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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Refusing induction

25 replies

daffodilsandprimroses · 23/03/2021 17:50

I’m wondering if this is an option, for subsequent pregnancies. I was induced with my first and it was horrific.

And has anyone been induced and had a positive birth story?

OP posts:

zzzebra · 23/03/2021 17:54

I believe my trust allows you to decline induction and be regularly monitored instead. However I'm not sure how far past 42weeks they would let you go.

However there are risks, which they talk you through, and you should ask about before making up your mind.

zzzebra · 23/03/2021 17:56

Should add I had a friend that was induced and had a 4 hour labour and very smooth birth, gas and air only, no stitches.

I went into labour naturally and it was awful and long. Sometimes it's just pot luck I'm afraid.

Good luck with the birth.

Windchangeface · 23/03/2021 17:59

I was induced OP.

It was my first DC but went really smoothly. Pessary in at 10am, contractions by 7pm, managed with pain relief to get some sleep overnight. Epidural at 11am following day and DS out at 5pm the next day.

My SIL wasn’t induced with her first (born shortly after mine) and ended up in slow labour, unable to sleep and in lots of pain for 48 hours followed by another 6/8 in hospital and a semi traumatic birth.

I’d say, whilst both unpleasant overall (is birth ever fun?) I had a better run by far! However, since then I’ve come to realise my induction went very smoothly and it’s certainly not always the case!

Windchangeface · 23/03/2021 18:00

5pm birth after 11am epidural (both on same day not depressed) x

ItsSnowJokes · 23/03/2021 18:02

In my birth plan and to my midwife I stated that I refused induction and would want a C Section instead. The midwife said it wouldn't be a problem. I also refused an instrumental birth and again asked for C Section. So it can be done. Just be firm (but polite) that you do not want induction and would either go for monitoring or C Section.

HobnobbingAboutHobnobs · 23/03/2021 18:04

1st baby, pessary at 12.30, contractions started at 3, on delivery ward by 5.30, ARM about 7, due to have epidural but then started pushing, baby born at 10.15. Very intense contractions, but overall a positive experience.

DuggeeHugPlease · 23/03/2021 18:05

Yes you can refuse any treatment, they can't force you to be induced.
They will talk to you about any increased risks but ultimately it's up to you.

I had some helpful advice from a midwife to ask what the actual risk is eg if they say the risk of x doubles if you don't have an induction ask what the risk was to begin with as it could be tiny. The phrasing double the risk sounds worrying but it could still be a tiny risk.

Toega · 23/03/2021 18:05

No one can make you have an induction. You can choose monitoring if you think that's the best option for you and your baby, or a c section. I chose that over induction.

Cleverpolly3 · 23/03/2021 18:06

I’ve had three inductions one at 41 weeks the other two at 39
They were all fine

TidyOmlette · 23/03/2021 18:07

You can refuse but the risks increase the longer you go. I always say make a list of questions you want to ask so you don’t forget or get confused with statistics etc

JanewaysBun · 23/03/2021 18:09

I had the drip induction and although not may fave thing ever it was completely fine.

Other friends had the pessary no problems

UnCoffreDor · 23/03/2021 18:15

Yes you can refuse an induction, it's your body, your decision. Please remember that. You are an expert in you want for yourself, the medical team are expert in the medical aspect of things. If you don't want an induction, be firm and assertive, look at pros/cons of a c section. As some posters have written in here, some inductions do go well, whilst some vaginal births can be long and difficult. The opposite is true for both as well. No decision is risk/pain free unfortunately, and it's hard to predict how things turn out for any birthing decisions.
At the end of day, the goal for both yourself and the team is to get baby out safely, if there's no medical need to be induced, you can refuse and ask for close monitoring. Wishing you the best

limpingparrot · 23/03/2021 18:15

I’ve had two ‘good’ inductions. Quick,( too quick for epidurals) and straightforward births- a couple of stitches the first time and none the second.

greyspottedgoose · 23/03/2021 18:18

Just wanted to say I had a lovely induction, pessary then a nice bath with gas and air was all done in a few hours, sorry you had a tough time but its not always so 😊

Rover83 · 23/03/2021 18:18

My first child was still born at just under 42 weeks. Due to this I was induced with my second at 39+3 which was really straight forward has and air. My third develop medical problems and was induced at 37 weeks, took a lot longer as baby wasnt ready but eventually delivered with just gas and air. No 4 had the same issue as No 3 but was a lot sicker so was induced at 34 weeks, induction couldnt progress so ended in an emcs which I knew was a high probability but we felt it was worth trying to avoid the cesarean.

