Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Terrified of induction - midwife saying no to C section

108 replies

BrassHorses · 16/01/2019 19:19

I'm due to be induced at 40+10 on Monday. This is my first DC. About a week ago I asked if I could skip induction and go straight to C section. I was told outright no and C section was only available if induction fails.

I've since been reading and researching and trying to get my head around things but I'm terrified of induction and have read that up to 40% of inductions end up in C sections anyway, and it carries a much higher risk of intervention.

I really want an elective C section. Can I get one? If so how? And have I left it too late to request this? I have a midwife appointment tomorrow for a third sweep so I can discuss again but I'm worried she will just stone wall me again and say no.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrassHorses · 18/01/2019 20:58

Thank you all for responding and reinforcing this. If I went on just what the midwife had said I would be totally resigned to induction as she categorically said a number of times I can not choose a c section. I have been thinking about things since my chat with her and I thought I might try induction but now I'm back to where I was before, when I speak to the doctor who assessed me on Monday (to begin the induction process) I'm going to plead for a c section. I hope my anxiety is reason enough for the doctor to listen to me and do that. As much as I know an induction could work fairly well for me the unknowns and increased risk of various interventions is something I can't make my peace with, and believe me I have tried to get my head around it, my fear is just too much.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrassHorses · 18/01/2019 20:59

@3boysandabump how did you refuse induction and ask for a section, was it on the day you went in for an induction? I can't explain how happy I would be to go in on Monday and be told that yes I can have a section.

OP posts:
moredoll · 18/01/2019 21:03

You shouldn't have to plead, just tell him/her. Doctors advise patients on what they think the best course of action is. Patients decide because it's their body.

ReaganSomerset · 18/01/2019 21:03

You can refuse any medical procedure. Just say that you do not consent to an induction. When they try to persuade you that baby needs to come out now, say that you will not have an induction but if they believe it's in baby's best interests to be born now you will agree to a section.

3boysandabump · 18/01/2019 21:04

No it was when I discussed birth options with the doctor at one of my appointments.

She said 'so we'll book you in for an induction on xxx'

I said 'no you won't I'm not being induced I'll have a section'

She said 'ok no problem I'll phone through for an available slot'

It shouldn't be any harder than that. You have the right to have the birth you want.

le42 · 18/01/2019 21:07

@brasshorses - my doctor tried to talk me out of it, as did the midwives but I was just firm but polite and they made the referral. Just got told today I’m scheduled in for next Wednesday. They do make it difficult and it’s really hard in the moment sometimes as you feel powerless. Wishing you luck xxx

GrubbyHipsterBeard · 18/01/2019 21:11

It makes me so angry when they play the “major surgery”/“hard recovery” card when it comes to sections. Partly because it depends what kind of vaginal birth you’re comparing it too - I had forceps and was in agony long after my friends who had sections were good as new - but also because once you’ve had the section, you’re fobbed off with paracetamol and sent home.

It is difficult OP because a lot of hospitals have real pressures of time on their theatres so don’t want to fill slots up with maternal request sections. This isn’t your fault and shouldn’t be your problem. Is your DP going with you on Monday? Hopefully he will be persistent and escalate it if you don’t get one of the “kinder” Hmm doctors.

Even better hope you go into spontaneous labour by then Flowers

ThanksItHasPockets · 18/01/2019 21:13

OP, you might like to look up the CQC report for your hospital and see if they are under pressure to reduce their CS rate.

Youmadorwhat · 18/01/2019 21:14

OP Monday is still 2 days away....you could go into labour yourself before then. You need to relax... it will have a better chance of happening if you do. Get out walking!! Squating and bouncing on a birthing ball to get baby down and maybe start you off!! Sex is also great for getting things going!! I went into labour with my DC 2 at 40+11 and I was due to be induced the following day! Relax and get moving is my best advice!!

Original poster
BrassHorses · 18/01/2019 21:18

Yes DH will be with me, he's a bit better at putting the point across I tend to just get easily railroaded but he will push a bit harder, so if I prep him that I really want a section hopefully he will get the point across or at least help. On Monday I'll be 10 days overdue, fingers crossed they'll be able to schedule me in for a section for as soon as possible and not keep pushing me down the induction route.

At this hospital they start the induction process with a balloon catheter which they put in and leave in for 18 hours to attempt to break your waters, before starting any of the pessaries or anything. To be honest it sounds like a bit of a waste of time, more invasive things that don't get me anywhere and are delaying the process. (I mean this after already having had three failed sweeps.)

It's Monday afternoon I go in so I will let you know the outcome. I know so many people who have gone through hours if not days of induction only to have an emergency section at the end.

OP posts:
3boysandabump · 18/01/2019 21:24

Is the reason for induction just that you're overdue?

If so wouldn't the best option just be to ask for extra monitoring and wait for things to start naturally?

