labour and the midwife said maybe have and epidural I said yes. They put it in and then they said they were going to give me a drip. I had one and it was only there for a bit and I needed to push!! Im sure it was the same drip your on about. Think they were worried about how tired I had become and they did not monitor my thyroid. So at this point of no food and very little sleep think they tried to speed it up. It worked well for me they were fab. I was so glad to get little monkey out! I would love to meet this little pink bundle of joy anytiime now really. I think I have resided in the fact baby will come Friday/Saturday next week depending on how the drugs work......

Drip isn't bad but my hospital policy is IYSWIM! It's very commonly used for augmentation/speeding up labour.

Oh right I will look at this hospital policy as Im having baby at different hospital this time around which is making me nervous!!!