39 weeks - induction or c-section?

[Jamontoast1]

Sorry I’m sure there have been other threads on this but I am so confused with what to do.

I have GD so am being offered induction or c-section at 39 weeks.

I have always thought I’d go for induction until the hormone drip and if it came to that, go for a c-section. Or if things were taking too long to progress, opt for a c-section then.

I just spoke with the consultant who said if that was my thinking he’d say to just go ahead with a c-section as 95% of the time, women having an induction will need the hormone drip so chances are I’ll have it.

I’m weighing up in my mind the fact that at the end of it all I could end up with an emergency c-section anyway (which would be awful if id waited 5 days to then have EMCS), I’m also worried about having forceps and a massive tear, and the risk of shoulder dystopia.

He said it can take 3-5 days from induction starting to birth which seems like forever to wait in hospital on my own on a ward!

He was keen to recommend me going ahead with an induction but said it’s ultimately my decision.

I’m just keen to hear other people’s views / experiences or any advice whatsoever!

I went for induction at 40 weeks and was not offered a c section as an option. Ended up having a spinal injection and forceps. Was in hospital 5 days and nights in total.

It was intense and very long for me (34 hours) but other ladies there had their baby's the same day (one lady was half an hour, I was very jealous 😆) so it really varies with induction!

I think if I had the option I would personally go for induction again. It wasn't fun, but I feel my experience could only improve and after I felt it was worth it.

My friend had c section a week later with no issues ☺️

Just to add I had a third nearly fourth degree tear, it took about 2 weeks to feel truly comfortable again, but about 6 in total.

However, I was fine and highly recommend getting spritz for bits for aftercare.

Omg, me again 🤣 it was 42 weeks.

Please please do c section, the induction process is HORRENDOUS!! I did 15 hours Labour then a very very scary 3am emergency section

I don't know what I'd do. I've always been led to believe that induction hurts more. Can you stand pain for days on end? Drugs don't always work. I'd be tempted to have the C-Section. Good luck with whatever option you chose and congratulations 🎊.

Depending on your GD control and how it's going you can actually choose neither and opt to wait. You can choose but just in case you didn't realise that is an option.

Hi OP,

I had GD and got advised to have an induction. Although it was long, I’m glad I went for it tbh. I managed to have a vaginal birth, and was pushing for 7 minutes and she was out.

The only downside is how long it is. I got my first Pessary Wednesday morning, and got given my 4th and final Thursday. My waters went Friday morning, then I had her Saturday. Out Sunday.

Do what’s best for you! You’ll know what’s best!

xx

I should note, im currently 30 weeks with baby no2 and I don’t have GD this time, however I’d an induction is offered in going to take it!

I was induced at 37 weeks with a balloon catheter - inserted and removed after 15 hours. As soon as it was removed my labour started and had my baby 4 hrs later. No tears and easy labour. I was impressed and didn't expect it to be so straightforward especially 3 weeks before due date.

I've had 2 really positive inductions at almost 42 weeks, one with the drip and one without. Recovery has been fast and straightforward as compared to major surgery. If I were to have any more children and they offered me an induction I'd probably take it BUT I will caveat that by saying most of the people I know with straightforward inductions had them post 40 weeks as presumably the body is already slightly more ready for labour? That might be anecdotal evidence, but with early intervention I might be more tempted for the c section.

I had an induction at 40 weeks with my first baby in January. She arrived 8 hours after induction. I only had the pessary. I had hyperstimulation so went into full labour after a few hours. Labour was very fast, maybe a half hour. It was scary and crazy at the time but over before I really knew what was happening.

Can't advise re c section.

Hi, I am in a very similar situation- booked for induction for GD at 39+5 (a few days time). Not had long to think about it because only just been diagnosed with GD. It’s a really difficult decision. My current plan is to wait until the day and see what my bishops score is to try to get a better idea of whether / how quickly induction will work, plus any other info or stats the doctor can give.

I'm in the minority but I wouldn't recommend induction.
I had a fairly okay induction on paper but it took 2 days and my labour only actually accelerated when they put me on the drip.
But the main reason I wouldn't recommend it is because it's adding additional hormones to your body when your already having hormones flying around and it's so invasive to have done.
The additional hormones really didn't help my mental state.

Use one of the online calculators to calculate your risk of emergency section. If it’s above 50% take the planned section.

I had an induction and it was awful. It was a relief when they finally went ahead with an emergency c-section 48 hours later. Child number 2 I opted for a c-section straight away.
Sorry it's not a positive birth story but I found inductions to be really painful and long.

I had drip after my waters broke with baby number 1 and ended up in emergency section (no diagnosed GD).
I had GD in pregnancy two and when they wanted to induce me (was controlled with tablets & insulin so wouldn't have left me) I said no thank you and went straight for an elective!

