Prob done to death - advice on induction vs ELCS pls :)

[Loislane78]

So, I take Clexane injections (blood thinners) which means doc wants me to be induced early and not go into spontaneous labour (because likely to be refused an epidural if I needed one and some bleeding risk if injections not timed).

Problem is I take injections twice daily so they won't want the induction going on for days as some do, will be straight on the drip which sounds a bit rough.

This is DC1 and not scared of natural labour but expecting quite a big baby, probably no pool, expecting very medicalised experience and I'm guessing higher risk of intervention due to induction - as well as my other risks.

Should I just ask for ELCS? My blood doc is fine with this but OBs may try push induction as they do and i acknowledge also risks with ELCS. Just seems like a more managed option in some ways.

What would you do???

TIA (sorry for ramble) :)

Hi Loislane,

It sounds like you are in a difficult position.

Pain relief options will depend on why you are on the Clexane injections, the dose you take and the timings of the jabs. Clexane does not necessarily rule out an epidural. However if it does, there are lots of other pain relief options for labour, depending on what your hospital offers. Have you spoken to an Obstetric Anaeasthetist? They are experts in pain relief during labour and will be able to go through the options with you so that you can make a more informed decision about induction v ELCS. Ask to see one ASAP. Your Obstetrician can arrange this.

I hope this helps

Or the alternative is just to await labour and continue with the clexane and accept you can't have an epidural or spinal and work on other pain relieving techniques. If you needed a caesarean you would have to have an general anaesthetic. In my experience women who know they can't have an epidural are fine without one.

HTH

I'm not sure if I've understood the situation properly, but does the consultant want you to be induced because of the clexane or because you won't be allowed an epidural?

Generally, you are much more likely to need an epidural for labour induced via syntocin than a spontaneous labour, so it seems odd that this is presented as a solution for not being able to have an epidural.

Thanks for your replies. Sorry if i wasn't clear, the consultant wants me to be induced so a) they know I haven't had an injection that day to manage any blood loss risk and b) so I could have the epidural of necessary.

I think I should ask to see an anaesthetist, good suggestion, and ask about the induction in more detail.

Thanks :)

my baby had a big head during first birth ...i insisted on vaginal birth as the whole world told me its the best and natural thing
the big head left my tailbone broken and my pelvis rotated ...the fact i was induced made my labour longer ...28 hours which also contributed to hte pelvic issues...
so for me elcs only ....
cant really advise but this is my experience