Can I refuse to be induced? Naturally is surely best?

[Mamalove]

Hi all. I am pregnant with my second baby and not due for a while yet but would appreciate some advice for when the time arrives.
My waters broke with my first baby with a 'gush'. I had a home birth planned and a birthing pool hired but I was told I would HAVE to be induced if I didn't start naturally within the next 24 hrs.
I absolutely hated the thought of giving birth to my son in such clinical surroundings but as a first time mum I did as I was told without questioning a thing.
I wasn't happy with the way I felt pushed around the system with very little, in fact no explanation as to what my CHOICES actually were.
This time I want it to be different and I want to go into it armed with as much knowledge as poss so that my naivety isn't abused.
Can anybody give me advice on refusing to be induced?
Many thanks.

P.s not sure where this site is but i'm on the uk.

[SazzaK]

I had a similar and slightly irritating experience - I was induced 48 hrs after PROM - they gave my daughter antibiotics directly as I had a quick labour once induced (even though the paeds said she looked in no way poorly). I am in no doubt that all of this was unnecessary but I saw a consultant obstetrician who advised me to be induced. This second time round I would take their advice exactly the same to be honest. I'd be disappointed but couldn't live with myself and the consequences if I didn't take the precautions, and something went wrong.

[wb]

The 24 limit seems strange (unless you are strep B positive or showing signs of an infection). I was told 72 hrs max limit when my waters broke - that seemed reasonable to me.

[Tangle]

Have you seen the Homebirth website? There's masses of information there, including lots of reasons why women are told they "can't" have a homebirth.

Good luck. Isn't it sad that as a pregnant women you have so much trust in the medical professionals advice you have to do your own research. Surely it shouldn't be a battle we need to be independently armed for .

[Mamalove]

Thank you mintpurple thats exactly what I was looking to hear.

[Mamalove]

Absolutely! My baby comes first but I want some facts on refusing induction or even postponing it so I am given more time to start naturally. I am aware of the risk of infection but surely by being in my own home and not in hospital my risk of gaining an infection is greatly reduced.
I just think that being given ALL of the options is far better so that one can make an informed decision based on what one feels is best. Not simply being told by the NHS the path I HAVE to take.
I feel very strongly that far too often pregnancy and birth are interfered with unnecessarily. It is not after all a medical condition! Sure there are exceptions but the natural way seems to have given way to a governing clinical one!

[Mintpurple]

Hi Mamalove

Most hospitals will recommend being induced after 24 - 96 hours following SRM, as there is evidence to suggest that chance of infection is roughly doubled after 96 hours, although still extrememly small, hospital would also recommend IVantibiotics after 24 hours while in labour, and some places seem to give these at home, others will not.

You dont have to do anything you dont feel happy with, but the hospital will start to crank up the pressure to be induced after a certain time, but it is generally considered acceptable to wait for up to but not more than 96 hours, checking temp etc, as recommended in the NICE guidelines, so you would be well within your rights to be quoting the nice guidelines of 96 hours to them.

You will always hear of a story like bublagirls friend, and although it is really sad, it is also very very rare, so please dont be too swayed by that.

The other thing to consider is that if you have to be induced with a second baby, it can still be a very positive experience - you dont have to stuck to a bed etc, although its not exactly a homebirth.
Actually there are loads of other ways it could go, if your waters break you can just go into labour, and about 50% of mums do this within 24 hours. If no sign of infection, you dont have to have the abs, and go in for induction. You might not break your waters first. So try not to worry too much about it at this time.

Good luck

[JingleyJen]

We have had 2 uncomplicated homebirths BUT I have to say that Dh and I agreed early on that we would take medical guidance and if there was any chance that things were not on the better side of average we would go into hospital and go with medical advice.

Your desire for your birth plan at some point has to come second to the health of your baby.

You can put off being induced if everything is fine but if your waters have gone - there really is no point IMO.

[bubblagirl]

the longer the baby is out of amniotic fluid the more chances it has of getting an infection

so to leave it longer than 24 hrs at that late stage would be putting babies life at risk

my friends waters broke she was 1 wk overdue hospital sent her home and 24 hrs later she had a still birth due to infection

talk with midwife about choices but i'm glad they looked out for you there as ive seen what happens other wise