Original poster
BrassHorses · 18/01/2019 21:26

@3boysandabump yes the reason is just that I'm overdue. The fact that I am overdue is making me anxious as I'm concerned about any increased risks so really I didn't want to wait and wait for natural labour to begin.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrassHorses · 18/01/2019 21:28

I'm going to talk to the midwife we see tomorrow morning about this as well as it's someone different who I haven't met before (my usual one isn't working this weekend). Maybe I'll have a better chance if I can get it recorded on my notes before just springing it on the doctor on Monday.

OP posts:
Drum2018 · 18/01/2019 21:28

Educate yourselves on your rights over the weekend, go as far as printing them out and have the print out with you on Monday so you can read them out if you're being pushed into something you don't want.

MrsKrampus · 18/01/2019 21:37

OP, sorry if you've already addressed this! But if you go into labour over the weekend will you still request a C-section? No judgement here, just wondered if you'd considered this and how you'll feel if you go into labour naturally?

goose1964 · 18/01/2019 21:40

I had 2 inductions, neither led to c section and neither did my daughter's. I understand you are scared but the recovery is a lot easier than after a section

3boysandabump · 18/01/2019 21:45

@goose1964 not necessarily. I was induced with my first and had an awful labour which took much longer to recover from than either of my sections

onedream · 18/01/2019 21:54

I don't blame you OP, I was induced at 41+5 and after 24 hours in hospital not progressing they did put me on drip I have never experienced pain like that before in my life I had to have epidural and it still took another 10 hours to get to the pushing stage..after over an hour of pushing doctors used ventouse and they did cut me to get my little boy out..he was 9 10 and a good 500g was from going over due date..my recovery was terrible and long..could not sit properly for weeks or walk long distance for ages..since then we moved to different town and I'm pregnant with nr. 2..this time I have requested my notes from first birth and I will push for action as soon as I reach 40 weeks..will probably agree to induction but definitely no drip this time..would be happy with c-section if no progress..
Stand your ground..wish you the best of luck x

Florries · 18/01/2019 22:05

If it helps, I was induced and had a fantastic labour with no interventions. It's not always that bad.

Agree with PP. It's YOUR body and if you want a section. Keep repeating 'i do not consent to induction, if baby needs to come out I consent to a secrion'

Good luck and keep us updated!!

Buddytheelf85 · 19/01/2019 10:22

This isn’t about ‘pleading’ with ‘nice doctors’ OP. We’re talking about your basic rights. This isn’t like you’re a kid again and you’re pleading with your parents to let you go out and play or have a biscuit!

@florries is quite right. The points to make are:

  • I have evaluated the respective risks of an induction and a section and I have decided that in the circumstances (taking into account my severe anxiety) that a c section is the right option for me.
  • If in your view the baby needs to come out I am perfectly happy for that to happen by way of a section. However, I do not consent to an induction.

I think it’s important to stress that you do want the baby to come out, because that puts it back on them from their risk management perspective. From their point of view, if they deny you the section (which I don’t think they will) and something goes wrong (very unlikely of course and God forbid) then the fault is pretty much entirely theirs for denying you the section. They won’t want that situation to arise!

I’m so cross about what’s happened to you though. I know it isn’t your priority right now but please do consider complaining. This sort of treatment of women exploits the less confident, single mothers who don’t have a man to advocate for them, the less affluent, the non-native English speakers - which is why it’s against the NICE guidelines!

Good luck today and Monday OP.

Original poster
BrassHorses · 19/01/2019 11:25

Hi everyone I think I may be in very early labour. I woke up at 5am with period pains and I've been having contractions since then. I've got a TENS machine on which is helping with the contractions and they've been coming sporadically, I've had times when they've been every six minutes then nothing for 20 minutes.

The ward rang me about an hour ago to discuss my appointment for induction on Monday. I told them I think I'm in early labour and they said if I get to regular contractions four minutes apart to go in. If this happens I won't ask for a c section, it's induction I want to avoid. I explained that on Monday I was planning on asking for a section. She then moved my appointment to 10am (from the afternoon) so I could discuss a plan with a doctor about how to progress but did laugh when I asked if I could have a section instead of an induction and said that wasn't how it worked but I need to speak to the doctor on Monday. She said the earliest they would probably be able to do a section would be Wednesday.

Anyway it's all very up in the air at the moment, I'm hoping to get into established labour today. I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is "enough" - just had contractions 7 minutes apart whilst typing this. I can't really speak through them I have to concentrate on breathing but they're sporadic.

OP posts:
Ringsblings · 19/01/2019 11:33

@BrassHorses do you have a birthing ball??

ReaganSomerset · 19/01/2019 12:11

Yes, get yourself on a birthing ball.

ChikiTIKI · 19/01/2019 12:14

She laughed at you? I don't normally swear but, what an absolute bitch!!! And it's not up to her to see what the schedule is for when you can have a c section. I would honestly ignore everything the midwives are saying and don't let any of their opinions influence your conversation with the doctor if it comes to it.

Hopefully you're in labour now and it will all go smoothly.

Will be thinking of you.

Redken24 · 19/01/2019 12:15

I really hope your in labour!! You can refuse induction and if you feel able definitely complain about the midwives.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.