C-section or induction? 3rd centile Bubba to be delivered by 37wks

[SnookyPook]

Hi All... Just after collective thoughts. As stated in the heading, I'm growing a little dink and have been told if no changes (currently 32+1 and been measuring <3rd centile since 20wks but Dopplers etc all looking good so far) they will want to deliver 'by 37 wks'.

I have a DS who was born during lockdown - vaginal delivery at 41+1. Waters went with a trickle and was on countdown to induction. They did a final sweep and broke my hind waters and suddenly all kicked off. Fully dilated within 5hrs. Didn't have any pain relief. Slightly longer than ideal push phase as he had a hand up by his head, so had an episiotomy and he was out within 2 pushes after that. Therefore active labour was relatively quick for a first birth I think.

My son was actually born 5th centile - his size had never been picked up pre-birth as he was 50th centile at 20wks and fundal heights never showed as small. I guess if I'd been monitored in 3rd trimester they'd have been very concerned about his growth stalling! But ignorance was bliss.

So... Now left with current situation. I've always been quite wary of induction and starting a process before my body or baby are ready. In my head, him being extra small is also making me wary of putting him through a potentially prolonged labour that may be more medicalised etc. That said, I'm also nervous about major abdominal surgery... I've never had any surgery before so prospect of C-section is quite daunting too. Compounding all of this, I had three early losses last year and am just feeling anxious about getting this little guy here safely at the final hurdle.

Obviously will be discussing it all in detail with my healthcare team but wondered if anyone had any thoughts/had made a similar decision (particularly with a small/early delivery baby).

Thank you! 😊

I had an induction as my baby was small last summer! My waters didn’t break so had a protracted stay waiting for a bed on the labour ward to break them which was long, boring and soul destroying!

No one warned us that this might happen and by the 4th day I was fed up and knackered already and wanted to go home (which obviously wasn’t an option) all the staff were extremely apologetic and we completely
understood why we kept being told we now couldn’t go as obviously if we were in labour normally we’d want the bed but it was a ghastly experience!

I couldn’t understand why if a week before they needed to get the baby out at 37 weeks we were now in this limbo and just wanted to go home!!

But once my waters broke it was a pretty quick labour but I was so passed it by then I opted for a epidural even though I’d not particularly wanted one but I was emotional and physically exhausted already!

If we have number two I’d opt for a C section rather than induction to cut out all the uncertainty!!

Unless you’re really keen on trying everything you can to avoid surgery I’d go with the section. I was in the same boat with DS and any attempt to sway me towards attempting a VBAC melted away when it became apparent he wasn’t going to miraculously catch up in weight. When I asked about this the consultants told me often small babies don’t tolerate labour well, and so you could end up with a stressful emergency section anyway.

I also had four losses before DS (DD is 3years older and was a very bonny 8lb) so I can completely understand wanting to be extra cautious. Going into theatre was the end of a very long and stressful journey, I was crying when they were doing the epidural as it was just this massive sense of relief. The theatre staff were so kind, getting me tissues and everything.

Thank you so much for your replies.

@JollyHostess101 yes I've heard so many stories like this where it just goes on and on and you're then starting life with your newborn already exhausted.

@TheCraicDealer so sorry to hear of your losses and thank you for sharing your experience. I know a C-section isn't a guarantee of safety for baby but it feels more certain and controlled than the induction and after what we've been through I do wonder if it would be easier mentally. I am concerned about recovery - particularly as I have a 3yr old too. But on the whole it just seems maybe easier to get my head around. My biggest concern is how little man would cope with labour - particularly if a long drawn out process as mentioned above. My only other thought is to start induction but with a 'low threshold for section' where apparently you can request eg that if labour hasn't ramped up by X point you would go straight for the section. I hadn't realised this was an option. But again, entails a lot more uncertainty.

Appreciate hearing your experiences 💗

@SnookyPook I was so tempted to just ask for a C section after the third night as we’d been told to pack our bag to go up to labour ward for like the 4th time to be told 5mins later the bed had gone I had a complete meltdown at the poor midwife!

My Dad had just been diagnosed with end stage cancer and 4 days later we were told baby had stopped growing and had a potential issue with their bowels and we need to be induced at 37 weeks so after only a week of stress I can only imagine what a whole pregnancy with anxiety after your losses!!

The induction and then c section if nothing ramps up does sound like a good plan- I started to contract the same evening as the induction but then everything stopped and then we were in limbo so maybe ask for more info regarding this ie how you’d be waiting for a sections after you decide you’ve reach the time to want one!

