Induction with no pain relief and limited timeframe or C-section?

[Jemma2907]

Due to personal reasons, my consultant has agreed to induce or perform a c-section at 39 weeks to avoid being pregnant at 39+4. At exactly 39 weeks they will start the induction process and if it hasn't worked by 39+3 then I will have a c-section. I already have one child born by c-section so am aware of the recovery process for this. I feel that an induction would give me the best chance of being able to care for my 2.8 and new born post birth but... Due to previous surgeries on my back, I am not allowed an epidural at any point. So, my question is... would you choose to go straight for c-section knowing that the time frame for being induced is limited and likely to be very painful or would you brave it out? I've currently opted for the induction but starting to doubt myself and my ability to deal with the pain!

Can you do a hypnobirthing course to help manage the pain? Inductions do tend to be more intense, pain wise. They are also not guaranteed to work so you need to be prepared for having a section. Good luck!

I would, yeah. I’ve had a cesarean and I’d choose it again every time. However there are personal reasons I’d choose it too, so keep in mind those won’t apply to you.

I was induced with my ds with the drip as my waters had broken more than 24 hours before. They didn't do elective epidurals at the hospital I was in so I had limited pain relief. I have nothing to compare it to and am often told that induction is more intense but for me it was a positive experience. Do you know how they will induce it? Will they start with be pessary or are they going straight to the drip?

I was induced with the pessary then waters broken 24 hrs later. Contractions kicked in 1hr after waters broken and DD was born 4 and a half hours later. I just had Gas n Air but may have asked for more if labour had lasted longer.

Have they discussed how they will induce, if it will be drip or pessary?

Due to problems with my last labour. I was all set for a c section at 39 weeks but my consultant threw in a curve ball for me to consider at my last appointment. I am terrified by the idea of induction. The increased pain and labouring for days before needing up with an emergency c section.

But she asked me to consider the following. It’s my second baby. Inductions for second babies are much more likely to “work” and get you into a successful labour without the need for interventions. Also increasingly they don’t like doing “cold” c sections ie going in before your body has had any contractions at all or any signs of labour. Their research is increasingly saying these babies can have a tricker time with maturing their lungs, tooth enemal and something else I can’t remember. So would I consider being induced with a solid plan B for when to move to c section. Our plan would probably be induction and if no signs of labour within 12 hours straight to C section or if signs of labour a steady dilation rate something like 1cm per hour. The idea being to give the baby more chance to get ready so to speak but minimise any risks to me or him. Might be worth considering or speaking to your consultant about.

Thanks for the responses! I've been told they will start with something called Dilapan which is a natural process. It's similar to a dehydrated tampon that they insert and then leave overnight to draw away moisture in your cervix. I'm going to request that this be done at 38+6 as I don't want to waste a day of my induction timeframe! After the overnight Dilapan I'll be placed on the IV drip. No idea how long it's likely to take from there. I have a lot of support at home and know that I could deal with the recovery from another c-section but I'm so conflicted. I keep having these conversations with myself 'i may have to have a section anyway after days of incredible pain' 'an induction could go smoothly though and I'll be home and happy and not have to rely on everyone for so much for help' 'what if I just can't cop with the pain, I won't know until it's happening and there will be nothing I can do about it'.... sometime I think it would be easier if I just found out with one was breech and the option was taken out of my hands, then I think am I saying I subconsciously want A section and am on my going for induction as I think it's what I should do? Sorry... total ramble of thoughts there!

I was induced on the drip with my first and only needed gas and air. It started very intensely but the gas and air was enough to deal with the contractions and didn’t need anything for the pushing stage.
The thing that would put me off going the induction route for you would be that they would be inducing you early from ‘cold’ and it seems to take days for that to work generally and I think it’s the lack of sleep for days which makes the pain so much harder to cope with.

Thanks Kaffiene, I hadn't thought to be more specific on the actual plan. That may help me feel more in control. I'll see if I can bring that up with them when I next see them x

I have had one induction (resulting in vaginal birth) and one elective csection. I'd choose the csection as an elcs can be a fab experience (mine was really wonderful, joyous) and I did ok afterwards albeit with help from family. The induction was very painful and involved constant monitoring once drip was in and then a cascade of I interventions.

