In hospital being induced. Please help ASAP!

[Hobby2014]

Please help.
I've will have had the propess tampon thing in for 30 hours at 1am.
I've had midwives examining left right and centre. It's fallen out onto the bed with a load of mucus and put back in.
I've had them do a spectrum(?) to see what was happening, torches and all, and have taken a swab to see if it was waters or not (they don't think it is) and am waiting for the result to come back.
I am not dilated. My cervix is tucked right around to one side. Apparently it's started to soften.
A doctor will come at 1am to take it out and examine me again.
I am so, so sore, I don't think I can keep on having these examinations. Each time they've done one, it's been more painful than the last (and a midwife told me this would be the case).
They've said the doctor will give me my options when he examines me, but I don't know what they are.
What is the next step?
What can I refuse/request?
Thank you.

And if they think the baby isn't engaged ask for a scan before they break your waters, a cord prolapse would not be good.
Are you up to walking about, going up and downstairs (sideways) to try and improve baby's position and to get the head down on the cervix?

You can most certainly refuse any further examinations, or if you agree definitely ask for some g&a.
If you're happy to have a section, then ask for that.
If you'd prefer to try for a vaginal birth, ask and agree what steps will be taken and how long you're happy to continue before you call it a day and head for theatre.

Good luck and make sure your husband completely understands what you want, so that if you feel too knackered/brow beaten by the midwife and consultant, that he can advocate for you

Just to re-iterate what others have said - C-section really not that bad. I have had two (one elective as DD breech and one when labour failed to progress when trying for VBAC).

I would seriously think about going down this route. Get them to give you the pre-op drugs (something to do with helping the wind/bowels post-op - cannot remember).

Thing to try and do it post c-section try to drink loads and get up and walking about on your feet as quickly as you can. Keep on top of your pain relief (I did and barely suffered a twinge post-op). It may seem like a huge thing now, but having your baby in your arms will make it all OK.

Sending you un-MNetty hugs.

Hope you're ok OP

Been thinking of you OP, really hope you're having your section.

If you want a section, say no to all further internals and say clearly "I want a section, please can you make arrangements."

Good luck!

Just checking back in OP, fingers crossed for you, hope you have your wee baby in your arms very soon!

Hope things are happening now ...

Thanks everyone.
Doctors been round and tried to get me to have an examination, I said no. There was a few attempts from him and midwife to coax me to. I said no.
He's said I can have a c-section and went through the risks and I've signed the paperwork. It'll be tomorrow. I'm scared, but I think it's the right thing to do. Tell me it'll be ok? He's said things like I could have to have a hysterectomy, baby could get cut by accident, etc
I've never had an operation.

It absolutely will be ok, they have to tell you the risks and those risks are there but are small.

Are you going home? Why are they waiting until tomorrow?

There's too many scheduled for today. Can't leave, have to stay, won't know what time tomorrow either has there's more scheduled plus any emergencies too will bump me down, which I understand.

As*

I think section is the best option and nice it doesn't have to be an emergency one so that reduces the panic aspect. Just relax don't think k about it, it will all be explained to you, they will give you an epidural and then when your comfortable they will start, you will feel some pushing and pulling but nothing in any way painful and then they will have your baby out and ypu or daddy can probably cuddle it while they stitch you up.
They have to tell you the risks but they aren't anything to worry about. They do so many sections they know what they are doing just trust them and try enjoy the idea of your baby coming. Also just think there's much less unknown about a having a section than with a vaginal birth you never know what's going to happen.
Good luck yoyr going to have a baby tomorrow!!

I read your thread yesterday but was unable to post.
I am glad you were encouraged to decline internals you were uncomfortable with.

Yes, your CS will be fine, of course it will
The way medical negligence claims have been going even in the UK 'informed consent' means that every possible complication has to be spelled out to you (as an aside funny how that does not happy for induction or spontaneous labour ), unlikely as it might be.