My best friend had an elective just before me and it sounded amazing and just as she wanted…. my birth wasn’t traumatic or anything but it wasn’t how I wanted it to be at all and I feel a touch of regret that things didn’t quite go to plan (I know you can’t really plan it but it was just so different)

@JollyHostess101 thank you and that's a great question to add to my list. Yeah I guess the other unknown with induction is bed/surgeon availability. Sounds like you had quite a stressful end to your pregnancy. Sorry to hear about your Dad too 💕

and hospital food where I was was inedible so take lots of snacks incase your in for the longhual!!

Update for future readers:

Thanks so much for your replies which really helped me with my decision making, alongside other research I did etc.

Had an elective C-section early yesterday afternoon at 37wks on the dot. In the end, despite being nervous about surgery I felt confident this was the right choice for my little man and I felt sure I didn't want to put him through an induced labour. I also felt this was the best call for my own MH and anxieties about getting him here safely. Hospital were very supportive of this and the consultant who did my consent said he thought it was the right call. He even used a phrase I had thought myself which was that the C-section took the risk off Babba and onto myself.

I am SO glad I took this option. The elective section was as others describe - peaceful, efficient, fast and so positive. I was excellently supported throughout. Had the spinal and was able to watch little man emerging - amazing!

He was born on the 2nd centile at 5lbs7oz but thankfully super strong! He's aced all his obs so far and had been feeding well. I feel so very lucky to have him here safely and to have made it to such a decent gestation in the end 🥰

Early days for my own recovery but so far so good. I managed to stand and have a short walk and a shower about 8hrs after the surgery and pain is manageable so far.

Thanks again for the support and help in reaching my decision 💗

Ahhh congratulations!!

We were 5lbs 4 and Asda tiny baby clothes were the best (after panic shopping)

Enjoy your new baby and I hope your recovery continues to go well

Congratulations OP! Fantastic that the little guy is doing so well. Hope you have a smooth recovery too.

Awww DS was 37w on the button too and 5lb 8oz! I happened to be clearing out the wardrobe and putting his tiny baby stuff in the attic (can’t quite let go, unlike the larger sizes) yesterday and he really was so tiny. I’m so jealous of your pocket-sized cuddles, but also delighted for you that it was such a positive experience and that everyone is happy and healthy. Congratulations!

I had a cat 1 EMCS after sudden onset of pre Eclampsia (HELLP syndrome) when in for induction.
Despite it being an emergency and very stressful process the actual procedure was calm and positive, knife to skin at 7.26 and baby out screaming her head off at 7.29!

I'm now 5 weeks PP and have recovered really well despite being very ill after the birth. I was driving after 4 weeks (would have been ready sooner tbh) and now back to walking around 3 miles a few times a week. It was really only the first week I was a bit sore and slow after that it was just being careful. We didn't plan a CS but I really can see why people do as I imagine an elective is a very chilled experience. If I were to do it again I'd seriously consider it.

I've been given the choice of induction or section at 38 weeks due to GDB, hypertension and measuring large.

I've chosen section as just andedotally it seems one intervention tends to beget another and I'd rather have a bit more of a recovery with a planned section then potentially recovering from a failed vaginal and an emergency section

This was fully supported by my ObyGen who felt it was the best option for me

Personally I'd have a section in your circs.

I feel like with an induction they'd have to use a hormone drip as you'll only be 37 weeks. From there, interventions (epidural, forceps, c section) might well follow.

You've experienced vaginal birth so it's not like it's worth doing it for the experience or to avoid a future hoo hah about whether to have a v bac.

Admittedly I don't know what c section recovery is like (I've only had a vaginal birth), but my friends who've had planned c sections all had good experiences.

My personal plan if I ever have a second child is relatively unmedicated vaginal birth or a c section. I personally don't fancy the middle ground of an induction and the possibility of pushing and sustaining some vag damage, then going into an unplanned section anyway! I've also heard that induced labour hurts a lot more and I found spontaneous labour was quite enough!

It's such a personal thing though, isn't it? I'm sure loads of people would quite reasonably prefer to go for a vaginal birth.

Oh just read your update. CONGRATULATIONS! Such lovely news

Thank you so much! Almost a week on and recovery continues to go well. Still really happy with my decision. We're still in hospital as little man developed jaundice but aside from that he's doing really well. We're hoping to be discharged tomorrow or soon after as he is now responding well to the light treatment 😊