The elective was a dream in comparison to the emergency! And because I wasn't shattered / traumatised from the experience before, much more enjoyable post natal stay!

But does depends how many kids you want - as after your second section, I don't think they advise VBACs! Good luck!

I was induced with my first (due to GD) and it was awful. I'll spare you the details but after 15 hours it ended in an emergency section under general anaesthetic. With my second I insisted on a c section and my doctor agreed. It was such a lovely, calm and joyful experience and worlds away from the first birth. Obviously not ever induction ends up like mine but if you're asking for my honest answer then the c section hands down. It's by no means an "easy option" but allowed me to have such a special experience with the doctors and nurses taking such care to our baby immediately on my chest for skin to skin and going out their way to look after us.

I've had two GD inductions. They both took 3 days and I needed the drip. They were my 2nd and 3rd births though so maybe easier. I was glad I opted for the induction although it was a slog both times.

I've been induced with both my babies. Though they were earlier inductions (37weeks) which might make a difference.

First baby I had the gels and was walking around the fields as much as possible in the hopes of triggering some contractions. It did not. Got to 1cm. Taken down to delivery suite the next day in the early hours for ARM, then drip as contractions still didn't start. 11.5 hours later had a vaginal birth, second degree tear.

Second baby had a gel again instead of balloon due to baby position. Walking triggered a contraction or two, but nothing more. Got to 2cm, so no more ripening needed. Unfortunately, due to staffing and bed issues, the induction couldn't continue for another 4 days. ARM didn't get contractions started, so drip it was. 14 hours later, was only 5cm, and baby was starting to show signs of distress, so had a C-section. Baby was in an undeliverable position, so (imo) just pure bad luck than anything to do with the induction.

As I was early, naturally my body was less ready to labour (Bishop score was 0 with my first, and 2 with my second). So my experience with the cervix ripening stage is more boredom and walking around than pain. As for the drip, well tbh I found it ok. It hurts, but then I've never had a non-induced contraction to compare it to. I used gas + air until 5cm, then had something stronger beyond that. Diamorphine with my first, epidural with my second.

I have zero regrets choosing induction, and would choose it again, even if my likelihood of needing a C-section has now increased.

I'd go C Section if you don't want any vaginal interventions, like forceps etc. Forceps are my biggest fear just because I've heard so many bad experiences that involve forceps, so I totally understand why you'd want to avoid this.

I had the drip after very short induction as the baby was distressed. The subsequent contractions were significantly more painful. I thought I would pass out because of the pain and couldn’t work out why I wasn’t. I only had gas and air though and no idea why now aside from I wasn’t offered anything and the pain took all my thinking.

Despite a CS being abdominal surgery and costly, truthfully, I would choose it.

I was not induced but needed the hormone drip to speed labour along due to infection risk from my waters partially breaking and not realising for over 48hrs as well as baby pooping in the womb.
I was dreading it and had wanted to avoid at all costs due to reading so many people's personal accounts and finding more bad than good.
My birth plan was more of a scale of preferences but ideally I wanted a water birth with gas and air and under no circumstances did I want an induction or forceps delivery unless absolutely medically necessary.
This is how it went down for me.
In total I laboured for just over 9 hours. I was told before the pitocin drip that they needed to ramp it up quickly and was asked about preferred method of pain control. I talked it out and decided that since my labour was already going in a different direction than I imagined and that shit was about to hit the fan at speed, that I would get an epidural before the contractions made it too difficult to stay still.
Once in, everything was manageable and pretty relaxed, though I didn't realise at the time that the pain was supposed to be completely gone and not just ramped down so they adjusted my epidural and after that I couldn't feel a damn thing.
Which is hindsight was a blessing because my darling little girl decided to turn sunny side up during descent. So after a total hour and a half of pushing I needed an episiotomy and forceps delivery and it took maybe 2 minutes to deliver her. Unfortunately I had a minor hemorrhage due to retained placenta which needed to be fished out, but that was nothing to do with the birthing method and at the time I'm not sure I would have even realised if they hadn't been updating me as it happened.
I needed to stay in hospital for 2 nights but that was more about my daughter needing some observation rather than my recovery.

Despite all of this, I can 100% say that I loved every single moment of my labour and would do it a million times over in the exact same way if I had to.

Thank you everyone!

I am most concerned about having the induction and needing forceps / ending up having an EMCS anyway.

Got a lot of thinking to do!

Despite the fact that I've had an induction which failed and ended in an emergency C-section, I would go for the induction and have an epidural before they start the hormone drip. That way the contraction pain becomes completely irrelevant.

I’ve had 4 inductions, 2 natural. The inductions were no slower and no more painful than the naturals. All they’ve ever had to do is break my waters, stand me up for a while, and that works. Only ever had gas and air for all of them, and love how mobile I am immediately after. I’ve had to have major abdominal surgery before…having to recover whilst dealing with a newborn cannot be easy.