C section or induction

[Batgin]

Hoping for some opinions! I'm almost 38 weeks (4th baby) and baby has jumped from 19th to 86th centile.

I was originally planning a c section, however I have also been offered an induction. The induction I could have from Monday (38+2), whereas my c section is scheduled for 39+5, which seems very late to me (I labour very quickly).

The recovery from the c section has always been a worry for me, and now I've been offered a induction, I'm tempted (even though my last induction wasn't the best!).

Just so torn on what to do!

Do they think the baby has a health issue? Or is it just the risk of injury to you based on the weight? If the latter, I'd be more concerned about head circumference than overall weight, and if this was in the reasonably normal zone (under 70th maybe?) I'd crack on waiting for spontaneous labour given it's your fourth. Assuming you had the others vaginally.

Have you just had one scan which said 86th? Or has it been confirmed by a second sonographer? They aren't very accurate, but two sonographers on two occasions would be more persuasive.

Sorry that didn't help much with your choice! Personally (with my own obstetric history) if it was a first baby I would choose section over induction, but for fourth - induction definitely. You could try to find stats about induction success and interventions etc when it's the third/fourth baby if that would reassure you?

Sorry, I failed to see the bit about your last induction 🙈 What was wrong with it if you don't mind sharing?

I took 3 days in hospital, during COVID so no partner, and then it went so quickly (4cm to being born in under 2 hours) and was so painful and no time for epidural, and I tore quite badly and recovery was rough for the first week and a bit.

No awful compared to other people's I know, but was quite traumatic how isolated and powerless I felt.

When you say you labour quickly do you mean your births are quick? Because that won't have any bearing on the date of your c section being at 39+5- if you mean you usually go into labour pre due date that's different.

Anyway I was in a very similar situation to you. My daughter had apparently jumped from the 25th to over the 90th centile. I was encouraged to induce at 38 weeks, I chose elective at 39+5. She was actually 7lbs 4 and still on the 25th centile-the growth scans were wrong. Recovery was fine from caesaerian but my daughter did have TTN (a risk from a c section they will mention) and spent 3 days in nicu. I didn't get to see her for hours after her birth and this was very upsetting.

I would recommend you research the benefits and risks of early induction because 38 weeks is very early to start that process and it's likely your body isn't ready and it may lead to an emergency section anyway. Also, growth scans are known for their inaccuracy so remember it's always okay to trust your body and instincts and refuse the induction or caesaerian suggestion 😊 good luck.

Hi, yes sorry, I give birth quickly once in labour!

My last birth was an induction at 38 weeks and it took 3 days. Not keen to have a repeat, but the recovery from c section and how unknown it is, is scaring me! I'm usually independent to a fault, and very fit!

This pregnancy I've had complications that have meant I've not been able to do my usual hobbies, and I'm scared of not being able to get back into them if the c section recovery is bad!

I'm also worried as you say, on any complications to baby from a c section, but also a trying to weigh that against possible complications to me from another vaginal birth (been having some bad pelvic floor issues this pregnancy)

Also forgot to add, I had planned a c section since the start of this pregnancy (tbf I had it in my mind before even getting pregnant that I'd chose c section if I had another baby).

So the choice for me is definitely c section as originally planned, or induction!

Thank for all the replies, it's helping talking it through!

If you've had 3 vaginal births, I would definitely have an induction. The recovery time would be much, much quicker. Could you push it out to 39 weeks? It's more likely to go quickly and easily than at 38+2.

People typically hear a lot about inductions going a bit sideways etc. and a c-section is usually more straightforward in that sense, but I've known a few people with recurring scar infections afterwards and other complications. This isn't to put you off, you have to find what path is right for you, but just some things I weighed up when making my own decision.

I pretty much think that giving birth is just hard and you can pay your pain upfront (induction/vaginal delivery) or on contract (c-section, longer recovery).

Hoping everything goes really well for you either way.

I think definitely stick to your original plans then. The TTN was distressing but it's not common, and more likely that your baby will be fine.
My recovery was great but I was getting up within hours of the surgery and moving around, I think this really helped and would recommend that. I was back out and about with little one less than a week after she was born. So would recommend staying active after the birth etc to maximise a good recovery! I think poor recoveries usually stem from emergencies as they can't be as 'careful'. Hope it all goes well!