Induction after difficult 1st birth

[nikki444]

I've recently found out I am expecting baby no.2 (very excited!!) However, I'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice on what to expect this time around.
With my first I had a sweep at 10 days overdue followed by a pessary (brought on contractions) and then the drip at 11 days over due (baby arrived 12 days over) It was a very difficult birth - she got "stuck", lots of terrifying whispers about an emergency c-section, had an episiotomy and then a 3rd degree tear before she was born at 9lb 8oz.
A few people have told me to worry as I wont be allowed to go overdue as I had quite a big baby last time and tearing, but after some internet research that doesnt seem to be the case. As much as I dont want to be induced, I also dont relish the idea of a bad tear again as the first tear still affects me now. Has anyone had any experience of this type of situation?

** I meant people have told me NOT to worry

I’m 36 weeks pregnant. My first baby was 9lb 9oz born my EMCS after a 3 day day labour. This baby is predicted to be 11lb so I’m taking medical advice and having an ELCS although they reluctantly offered me an induction.

They can’t not allow you go over. While it is up to medical staff to offer certain medical procedures or not it is also up to you to follow their advice or not. So a dr can choose to or not to offer you can induction based on what is safest for you, you can also choose to follow their advice or not.

The NICE guidelines and RCOG guidelines are not to induce for just a big labour.

Induction does come with risks but this is something you can discuss with a doctor. Some areas are more keen to induce than others.

I was similar to you.. Very late, pushed along, took forever, stuck big baby... Interventions etc but not as bad by sounds of it but v similar
Was v worried... But didn't really want induction as felt that caused interventions. Anyway... Bigger baby arrived a week or so early (spontaneously started)...waters breaking with no contractions to delivery (stood up) less than 6 hours... It was such a better experience. No interventions. Awesome... Buzzing. As if my body now knew what to do as did baby. My husband and I were so giddy afterwards with joy and relief.
I wish you the same fab second birth!

I'm in the US so a different medical system, but DD's birth was v. similar - she was overdue, I had an episiotomy and she still got stuck so I also ended up with the third-degree tear and hemorrhaging. She was 9 lb 10 oz and I ended up in hospital for a week after the birth - DD was fine, but I wasn't!

Luckily we moved so I had a different doctor and hospital the second time around. We discussed what had happened and agreed that I'd be induced at 39 weeks. DS was born within four hours, completely healthy at 7 lb 12 oz, I had a couple of stitches for a tiny tear and was up and about the next day. Best decision ever!

I'd really recommend discussing everything with your doctor in advance and seeing if you can arrange something similar. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Just saw the post saying that NHS and RCOG guidelines don't recommend induction for a large baby. Obviously I'm under a different system, plus I was quite ill after the first birth, so perhaps that made a difference.

Sorry to come to this thread late but I am in the same position as you OP. My worry is not so much going overdue as just birth in general. I tried hypnobirthing the first time round and still had a traumatic birth so I can't put much faith in it this time. I am scared of tearing badly again/another episiotomy/another complicated labour/more post-partly problems like prolapse etc. I know it would be better not to be anxious about it but I can't think how! I've already had a debrief with the hospital, didn't really help. I'm not going to request a CS because I'm not sure that would solve the problem, it might just leave me with more but different issues. I almost feel like this birth needs to be good in order to heal my trauma from last time.

I know everyone says the second birth is usually better but I'm sure that's not the case for everyone.

Any thoughts of advice welcome, and sending solidarity to you OP.