Could I choose c-section over induction?

[Moorhen]

Am 40+4, got midwife appt tomorrow where I suspect we will be discussing options should I go much longer without labour.

Having read up on induction on this site and others, and being terrified of painful and prolonged birth anyway, I am very very keen not to be induced. It is my understanding that you are far more likely to need intervention, more likely to tear/be cut and more likely to need emergency c-section. Frankly, would rather cut out the middleman and just have planned section if it came to it.

Is this a reasonable request? And does anyone know where I might find more info on induction outcomes (esp for first-time mothers)?

Why do you need a sweep on Saturday? You will be 41 weeks and may still have a week to go till labour starts naturally.

I think there is far too much sweeping going on. You can go into labour without it being done. I think it should only be done a couple of days before actual booked induction date (if there is one).

There is too much pressure on women to agree to this routine intervention.

Moorhen - there are plenty of successful inductions out there with no complkications. To me the trick is avoiding induction unless absolutely necessary. Some pregnancies are naturally longer. If you and your baby are well, there is no need to induce before 42 weeks.

Why do you need a sweep on Saturday? You will be 41 weeks and may still have a week to go till labour starts naturally.

I think there is far too much sweeping going on. You can go into labour without it being done. I think it should only be done a couple of days before actual booked induction date (if there is one).

There is too much pressure on women to agree to this routine intervention.

Moorhen - there are plenty of successful inductions out there with no complkications. To me the trick is avoiding induction unless absolutely necessary. Some pregnancies are naturally longer. If you and your baby are well, there is no need to induce before 42 weeks.

download the prolonged pregnancy leaflet here for information

scroll down here for information for the public regarding induction

Mears and lulumama, thank you so much.

I read the NICE leaflet about induction, and so at least know a bit more about what it involves so I can discuss it. I note that words like "discomfort" are used, though, and I know what that means in doctor parlance!

Will now look for more stats about intervention after induction. But do feel better for having seen some definite info.

Could not download the Prolonged Labour leaflet, tho. Maybe you have to be a member of the site?

As for the sweep. I think the mw may be trying to help out because I did say I was torn between just wanting the baby born so I could see for myself hes ok and stop worrying about stillbirth, oxygen starvation (what happened to my friends LO) and so on - and not wanting to be induced.

I take the point about a pregnancy being up to 42 weeks - do you think perhaps there is too much reliance on the EDD? Because no-one mentioned the 42-week thing to me till I went overdue, and having (as first-timer) psyched yourself up for nine months ending... NOWNOWNOW, it is quite hard to take on the idea of another two weeks of tension...

the EDD is just that, an estimated due date!!

it is based on a 28 day menstrual cycle, with conception occuring around day 14...and as we all know, that is certainly not the case for every woman !!

it would be much better if we were told, your baby will be born some time within this 4 week time frame!!

only around 5 % of babies arrive on their due date

in france, your date is given as 41 weeks, far more realstic, IMHO

some women need to go to 43 weeks

and with the best will in the world, some labours and births will not have a happy outcome, but they are in the minority..not that it is something to be dismissed, but on the whole, babies are born , when they are ready , and are healthy

"Some time within these dates" would be a much better way of doing it, you`re right. Excitement and nerves leave you very much invested in your due date, I find.

Plus people will say that the baby is "late" when due date is past, which adds to the tension. If ever I do this again, I will (a) condition myself to plan for two weeks later, and (b) lie about the due date to save the endless phone calls and texts asking the same damn question.

I keep reminding myself that this baby is entirely likely to be born perfectly normal and healthy. But every single day he doesn`t turn up is another day to worry about it.