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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

C-section or VBAC after completely failed induction

14 replies

mintoreo · 24/10/2018 17:58

Hey, I’m getting a little ahead of myself as my little one is still tiny, but thinking about what would happen if I were to have another child in the future.

I was induced this pregnancy at 41 weeks - had propess, 2 pessaries, several sweeps and then failed sweeps as baby wasn’t low enough. Baby was also back to back. They were unable to break my waters so after 3 long days it was decided I’d have a c-section as literally nothing happened apart from a bit of back ache. In this time I was 0cm dilated and baby wasn’t fully engaged - seemed to pop back up the longer things went on.

I would definitely refuse induction again as the whole process was a nightmare and I was so tired after 4 days of no sleep by the time baby arrived that I was a mess once I went home, I feel this was one of the reasons bf didn’t work out for us (along with a few others) I feel I’m swaying towards thinking a repeat section would be what I’d want id want in the future so that I could enjoy the process more - is this even an option?

I’m not really sure what I’m asking. I guess has anyone had a similar experience and what did you choose the 2nd time round?

OP posts:

Shelley54 · 28/10/2018 20:21

With DS1 I had two pessaries and a propess and nothing happened. I got to 42+1 and had a cat 3 EMCS.

With DS2 I wasn’t going to mess with another induction. I made it clear I wanted an ELCS and DS2 was born at 38+6 in a much calmer way and without days of stress and build up.

Some people just don’t respond to the drugs they use in an induction.

villainousbroodmare · 28/10/2018 20:25

Horrible failed induction with DS1, ended up as (perfectly fine) EMCS. Lovely ELCS with twins. Would recommend.

Cathster · 28/10/2018 20:35

Also had horrible failed induction with DD1 due to undiagnosed breech. I had 2 pessaries and 36 hours of false contractions before they realised. They offered me a choice of EMCS or try turning her, by that point I was shattered so went for c section.

With DD2 I was given the choice of ELCS or VBAC at my 20 week appointment, I chose ELCS. An entirely different and wonderful experience.

rollonoctober · 28/10/2018 20:47

I had a failed induction at 42 weeks with DS1.

With DS2 I was adamant that I didn't want to be induced again but that if my body went into labour naturally then I was happy to try for a VBAC. Consultant was happy with this approach. I was booked in for an ELCS for 41 weeks. Didn't go into labour before that so had another section. Very calm and pleasant experience.

I felt that after everything they threw at me during DS1's induction (pessaries, sweeps, ARM and drip) for nothing to have happened, my body clearly didn't know how to labour.

snackarella · 28/10/2018 20:50

I had an awful induction first time round which led to a very serious emergency c section and my daughter had to be resuscitated - I went for an elective next time as I couldn't bear the thought of having problems again

PurdysChocolate · 28/10/2018 20:57

I was induced with first, after 2 days labour did begin but ended in EMCS.

Second pregnancy I chose VBAC. It was a no brainer for me, as I really wanted to experience natural labour and birth. As it happened I experienced natural labour but required intervention for the birth (episiotomy + forceps) but I still felt much more positive about this experience.

JellyTeapot · 28/10/2018 21:02

I had a failed induction with DS1, he started to get distressed before anything happened, they tried to break my waters at 2.5cm dilated which didn't work as the membranes were right next to his head. Eventually had an EMCS. Second time round was twins so they would be delivered one way or another at 37 weeks, was offered the choice of induction or section, chose the section and it was great - really calm, controlled and the recovery was easier. They did a better job of stitching me back up too!

Paradyning · 28/10/2018 21:20

ELCS

DuggeeHugs · 28/10/2018 21:20

Six days of failed induction then EMCS with DC1. Chose an ELCS for DC2 which was brilliant. If we ever have a third it'll be ELCS all the way.

chorusline79 · 28/10/2018 21:30

I had a failed induction 2 pessaries and nothing happened and I wasn't dilated at all and my midwife said my cervix wasn't effaced. At this point I was 42 + 3 and had had enough and chose to have a c section ( although hospital wanted to try and break my waters) I had a community midwife who advised me to opt for a c section as she felt I would end up in EMCS as baby wasn't engaged. Second time round I felt strongly that I wanted an elective c section but had to see several HCPs including consultant to get it signed off, as they wanted me to try for a VBAC. After my 36 week scan and being told baby was another large baby I stuck with this as I was adamant I didn't want to be induced as I was just so stressed and tired the first time round from being in hospital for so long! Second c section very straightforward and I went home the day after.

MonteStory · 31/10/2018 09:48

I went into labour spontaneously with dc1 but in some ways had a similar experience as it went on for days and ended in emcs. I had quite bad baby blues (not pnd as it went away after a couple of weeks) and was fragile for quite a while afterwards.

With DC2 I found having a plan really helpful. At my vbac appointment I said that I would be refusing induction and, at a later appointment, was booked for an elcs at 41 weeks. In the end I had a surprisingly fast vaginal birth at 40 weeks exactly.

What I’m saying is you can give yourself the option of an elcs whilst still allowing time for a vaginal birth if that’s what you want.

ChalkDoodler · 31/10/2018 09:59

I didn't have a failed induction but a failure to progress so after 25 hours of labour and being stuck at 9cm for 3 hours Ds had had enough.

He was being monitored with a fetal scalp electrode and at that point his heartrate dropped and was slow to climb over several contractions so they rushed me for a EMCS.

Given the exhaustion of just a 25 hour labour I couldn't have coped doing it all again (have endometriosis and lots of scar tissue internally) so booked ELCS which meant we could plan childcare as we knew when it would be happening.

My friend had 3 c sections from 2 failed inductions then a ELCS. She said just once she wanted to feel what it was like to be in labour which I totally understand. My waters broke, I had contractions, and I threw up a lot so it wasn't anything I was in a rush to repeat.

I just wanted a healthy baby and a straightforward delivery so we chose the ELCS.

Caprisunorange · 31/10/2018 10:01

Hi Op- not me but my BF- baby 14 days overdue, 3 days of induction and not even a c’mon dialiation, baby in distress so straight to c section. She wanted another section so made an appointment with a consultant who said induction just doesn’t work for a small number of women and likely she was one. Her second child went full term and her cervix remained firmly closed even though they said a second time mothers was bound to be open a bit

Worth discussing x

SilverbytheSea · 31/10/2018 10:13

Horrible induction after prolonged rupture of the membranes, my body didn’t react well to the pessary or drip, back to back, I also have a really far back womb/cervix which didn’t help things, ended in emcs.
This time round I have chosen to have a planned c-section, consultant was happy with my decision after a discussion and I had read the information she gave me and said that I’d have an 80% chance of ending in an emcs anyway due to my risk factors.

With my first I was so set on having a “natural birth”, had been practicing mindfulness and hypnobirthing techniques etc, but when things started to go wrong it was a case of just get my baby out safely! I did feel gutted for a while about the way it went although I think that was mainly as I was the only one in my antenatal group that had a complicated birth/csection. This time round I know what I want and I am glad that the consultant and midwife support me in that decision.

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