Induction -v- ELCS?

[Sangelina]

I'm now 31 weeks with my first, but at age 41 (42 around time of the birth) I've been told by the MW that the hospital won't let me go overdue by even a day. (I'm consultant led due to recurrent mc-otherwise in good health throughout pg) I'd been fearful of the birth and not really accepting that I was having a baby at all, because of the losses. Only a couple of weeks ago I'd started to plan what I might like in terms of pain relief, visited the labour ward for a tour, etc to be told that I'm being induced at 40 weeks.

I have a consultant appt tomorrow. For me, if I can't have a natural delivery, then I might just as well have an ELCS. There are risks to both procedures; does anyone have any experience of this? I just can't get my head around it at all.

(or fingers crossed it comes early....)

The hospital can advise you that it's unwise to go over 40 weeks. They absolutely should not be telling you they "won't let you" go overdue. It's entirely your choice.

If you go overdue you are supposed to have a scan to check the health of the placenta. You should then go in for monitoring every 1 or 2 days. Most hospitals don't let you know about this option.

My induction ended in an EMCS. I knew we were only having one baby and I really wanted to try and deliver naturally. After 30 hours on the drip I gave in an consulted to a c-section. I'm glad I went for this option as I at least got to experience a little of what labour is. If I was to have another child, this time I'd opt for the ELCS if I went overdue.

Thank you, nancerama. I've got it on my list of questions about monitoring as I approch 40 weeks. I feel a little like I'm having a tantrum about the whole thing.

I'd decided to go for the TENS/waterbirth/relaxation/G&A option to start and ramp it up from there as/if required. I just feel like I can't have any of that now as I'd need an epidural apparently, and you can't have those in the pool. So it's all bollocksed. stamps foot.

This is going to be our only one too and I just so wanted it to be a bit natural, even if only for a while. God, I sound really whiny. Like you (I think) I feel that if I'm having all of my choices removed, then I just as well have the CS and be done with it.

I'll ask about late monitoring. I'm also asking what % of inductions go on to have a CS anyhow.

I arranged a meeting with the supervisor of midwives to re-write my birth plan, which helped.

I was able to stay active for a large chunk of my labour, a while in a warm bath, then TENS machine. Tried gas and air, vomited, decided it wasn't for me! When they broke my waters and found meconium present they whacked me onto the monitor and I was then confined to the bed, but I had no epidural until they decided to send me to theatre. The epidural isn't compulsory, but many women opt for it due to the increased pain during an induced labour. Having not had a natural labour, I don't know the difference. I went into a hypnobirth trance and didn't feel the need for the epidural until I knew I wasn't going to be able to birth naturally - then I demanded all the drugs!

Every birth is different. Every induction is different. I wouldn't recommend you go against your hospital's wishes, but they always opt for the lowest risk for mum and baby. It's fine to question them on alternatives and risks and benefits.

For me, monitoring was the best option. The sonographers and midwives were supportive of my choice, and when I finally did have to be induced, I felt that it was my choice and I was more ready for it. An added bonus was that I felt much more comfortable in my surroundings having been monitored there several times before induction.

FWIW, ELCS any day of the week!

I was induced at 40 wks due to concerns about baby (dc1) and had a great experience. induction to holding my baby in 11 hours. managed it all with gas and air and deep breathing. I know this is not the case for everyone, but wanted to share that I had a great birth experience even though I was induced.

I wouldn't overly plan it all. Inductions go to plan all the time. And a c section can be a bugger to recover from.

Im with octanegirl, elcs over induction any day! If i have another baby its elcs for sure. They induced me at 40+11 as waters had gone, really really didnt want to be induced esp with the drip but the drs never gave me any other options. bastards. Anyone else found that they dont really bother to tell you about the risks of induction but with epi and cs they tell u every single thing?

Thanks for the replies. I had the consultant appt and she seemed to think that whilst im in otherwise good health, the hospital policy is very strict on age. My age obv. We talked it I've and I agree about the risks of induction being downplayed as opposed to elcs. I had to force her to tell me approximately how many inductios went on to have an emcs(approx 40%)I have this morbid fear of being on the drip confined to the bed for the labour.

I was induced at 39+2 on dc1 due to signs of pre eclampsia developing. I had a bit of a nightmare time to be honest and I really believe that's because baby wasn't ready to come out. I always wonder what would have happened if they'd tried to medicate the pe symptoms for a day or two first as they were mild and it was only really the bp which was an issue. I think as I was so close to term and they were unusually quiet this wasn't really considered. I found recovery from this labour pretty difficult.

With dc2 I was booked for elcs at 40+6 for late diagnosed breech ( misdiagnosed as it turned out but that's another story...)

I found the recovery and whole experience of elcs much better. But I did have a lot of support from family which made this the case.

I know of inductions that have gone well and cs where recovery was harder but based on my experience elcs was way to go.

If I had the choice it would be ELCS every time.