Your CS is 'semi-elective' in that it was not planned from the start, but equally there is no mad rush to get you in to theatre and baby out.
IME (personal and professional) they are calm and lovely experiences.
There are likely to be many people in theatre (your obstetrician, maybe a junior dr assisting, at least one or 2 scrub nurses, the anaesthetist, a paeds nurse and maybe paeds dr for the baby), your DH will be allowed by your side, you may well be handed the baby immediately (although I found I had no 'room' to hold him comfortably) and Dh can take baby from you. Unless your baby is unwell it will not be taken away out of the room.
The spinal asaethetic was a v odd sensation: I was not just numb from under my breasts down like I had been with a previous epidural, by entire lower body was totally 'divorced' from me, I had no sensation that it belonged to me and I had a bit of shaking (my dad had a spinal for a prostate op and reported the same). I did not like it, but it was certainly not sore and the actual surgery was absolutely fine. Taking my DS out felt like somebody rummaging inside me like they would in a roomy handbag .
I had a Patient-Controlled Analgesia pump which gave me a time amount of morphine when I pressed it which was great pain relief, but made me feel strange and itchy. I was glad when i was shot of it the next day. Diclofenac and Paracetamol was fine for pain relief thereafter.
I was catheterised for the surgery - again, absolutely fine. In fact it was lovely not to worry about my waterworks.
Oh, if they offer you a Diclofenac suppository in theatre my advice would be to have it: they are great.
I was on my feet a couple of hours later and could've gone home the next day (I did not because of complications with DS who was premature).

V best of luck - what a long haul you have had. There is now a line drawn in the sand and you can look forward to holding your baby.
You must be v tired, hopefully you can get some rest today and chocolate

Trust me c section has to be better than that bloody hormone drip and then having your baby dragged out with forceps!!! Had I known you could request c section I would have and maybe not be in the mess I'm in now. Think positive at least all your "bits" will remain intact. Good luck xx

You're doing the right thing. If they listed all the risks of a vaginal birth no one would have one of those :) - they have to tell you the risks of a c section but there are risks with everything. It's one of the most routinely done ops on the nhs. It will be fine.

Mine was great. Really. I recovered really well. I was able to get up and about quickly and once I'd had a shower the next day I felt pretty much fine. Just take painkillers regularly.

If you feel sick during the op tell the anaesthetist as they can add something to the drip to stop it. They are your line of communication.

Can't wait to hear all about your lovely baby when they are here. So proud of you for sticking to your guns when it comes to the internals.

I remember being told they could puncture a variety of my organs for a d and c consent, they are bad at telling you the actual risk of these things happening which is tiny.

My elective and not-progressing-but-not-a-proper -emergency emergency section involved a lot of smiles, and some (appropriate) laughing and joking with the theatre staff. And DH's playlist playing on the speakers. Aim for/ask for skin to skin as soon as possible.

Good luck and wow - you will be meeting your baby really soon!

I'm so glad you stuck to your guns and refused further induction. I had a cascade if intervententions when induced with DD1 and not only was it agony and I dignified but it left me with permanent damage to my pelvic floor. I get so cross that the medical profession push inductions on women with low Bishops Scores. They should be more upfront about the risks if that and not just the risk of the operation.

Hang in there. I was induced 6 weeks ago, right up to the syntocin drip. It was miserable and I had an emcs in the end anyway. The cs and recovery was more pleasant than the induction by a factor of approximately a million. One of my worst memories from the entire thing was the internal exam on admission which i thought was a simple exam but in reality was an unauthorised sweep and walking my posterior cervix forward. I totally understand how you feel about the internals, I found them so violating. There are lots of positive cs stories on this forum which will hopefully give you some reassurance.

I always get so angry reading about others traumatic experiences of internals. I think midwives really don't prepare women for how they are going to be. I felt utterly violated during all the internals I've had in my two pregnancies. One of the main reason I opted for an elective c section with my second baby was because I absolutely couldn't face the thought of having to have any internals.

Hi OP, not sure if you will get to read this, but wanted to offer some words of comfort. I had a c-section after a failed induction ten weeks ago- my waters went, no contractions, so they started me on the drip, and after being on it for 12 hours I was only 1cm dilated - and it was a calm, positive experience.

