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Original poster

Birth options

26 replies

splishandsplash · 19/12/2019 05:32

Ii don't know if I have posted this in the correct place but I need some advice.

I have been brought in at 37 weeks for an induction. My body has fought with the the pessary and done nothing, literally nothing. The midwife struggled to even find my cervix after the pessary had been in for 24 hours!

I've now been given the option of the balloon pessary or C section.

I'm scared to try the balloon if that means it could fail as I found the pessary incredibly uncomfortable and I'm not entirely confident they'd even be able to fit the balloon given that my cervix is still so far back and closed.

What would you do in this situation? X

OP posts:
Clettercletterthatsbetter · 19/12/2019 06:12

Hi @splishandsplash, sorry to hear things aren’t progressing yet. Can I ask why you’re being induced?

Teachermaths · 19/12/2019 06:14

Personally I'd go for a section. I had a failed induction followed by EMCS. I'd refuse induction again and go for an elective.

Original poster
splishandsplash · 19/12/2019 06:18

@Clettercletterthatsbetter I was bought in for reduced movements for the 3rd time in the pregnancy and then as I have gestational diabetes the doctor made the call to begin the induction process x

OP posts:
Original poster
splishandsplash · 19/12/2019 06:20

@Teachermaths is a c section painful?
(I know the recovery is going to be shit) but I'm hoping you can advise if it's painful for the catheter to be fitted?
My vagina is so sore following the failed pessary I don't even want to touch it let alone the doctor like around in there 😫

OP posts:
Clettercletterthatsbetter · 19/12/2019 06:23

@splishandsplash that’s pretty much exactly what happened to me in my first pregnancy - induction due to GD and reduced movements. Except I was 39 weeks and the pessary got things going.

Are they worried about the reduced movements, or is it more that you perceive them to be reduced but the baby is fine on a ctg (as in my case)? Is there any scope for waiting a bit longer and trying a pessary again? How well has your GD been controlled - are you on medication/insulin?

AuntieMaggie · 19/12/2019 06:26

It depends why you're being induced... Has a doctor examined you? With your legs up in those stirrup things? Maybe ask for a second opinion?

I had to be examined this way with gas and air because my cervix was awkward and the doctor decided he could break my waters although it took a few attempts and wasn't nice it avoided a section. That said a planned section isn't the end of the world and those I know who have had them have recovered well.

I haven't heard good things about the balloon and I refused it because of my cervix being painful as I didn't want them to keep messing around with it but there wasn't much urgency for me to deliver.

polkadotpixie · 19/12/2019 06:28

I'd go straight for the c section personally but then I did have a failed (& prolonged) induction that ended in c section anyway

My c section was a great experience, my induction was not

AuntieMaggie · 19/12/2019 06:31

If you're sore request gas and air for further examinations.

Sorry cross posted - for reduced movements I would go for a section. I've had several catheters and are just uncomfortable not painful.

ShippingNews · 19/12/2019 06:31

I know the recovery is going to be shit

Not really, OP. No more than any other abdominal surgery . I've had several and it wasn't all that bad. You'll have a sore tummy but it's bearable.

Getting a catheter is nothing terrible - they put local anaesthetic gel on the area and then it's all numb so you don't feel it go in.

Teachermaths · 19/12/2019 06:53

I'm not the person to ask about recovery, mine took months due to an infection.

But even with that I've opted for AN ELCS over induction this time. I think if your body isn't showing any signs of being ready there's no point trying induction. I don't know if this has any medical basis though!

Teachermaths · 19/12/2019 06:54

Yes the catheter isn't too bad, you can have it fitted once the spinal is in if you prefer. (you can at my hospital).

The sooner you are walking after surgery the better.

Absa · 19/12/2019 07:02

A friend has just been in this situation a few days ago and also ended up with EMCS. I'd say a elective CS so it is properly planned would be better.

Surfskatefamily · 19/12/2019 07:06

Another for csection here..if your body is not ready at all induction is likely to be a very long process..tiring and often ends up In emcs.

Surfskatefamily · 19/12/2019 07:06

Meant to add..mine was 48hours 😭

Amrythings · 19/12/2019 07:07

I had the balloon catheter this summer and it wasn't terrible - much less painful than the sweep. Ask for gas and air, bloody idiot doctor didn't tell me I could have it for sweeps until after he'd done it, I nearly slapped him!

However, it didn't start labour for me and neither did breaking my waters, and do be aware that as soon as they break your waters there is a timetable for what they do next, and you don't have any choices in the matter. Nobody bothered to tell me this, and it made it all a lot more unpleasant than it needed to be. I ended up with an emergency section, which was ok. A planned one would probably have been substantially chiller and I'd not have been delirious with exhaustion.

If it's a section - it's fine, painful but as long as you take proper care of yourself. Do get midwife to explain to your other half exactly what has been involved (it's not just the outer scar that will hurt) because mine didn't register at the time and kept doing things that are normally grand but were hurting the scar without thinking.

Emma9876 · 19/12/2019 07:09

I had an elective c section, had a brilliant experience and a great recovery! Just take painkillers regularly after and that helps. I was back driving at 4 weeks and out walking in the Peak District after 7!

strawbmilk · 19/12/2019 07:12

If the don't put the catheter in after your epidural then ask for some numbing gel. Hope all goes well. I'm having a ELCS on Saturday

Boymummy3 · 19/12/2019 12:50

I've never been in your situation but may be offered an induction in a few weeks so may well find myself in this situation but personally if they are having trouble even finding your cervix etc I would opt for the csection.. I'm not sure how it totally works but if the balloon fails have they said then what would be the next stages would it end up in emergency csection etc.. These are the things I'd weigh up x

ManCubsMama · 19/12/2019 17:12

I had a catheter fitted during my vaginal delivery (bladder was full and blocking the baby coming down the birth canal - but I couldn’t pee!) and didn’t feel a thing, and that was without pain relief.

Original poster
splishandsplash · 21/12/2019 02:30

Just as an update, I ended up having a c section.
Baby boy arrives Thursday x

OP posts:
Original poster
splishandsplash · 21/12/2019 02:46

*arrived

OP posts:
ManCubsMama · 21/12/2019 04:25

Congratulations!!!

kittycat01 · 21/12/2019 06:06

@splishandsplash congratulations!!! 💙 what have you named him?

Just out of interest could you feel anything/did it hurt and what happened re the catheter?

Original poster
splishandsplash · 21/12/2019 06:40

Named him Jude x

No didn't feel a thing as they did the spinal block first and when removing the tube it felt like I'd done a wee as it was obvious something was coming out but not painful at all!

Thank you for the advice everyone x

OP posts:
kittycat01 · 21/12/2019 09:24

Lovely name!! Bet you're so glad he is here now.

They're talking about inducing me which terrifies me but so does a c section but I'm thinking I'm swaying more towards a c section at the moment...

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