Hollywhiskey · 23/03/2021 19:54

I was induced with my first with the pessary at 41 weeks. It went in at 2am, I went into labour at 5 pm and baby out by just after midnight. I didn't need an epidural or assistance or any or the things I'd been really terrified of and convinced myself were almost certain outcomes of inductions. It was fine.

mizu · 23/03/2021 20:02

I was induced with both of mine as they were both nearing 2 weeks over so don't know any different.

1st was 12 hours and pretty awful - doctor brought in to pull out placenta and then stitches. However, my 2nd was half the labour length of the 1st and no stitches so much better.

BurningBenches · 24/03/2021 10:08

I've been induced 3 times. My first was not great.

However my 2nd (3rd birth) at 42wks was brilliant, they broke my waters and she was born 2hrs later.

My 4th was induced at 40wks due to size (large) and whilst took more to get him going (drip so I opted for epidural) established labour was only 4hrs and I was home by lunchtime.

I'm expecting again in June and I expect I will either be offered an induction due to size again at 40wks (babies are getting bigger) or one at 41wks due to age, none of mine have ever come before 41wks. I'm not sure what I will do, but I'll probably base my decision on my bishops score closer to the time.

Amrythings · 24/03/2021 10:18

I had an absolutely horrific induction (should never have been induced at all and wouldn't have agreed if I'd been given the full facts), ended up with an emergency section and have been very very clear from the start that not only am I not being induced again, if anyone tries to suggest it I will not be responsible for their continued survival. In the highly unlikely event I want to try it, I will start that conversation in my own time and it will happen the way I want, not according to what suits them. This has been discussed with the consultant and the delivery ward sister and is now down in black and white, so anyone who goes against it will be up for a disciplinary.

Get your midwife or consultant to refer you to the birth trauma midwife and get her to steer from there.

maresedotes · 24/03/2021 10:48

You can refuse an induction. I did after my previous experience and also refused a sweep.

myotherusernameisonholiday · 24/03/2021 11:30

Hi OP,

I was induced for being overdue for both my pregnancies. DC1 was 24 hour pessary, contractions started after about 18 hours. Birth wasn't great and I felt that I wasn't listened to as was still on the induction ward when I was begging to be checked as felt like I needed to push. Was checked, I was at 8cm, no pain relief, then had to wait for an hour to find a room to deliver in. I felt very out of control. DC1 born ok, I was very poorly afterwards due to blood loss. BUT... DC2, totally different story. I felt in control and was able to speak up. I had the pessary for 24 hours, no contractions. They broke my waters and DC2 was born 2 hours later, a million times better! I still tore but was up and showered within an couple of hours. I felt amazing in comparison, was home the next day (had to stay in due to meconium in waters) and was having lunch with friends 3 days later in the pub beer garden.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Nellle · 24/03/2021 11:36

"Am I allowed" and "they won't let you" should not be in your pregnancy vocabulary.

Listen to safety advice, but it's your body, you can give birth how and where you want.

Cleverpolly3 · 24/03/2021 12:40

@daffodilsandprimroses
How many weeks were you even induced last time?
Also what method of induction did they use?
I’ve had peasant, drip and gel. Drip was by far the most painful

Charlottejade89 · 24/03/2021 20:38

I've been induced twice, both for prolonged rupture of membranes. The first was long, had a 24 hour pessary which didn't work at all, then a long wait to go down to labour ward as they were busy, then induced using the drip, labour was then 17 hours and almost 2 hours pushing.
My second was in December just passed. Had a gel and waited 6 hours, mild contractions started as soon as it was in. At 6am I went over to labour ward and my partner was allowed to come in, the doctor allowed me a 2 hour period to go for a walk etc to see if I could start labour by myself as the contractions had already started. this did kove things along but not enough so I had the drip put up at 10am, baby born at 15.19. No pain relief except a bit of gad and air about 10 mins before he was born. Made a huge difference that the second time my midwife let me move around into whichever position I wanted even tho I was being monitored, the first time I was made to stay on the bed on my back which I hated

MyCatHatesOtherCats · 24/03/2021 20:47

Absolutely an option to refuse. I was induced first time round for being overdue and ended up with an EMCS. I was clear second time round that I would not consent to an induction under any circumstances and that if baby needed to come out sooner for whatever reason, it would need to be by ELCS. Hospital were completely fine with that.

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