Induction or elective c-section?

[2020N]

I had my first child 4 years ago, spontaneous vaginal delivery, but was on the verge of pre-eclampsia and also had post-partum haemorrhaging after delivery. All of which put me under consultant led for my current pregnancy. At 28 weeks I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Managing post-meal levels okay, though on metformin for overnight fasting levels.

I’ve been advised to start induction at 38 weeks and to deliver baby no later than 39 weeks.

I’m so torn about induction due to the number of people I know who have ended up as emergency c-section, do not like the thought of the invasiveness of it all, and also have never left my daughter overnight so do not want to be away for her for a large number of days if the induction process takes a while. BUT also have reservations about a c-section due to the nature of it being major surgery and the long recovery period.

My partner is very supportive and will support me with whichever I decide, but I need honest experiences and guidance from other mama’s as ‘my body and my choice’ isn’t helping me to make my decision. 🤣

Grateful to hear positive and negatives of both methods please!

There is a good chance that as you have had a spontaneous vaginal delivery before that your body will just need a nudge in the right direction and therefore Induction would be the less invasive although it can obviously take considerably time depending on how busy the hospital is when you go in.

I have been booked in for induction with both previous pregnancies but avoided it when I went into spontaneous labour beforehand but both times (and this time as I'm expecting my third) I had decided that I would happily have the pessary to see if my body needed a nudge l, would possibly consider having my waters broken but would not consent to the drip as statistics show that the drip is more likely to lead to further intervention such as an instrumental delivery or emergency c section. I had also discussed with my hospital about being able to go home after the pessary had been inserted and they were happy for this which meant I could be with my eldest and do the early part of labour at home

@Peanut91 Thank you, that’s really helpful. I will ask about coming home after the pessary too as that sounds like a perfect middle ground option. I’m hoping for baby to decide to make an early entrance so I can avoid both too! Yes that’s my concern too, about needing the instrumental assistance. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I was recently in the exact same dilemma. A midwife said to me off the record to avoid induction at all costs which scared me. I opted for a c section as it felt more controlled and like you I didn’t want to be away from older DC for very long. It went smoothly and although I won’t know what would have happened had I been induced I’m glad I made that decision overall. I would say though if you do have a c section you need a lot of support for the two weeks post delivery. Good luck.

No no pessaries can go super fast.
My friend and I both had loads of backache. And basically delivered babies within minutes of standing up!

Neither of us made the birthing suite. And both DH missed their second child being born.

personally, I would have avoided an induction at all costs and had it written into my birth plan that I would rather jump straight to a c section.
As it happened, nothing went to plan and I ended up with an emergency section.
The recovery was fine. I was up and moving about the same day. Went out for a walk on day 3. Driving after a week. No issues at all really other than not being able to lift things.
I chose another section 3 years later. Again, no regrets.

That would worry me too! I’m glad you had a positive experience. I’m very fortunate to have a supportive partner and family close by so I’d have the support for those early weeks. Thank you for sharing your experiences, and I’m glad that it was positive for you.

Oh wow, that is fast. I’m sorry that your partners missed the births, that must have been upsetting for you all. Definitely something to take note of. Thank you.

Honestly induction get bad press particularly on forums where you get people's horror stories.
It's definitely worth trying it avoiding major surgery. My friend burst her c-secton wound open after 4 weeks, lifting her 18mth old toddler.
You already have a small child that is something to think about your cannot lift them, even in or out the pram, on to the change table, in or out the cot.

I’m pleased that you had a great recovery, if I choose this method I definitely hope for the same!
That’s the thing isn’t it, we can plan and plan but if baby has other ideas… I’m sorry that you ended up in an emergency scenario, but pleased that everything worked out. Thank you for sharing your experience.

I'd definitely ask if DH can stay with you the whole time.

Different hospitals work differently the hospital both of us were in had the plan, that once you were in active labour you'd move to a suite and partners could then join you. Neither of us made the suite!

Both were second babies after natural deliveries.

I think you have to remember that any birth can end in an emergency c section, so having a spontaneous onset doesn't mean you'll avoid c section. Likewise having an induction doesn't mean you'll have a c section. So much is out of our control. Ultimately it has to be what you're most comfortable with.

I do think inductions get a lot of bad press and you'll probably hear more negative experiences somewhere like this where people have the opportunity to speak about their experiences. We don't tend to share when everything goes well and smoothly. Statistics are in your favour. Women who have had a vaginal birth before usually have more success with induction, the rates of ending up with a c section are really low compared to first time Mum inductions.

My personal perspective - I had an induction as a first time Mum and went straight to ARM and then oxytocin. I didn't find the induction bad at all! But unfortunately baby was wedged in an awful position and didn't progress past 4cm. I had no choice but to have a c section, and I hated the experience. I hope and pray I can have a VBAC in the future because I'd not like to experience that again.

They may well do but equally they can slowly get things moving. The best thing is to get the oxytocin flowing, which for me personally I know won't happen in hospital whilst laid up ina hospital bed.

I will caveat it also by saying that my local hospital is literally at the end of my road and I can be in the ward within 10 minutes. I might feel differently if I were an hour from hospital