Induction vs c-section

[Millypad]

Hi all,

Am seeing a consultant on mon about the fact our baby is looking big for dates - after another growth scan we will be deciding whether or not to induce. (I’m 36+5 and she was estimated at 6lbs 9oz last scan at 35+3 - no gestational diabete, just her father’s genes!) I’m quite small and thin hipped and I struggle with pain owing to endometriosis (sex is usually very painful, and smear tests). I’m wondering- if she is still looking big and does need to come early- whether I could potentially opt for a c section instead of an induction? May I ask people’s thoughts/experiences of the two? Thank you!

Hi OP,

With DS I had an induction (due to high blood pressure) which resulted in an EMCS. I failed to progress (didn't dilate past 2cm) DS came out at 9lb 5oz at 41 weeks, with a beautiful but huge head. The midwife took one look and told me thank everything I didn't give birth naturally...!

Personally, I really didn't enjoy induction, obviously as it didn't work for me, I found it very painful, very far removed from my expectations of what labour should be, and by day 4 I was completely exhausted...then had to have major surgery on top. The caesarian itself was completely fine, but initial recovery was harder because I was so tired. This isn't to say every experience is like that, all the women round me who were induced gave birth naturally (and much more quickly!) in the end.

I'm 38 weeks now with 2nd baby and having an ELCS next week due to another large baby and various complications. I am much happier with this decision and positive that it'll be a calmer and safer experience.

Have they mentioned an ELCS to you yet? They may likely push you to try induction first. Go into the meeting fully informed with strong reasons for/against your birth plan and what you wish to happen.

Good luck

My experience is spookily identical to the lady above. My baby was 9lb 3 and I didn't dilate either. The risk with an induction is that you will end up with a section, but after a very long labour which will mean you are knackered before the section even happens.

The first couple of days after a section are not much fun, especially if on a noisy ward. I found it pretty gruelling having a new baby and dealing with 5+ days of very little sleep.

Some consultants are resistant to elective sections. I would explore options now if I were you since you don't have much time to plan

Thanks both, really helpful. They’ve not mentioned a c section at this stage, potentially just induction , but it didn’t sit right with me and I wanted to explore other options. I’ll do some research. I was a c section baby - as was my husband - and our mums speak highly of the experience which has made me more interested in it as a possibility.

I had an attempted induction at 34 weeks (so likely a very different kettle of fish) it caused DD to become distressed as apparently the pessary didn’t agree with me and I started crazy contractions. So DD was born via emergency c section. Personally if induction was offered in future pregnancies I would try and angle for c section. But as I said, 34 weeks is very different to where you are!

My dd was tracking very large (95th percentile and above on diff measurements) and was also breech so we had an ELCS. Very happy with the way things turned out, if we had been left to make her own way she would have been way over 10lbs.
I was exhausted afterwards, it is major surgery afterall, and you need extra help even just to pick up your LO. Its 6 weeks recovery and for the first three weeks I struggled with getting up and down, especially from bed. Short walks totally floored me and I'm only now (9 weeks) able to go on much longer ones to the shop etc without being totally gubbed.
In the future if I have another lo I'd seriously consider an ELCS even if they were not breech.

Going to echo what others have said. I was induced, but didn't progress beyond 2cm. After 36 hours - nil by mouth because of the chance of a section - I was exhausted and frankly relieved when they said they needed to get her out.

I had already spent 5 nights in hospital being monitored and post birth was tough as I'd had no sleep. I was booked in for an ELCS due to transverse lie and she flipped, meaning induction was an option. Part of me wishes I'd just had the section in the first place. It was very calm, everyone in theatre took a lot of time to explain what was going on, we had skin to skin straight away and got to listen to our music.

The post birth days in hospital after a section are challenging - you'll have a catheter for a bit and your scar will be sore. But I think I'd have coped a lot better if I'd have had more sleep before and not had an induction.

One other consideration is that with an induction I had quite a few internal exams (which yes, you can refuse) as they're keen to know if you're progressing. If smears etc are painful for you, you may also find these quite uncomfortable. I did and I usually find smears absolutely fine.

Good luck with whatever you choose OP

My son wasn't measuring big but I did have an induction for other reasons. Like other ladies have mentioned, my son had a beautiful but large head - 9lb2!

My induction / natural birth was far from easy. I'm expecting my second now and I'm pushing for a section (have my consultant appointment next month). X

They tried induction on me 3 times. Ended up with c-section anyway so its not always much of a choice. C section went really well and was up and about in couple of weeks. Really lucky

To give a positive spin on inductions, i ended up being induced at 40+2. I had been having mild contractions on and off (and wasn't dilating) but baby's heart rate was all over the shop so they wanted to speed things up. Drip went in at midnight and he was out by 7am. It did get intense quite quickly but it was all fine. I was told he was quite big at my last growth scan but he ended up being under 7lb so I'm not convinced at their accuracy either.

I'm 38 weeks and have been having regular scans and consultant appointments as we have also been told baby is "big". Like you OP I'm very petite and have been worried about whether I'll be able to deliver naturally if baby goes to term or is overdue. My consultant is adamant that a "big baby" is not sufficient reason for an ELCS, although she has repeatedly offered to induce me at 38 weeks due to baby's size. So you may find it's not presented as a choice so much as "this is what's going to happen". I have had to be quite forceful and repetitive in expressing that I am not willing to consent to an induction. I have outlined my reasons for this which in the end the Consultant agreed were "reasonable". We have now, after much discussion and me having to jump through a lot of hoops finally agreed a plan everyone is happy with. I will not be allowed to go overdue, so I will be seen in clinic at 39 weeks, where I will be booked in for an ELCS at 40 weeks on the understanding I will try for vaginal birth if baby comes before this. Consultant will examine me at this appointment and do a stretch and sweep if cervix is favourable. But if I do go into labour naturally and things aren't progressing well we have agreed I will have a section rather than an induction.

I've had both and would choose a c-section. But my induction birth was particularly horrendous and chances are yours could be straight forward. Who's to know really. But I can tell you that my elective section was just a lovely experience and I recovered very well.

My baby was big (95th percentile). I had a c-section because the consultant said with such a big baby there was a risk of severe tearing and long term consequences for me, as well as the possibility of shoulder dystocia for the baby, or even cerebral palsy if he got stuck and was deprived of oxygen. I wasn’t prepared to take that risk so had a section. It was lovely, peaceful and calm with no complications.

Thanks guys, really appreciate it - I’m going to broach it (brooch it? What’s the right spelling there?!) on Monday and see where the land lies.... really helpful listening to all your experiences as I feel it gives me some extra knowledge rather than just a gut feeling