C section Or Induction advice please!

[Trying4baby2021]

I'm 37 weeks exactly and have been thinking alot about birth. I'm not scared of pain or tearing or pooing myself on the table but I really hate the idea of the hormone drip/being induced. If I get to 40 weeks and labour hasn't naturally started can I ask for a C section rather than an induction?? I know the recovery is longer sometimes for C section but mentally I think it would be better for me than induction. If baby comes before 40 weeks then I will have a vaginal birth if I can. Has anyone requested a C section at 40 weeks rather than induction??

Hi @Trying4baby2021. Yep I feel exactly the same as you and have met a consultant to discuss this exact thing. Going back in 2 weeks to confirm (I'm 35 weeks now). They can't force you to be induced and you can request a section as a maternal request (versus medical need). They talk it through a lot with you and give you all the risks of having major surgery to make sure you are informed.

Obviously I haven't had mine yet (and may never do if go into labour before 40 weeks) but it definitely is an option.

I would make your MW aware as soon as possible in case they want you to talk to a doctor soon x

BTW useful to look at NICE guidelines around it and Birth Rights website to know your rights around this. Even if your consultant didn't agree to do a section for any reason they have to find you one that will

Why are you only giving it to 40 weeks? Most hospitals induce at around 10-12 days late, and most women go into labour before then.

@Parsley1789 my midwife told me that after 40 weeks the placenta isn't as effective at delivery nutrients and oxygen so that's why I said that but I'd happily wait to 41 weeks I just don't want an induction
@LunaDreams so glad someone else feels like this as well ! My next midwife appt is next week so I'll speak with her about it then. I wonder if there's a long wait list?

@Trying4baby2021 Isit your first baby? If so you are quite unlikely to go into labour before your due date most women are late, I had emc with my first and aiming for a VBAC this time
The recovery from a section is shit honestly

My first was an induction and honestly it was an easier and quicker labour and delivery than my second, I'd happily go the induction route again! I think people only talk about induction when it was bad, you don't hear about the possibility of a positive birth experience

I’d definitely look up your birth rights, so you’re informed beforehand. Make sure your birthing partner knows what you want too.
If it’s any reassurance, I had a VBAC at 40+4 directly after a sweep.
Good luck, and congratulations.

You aren’t actually overdue until 42 weeks, inductions are generally offered at 40+10 because it can take a few days to get things moving and it means that baby will be born before 42 weeks.

The midwife that said the placenta was no good after 40 weeks was that specific to your situation? Or just her general opinion?

In a normal, low risk pregnancy induction at 40 weeks really isn’t necessary.

I had a hormone induction with my first and absolutely hated it! It led to hours of fruitless very painful labour followed by an emergency c-section as things didn’t progress and baby became distressed. My second and third births were natural and so much easier - painful but nothing more than I could handle. I’d definitely go straight to c-section rather than have oxytocin again - nasty drug!

Also if you want to find out more about inductions, the process, the reasons why their offered and the research behind their use Sara Wickham has a really good book -

www.amazon.co.uk/Inducing-Labour-making-informed-decisions/dp/1999806433/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sara+wickham+inducing+labour&sprefix=sara+wic&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1629737218&sr=8-1

Well I think your midwife is putting pressure on you there - most women don’t get induced until 10/12 days over, unless there is a specific medical need.

Thanks everyone who's commented so far, lots to think about

I was induced at 40 weeks and it was absolutely fine op.
I would happily do it again.

@Trying4baby2021 definitely make sure you know the various methods of induction that may be offered and how you might feel about each. I was induced with the drip and hated it so have discussed options with a consultant midwife as I won’t be induced with the drip again. But I would consider the pessary for example. I have just been very clear that should the next step be the drip then I will be requesting a section and no one can tell me otherwise! Also consider whether you’d agree to the drip if they agree to give you an epidural first before they start it as that was something I wish I’d done in hindsight. Best of luck xx

I’m the same. This is second baby and due next week.

I’m petrified of getting induced and was thinking wether to opt for a section rather than induction so will ask my midwife when I see her this week.