I had lovely midwives and doctors all the way through until the morning shift came on and a horrible registrar gave me the most painful internal I have ever experienced. She also made me feel like an idiot for saying I wanted the c-section (which is what had been agreed with my midwife and the previous registrar).

When I got to the theatre, I had the same experience as Myfirstname above - everyone was so lovely in the theatre, joking and laughing and putting me and DH at ease. The anesthetist in particular was wonderful and talked me through every step. Yes, it is scary when they go through all the risks, but as others have said, they have to do that - the risks are very low.

Thinking of you and hoping for a positive outcome soon!

Oh Sweet I am so cross on your behalf.

YOU NEVER EVER HAVE TO HAVE AN EXAMINE IF YOU DON¨T WANT TO.

As a doctor (In a different field) I can recommend then, I can explain why I need to do them, I can suggest alternatives eg, gas and air and I´ll have a quick look, you can stop me at any time etc. etc. I can not force you and I am very cross on your behalf that have been in pain and felt like you were never given a choice.

CSections are fine, they have a good recovery rate and under the circumstances it definitely sounds like the best option for you and your baby. The risks of a non emergency C section are low, you will need help for a few days both in the hospital and at home. A few recommendations below for you.

Make sure you have BIG pants, the sort that come quite high up and well over the scar. (SEND DH or friend to get then at the shops if necessary)

Soft trousers again high ones with soft loose fabric are best - think yoga pants (SEND DH or friend to get then at the shops if necessary)

Get one of those sports bottles that you can drink from any angle and make sure your DH keeps it full at all times and keep it within hands reach.

Get your DH to reorganise your bags - into really easy to grab bags, freezer bags if necessary with a vest, baby grow, couple of nappies small pack of wipes, and breast pads and get him to do about 10 of them at a time. Make sure he leaves at least one on the bed at all times so you can reach it without bending or stretching etc.

Ask a friend or your DH to help you have a wash and wash your hair etc. when you feel able to it will help you feel better I PROMISE.

Get the MW to put babies cot right next to the bed and ask DH to stay are much as possible get a friend / family to visit when he can´t. As you will need help moving baby for a feed etc.

Breast feeding cushions can be great, if you want to try. To help support baby whilst you feed. If you don´t have one then beg, borrow or buy a cheap V pillow for now and see if helps.

This is a little controversial but I had DD in a sling most of the time in the hospital after my EMCS, it helped me as she was right there with me if she needed a feed or change etc no reaching into the cot etc. etc. etc. but not everyone agrees with or feels comfortable doing this.

As soon as you can when you walk REMEMBER to walk tall like there is a string coming out of your head pulling you up.

Do your exercises, be kind to yourself and ask for help whenever you need it.

Well done you for sticking up for yourself

EXAMINE = EXAMINATION.

Sorry I am cross and tired which is never good for my typing

You poor thing. I'd be doing what you're doing and asking for a c-section.
Ask the next mw/doctor if they would agree to another internal when you've already had far too many!
When ever I feel confused or don't know what to choose I ask the staff in hospital - what would you do? I usually get more sense out of them that way and am more confident making a decision.

Just sending you . Both mine were late (just how I carry them I think) and they were both induced. My first was on a drip (no epidural - it's possible although not recommended) and the second in a hospital that was so totally crap DS2 arrived before they got round to inducing me. Text book labour, despite the hospital denying I was in "active labour" (!!!) and I was 42 weeks exactly.

If I had the chance to do it all again I would stay away from the medics and trust my body. Are there any stairs you can walk up and down? Do that if you can! It helps, honestly. All the stress of the hospital will just slow things down. Good luck!

Horrible reading... I'm glad you've stuck to your guns and got a reasonable option out of it all.

I have a FTM question though - what is so bad about these internals that is different to normal smear type internals? I get that an unauthorised sweep is not OK, but to have a 'look' do they really have to rummage around enough for it to hurt? Or is it all about being in pain from contractions etc that makes them worse because of the position you are in?