Induced at 38wks or c-section-what's preferable?

[welliwasntexpectingthat]

I am having another large (ish) baby (last 2 were 10lb). There are no medical issues, just genetics but i am being offered either induction from 38wks or a cs at 40wks... does anyone have any opinions?

id personally go for the planned Csection. Every woman is different but I absolutely hated the induction. Planned C sections by most accounts ive heard are much calmer events than emergency ones and from what ive been described, a hell of a lot better than inductions.
They do take time to heal from so thats a consideration about how much help you will have at home..... Saying that though I took a long time to heal from my 'natural' birth after induction... could not walk or sit for a couple of months.... so all in all for me there would not have been much between the recovery times.
Some people do have straightforward inductions and recover quickly however, its really luck of the draw. Most people do describe them as more painful than natural labour....
So personally id go with the later planned section over an induction.

Good luck with whatever you decide and remember labour is very different for every woman so any story you hear may not end up applying to you at all.

also might add my induction was with a 10lb baby... but it was due to being overdue rather than them knowing the size

Planned section every time. Odds are induction will end in a C section anyway. Better to be prepared.

I was induced and would never recommend it to anyone. I would opt for the c section.

Planned c-section.

Had induction for first. It was horrendous. 3 days in labour. Forceps. Repair work at 6 months.

3rd planned csection. Home next day.

Elective C Section. My first was big. They didn’t realise how big until labour, induced twice then a C Section. 11lb 10 bundle of chunkiness. Next was an elective CSection.

Ive been induced 2x. Will prob be induced again as last baby was 10lb and this one is bigger lol. I do have some health probs so they prefer them out.

Id opt for induction.
It does hurt but theres lots of pain relief available.
Theres one that goes in your hand and you press the button each time you want extra (That's what I had alongside gas and air)

C section. Don't underestimate the value of those 2 weeks to the baby's growth and development. If the baby happens to come early or if there are medical risks to continuing to 40 weeks then so be it but otherwise I'd always say stay in till 40 weeks.

I was induced at 37 weeks due to large baby. More painful than my non induced labour but I didn’t have any drugs except gas and air and recovery was as with non induced labour. I would definitely opt for more drugs if I did it again! The baby was born within three hours of beginning and no instruments used.

There will be those who have had good and bad experiences of both but I wouldn’t choose surgery over an induction myself.

Personally I believe that the body grows a baby the right size for your body, and that although the baby may be larger, this is not a reason to discount a natural full term labour, especially if you have had 2 previous successful deliveries? Obviously if your previous deliveries have resulted in complications then this would be different and in that instance I would opt for induction. C section is major surgery with a long recovery time in most cases, in no way desirable imo.

I went planner c section in same situation. Calmer, more controlled than induction. Recovery time for me was quicker than for the massive tear my second (large) baby inflicted on me during natural labour.

Caesar all the way!

I had an unplanned C-section for DD1 and it was fine. Yes, it can take several weeks to recover and you will be off driving for at least 6 weeks.

I had a VBAC for DD2 and it took just as long to recover from the complications and I also had to have reconstructive surgery which meant time off work months later!

I'd go induction. If you have a previous vaginal birth an induction is very likely to result in another one. My induction was fine and I walked away without needing any recovery time. You can get an epidural sited at the same time if your induction involves the syntocin drip.

Very mixed! No driving for 6 weeks over holidays would be exceptionally difficult....hmmm

Neither, I'd just wait for the baby to come naturally. And then obviously if something were to happen during labour which meant a c section was required, so be it.

If you've had two large babies previously I'm confused as to why this has been recommended? It sounds like your body can cope with it? Or did you have significant tearing/injury with your last births or something?

Last one had mild shoulder dystocia so my risk is now x10 for it happening again.

With a history of shoulder dystocia? C section.

You can drive before six weeks with a GP note. You just need to be certified fit.

I was induced at 38 weeks. It hurt. But I would do it all over again, there's no way I'd elect to have major abdominal surgery.

Ahh I didn't see your hx Of shoulder dystocia.

I would go for a c section in that case!

Sorry but some of the comments on here are inaccurate. Being induced at 38 weeks is not almost certain to end in section!
Especially if you've laboured before. Did you have vaginal births with your first two? Unless you had any major complications an induction is likely to be the safest option and the one of pick. X

I ve just made this choice due to large baby with suspected large shoulders. I was induced at 38 weeks last time. It took 4 days and I ended up needing a blood transfusion. Now, I know that’s not everyone experience, but I’ve no desire to do that again. I’m nervous about the c-section, but I think it’s the right choice for me.

Just seen you've had shoulder dystocia.thsts why they're offering iol at 38 weeks then. That does make things different. I would seriously consider the section with your history x

Of course a baby isn't automatically the perfect size for your body; it would be marvellous if it were bit that's clearly untrue.

I can't fully understand such a large difference in the dates they are offering for the two options - why is the section so late? Most electives are performed at 39 weeks to reduce the chance you go into labour beforehand. It seems odd to risk waiting until 40 weeks for a third baby if the aim is to avoid labour.

Personally with a history of shoulder dystocia, I would avoid VB at all costs - it's not always just the size of the baby, it can also be the proportions between the head and shoulder, and I know one person who even had shoulder dystocia with a premature baby. But there is a lot to consider. Do you tend towards fast or slow labours? If you did go into labour the day before the planned section, how quickly can you get to hospital and how likely is it that the labour would be too advanced to do a section?

If I were you, I think I would probably choose a section if an earlier date is available.

For what it's worth, I've had two very uneventful inductions and loved both of them, so it's not that I'm massively anti-induction. One of those was at 37w0 days and the baby was born without any breathing issues thankfully. And there is something to be said for keeping injuries to one area if you've already has VB (and vice versa) but of course, you can only attempt a VB, not be guaranteed you won't need a section anyway. But shoulder dystopia is definitely not something to be messed with.

Whatever you do, I would not decline both options and just wait and see.

Maybe discuss all combinations of options with your doctor?

It was mild sd and 9 days late.....such a difficult decision.

I'd definitely choose a planned section with a history of shoulder dystocia.