C section agreed but unsure

[Bennetgirl]

I’m expecting my fourth in 4 weeks. It’s measuring big (6lb 11 at 35 weeks) and I had a mild prolapse last time. All others were quick labours even my last when I was induced at 40+ 15.

I met with my consultant who has agreed to whatever I’m happy with but she wants me to reconsider early induction.

Wwyd? Go for induction at 39 weeks or c section?

I’m aware of the pros and cons of each but can’t for the life of me decide now!

Depends really. If you're previous induction were not too long it may be fine for you. Problem with early induction is that baby can take much longer to get shifting.

I was offered induction or elcs at 39wk as our 6th was measuring very big, came out 10lb 15oz.
I decided on elcs bang on 39wk as I had an elcs with breech twins before her so I was worried about scar rupture (full induction would double the risk). I went in to labour the day before my cs date though, over 20hrs labour then a late night cs with scar rupture and heavy blood loss. Had I not had a previous cs I would still have refused an early induction. I had full induction with our 1st at 39+3 which took 3 days, fetal distress and vontouse, still my least favourite delivery.

Thank you. Did you have a scan before you delivered? What size did they predict if you did? I think I’ll go by the scan on the day. If it’s over 9lb I’ll go c section.

My induction was drip only and really fast. But, I was 16 days late so she was ready.

It’s the risk of forceps, tearing, length of labour etc that puts me early induction. The c section recovery with a toddler also really worries me x

I'd had growth scans and they estimated weight at those, 31+6 was 5lb 4oz & 35+6 7lb 12oz.
My 1st cs recovery was good, I was back doing most things after a 1 night stay in hospital and we had 3 at home already (9,4,2). 2nd was much harder, even getting out of bed was agony at 1st. I spent 3 nights in hospital but I still managed to get on with household tasks once home (was just very painful). I could pick up our 6 year old twins after a few weeks so a toddler wouldn't have been too bad. I think you may need help if out with toddler though... I was exhausted on short walks but that was more down to low iron levels, felt much better after a month of iron tablets and I managed a 2 mile walk with baby in pram 2.5wk pp. I was comfortable driving at 3wk pp, waited 6wk after 1st one.

Either way you'll manage it all. Good luck

Scans are more inaccurate the further along you go. They can be up to 20% out either way, so I wouldn’t let that make the decision for me. If baby is currently 6lb 11oz, then at 1/2 a lb per week you’re looking at just over 9lb. 44% of shoulder dystocia cases happen in babies weighing less than 8lb 4oz. I think I’d read the NICE and RCOG guidance on management of babies over 90th centile and if I felt it was safe, I’d hold off on any intervention including sweeps until at least 40 weeks.

@Bennetgirl I had emc with my first and due in 3 weeks there will be 16 month gap. I will do everything in my power (safely) to not end up with a section effectively looking after 2 babies, maybe I'm being naive but I'm hoping so bad for as smooth as possible vaginal x

C-section every time for me, just had one 9 weeks ago and it was brilliant!

Oh thats really tricky, with the prolapse I'd consider ELCS tbh.

I've only ever had big late babies and 4 out of 5 induced.

I've also had a rectocele prolapse since my eldest in 2000 (ventouse episiotomy 3rd degree tear) which has worsened since dc4 and 5.

When pregnant with DC5 I mentioned to a consultant who told me it wouldn't make a difference but frankly I don't believe her. I am now having worse issues and I think 9lb DD flying out in 2hrs didn't help.

I also found that my induction at 40wks (due to allegedly being 9lb at 37wks) was slower and needed the drip whereas dc5 at 41wks and dc3 at 42wks were just waters broken and out in 2hrs. Dc4 only took 4hrs once the drip got me to established labour but that took around 10hrs of twatting about waiting for anesthetist.

Prior to my induction at 40wks I did ask them to see if my cervix was favourable because I wouldn't have considered induction if not due to my shit first induction. So maybe ask that too.

@BurningBenches My consultant also told me a c section can still give you a prolapse! I’m very sure pushing out a 9lb + baby is going to do more damage. I don’t want that again or worse.

I’m so torn. I’m change my mind daily but I think I’m still swaying towards c section. It’s the real unknown of how big this baby might be. I think over 10lb easily, it is huge!

@Bennetgirl what size do the MW think? The MW estimate based on feeling for DC5 was more accurate than the oh she's average sized growth scan. I was actually mildly concerned when they said she was average.

My mw believes this baby is large and recommended a c section. I’ve been asking her to do my fh and it was 39/40 at 35+4.

I’m seeing her just before my next scan and consultant appointment. I’ll ask her to have a good feel and see what she thinks.

Given the pains I’ve been having I don’t know if I’ll make it to those appointments! It doesn’t feel like contractions but I’m going regular pains at the bottom of my bump.

@BurningBenches how big were yours? Mine so far were 7lb 1 3 days early, 8lb 13 3 days late and 8lb 14 16 days late!

8lb 11 at 42wks
8lb 15 at 41+3 (only spontaneous)
9lb10 at 42wks
9lb5 at 40wks
9lb at 41wks

The 4th was the one who was supposed to be 10lb7 at 40wks. He was long and had positional talipes from being squashed...no inclination to be born though 🤣

So not huge but 91st centile

Mines on the 90th line. It just feels huge. I’m bigger now then I was full term with the others 😩