C-Section Vs Induction - advice needed

[MrsM2021]

Hi,

First Baby:

I’m currently 38 weeks pregnant and because of a comedy of errors on my hospital/consultants part I still don’t have a concrete date for my ELCS but consultant has recommended it for 39 weeks due to this being an IVF baby. I have infertility related trauma which has made me petrified of the baby dying or becoming seriously unwell during the childbirth process hence the request for c-section. I’ve been told that they are fully booked and that there is an extra 16 women waiting to be fitted in so that it’s unlikely I’ll get my section at 39 weeks.

The other consultant I saw today (I’ve been in twice since last week with reduced movements) said that due to no medical factors I’ve been put on the list for an induction. I’ve heard so many horror stories about inductions and I’m petrified the baby will die I don’t know whether to do it or not?!

Bottom line: go over 39 weeks waiting for a c section which incurs risks and difficult recovery or be induced early and try to overcome my anxiety?

Any advice welcome - tia x

My friend was basically given these two choices too. She was told the list was completely full but ended up going into labour early and got her section pre-term. It’s shocking they seem to be struggling with the amount of people having babies at the moment. I’m due to have a section in the next few weeks and have been assured even if they’re busy I will be booked in for 39 weeks. I would quote the NICE guidelines at them saying a c-section is the only acceptable way you see of giving birth (if that’s what you want) and ask to be sent to another hospital if they can’t give you a date. Worrying I will end up in the same situation now if they’re all so busy right through the summer. Good luck, hope you get it x

I wasn’t given the choice and was induced, still ended up in an EMCS. It’s a story I have heard a lot

If you have your heart set on a vaginal birth then try the induction but if you’d be ok with a CS then cut out the middle man and 24 hours of hormone contractions and just get the CS

Thought I'd jump on and share my very recent induction experience. I was due 1st May with baby no.3 but no signs of him budging. I was booked in for an induction on 14th May when I was 13 days overdue. Like you, I've never heard a positive story and quite frankly was gutted to be having one and shitting myself too. I had some observations done in the morning and then had the pessary put in at 1.40pm. I had some mild niggles on and off for a few hours but really nothing much. My partner ended up getting sent home at 8.20pm due to nothing happened. At 10.20pm I was led in bed relaxing when I heard and felt a click in my stomach. I froze and was thinking what was that. 20 seconds later my waters gushed out and didn't stop. My contractions started 10 minutes later and were 1-2 minutes apart. I was then moved to the birthing centre and my little boy was born at 11.57pm. My labour was a very short 1.27 minutes. I can honestly say it was a really enjoyable birth and event. As much as I didn't want an induction it really couldn't have gone any better. I hope my story gives you a little hope!

I totally understand your trauma after ivf and your fears about something happening to you or the baby.

I personally would push for elcs. If you’ve been in for reduced movements I’d ask/beg to be kept in and don’t leave until you’ve got the section booked for the reasons you’ve said.

My DTs are ivf babies and I had an elcs. For the first time throughout my entire pre pregnancy/pregnancy journey I felt in complete control of what was happening to my body. I don’t say this to scare you at all (it’s what happened!) things got a bit hairy with dt2 but the room filled up with more medical staff and she was whisked away to scbu. She was absolutely fine, she’s a bit of a drama queen and I think she was pissed her twin was born first 😂 I genuinely believe that for us 3 though it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Keep pushing for the elcs if that’s what you want, ask to see another consultant and basically be a nice pain in the ass - you know your body and your baby best!

I’ve pushed and pushed and pushed. Quoted NICE guidelines, cried in frustration, am on a first name basis with the people who book the c sections and have two midwives pushing for my c section.

Even with all of this they say it’s highly unlikely I’m going to be seen before next Weds (when I’m 39 weeks). They’ve booked me in for an induction on Saturday - I’m not sure whether to go for it and then halfway through request a section. I’ve read on MN before that they have to give you one if that happens?

I just couldn’t live with myself if I go over 39 weeks and something happened to her.

Really sorry you’re in this situation.

Is it more the risk of complications with a natural birth or the pain/ labour that’s making you more anxious?

Generally induction is very safe and well managed, I have a lot of friends who have had a really positive experience.

I didn’t quite have an induction but they broke my waters to get things going, I had my epidural (absolutely lovely), they kept monitoring DD and it was overall very peaceful. I don’t think I would have coped well with a c section, I’m due twins and I would definitely choose induction if they’re in the correct position.

