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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Can I be induced? Any suggestions...

17 replies

cocopop · 22/11/2006 21:27

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and am STRESSED OUT!!

My husband and I only moved to this area last year (4 hours drive away from all of our friends and family) because of his job. We haven't made any really good friends and don't know anyone who we would feel happy leaving our 19 month old ds with when I'm in labour. I've never left him with anyone but my parents before and so obviously they would be our first point of contact but they may not be able to get here in time.

I was considering asking for a c-section as then at least I would know when I will be having my baby and my Mum can get the time off work and come up to look after James. I realise that this is a bit extreme and unlikely to be agreed to. What about being induced though? Would they be able to give me an exact date of when this will be done? Is a consultant likely to agree to this? I really don't want to be in labour and be worrying about my ds as well. Has anyone else been in this situation? Any suggestions?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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lulumama · 22/11/2006 21:31

unlikely to have a c.s just for convenience. plus there is the recovery time....

an induction is more likely but depends on how ready you are and would beunlikely to happen before 40 - 41 weeks....

can you use the 8 weeks you have left to look at options for emergency child care..or get your parents to come and stay for a week or two if possible..so they are near you

there are emergency nanny, baby sitting and nursery services near me, that i found through google.....and all CRB checked and OFSTED checked.....

HTH!

nearlythree · 22/11/2006 21:36

I was induced and it went horribly wrong. I think it is fine if you are in labour and need a bit of a push but not if nothing is happening. I certainly wouldn't opt for it unless I had to.

What about a home birth? If you were fine last time it's an option, esp. if you live close to a hospital in case you do need to transfer.

Or (and I realise this is costly) what about a nanny or maternity nurse coming to stay for a while? You may be able to get her to come in for a couple of weeks'. We did this after our third baby was born as both our dds were unwell and she saved us.

hulababy · 22/11/2006 21:39

I was induced and it was a very long (50 hours) and painful process, which ended in a c section. Not something I would recommend if you can help it.

Have you considered the option of having a home birth maybe? This would mean the childcare bit might be easier to manage - DH could nip out with DS if need be, and chances are you would have gotten to know your midwife(s) better prior to the birth and trust them whilst on your own. Might be an alternative.

Jackstini · 22/11/2006 21:40

I was induced and ended up with emergency cs and although it was 'ok considering the circumstances' would not recommend anyone to choose either option if you have a chance of normal birth.
Just a thought but have you asked the hospital if it is ok for ds to come in with you? Many do allow this, even if it is just to give you a it of leeway time until your parents arrive

Nemoinapeartree · 22/11/2006 21:42

I have been induced with both my children and will be with db[due jan]. Personally have had generally positive induction experience. However being induced due to childcare may be an option if you discuss it with consultant although agree it is not likely to happen before 40 plus weeks.

TuttiFrutti · 23/11/2006 16:30

Cocopop, how was your first birth? If it was relatively straightforward, I wouldn't even consider an induction or c-section.

One third of all inductions "fail" and end in c-sections. Of the other two thirds, a lot are long-drawn-out agony, and induced contractions are stronger and more painful than normal ones. I had a horrible induction and I would really advise anyone to avoid one unless there is a pressing medical reason for it.

I've also had a c-section, which was great, and am generally pro them if there is a medical reason, but I don't think you should book one just for convenience if you could have a straightforward natural birth instead.

ELM · 24/11/2006 19:28

Sorry cocopop HIJACK!

I'm to be induced in a couple weeks, starting to wish I hadn't read this thread! How often are there problems/does it not work?

Sorry for the hijack Cocopop, I hope that you find a solution xx

MKG · 24/11/2006 20:33

I had a great induction. I think that it is a gamble though. It can either go very well or can end up with C-section, but that true of any labor and delivery.

BuffysMum · 24/11/2006 20:36

ELM why are you being induced and how many weeks are you, how many babies have you had?

Lio · 24/11/2006 20:53

Hi cocopop, I don't know the answer to your OP but have a possible scenario for you to consider:

If you can afford a doula, would you feel OK about having a home birth? dh with ds, doula and midwives with you? I know some mums feel they need their dh there, but tbh for me the womenfolk were much more important. Just a thought. And re-reading it, if the midwives are good then it could be fine even without a doula.

lulumama · 24/11/2006 21:31

nurturing birth train & place doulas throughout the UK, no agency feed

doula uk - also place doulas

magnolia1 · 24/11/2006 21:33

ELM, I was induced with dd1. Worked straight away and she was born within 3 hours of induction

gloriana · 24/11/2006 21:44

ELM I was induced for DS1 and think that it definitely contributed to more intervention further down the line (syntocin drip + epidural). All subsequent midwives/doctors seemed to be very surprised that I ended up having a natural birth (with no ventouse/forceps/CS)and told me how well I'd done (don't think that I actually had a lot to do with it but hey).

northernmama · 24/11/2006 21:45

I was induced with my first baby and it was terrible. When it finally worked, the contractions were hard and heavy right from the get go and it was still 12 1/2 hours of labor with a vacuum extraction to get her out of there!!

Is this a first baby and are you overdue? I was 10 days overdue.

northernmama · 24/11/2006 21:50

If childcare is an issue, have you considered having him present at the birth? That way, he's part of the new babys birth, he's with you guys and dad can take him home after....I know it's a bit out of the box, but it is another option. I don't know.

robinia · 24/11/2006 22:07

When I was in labour with ds3 I realised there was no way my parents were going to get to our house before I needed to go into hospital so we took dd and ds1 &2 in with me. They were put in a little waiting room on the delivery ward with kiddies TV and toys. They were kept an eye on by the midwives and dh popped in once to see them before ds4 put in his appearance. My parents turned up at the hospital 10 minutes later. It was a great experience being able to show my older children their new baby brother so soon after he was born. I'd take your ds in to hospital if your parents can't get to you as quickly as you would like.

ELM · 26/11/2006 17:32

Hi cocopop, are you ok? Have any of the suggestions helped you come up with a solution you are happy with?

Thanks for sharing the exp. on induction, I'm not quite so freaked out now.
ELM xx

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