Thanks Necroscope, it makes me feel better to hear that yours went so well. They have agreed to do a sweep on me at 38 weeks and I will be bouncing on a ball and doing all the normal things to try and get Labour going naturally before my deadline so hopefully I'll be able to get things going little bit before then! Just wish I had a magic ball! I'm 28 weeks at the moment so still have so long to worry and fret about it!

Thanks snoop. I had a really positive section (due to being breech) with my DS1 but I struggled afterwards with feeding him. It was summertime and I was in pain, felt sweaty, unable to move etc. This is the part of it that worries me, especially now I'd also have a toddler to try and keep happy at the same time x

There are other pain relief options - Remifentanil perhaps

I’d go straight for c section if I were you. Why waste your energy for days on an induction that might end in a c section anyway. Save your energy for the c section recovery. Good luck with whatever you decide :)

Will they not break your waters before beginning the iv drip? It's very unlikely to work with your waters still intact!

I thought you couldn’t have an induction after a ce section due to scar rupture risks?

No epi == general anaesthetic?

I also think induction is less likely to be successful if you’ve never had a vb.

Oh I don't know whether they'd break my waters first to be honest! They haven't mentioned it! I'll ask that next time I see them! (After this thread I'm going to go through and write a list of things to ask and list all my concerns and ask them the answer them so thank-you so much for your help!)
I've been told after one section then a vaginal delivery is still possible. With regards to the Induction, I'm sorry as I didn't mean to drip feed but maybe it's relevant.... I had an induction with my DD1 at 21+3 which was due to a scan that showed she was incompatible with life. That induction was started off with pessaries but past that point I don't remember much as they allowed me to have drugs that wouldn't be given in a normal live birth also as she was so small I'm not sure whether this makes a difference to how body would cope with a full term baby x

the reason I'm being induced is my angel daughters birthday will be when I am 39+4 therefore I do not want there to be a risk of them having the same birthday

Didn't mean last post to be in bold! Sorry, I don't post much!

I have spinal damage and went thro surgeries and have opted for section. Been told epidural wont work due to nerve damage but spinal will. Would rather go thro recovery of surgery than the unknown of vaginal birth where my back is concerned. This is my 4th lo and previous 3 were very quick labours but i just cant take the risk that more damage is caused. Both my neurosurgeon and consultant r slightly optimistic with birthing but did say if i wanted to try they would only allow me 30mins of pushing. Am currently 36+2 and am having section at 37 so only 5 more days b4 i meet my bubs. Whatever you choose to do will b right for you x

I had a failed and agonising nauseating and lengthy induction which culminated in me begging for an epidural and rushing for an EMCS. So I'll be going ELCS this time for sure.

I have to say i’d choose the section. Induction is rough. My experience is that I just couldn’t have managed without the epidural. Sorry. Honest answer.

They say things are quicker with subsequent babies.

I had an induction at 36 weeks with my first (now angel). My body wasn't ready so it took 4 days.
Day 1 pessary
Day 2 pessary
Day 4 waters broken at 12, nothing happend so drip put in about 5 baby born at 6.
I had no pain relief, it was intense but I didn't need help. I pushed for less than 2 minutes.
It was mostly waiting round on the delivery suit bored that was the worst bit.

I'm 17 weeks now looking forward to an induction.

I get what you mean about dates, I'm due around my angels too

Sorry for your loss. I had an induction at 39 weeks but went straight to ARM, as I was 2cm dilated and had multiple sweeps. It was a really positive experience and I'm hoping for another for DC2 in July because we live 40 mins from the hospital.

I was all set to have remifentanil, as I didn't want an epidural. In the end, they didn't have time and all I had was gas and air and a single shot of Diamorphine, which made it totally bearable ( maybe because I was as high as a kite). 6 hours exactly from ARM to delivery and I recovered well, despite a 2nd degree tear. I also had a midwife with me the whole time. DD needed a puff of oxygen because of the opioid. Perhaps that would be enough to put you off, given your previous experience. Apparently remifentanil has a very short half life and doesn't affect the baby the same way.