Has anyone refused an induction to have csection??

[MissRiss]

Hi I'm looking to hear from people that have refused an induction..

I'm due on Tuesday and baby is showing no signs of coming and seems pretty comfortable in there, it's also my first baby so I'm expecting her to be late.

I was crying on the phone to my midwife yesterday as I'm absolutely terrified of childbirth, especially getting induced. I know everyone has different induction experiences but from the people I know personally that have had it, they have all had horrific experiences and it's enough for me to know that I definitely don't want to go through it!! I would much prefer a c-section. I know it's not necessarily the easier option and I know there are many risks that come with it, but I would much rather have that than an induction.

The midwife told me that I have the right to refuse and induction (which I didn't know), and if baby doesn't come naturally then they will have to go down the c-section route.

I want to know, can I just be up front and say I dont want to be induced and request a c-section straight away? Or do I have to wait to see if baby comes naturally first? Also, will the staff constantly try and convince me to be induced and keep plugging me with reasons for why its beneficial or will they just respect my request?

Xxx

[Quackersandcheese3]

I think different nhs trusts have different rules.
I was offered induction or c section the day before due date as baby’s movements had reduced and the scan picked up that he was quite big and I’m quite small . I took the c section option. Really lovely experience.
I’m interested to read people that have been willing to go way over their due date though. I was def thinking I just wanted it out of me and the pregnancy to be over. Could not have been bothered to sit around for weeks waiting .
With second baby I obvs wanted section again as I hadn’t laboured before and it seemed the best option for me. The midwife was pushing me to try natural so I was freaking out. Had consultant appointment said I wanted a c section again and she was totally fine and supportive. Delivered at 39 weeks. Again wonderful experience .

Hope you get the support and options you want .

[LittleTopic]

My induction ended in an emergency section and I wish to God I’d refused the drip and asked for a section instead, given I ended up with one anyway. Would have saved lots of panic and stress!

Good luck xx

[Ihaveoflate]

I really wish I'd requested a section instead of induction. She was back to back but the registrar didn't realise (or check) and attempted forceps, which failed. I ended up with a spinal block in theatre anyway and the consultant delivered her with Kieland's rotational forceps. It was all really brutal and I ended up with birth injuries.

I regret bitterly not knowing more or being informed of the risks. I partly blame myself even though it wasn't my fault.

Sorry, I'm sure this wouldn't happen to you and an induction would probably be fine. I was unlucky. But the recovery from a c section would have been the better option for me in the long run. If your gut feeling is telling you section, then put your foot down and request firmly.

[gonewiththerain]

It’s hard to recover from a cs when you’re exhausted from a long labour. I had an augmented labour then an emcs.
You could wait a bit longer but if a cs is what you want go for it. I wish I’d had mine on day 3 of labour rather than day 7, and I only got a cs then because of my very determined DH!

[iMatter]

I haven't but often wished I had.

Failed induction, 54 hour "labour", emergency c section and PND from a) feeling like a failure b) sheer exhaustion. My heart breaks a bit every time I see someone on MN asking for positive induction stories because I think "no chance. You'll end up with an emergency section" But I know that's my issue.

[BabyLlamaZen]

All these induction stories, including pretty much my whole nct group, is why I went for cs. Thinking about vbac for next time, but reading all this is reminding me why cs are so fab.

[ahhsnap]

Is there a reason they want to induce on due date? If you do want to give birth vaginally minus the induction you can request to have regular ctgs post 42 weeks (or whatever the gestation for induction is at your trust) to check that baby is still happy. If not then absolutely yes you can request a c section - go in confident in your decision, let them know you understand the risks etc. Yes some staff may pass comment but ultimately it is your decision and not theirs.
Just to add balance I have had a really positive induction and a dreadful c sec due to breach baby. It's so unpredictable how things will go but even if things do go wrong you'll feel better about it having been your choice vs forced into something.