I had an induction with my first earlier this year. I got myself really worked up about it all before I went in but it was actually fine. Labour was quick and no pain relief needed. Sure this isn’t the case for everyone but inductions aren’t all awful if you decide to go that route

Hi OP, I was desperate to avoid induction and ended up having two! My experience if it helps - DC1: Went to 42+2, no natural labour so had the pessary induction which got everything going. Hardest bit was being on a ward and not being able to go home and be in my own environment. I was very keen (read stubborn) to only have gas and air as I wanted to be able to use the pool. Long story short, DS was stuck but we didn't know that for hours, long and overwhelming labour which ended up in theatre having an episiotomy. I was so overwhelmed and frankly traumatised by the whole thing and then had a complicated recovery due to wound infection.

Fast forward to DC2 and given my initial experience I was clear with my consultant from day one that I wanted a planned c sec if dc wasn't here by due date (this pregancy I had other health conditions identified which meant they didn't want me going to 42 weeks like I did with DS). C sec agreed and booked, then at 39+5 my consultant said they actually didn't want to support c sec and wanted me to have an induction again. As you may imagine, this did not go down well and I just sobbed. However... I ended up accepting it was happening and focused instead on controlling what I could. This time the pessary broke my waters but labour didn't progress so I was told I needed the drip. On paper this was my worst nightmare. I agreed, but on the condition that I had an epidural first and you know what- I had a really relaxed and manageable labour. I could still feel enough pain to know when to push but gas and air honestly made it completely manageable. I wish I'd known that inductions can be like that, even when it doesn't go as you'd originally wish it to. This time I did have a tear that needed stitches but unlike last time I was literally walking up our local mountain with dd strapped to me 4.5 weeks later, feeling totally my normal self. I know if I'd had the c sec I thought I wanted this wouldn't have been an option. Just wanted to say you still have choices work induction and it doesn't have to be a negative experience. X

No one can make you have an induction. It’s like anything medical they need your consent. If you keep refusing to consent they will either have to offer Cs or wait for natural Labour. If you are overdue they’ll likely offer cs pretty quickly. Good luck just remember that they need your consent (some of them can be VERY pushy about vaginal birth!)

Thanks everyone, reading all of the different experiences has been very eye opening. I will speak with my midwife at my 38 week appt about elective C section rather than induction

OP I have been having identical thoughts to you. It just seems to me that consenting to induction just puts you on a one way path to more and more interventions. Pessary becomes artificial rupture of membranes becomes drip becomes epidural becomes being flat on back becomes continuous fetal monitoring (or even worse the one they screw into baby’s scalp ) becomes prolonged pushing becomes fetal distress becomes forceps becomes 3rd/4th degree tear and potentially becomes emergency c-section anyway.

I’m sure it can’t always be like that but I’ve never heard a positive experience from my own circle of friends.

After reading the book “Expecting Better” by Emily Oster, i have decided that I will ask about my Bishops Score first. It seems that this has a huge bearing on whether the induction will be successful or not. If a low score I’d rather keeping waiting or request a c-section that day.

After my child almost died after having a drip induction, I would say elective csection everyday.

My contractions were too strong on the drip. He was in an awkward position and in distress as a result of strong contractions. His heart rate dropped suddenly and I had to be rushed into theatre while they were checking his blood oxygen levels. I was literally being wheeled down the corridor while the doctors had their hand in my vagina.

Based on my own experiences and those of quite a few women I know, I would push for a c section.

I was induced and would do it again tomorrow

@Trying4baby2021 I hope you are getting on okay. How did you get on with your 38 week appointment?

I had a doctors review today (36 weeks) and have agreed to c-section at 40/41 weeks if baby hasn't come spontaneously by then. They were very accepting of my reasons and seemed to understand so only time will tell now. Big weight off my mind knowing I won't have to go down induction route!

I hope you've had a positive experience too of that is what you are still wanting x

@LunaDreams it wasn't great my regular midwife was on holiday and I saw someone else, she didn't know any of my history as to why I don't want a long drawn out induction (severe aneamia resulting in extreme fatigue as well as a traumatic sexual assualt in a hospital a few years ago). So I had to hash it all up for her and in the end she just said talk to your midwife at 40 weeks if you make it that far! She did say the consultants will try to put me off c section but at the end of the day they can't force the hormone drip onto me! Glad your experience sounds so much better ☺️