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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Really don't want an induction :(

47 replies

Dobinette · 22/09/2015 09:13

Hi all, am currently 41w. Booked in for an induction on Sunday as mw says 'they won't let you go more than 12 days over'.

The thing is, I've been hoping for a homebirth (2nd DC) for months now and have hired a birth pool. I'm quite an anxious person and the thought of going to hospital to have a potentially longer and more painful birth, with a greater chance of forceps (from what I've read) etc has really upset me. I really feel that my baby should be born when he wants to and not be interfered with.

Mw (who is actually lovely) didn't present it as there was any choice. Plus, I now feel under pressure to have a sweep :( in a couple of days in the hope of that bringing on labour so I can stay at home.

The thought of having to argue my case to refuse a sweep and an induction brings me to tears. What shall I do, and is there really a risk to baby leaving things a few more days?

Sorry for long post.

OP posts:

QueenStarlight · 23/09/2015 09:33

'I just felt that if the midwife, as a medical professional, feels steps need to be taken to deliver the baby soon, then fine. In that case I want it done properly. Bring out the big guns, induce me or section me.'

I felt exactly the same. If my baby is in danger, get him out, immediately. If he isn't, leave me and him the hell alone. By all means do regular checks to confirm the situation but beyond that, hands off.

But there is nothing, not a single thing that would ever persuade me to induce. As I said, if the baby needed to come out for medical reasons, then ffs, don't put us both through hours of chemicals, hormones, pain, trauma for something that is unlikely to achieve anything except an emergency c/s when I am already exhausted, producing a new mother who is not just in pain, but has no energy left to care for her baby.

TillITookAnArrowToTheKnee · 24/09/2015 09:58

I was induced at 37 weeks due to complications. It was that or c section. I was just glad we'd made it to 37 weeks (prem labour had started twice)

I had a pessary at 11am. It was a tad uncomfortable but not painful. Not much happened. 6pm I was 4cm and asked to break my waters, I said yes. DD was born 90 mins later.

No epidural, no drip, no ventouse, no forceps.

exoticjuicedrink · 24/09/2015 10:04

I was due to be induced 12 days over and I was very anxious about it for the same reasons as yourself.
I had a sweep at 40+9 and 12 hours later I went into labour. The midwife who done the sweep said that it was unlikely to do anything, my cervix was barely 1cm dilated etc but she gave it a good go.

I would definately have a sweep in future if I was faced with an induction. They may not always work but it's worth a try.

Original poster

Dobinette · 24/09/2015 13:22

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've felt so much more confident with all your help.

I went to see MW this morning and she was absolutely lovely. I said I didn't want the induction on Sunday due to poss levels of intervention involved and she phoned the hospital to let them know. Also said I will be asked to attend hospital for daily monitoring. I have been asked to see the doctor at the hospital tomorrow to discuss a plan of action. Unless the doctor can provide a good reason to induce in the next few days it's not happening!

I did however decide to have a sweep (no pressure from MW) and my cervix is soft and stretchy so hopefully baby won't be long!!

OP posts:

pocketsized · 24/09/2015 14:08

That's good newsnews about your cervix. I had an induction at 37 weeks with DD, they tried a sweep and was told that my cervix was favorable. Unfortunately the sweep didn't really make any difference, however, because my cervix was so favourable they were able to reach to break my waters, and that kicked everthing off naturally. No pessaries /gels or drips. This meant I should have had all the usual options open to me (wanted a water birth, which in theory I could have had but no free pools)

ToadsforJustice · 24/09/2015 16:55

Good news Dobinette. Word of warning - when you see the doctor about the action plan, don't let her/him give you another sweep in case they "accidentally" break your waters and keep you in to force the induction. bitter experience

Good luck.

Original poster

Dobinette · 24/09/2015 17:24

Thanks for the heads up Toads

OP posts:

RandomMess · 24/09/2015 17:31

Toads

Most hospitals will be relatively content with you going to 14 days over.