[hopsalong]

I was given the choice between a c-section and an induction at almost 42 weeks, after being kicked out of the birthing centre for being too overdue. The midwives leaned heavily on me to choose the induction, but then the doctor cane round and scanned me and said he favoured a c-section. (He happened to be on rotation; he was actually a specialist in genito-urinary medicine, so dealt all the time with repairs after traumatic births!)

I went for the section. I have never entirely been sure I made the right choice, partly because I then had to have a c-section the next time (after going overdue again). But I probably did, given the baby's position and the fact he was 9 1/2 lbs. So I think you need to consider more specific things about your own situation. How confident are you in the due date? Is there a possibility, based on LMP dates, that the due date was pushed too early? What is your baby's position and estimated weight (ask for a scan if you haven't had one)? Have you had any effacement? (Look at Emily Oster's book for good data on this and labour starting times. I had zero progress if any kind at 40+12, and head wasn't engaged.)

The one thing I would advise is not pushing too hard to go past 41-ish weeks. It's one thing for a woman who has had several late babies before to sail on to 42 weeks or past that, but from my own experience, and those of other friends who had first babies 'later' in life, the ones who didn't get born within about a few days of their due date were usually badly positioned and difficult to birth.

[Ladybyrd]

Yes. I was 10 days overdue. Was offered an induction for the next day. Freaked out at the last moment as baby was estimated at 9lb 5 and I really didn't want to do it. The went and got the consultant who said I could have a c section the next day if I wanted me. She warned me that scans could be off by up to a pound so he could actually be over 10lb. She did my c section the next day. He was 10lb 5.

I wanted a c section all along (I didn't find it massively reassuring to get comments like "aren't you big, haha"). All along whenever I suggested it to MW, she brushed me off.

I'm having another one on Friday. All I've had this time is "I don't blame you", as DD is measuring big too.

If you want one, you might have to push hard for it, but it was definitely worth it in my book.

[Ladybyrd]

In all fairness though, I can only speak from my own experience. Maybe if I'd had the induction I'd be saying I was glad we went down that road?

Still not willing to put it to the test though.

[maresedotes]

I didn't refuse an induction with my first (didn't know I had a choice) but I did with the second. I was told (bluntly), refuse it then be prepared for a second c section. I ended up having a planned c section and it was the best decision I made. My point is you can refuse. Best of luck.

[PawPatrolMakesMeDrink]

@SoloJazz I had balloon induction, followed by three days of pessaries, they wanted to go another 2 or 3 days of pessaries as my cervix was not softening or dilating at all.
I refused consent to further induction so a section was needed.
It’s bugger all to do with what they will allow. These are our bodies and consent to have or not have treatment lies with us.

[SoloJazz]

@MissRiss I've just had my appointment and it went ok! I voiced my concerns about unpredictability of all induction aspects, that it might work or not, could be hours or days, might need instrumental delivery (which I'm aganst), could still end up with emergency c section and then the recovery would be much harder after possibly a few days of labour etc. The consultant listened and said that she understands all of my concerns and that she agrees that a planned c section would be a much better choice for me so they are now booking me in for Fri or Mon as I want to be closer to 42 weeks at the time. She did try to talk me into induction at first but acknowledged that she can't guarantee that it will all go as I'd like it to. But she honestly wasn't very pushy and said that she supports any decision I make and that it's my baby and my birth and as long as I'm informed of all the risks etc. it's up to me to decide what I'm the most happy with.

[SoloJazz]

@PawPatrolMakesMeDrink yes, I agree! I'm so glad that my appointment went well and the consultant was of the same opinion. No one wants to have days of hard labour and then end up with emergency c section anyway. I know there are positive induction cases too but I'm just not prepared to risk it.

[hels1987]

I would never have an induction again. Five day failed induction and the hospital offered me to go home and come back 24 hours later to start the process again. I refused so had a c section that afternoon and it was a really calm experience. I know there are lots of positive induction stories as well but I personally really struggled with it. X

[Ladybyrd]

@SoloJazz I found all along it was the MWs who were anti c-section and quite dismissive, but as soon as I saw the consultant, it was pretty much up to me.

