Induction or elective c-section?

[glowingtwig]

Hello,

I'm after some advice... I've just had my first consultant call where I was advised to be induced at 39 weeks. I really really don't want to be induced- I've heard nothing but horror stories of the drip, interventions, instrumental delivery and emergency c-sections.

My first birth was at 39+5- a lovely, straightforward vaginal birth on gas and air, quite a short labour, and a second degree tear which healed fine... BUT three hours afterwards I had a serious eclamptic fit and ended up nil by mouth for 48 hours and a 24 hour mag sulph drip which was truly awful and impacted feeding.

I'm also two years older so when this baby is due i'll be 41.

I'm now wondering whether I might be better to opt for an elective c section but obviously have zero understanding of what recovery will be like (and now also have a toddler). Maybe the control of a c section might actually make me feel better than the fear of another eclamptic fit and be less risky than induction or just waiting to go in to labour.

I feel totally side-swiped by the conversation what would you do? I'd be so grateful for responses about both c sec and induction.

I would go for the C section, like you I had pre eclampsia & the induction just made things worse.

I had an emergency section my in last labour and have stipulated that I'm open to a VBAC this time but only if it happens naturally. If an induction is involved (which it may well be due to a health condition) I would rather just go for an elective section as in my experience an induced labour rarely goes smoothly. That's just me though.

I think you'd feel calmer having a c section but have you got help for the recovery period?

Thanks ladies. I don't know a single person who has had a positive intervention-free induction...

@eggandchips37 I'd have my husband for two weeks but then he'd be back at his crazy job with its insane long hours.

I had a positive induction. I was induced at 40+1 due to ivf pregnancy. Pessary in at 10am. Decent contractions by 1am spontaneous waters. Baby born at 6.30am. I did have a third degree tear but I'm not sure that's due to the induction or delivery.

However in your situation I would opt for the section I think

I've read quite a few positive induction stories here and heard some from friends, but have also heard many not so good things.
I personally have opted for ELCS as I think the induction may lead to more interventions, and I have a few other risk factors that combined mean it's the choice I'm most comfortable with.
If I could be guaranteed a straightforward vaginal birth I'd go for it, but there are no guarantees. I'm not afraid of pain but if lasting damage.

If your husband is off for 2 weeks that's a good start and you could consider additional help whether that's paid help or childcare for your toddler. Easier to arrange either when you have a date for a C-section than an induction which could take time.

I know two people who had positive, intervention-free inductions! I myself have had two lovely calm c-sections from which I bounced back very quickly (first time, baby was breech, second one was entirely elective because the first was such a walk in the park). Probably the most pertinent questions are around what support you will have in the first month or so, and what your routine with your toddler is like. I have my parents local, and my DD was almost three - I deliberately taught her to climb in and out of the pushchair before her sister arrived to make the nursery run easier, and my parents did it till about week four. It would have been a struggle for me without that but apart from that it was a doddle.