Maternal request at 36 weeks, too late?

[Bennetgirl]

Have I left it too late? I had a consultant appointment yesterday and walked away after being told I’d be induced at 39 weeks due to a big baby.

I don’t want to be induced early and have done a lot of research. I would rather book a c section for 39 weeks but have a natural labour if it happens before. I had a mild prolapse after my last that I managed to fix myself, the thought of forceps or a bad tear is my worst fear/

I’m seeing my midwife on Tuesday. Is it too late now?

No it’s not too late, have a chat with your midwife.

Nobody should be ‘telling’ you what is going to happen, and you don’t need to make ‘requests’. It’s your body and you need to consent to any medical procedures. You are not powerless here.

Just tell your midwife that you have been reflecting and would like an alternative course of action, or would like to discuss further.

Thank you! My midwife is totally on board and has agreed all along that this is a huge baby.

I’m gutted I walked away yesterday but think I was in shock that the baby had turned!

In hypnobirthing they teach you the BRAIN acronym to help you to ask the right questions to get the information that you need to make your own decisions. Might be worth using that to ask around your options before deciding what to do:
Benefits - what are the benefits of induction/C section?
Risks - what are the possible risks of induction/C section?
Alternatives - do you understand all of your options here
Instinct - what is your gut telling you to do?
Nothing - what might happen if you do nothing? What are the risks if you decide to wait a bit longer for a natural labour? What would be the risk if you accept a C section/induction but wait until your due date/afterwards for it?

Ring the labour ward and ask for a PMA midwife to call you back. PMA stands for professional midwife advocate, they can help you talk to a consultant who is crap at listening. It’s definitely not too late. I was the same no of weeks as you when I booked by my 39 weeks c section. Slightly different situation in that the consultant didn’t want me to go for a vaginal birth and I did. But unless your crowning it’s not too late.

The nice guidelines do not recommend induction just for a big baby if there are no other indications.
You can decline induction and don't have to have an ELCS instead if you don't want to. It's your decision.

www.aims.org.uk/information/item/making-decisions

Thank you all. I was surprised she said I’d be induced at 39 weeks. I’ve done a lot of research on big babies and everywhere says they won’t induce early.

Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

Hi @Bennetgirl i know this is a really old post but wonder how this turned out for you? I’m exactly in the same position and wonder if i can still request for CS now that I’m 36 weeks.