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Original poster

Currently being induced - Can I ask to stop?

246 replies

Littlebee1990 · 14/05/2021 00:31

Was induced yesterday due to a scan the day before at 39+3 saying I had severe excess fluid. Had a pessary in for 24 hours and nothing has changed. I’ve been here for over 36 hours now, I’ve not slept and I’m struggling mentally.

Am I able to request a c section instead? My mum had a stillborn linked to induction, I’m at risk of cord prolapse the longer I go and I’m really working myself up and just don’t think having anything else shoved up me is going to be right for me 😞

OP posts:
AbsolutelyPatsy · 14/05/2021 07:52

take it easy op Flowers

Original poster
Littlebee1990 · 14/05/2021 07:52

@BertieBotts very good point, that was aggy 2am me! Thank you, I’ll reword that for sure

Thank you also to everyone else, this is really helping x

OP posts:
bringmelaughter · 14/05/2021 07:52

I’m not clear why you think the healthcare team are going to pressure you.

You seem to report that the midwife listened to you straight away and stopped continuing with the induction. That suggests you’re with a team who listen.

It’s likely they’ll explain the risks and benefits of continuing vs csection but that isn’t pressure, it’s informed consent.

Yes you should be clear about your wishes but also understand that it’s a good thing for the healthcare team to outline all scenarios so that you can make an informed decision.

Good luck, I hope you feel supported and have your baby soon.

Branleuse · 14/05/2021 07:54

Be assertive. This is important. They honestly dont mind in general, and if any of them did mind, thats their problem, not yours and they can sign off at the end of the day without having any skin in the game.

Original poster
Littlebee1990 · 14/05/2021 07:57

@bringmelaughter Also a really good point, I’m just over tired and assuming the worst and taking everything as a negative which isn’t my usual mindframe at all but you’re absolutely right. It’s not right for me to assume I’ll be met with objection and informed consent is exactly what they will likely offer. Need to switch that mindset before the conversation and I will 🙂

OP posts:
Peanutkitten · 14/05/2021 08:03

Good luck! How exciting!! Hopefully won’t be too long now and 100% agree that an elective is far better than an emergency c-section.

TheBuggerlugs · 14/05/2021 08:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

MoreAloneTime · 14/05/2021 08:12

Remember you aren't there to please anyone and you cab decline any treatment you aren't comfortable with.

PatchworkElmer · 14/05/2021 08:13

Good luck OP! I’d be going down the same route as you

MotherOfCrocodiles · 14/05/2021 08:18

Good luck. If they have no slots for c section til next week could you ask to be transferred to another hospital

Phrowzunn · 14/05/2021 08:20

I was induced on a Saturday morning, had three pessaries over the next few days then they decided to put me on the drip for 14 hours and THEN I had to have an emergency section (which was Wednesday evening by this time). So about 100 or so hours of induction before the section. DD ended up in NICU and I ended up with PND. If I could go back in time I would absolutely have asked just to have a section when I realised induction wasn’t working for me. Know your body, speak your mind. You can do this!

Bhappy12 · 14/05/2021 08:22

I know it's possibly a bit late for this advice now, but it might be worth downloading "Give birth like a feminist" (the audio book is particularly good) - it's a great book and talks a lot about patient choice etc and your rights as a patient before, during and after birth. I found it very empowering when giving birth to my son.

It sounds like you've clearly weighed up your options, are fully aware of the risks of both and have made a decision. They should absolutely respect that. Forgetting all of the other context, an elective c-section is a valid choice.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 14/05/2021 08:22

I have another possible reason for you Op. You are exhausted and even if the induction worked you do not believe you have the energy required to birth the baby safely.

ginandvomit · 14/05/2021 08:25

Please don't feel anxious speaking up. You have every right to ask for a c-section. Stay firm, best of luck with the delivery and enjoy your new born very soon OP.