@Mummytomylittlegirl I have an irrational fear of labour complications - her heart stopping, being starved of oxygen, becoming stuck etc. After my body constantly failing me when trying to get pregnant, I just don’t trust it to birth the way it should.

Sorry if I’m being slow but is there a reason that there’s a risk to your baby if you go over 39 weeks? Is it age/health related?

What a horrible situation for you. Is it worth taking the line that you do not consent to an induction? Given there is an increased risk to your baby going to term (due to ivf) there would then me a 'medical' reason for induction?

I wouldn’t have an induction. I had an augmented labour with ds ending in a cs. His heart rate kept dipping, they kept making me change positions to take the pressure off him. DH came back from a toilet break and asked me if I wanted a cs and when I said yes told the midwife to get a doctor and get on with one!
The drip was agony despite the epidural, I was a knackered mess afterwards.
Second baby booked a cs, started early had a straightforward VBAC.
IF I have a third I’ll be having either a VBAC before 40 weeks or a cs

I would just say if you go for the induction and they put you on the drip please get an epidural asap. I was very sensitive to the hormones and went off fast on the drip. The pains were much more intense than my previous Drug free natural labour. It also seemed to do something weird to my emotions as I couldn’t stop crying hysterically ( normally I’m very calm) I Begged for pain relief but it was too late as I was fully dilated. Appreciate this is unusual but you never know how you’ll react!

@MissChanandlerBong90 the risk is IVF related.
I have two IVF babies and had vasa previa. My advice would be to remind every HCP you interact with that it’s an ivf pregnancy. Literally none of the 30–40 doctors I spoke checked my notes to see what kind of conception it was and 9 of 10 chances to diagnose vasa previa were missed. Luckily the 10th wasn’t.
In your case I would take the early induction thinking that it may be likely to end in a section anyway.
Alternatively, can you go to a hospital further away.

@MySocalledLoaf oh I see. Thanks for explaining.

Hey, fellow IVF’r.
I was induced at 40 weeks.
I was never left alone by medical staff, I had DRs in and out checking, your constantly hooked to the machine.
Whilst my anxiety of it all wasn’t how yours is I had anxiety relating to fertility on my notes.
Once I was in labour I was much calmer than I thought I was going to be.
Everything went absolutely fine, agree with others that you’d need an epidural for the drip.

Thank you so much for your advice.

I don’t want an induction but it seems there is no way I’ll get a section before/at 39 weeks. I spoke to the consultant today and have decided to go in for an induction - try the pessary and give it 24 hours on the antenatal ward. They can only give me pethidine on this ward and no drip.
If by the end of the 24 hours I haven’t progressed to 4cm which is the threshold to go to labour ward for the drip and epidural then I’ll go straight to c section which they’ll be able to give me there and then due to being an inpatient by that point.

I’m fully expecting to end in a section but I’m also prepared for natural labour if the induction goes smoothly (haha she says naively)!

However, I will be making a complaint via PALS after the baby is born as I have basically been forced into this situation due to sheer incompetence and I’ve had to settle for this approach to do what is best for my baby. If I’m ever lucky enough to be blessed with another I won’t be going within 10 yards of this hospital!

I have literally just experienced this yesterday! I was induced on Wednesday morning which then continued into Thursday and then taken to theatre for a CS as baby hadn't fully descended despite me being fully dilated.

My induction was painful but I would still have preferred he were born naturally to a CS. Having said that, I didn't feel my CS was in any way rushed or manic despite being classed as an emergency.
My recovery from surgery is proving to be just as bad as the induction but will also last longer so I'd honestly opt for an induction again if I were to have the same experience again.

Help!

i’m a first time mum, I’m 22. I’m 34 weeks pregnant and my baby girl measure 6.3 pounds last week. I’ve had suspected type 1 diabetes and I take insulin everyday. I have the option for c-section or induction at 37-38 weeks because she will be around 8.5 pounds. I’m scared her shoulders will get stuck and i’ll feel guilty but then people tell me that she’s a healthy weight and I’m exaggerating her being big. I’m terrified of tearing as I’m only petite. Does anyone have any stories of either or? The length time of induction, my mum struggled to have me with induction, shoulders getting stuck and tearing scare me for induction and the elective C is the scar and being in pain for weeks.

@EmmaGrace200 you may be better off posting your own thread to get some replies Hun. This is very old - it’s an old thread of mine and my DD turns one in two weeks time!
All I can say is I had a C section with my DD and I’m due in August with another baby and will be having another section, out of choice. Don’t believe all the horror stories about sections. But again, start a new thread and hopefully lots of mums with experience of both will be along to give you some advice.