[Chevron17]

I had an induction in February, due to high BP, I was also a week over.
It was a sensible option for me, I did not want a section, having a new baby and recovering from major abdominal surgery terrifies me.
I would have an induction again, my pain was intense but very well controlled. I didn’t have an assisted delivery, didn’t tear and didn’t have an epidural. Labour lasted 22 hours from my waters being broken and then the oxytocin drop being started.
I feel very lucky about the experience.
Weigh up the positives and negatives of both.
A c section is by no means an easy way out, and it is the right choice for some people, I would have an emergency section but would not choose to have one if I had other options.

[SoloJazz]

@LadyByrd my midwifes were actually ok about it but the first 2 consultants just kept pushing for induction! To be fair, I didn't bring up the subject of a c section with them but then they never mentioned it either. Could be that they would actually be ok with a c section had I asked for it? The third consultant today was really good!

[Ladybyrd]

@SoloJazz I found that, this time around, the consultant basically said "would you like a c section or VBAC?" based on my having a big baby last time. And he did seem to go more into the negatives of c sections, but a quick google and I found they are supposed to try to dissuade you under NICE guidelines since c sections are a lot more than expensive.

My midwife was quite rude about it when I tried to bring it up in my first pregnancy, so I bided my time, but I did want a c section all along, and with every day past my due date I wanted one more.

[LilacSloth]

I had an induction which was recommended at 39+2 due to unstable lie. Started process on Tues morning with pessary, baby arrived by emergency c-section in the early hours of Saturday. I had hardly any sleep for 4 nights before baby arrived so was utterly exhausted and both baby and me ended up with nasty infections.

I know that everyone has different experiences and some women have very straightforward inductions but if I'm lucky enough to have a second child I will be opting for an elective c-section. I would never, ever have an induction again.

[mrssunshinexxx]

@PatchworkElmer I think this is the route I want to go down

I've just heard that the drip is mega aggressive

Were they fairly accommodating to a section if the peccary hadnt of worked ?

[PatchworkElmer]

@mrssunshinexxx they were very “well let’s do this bit and see” but I just repeated again and again that I would refuse the drip and wanted a c-section instead. They certainly didn’t react like this was a big deal or shocking news to them.

[Goodmum1234]

I absolutely did! I still feel angry to this day. My dd2 was a week overdue and I was having a consultant appointment as I was at risk of high bp etc (Dd1 emc pre-eclampsia, nightmare 2010)

Turned up for the appointment which I thought was to book the csection and discuss after having emcs 4 years before. It was a boiling hot day.

She told me to get on the bed and remove my bottoms. Then left the room. I didn’t as I honestly didn’t have a clue what was happening and started to panic. She came back with the tool in a kidney bowl. She began putting in gloves and sternly asked me why I wasn’t undressed as she was goi g to do a stretch and sweep. I was frightened and said no.

She said, ‘so, you are refusing a sweep’. Yes I am with all my courage. She asked me to wait outside. I did and got straight onto this very forum (sept 2014) asking for urgent support. Lovelies on here told me to stick to my guns. So I did. I felt sweaty and faint and was offered nothing. She called me back in after 20mins and said you can have a c section on Monday if you like? (It was Friday). I had gained confidence and said yes please. She filled in the later work I signed it and off I went. I got in the car and sobbed. All was good though. The csection was absolutely the right thing for my situation. The consultant was a bully

[mrssunshinexxx]

@Goodmum1234 that sounds awful but I am so glad you stuck to your guns and got the birth you wanted ! People don't know how damaging they can be

[Goodmum1234]

Thank you Mrs sunshine. We are so vulnerable and I’m sure sometimes this is taken advantage of. I’m a reasonable, respectful person and expect the same back. Upon reflection I’m saddened to think of the thousands of women who wouldn’t dare speak out to so-called authority figures and so go through with these procedures when they don’t want to. Wouldn’t happen in any other area of society.