AliceMcK · 14/05/2021 08:29

Do it. This happened with me, it was 49 hours before they did anything, I just kept getting fobbed off. I was being very reasonable at the time. But I completely lost my shirt after baby was born as they started fobbing me off and delaying my discharge too, I just wanted to get home to my other DCs and my TI DF, I actually started screaming and shouting at them, even swearing because I’d had enough I’d been in there a total of 76 hours when I didn’t need to be. I wish I had spoken up sooner before I’d got to that point which was very out of character for me.

bringmelaughter · 14/05/2021 08:37

@Littlebee1990 please don’t think of it as a criticism. I think often healthcare aren’t good at communicating that they want to ensure that people have all the information to make the right decision for themselves.

Also people who are tired and often anxious aren’t always great at hearing the options laid out with the negatives as well as positives, especially about any negatives to do with their choice at that time.

Healthcare communication is really tricky.

I hope you’re supported really well to make the best decision for you. Take care.

NameChange30 · 14/05/2021 08:40

"We've tried induction and it's not working. I want a c section as soon as possible"
If they say no: "please record in my notes that I requested a c-section and you declined"
If they fob you off and say they can't do anything now but will get consultant to see you later - "what time? What are the risks to my baby while we're waiting? If the consultant agrees to a c section will I be able to have one immediately or will I have to wait longer?" and ask them to record in your notes the time that you requested a c section.
If you start asking them to write things in your notes they might start taking you seriously. Notes can be reviewed afterwards when making complaints and investigating whether they did anything wrong.

ElphabaTWitch · 14/05/2021 08:44

Why aren’t you on the drip for induction? After failed gel you should be on a drip to get you going. There’s little chance that won’t work. Good luck either way. Exciting your having a baby today !!

Councilworker · 14/05/2021 08:49

I did this with my second. My first was induced and then a very long labour with instrument delivery and I had a PPH and baby went to NICU. I was knackered and we spent a week in hospital.
2nd baby started induction and nothing was doing. They wanted to break my waters and put up a drip the next day but I said I wanted a C-section and explained my reasons. The first doc I saw was slightly patronising and I was able to tell her that all the risks she was explaining to me had actually occurred in my induced delivery and that a calm section would be better for my mental health than running risk of an EMCS.
I also quoted the NICE guidelines. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192
I had a lovely calm delivery in theatre and my son was on my chest and latched on within 30 minutes of delivery (and then shat all over me)
As it turned out my son had wedged himself into my pelvis with the arm at a weird angle and the consultant afterwards was quite apologetic and said that my baby probably would have ended in an EMCS as he was in an awkward position that breaking my waters wouldn't have allowed him to move properly anyway.

I absolutely know I made the right decision and I healed really well and felt much more able to manage after having him compared to his sister

Lalliella · 14/05/2021 08:52

Can they not speed up the induction by putting you straight onto the drip? I never had the pessaries, went straight on the drip, whole thing took about 12 hours. It had to be quick because my waters had broken then nothing happened and I’m a strep B carrier, so they needed to get baby out quickly.

Lalliella · 14/05/2021 08:53

@Lalliella

Can they not speed up the induction by putting you straight onto the drip? I never had the pessaries, went straight on the drip, whole thing took about 12 hours. It had to be quick because my waters had broken then nothing happened and I’m a strep B carrier, so they needed to get baby out quickly.
And I know there’s horror stories about that method but for me it was absolutely fine. Good luck!
Original poster
Littlebee1990 · 14/05/2021 08:55

Honestly I cannot thank you all enough, the advice and support is amazing.

Re the drip - I have a hole in my heart so not advisable I have it ... another reason I want to stop x

OP posts:
ConfusedAdultFemale · 14/05/2021 08:58

Was coming on to say unfortunately it can’t be stopped if it’s already started! But in this case requesting a csection is absolutely ok, good luck (and congrats!!) Flowers

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 14/05/2021 09:17

I think you're a bloody shero OP and I wish I'd been able to speak up before I had to go through a horrendous 4 day induction followed by an emcs.

The consultant took one look at me and said 'this baby is not going to come out by itself' and that was that. Midwifes are under lots of pressure to avoid cs whereas I think the docs have a slightly different attitude.

Either way, good luck - we're all behind you.

Noshowlomo · 14/05/2021 09:20

Just wanted to say good luck OP. Hope baba is with you soon 💜

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