I've been induced 4 times and never needed an assisted delivery, drip etc. it's not always the horror stories you are worried about. I wanted homebirths too

Great to read that your MW was supportive of your choices.

exoticjuicedrink · 28/09/2015 03:39

Can we have an update please

Lilipot15 · 28/09/2015 03:47

Surely inductions are done because of evidence that they are worth it, not because the health professionals want to disrupt women's plans for different sort of births?
Please look up the statistics for the risks involved without induction.
I consider myself to be very grateful that we live in a country and a time where we have a good health service and lives have been saved because of obstetric knowledge and experience.
OP, I hope you have a safe and healthy delivery.

dotladotla · 28/09/2015 04:12

I am due my first in 10 days - hope everything goes well for you
Have they discussed with you why they want to induce and the pros & cons? At the parent craft classes we were told that the babies head is softer until about 14 days over (making it easier to get down the birth canal) so they like to get the baby out before it goes hard as it can lead to complications. When I was told that it certainly had an effect on me

QueenStarlight · 28/09/2015 08:25

'Surely inductions are done because of evidence that they are worth it, not because the health professionals want to disrupt women's plans for different sort of births?'

The longer a baby is alive the higher the chances of death. This can happen in or out of the womb. If in, maternity services can be sued.

AmberLav · 28/09/2015 13:00

A few mums in my antenatal group went for monitoring, and all was fine, and they delivered as they wanted to before 43 weeks.

I was happy to have a vigorous sweep, and DD arrived within 48 hours, two days before I was due to go in for induction. I don't consider a sweep to be part of the induction routine, and as far as I know, you can continue to have your home birth after a sweep... I was resigned about induction, mainly as I couldn't face having to argue with a doctor to be able to go more than 12 days!

Third time round, I'm getting the feeling I have a consultant who has his own plan, so I am a bit worried I am going to have to fight my corner to get what I want, but I'll see in a few more weeks...

Hope all is going well...

Original poster

Dobinette · 28/09/2015 16:29

Quick update: went to see consultant Fri, had to stand my ground very firmly. Was asked to come in for daily monitoring.

Luckily enough, on Sun morning (when originally due to attend hospital for induction), I was woken by labour pains and had my beautiful baby boy 4 hours later, at home, with two midwives and two paracetamol! (I was so relaxed) I feel very lucky to have a spontaneous labour, at home.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences. All the best of luck to those of you still waiting for your little ones. X

OP posts:

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/09/2015 16:32

Congratulations - and welcome to your beautiful baby boy!!

Original poster

Dobinette · 28/09/2015 16:32

Ps. Forgot to say, I think Thursday's sweep may have kickstarted things, but who knows!

OP posts:

DrCoconut · 28/09/2015 18:14

Still waiting here and preparing for a fight on Wednesday

ToadsforJustice · 28/09/2015 19:07

Congratulations

exoticjuicedrink · 29/09/2015 00:44

Brilliant news!

ohthegoats · 05/10/2015 10:56

There are no maternity police, no one is going to come round and drag you to delivery! There are higher risks though, albeit in tiny increments every day.

You have to go with your gut feeling.. it's hard. I resisted induction at 40 weeks, didn't go to the appointment for induction at 41 weeks, went for monitoring at 41 + 5 weeks, at which point they told me to book another appointment for induction, and were quite shitty about it. I ignored them, but did go for a sweep. A nice midwife told me that it would be 'sensible' to have tried something to appease the consultants. The sweep started things off VERY slowly at 4pm on Friday, baby finally arrived 2am on Monday. The whole labour was slow in every way.

Doublebubblebubble · 05/10/2015 11:05

I have been told throughout this pregnancy "babies come when the do, not necessarily when they're due". He has to get out sometime so if you really don't want to force the issue (not that it is an issue) you don't have to. I am currently 40+1 and I couldn't be more different than you lol I cant wait for this kid to get out of me lol everyone wants different things and they/you are very much entitled to do whatever they/you want. Xx good luck op xx

QueenStarlight · 05/10/2015 11:25

Babies come on their birthdays!!!

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