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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Elective or induction?

69 replies

calvemjoe · 11/09/2006 22:41

Will be a week overdue tomorrow and seeing my consultant with regards as to how I want to proceed from here. This lo will be my 2nd and an attempted VBAC. My hospital will induce but I really don't know what I want. Please mumsnet, make my decision for me!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

notasheep · 11/09/2006 22:51

I was induced at 10 days overdue-i wouldnt wish it upon anyone.Goodluck,get walking

Original poster

calvemjoe · 11/09/2006 23:02

So one for an elective then. Have done walking, curry, sex, pinapple, nipple stimulation and even talking very strongly to bump but she's staying well and truly put

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notasheep · 11/09/2006 23:07

I wouldnt want a c section either,sorry that doesnt make much sense.

Walk more-any steep hills where you are.

Dp slammed the brakes on when i was passenger in car,that started labour with 1st born

mears · 11/09/2006 23:09

I always think that when attempting a VBAC, every attempyt should be made for labour to start naturally. If all is well wirth your pregnancy there is no need to rush in with induction - you could be easily left for another week. If there is no sign of labour at 42 weeks then you could discuss options.

merrily · 11/09/2006 23:11

I didn't think induction was recommended if you have had a previous c-section? I had an emergency section first time round following a failed induction, and if I don't go into spontaneous labour I will definitely go for the elective section.

good luck, whatever happens!

pupuce · 11/09/2006 23:31

You can ABSOLUTELY decline the induction.... why are they wanting to induce you? What is their reasoning and justification?
Why did you have asection last time?

lemonaid · 11/09/2006 23:43

Personally I'd never induce after a previous c/s. But I'd also want to wait until 42 weeks before I let them do an elective.

What was your section for last time?

Sakura · 12/09/2006 05:23

what! wait, I dont get it. Why do you have to make the decision? ITs a fact that you should avoid inducing in VBAC, because induction can cause problems even for women without a scarred uterus. And what medical reason is there for having a C-section? Just ignore them, and if youre still pregnant at 42 weeks, ask for very careful monitoring if it will make THEM feel better. Meanwhile it can`t harm to do a bit of nipple-tweaking, walking and sex.

jabberwocky · 12/09/2006 05:28

My first was an emergency section. I decided there was no way I wanted to risk that again, so have a nice scheduled section coming up in December.

Original poster

calvemjoe · 12/09/2006 08:38

I had an emergency section due to distressed baby. I said to dh last night that I didn't want any intervention until there is no other way for lo to come out and that's really what I want to say today. I don't feel like I'm 41 weeks pg and I'm sure, when she's ready, she'll come. I just feel like the consultant will want me to set a date for something soon and hope I'll be strong enough to stand by my convictions.

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pupuce · 12/09/2006 08:48

Calvemejoe.... you may not realise this but whilst the consultanbt you are seeing "may be" putting pressure on you, it is very likely that his/her colleeague would not! Also I ahve been very surprised that some of my mums did challenge this induction wish only to be told... of course no problem ! So don't necessarily expect a fight or a hard time! You can also ask for medical evidence that an elective is safer than expectant management... I suspect there is no evidence to this - quite the contrary! I believe the evidence to be the OTHER way around!
Make the right decision for you... it is YOUR body and YOUR baby!

Morningnewspaper · 12/09/2006 09:06

For what it's worth - I've heard hugely brill things about reflexology specifically to bring on labour - it really does seem to work!

poppynic · 12/09/2006 09:41

It seems impossible to know what's right to do in the whole social/political/medical maelstrom that is childbirth. All anyone can do is what seems right at the time - and that will surely be almost as different for each person as our DNA.

I was very anti-induction and hung out until 13 days after due date. As it turned out, however, the babe was just not low enough for the waters to break and as soon as that was done he swooshed out quickly with no need for drugs or further intervention. So induction isn't always a bad thing. (Although I've no idea about induction following a cs.) The worst thing about it was the bloody monitor they strapped onto me which meant I could hardly move and was very uncomfortable. However, hearing recently of a friend whose unmonitored baby was without air for too long and suffered the ongoing consequences - I'll not be objecting to at least very frequent monitoring this time.

Did anyone catch the details of the study that came out recently saying that children born by elective cs are three times more likely to die in first few months than vag. delivery? Apparently they think being pushed out somehow matures their breathing systems.?? Just another factor to put into the mix.....

Good luck with your consultant.

lemonaid · 12/09/2006 11:09

poppynic -- it's the "following a c/s" bit that's the issue here, though. There's plenty of evidence that syntocinon or prostaglandins used during a VBAC increase the risks. Agree that when it's not following a c/s I know people with very positive induction stories.

Toady · 12/09/2006 12:38

Sorry to hijack Pupuce can you give any advice to fluffyslippers on this thread

anniediv · 12/09/2006 12:47

calvemjoe, i went almost 3 weeks overdue with my dd1. I was recommended to be induced, but didn't want to do that (too scared!), so I just asked them to explain why it was dangerous to go over. I was told it was 'hospital policy' to induce after 10 days. Eventually they reluctantly told me about placental inefficiency. I read up on things to look out for. So I came home and didn't go back until I was in labour. You don't HAVE to do either of the things your consultant has suggested if there's no medical reason to do so.

bumpstheword · 12/09/2006 13:34

hi,
I would see how favourable your cervix is before making a choice. Your chances of another c-section are much higher once you go over especially if your cervix is very unfavourable. I am in the same position as you - not overdue yet but have been having to make a choice vbac or c-section. After 2 independent Obstetric opinions i have decided on elective section. I would say though both said chance of a natural birth diminish once you start going over. Hope that helps
Bumps

Toady · 12/09/2006 14:12

Calvemjoe - any news from the consultant??

If it was me I would have neither, just my opinion especially as it is a vbac. Baby will come when it is ready.

despair · 12/09/2006 14:25

You could ask for a scan to check that the placenta is working well, if so, there seems to be little reason to rush unless baby is stuck, which happened to me, baby would never have come out on its own accord, I went 2 wks overdue and baby was born with very long nails, very dry skin etc. and was told that I had really cut it fine.

Toady · 12/09/2006 14:41

interesting read on c sections here

despair · 12/09/2006 14:52

I would take it with a pinch of salt. Doesn't sound like a very scientific study, more propaganda. There is so much propaganda from the various camps around childbirth.

Toady · 12/09/2006 15:02

But part of the article was based on a scientific study of 5.7 million births here

pupuce · 12/09/2006 15:10

I do think the study has plenty of merit actaully... and where it can be flawed the researchers have highlighted it themselves !

Lio · 12/09/2006 15:19

I refused an induction after reading Pat Thomas's book 'Your Birth Rights' (and after not liking the experience first time around). If you are cowed by hospitals/doctors and think you may be bullied into something you don't want, take someone with you who knows your views next time you have an appointment. You have the right to refuse their suggestions, although of course a decent doctor will tell you how s/he has reached a particular conclusion and be able to justify that their advice is for your benefit and not so that you will fit in with what suits them. I think 'due dates' can be inaccurate and unhelpful and had three sweeps at home instead over a period of a week. I also did the castor oil route, although I realise this is controversial. And I had reflexology, curries and all the other stuff you prob already know about!

Original poster

calvemjoe · 12/09/2006 16:21

Well, consultant says cervix is posterior and closed and she doesn't think that lo is going to make a move any time soon. I'm booked for a induction on sunday, but haven't decided if I'm going to turn up. Consultant was very worried about lo's movements over the next 5 days and kept going on and on about counting kicks. Feel a bit low cause I really expected there to be some sign that she was ready to make a move. Like I've failed to cook her properly.

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