Would you rather be induced or have a cesarean?

[macdat]

I've heard that many women who are induced don't progress fast enough so end up needing a cesarean anyway so you may as well skip the whole induction and go straight for the section.
I've also read that at other times the labour progresses too fast and you go from nothing to full on contractions too quickly and don't have time to build yourself up with the pain.
But obviously, cesarean is a major surgery...
Both seem to have pros and cons.

I always like hearing from people on here because you all tell it like it is. It makes it much better for first time mums like myself to make choices. So please give your opinions on this.
My situation right now is- 33 weeks, transverse baby and being told to consider being induced because they think the baby will be quite large if I go to 40 weeks. I've been scared of labour since day one anyway and have even been having nightmares because of it.
If baby doesn't turn I'll have cesarean anyway, but if she does turn, I'm considering asking for a cesarean instead of being induced.

First pregnancy - induced, it failed, emergency section. A very stressful experience.

Second pregnancy - elective section. The experience was calm, stress-free and I felt much more physically and mentally able to look after a baby. I'd choose this again. No question.

I was told they didn’t have enough staff on to do a c section. They induced. It wasn’t the rocket fuel they hoped. Forceps in the end.

Cesarean.

Cesarean.

Induced and would go that route again recovery time with c section would put me off

4 inductions four assistance free births.

Yes first 3 really hurt and I got my epidural and gas & air so it was okay. Recovery for all of them was so so quick.

You can't predict what is going to happen unfortunately!

C section for me. When I had DS I was going to be induced because they had some concerns about him, as they were setting up the drip those concerns became more profound and I was whisked off for a c section instead. I was quite distressed at the prospect of induction (had gone to hospital after my waters broke expecting a natural delivery), and as soon as they decided on a c section I felt nothing but relief.

I was very overdue with 3rd baby I accepted an induction. It was a bit quick and intense but managed on g&a for pain relief and had a normal delivery with no further intervention. If I was pregnant again I would definitely choose induction over cesarean any day. I was considered high risk too as I had a high bmi. I hate the thought of surgery though and the recovery time worried me.

Caesarian please. Was induced after waters broke last time. Laboured pointlessly for hours and never dilated. Was sooo relieved to finally get a section. 30w now and been granted an elective. Actually quite looking forward to the whole thing unlike last time

And recovery took no longer than the vbs in my nct group.

My first was an emergency section after being induced. My next two were vaginal births it was my greatest nightmare that I had to go through a section again I hated it

Induced, pessary then drip & epidural, calm overnight labour with lots of sleep, baby born with forceps 24 hrs after epidural went in. Would have preferred not to be induced but would choose induction over c section.

Failed induction here. Laboured for 17 hours and didn't get past 9cm. Relieved when they took me to theatre as I really didn't think I could do it and I was bloody exhausted.

My blood pressure dipped and I passed out while they were stitching me up but if I ever have another I want an elective. At the time I said I would go through it all again but that's passed. My midwife friend assures me it's so much easier and calmer going on for an elective.

Recovery was ok, about a good week of being sore trying to get out of bed in the morning but fine otherwise.

I was induced and the baby was born in 40 mins. So it can be fast. Actually, everyone else I know who've been induced have also had fast (well, 6 hrs ish) labours.
Definitely having a section next time though so I can see the benefit!!

I was induced with my first baby, took forever but no problems at all and I had unassisted delivery of a VERY large baby.

I'm glad it happened naturally and I didn't need a c section. I know we don't always have the choice but given the choice I would opt to try a natural birth (and did again for dc2... Who thankfully was much smaller).

I was induced - for "large" baby at 38 weeks - they tried for far too long and ended in a c-section (urgent rather than emergency).

If you go for an induction be clear what's going to happen if it doesn't work after 24/48 hours - my induction went on too long, was in a lot of pain for several days and never even got into established labour.

What I read up was that inductions before 40 weeks are much more likely to fail, and end in c-section anyway. Friends who've had emergency c-sections followed by planned have told me planned section is much easier to get over than labouring first, then ending up with a c-section.

Induction for first baby, nothing worked for 48 hours despite lots of intervention then c section when they decided DS was not coming out on his own ... Me absolutely exhausted, hard mental recovery but luckily fairly fine physically.

Elective section for dd one week overdue ... Easy, no exhaustion, very quick physical recovery, to the point where the midwife / hv came to see me at home 3 days later and said 'sorry, our notes say it was a c section, have I got the right house?' As I was up and about and perfectly fine! I could not have faced the messing about trying to get labour started with an induction again, and I think my nervousness would have impeded progress. So elective all the way.

However, for your first baby, I think if she turns they will go for induction first and see if it ends up in a section rather than going straight for the section? I may be wrong.

Good luck!

Induction over a c section purely because of recovery time.

Yes induction increases chance of needing a c section but it doesn't mean you will need one and I would rather give my body the chance to labour.

I have been induced with all five children due to going post dates, the first time was long and drawn out but still a normal vaginal delivery.

The next four inductions all fine, 7hrs, 3hrs, 1 hr and 3hrs. All normal deliveries including a water birth.

I am expecting Dc6(35wks) and assuming I will end up going over and being induced, this baby has been alternating between breech and transverse and head down! And if I need a c section for medical reasons fine but really hoping not to.

Also what are they suggesting induction for a big baby? I thought guidelines didn't suggest that? My babies have all been in larger side, this one was measuring on 97th percentile and they estimate will be 10lbs at birth but scans and weight estimations are not that accurate really.

yy to 5madthings, you're absolutely right on recovery time

I've had 2 emcs with 2 quick and easy recoveries. 12hr discharge with one. No pain and doing a school run after 4 days.

I'd choose cs as the known quantity.

C section definitely. Induced two weeks overdue last time, took 4days, did bugger all ended up with a section. Due with DC2 soon and having an elective section, quite looking forward to it!

CS. I had a vaginal birth last time but labour stalled so had the syntocin drip. Had a forceps delivery with complications related to drip and length of labour and while am trying for a vaginal birth this time again (am 30 weeks) I've agreed with consultant that if labour doesn't progress for any ready I will request section over syntocin this time.

I was induced with my first, and the induction went very smoothly - super quick, relatively easy delivery.
I'm pregnant with my second at the moment, and the thought of a c-section terrifies me even more than it did with my first!
I've had numerous surgeries before, but I think it's the thought of being awake, and being able to feel someone "rummaging" around in my belly that bothers me, as well as the recovery supposedly being worse than from a vaginal delivery Those of you that have had csections are serious tough cookies!!

Induction definitely. Both mine were alright.

First had pessary overnight then again in next morning. Went for a mammoth walk (to find a greggs) and when I got back to the ward I was dilated enough to have my waters broken and things properly started. Had an epidural and it was fine. Ended with forceps as her heartbeat was dropping but they weren't so bad. Recovery was fine and home the next day.

Second had pessary about half 7 and went got a walk round the hospital (to costa this time ) and my legs really started aching so went back to the wars. Contractions kicked off properly about 9, got moved into delivery room and asked for an epidural. When the midwife got me on the bed to put the monitoring clip for the epidural on the babies head it was too late and had to start pushing. Baby was born at 10.55. No interventions and just gas and air. No tears or grazes. Home next morning.

I'd go for induction everytime.