10 years since last birth - previous bad experience ...

[Shelbustotherescue]

Hello

So I have had my first appt with my midwife today and the great dragging up the past debacle has begun .....

So, because it's been over 10 years since my last birth the NHS class this as "first time birth" as your body "forgets" it's done it before and so labour can play out similar to a first time mum, so because of this I will be under consultant led care with extra scans due to missed gestational diabetes in my last pregnancy

Both my previous births have been horrendous - my last was a 35 min labour from first contraction to him being in my arms, at home, midwife turned up when his head was out with the cord around his neck - he was 9lb14oz - they told me that if I ever had another I wouldn't be allowed to birth naturally unless I was induced early or I'd have to have an elective c section

Midwife today has said there is no reason why I can't try a vaginal birth again if I want - but I can request an elective.

Can I request to be induced early ? Has anyone done this ? I don't want to go past my due date again as this is how I ended up having big babies !

I should imagine unless your growth scans show large baby they probably won't induce early, however you mention diabetes, this is a reason to induce early and also causes big baby's .
I have 11 years between my youngest and this pregnancy I also had two very difficult pregnancies and births and was told I would be consultant lead but as far as extra appointments etc not had any! Was just saying to my partner the other day I feel a little abandoned actually as I've had no extra appointments (as you do with first baby) and if not for me contacting midwife when problems occurred would have seen her at 15 weeks then 29 weeks which I find bizarre!!

Hi OP, yes, you can request an induction. If you're offered a course of action (here, it would be do nothing) and you're not happy with it, they have to provide alternative treatments, in this case induction of labour or planned caesarean. Of course because they are juggling with the system's pressures, they might not be keen (ie they'll look at the number of beds they have-although my hospital now for certain scenarios start the induction and send you home until things develop, so that might be an option) but you can request an induction. One of my friends did just that. 40 weeks, she said I want to be induced and she was. Good luck!

A couple of papers you might find useful?
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190702152815.htm

This is an American study, so might not completely translate in UK system but shows that induction at 39 weeks does not increase risk of CS or instrumental delivery
m.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Practice-Advisories/Practice-Advisory-Clinical-guidance-for-integration-of-the-findings-of-The-ARRIVE-Trial