Once an induction, always an induction?

[watercress]

I really need some advice from any MNers who have experience of this kind of thing, as I think I'm getting myself into a state over it.

I'm currently 29 weeks pg with DD2. Last time I had a pretty normal pg, then went over my due date. Sweeps didn't work (they couldn't reach my cervix), so I was booked in for an induction at 12 days. This was pretty nasty (hospital treated me like a battery chicken) and I ended up with an epidural, then a ventouse delivery and a third degree tear. I initially appeared to be healing OK, then a week or so after the delivery developed a fissure on top of the tear. This became chronic and had to be re-operated on a year later.

I have now been told that I have healed so well from the tear and fissure repair that the gynae people are recommending a normal delivery.

So questions:

Am I likely to go over if I didn't go into labour myself last time?

If so, can I ask for an elective section rather than being induced based on last time's experience?

If the hospital refuses to entertain my elective section request, can I ask for my care to be transferred to another hospital so at least I don't have to go through an induction at the same horror-filled place as last time?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences (crosses fingers that someone posts).

i don't think it's always the case. i know people who've been induced once and then gone on to have babies by themselves.

likewise i know a couple of people who seem to carry babies longer, one of my friends had her 3 at around 42 weeks each time, and i know someone else online who has had 4 pregnancies and gone to 43 weeks each time.

neither of them accepted induction, and all had happy healthy babies, naturally.

I do think that some women just naturally carry their babies longer, and it certainly isn't the case that because you've had one induction you'd need another, even if you do gho over.
and it isn't the case either that if you did end up being induced it would be as bad as last time

I can totally understand why you would consider an elective, and ateotd it's totally up[ to you , but i certainly don't think it's the easy option!

I was induced both times but fir medical reasons and not for going over due.the first one was a sponataneous ruptuire of waters but no contractions, second one was fully induced

The second induction was much easier than tthe first one because

• I knew exactly what was happening and knew when i was ready to push
• I knew the effects of induction on my body and which pain relief I wanted
• It wasn't as long was about 6 hours shorter
• I had a very small tear but nothing like what I had with my dd

C sections are really difficult to recover from and every person I know had them for their first baby went for a vbac for their second and some had very difficult second births but still preferred the vbac.

you could write a certain thing in your birth plan that says if this happens I want a ceaserean instead

They can come at any time - with ds I went into labour 3 hours before I was due to go in to be induced (phew - I didn't want to be induced because I know several people who have had experiences like yours, I wanted to be monitored but they bullied me into agreeing). Second time I went into labour 7 days before due date and had nothing ready as I thought I'd go over dates again.

Just to fix a comment on what Susiey said to give you another perspective, I have been induced twice out of 3 births and the second was much longer and more painful (sorry!), though that is of course just my experience. I have also had a 3rd degree tear and think if you WANT an elCS you will prob be able to have it if you are sure of your reasons etc. Good luck!

DC1 - induced when I was 10 days late
DC2 - spontaneous labour 1 day late
DC3 - induced at 38 weeks for medical reasons
DC4 - spontaneous labour 8 days late

The second induction was much easier than the first. My body knew what it was doing.

I don't think an elective c-section would be unreasonable given your previous experience, but equally this time round might be very different.
I had an induction following my waters breaking and no contractions and it ended in having a section. It was a bit awkward at first and sore at times, but not that bad really. Might be slightly more complicated with another child around as they might be upset by you not being able to pick them up for a few days.

i was induced with dd1 it wasnt pleasant but a healthy baby (sweeps had not worked at all). my friend is a midwife so i had a daily post due date sweep and on day 11 it eventually worked. so i would say that dont assume you'll a) go overdue (though i wolud think you a greater chance than average) and that b) a sweep wont work, i bet they can reach your cervix this time. hope it works out for you

1st birth - induction, 14 days over due, hospital.

2nd - homebirth born on due date, natural labour.

3rd - homebirth born on day before due date, natural labour.

dd1 - was born on the 12th day overdue date after induction. (had an emergency section in the end)
dd2 - was born on the 9th day overdue date after induction. (had a natural birth but the consultants didnt really wants me to carry on with my pg any later cos of my emergency section with dd1).

i was induced at 36 weeks with ds (3.5years) due to my waters breaking and nothing...

with dd (12 weeks old) i had a sweep at 39 weeks due to gestational diabetes then had her naturally (no pain relief no tears etc) at 39+3 think the sweep helped but think i would have had her naturally anyway!

i suppose a sweep is kinda be induced but if it wasnt for gestation diabetes i WOULD have had her naturally, would have refused induction even if i went over!

DS1 - induced at 40+15, ok delivery

DS2 - emCS at 31 weeks for placenta praevia

DS3 - spontaneous labour at 40+12, great VBAC experience.

DS4 - due in Spring 2010, who knows??

I agree with others on here that some women do seem to have longish pregnancies, just like some women seem to consistently give birth around the 38 week mark (normal pregnancy is 38-42 week, so you are technically not really "overdue" until 42 weeks).
An elective section does not sound unreasonable and IME with a past history like yours most consultants would agree to a request for one. Bear in mind that physical recovery from a CS if longer/more painful than after a good vaginal delivery. You will be going home to an older child with a newborn to look after, so big surgery wound does not help...

If I was you I would aim for an optimal vaginal delivery; by all means change hospitals it you are more comfortable with that - that is possible at any time throughout your pregnancy.
I was very keen to go into labout myself as I did not want another CS and was told I would not be induced due to increase risk of scar rupture. I did have 2 membrane sweeps, both over 41 weeks. Sweeps have good evidence behind them confirming they work if the cervic is "ripe". At what point in your pregnancy did you have your sweep? I would wait until well after your dates to have it done.
Also I tried all the usual: physical activity, Optimal Fetal Positioning (google it, lots of advice online), acupuncture, rasperry leaf capsules (I could not stomach the tea), an attempt at intercourse (what a farce!), hot curry etc etc.

FWIW, I had a lovely delivery with DS3 and am really hoping to repeat it.

To answer your original question: No, having had one induction does not automatically mean you will have another.
Also bear in mind, you really do not have to agree to any intervention, but make sure you have all the facts and do not make decisions out of fear. There are lots of women on MN who had traumatic first deliveries and chose to have home births the second time round with lovely birth stories to tell.

Good luck with it all!

Sorry about the looooong post - I could go on about my deliveries forever... and frequently do

Thanks for all your stories and advice. It's very reassuring to hear about people who have had spontaneous labours after an induction, and also that a second induction seems not to be as bad as the first.

I have a scan at 32 weeks for low-lying placenta and a consultant appointment so will go armed with questions!