Failed induction, possible C section- can anyone answer my questions?

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I'm 37 weeks with a small baby, DC2. I was given a pessary yesterday which didn't work, and I'm due to have it taken out in an hour. I'm fairly certain the extra six hours haven't helped, as I haven't been in any pain, just a little tummy ache every now and then.

The midwife mentioned that sometimes after a 24 hour wait a second pessary is given- has anyone had this experience, and did it work? Why do they make you wait 24 hours? My blood pressure is high so unlikely I'd be able to leave the hospital.

The midwife also mentioned the possibility of going on the list for a c section. I don't know anyone who has had a c section, in the first of my friends to have babies. Do you feel much? How long does it take start to finish? How long is recovery time, and can you still breastfeed?

I started to google the questions but ended up on lots of gory images and horror stories!

Thank you

I can't offer advice on a second pessary, as I only had one which had to be removed after a few hours when my waters broke and contractions started.
However, I did end up having a Csection as DS decided to make a U-turn & crawl back up inside and lie oblique, so vaginal delivery was pretty much out.
Csections are usually very quick. I was taken to theatre, given a spinal tap (cold, a little pain, then felt nothing). They gowned up and went in. I could feel tugging, if that makes sense, but no actual pain. Within a few minutes DS was out and taken to be assessed/cleaned. Then they put him on my chest and sewed me up. I think all in all, i was in theatre for about 40mins maybe?
Recovery-wise the scar hurt a lot. Meds are definitely needed, regularly. They want you up and moving within 6hours of delivery, and ideally want you to have the catheter out and going to the loo same day too. It hurt to move for a few days, and definitely needed morphine etc when home.
You can still breastfeed - milk should come in as normal.

Thank you- very helpful to read.
Do you still have all the normal bleeding after pregnancy?

I had an emergency c-section and then a planned c-section at 38 weeks due to Cholestasis and breech. The planned c-section was a quite calm experience and fairly quick, like pp said (not as fast as the first one though!) You can sort of feel things moving around, but no pain during the procedure. I did not have any issues with my incision either time, but pain management is key! I stayed ahead of the pain the second time around instead of chasing it and it made a night and day difference. Getting up and walking early is very helpful, but much more doable when you have good pain management. The second time around was so much better than the first that I don’t really remember it as being an awful recovery, but definitely sore and slow for a bit. I exclusively breastfed both for over a year each, so definitely possible!

Yes, you bleed after, as the womb needs to shed what's left - that takes a few weeks, generally (or it did for me both times). But its not that bad, as you're usually on meds so any cramping is under control.

No c section advice but had a pessary which didnt work. They gave it 24 hours, after which they told me they were trying the drip and if that failed it would be a c section. Drip worked though, 12 hours ish after the drip was started, ds was born. Only had gas and air for pain relief, it honestly wasnt bad at all. (Was terrified as you hear drip induction horror stories of it being so painful!) It was a absolutely fine. Despite constant monitoring it was a good experience, I just kept all my options open and I was home same day after he was born.
Good luck op!

The pessary didn’t work for me either so they moved on to the gel, which literally worked a treat and I was in full blown labour after I think it was 2 hours??? I believe they make you wait so as not to cause the baby distress as induction can be a bit hard on them if it works too well or they do too much too fast, I could be incorrect in saying that as what I was told was a bit of a blur. I had pre eclampsia and diabetes with a heart issue thrown in and so if the gel hadn’t worked I was getting a section. It might be worth asking about the gel though!

What's the reason for the induction?

Hi was inducted with my first born son.
Had protein in my urine and blood pressure went up so we booked an induction.
Went in sunday, was given pessary 3pm and it started to work around evening 6-7pm. But it wasn’t proper contractions. I was with that pain the whole night, then the nexd day half a day and it suddenly stopped. They said to wait so we waited 24 hours.. still nothing. I was told they i will be taken up to the 4th floor to be checked and they would brake my water. Didn’t happen as there was no space for us. So they let me sleep and the next day ( Tuesday morning), we were taken to the ward and they broke my water, 9am. 2 hours later and still no pain. So they gave me the oxytocin dropps. Honestly within 10 minutes i had the most horrible pain ever. My midwife just went for her lunch break 5 minutes before the pain started. I was asked if I want epidural and i agreed right away. So to go on i had epidural opened 2 inches and happy. Around 4 o’clock I started to push, the baby was in weird position they said, like he is keep on turning no idea how. They tried forceps it didn’t work. We been like this until 6 o’clock. Then my son’s heartbeat started to dropp and they realised he was distressed. Then they made a decision that they would take me to theatre and try one more time to push and forceps, if that doesn’t work then we have emergency c-section. Basically they gave me all the medications, IV and all the necessary stuff for the c-section. I had been surrounded by 10 people at least. Luckily my little one was born 8:10 pm. If this last push would not work i would have the c-section. Its been really really tiring long birth but if c-section would be needed I would have it.
After the birth we been in the hospital another 2 days as i had high temperature and high blood pressure as well. My little one was 3240 grams and beautiful healthy little boy 🤗 i hope my story helps you with your questions.

I had the gel & 24 hours later nothing had happened despite 2 lots of gel. Eventually they took me to delivery suite as like you I had pre eclampsia, when they checked I was less than 2cm but they managed to break my waters, 24 hours later I still hadn't dilated to more than 8cm & 4 hours later I had slipped back to 6cm, that was when they decided emcs was best. If I had my time again I would have asked for Cs instead of induction, all the time I was in labour could have been spent recovering & getting home quicker.

I had induction after 37 weeks due to small
Baby

Had a 24 hour pessary. 2 lots of gel (I think 8 hours apart? May have been 6). Then the drip for 12 hours. Had contractions but didn't dilate even when they managed to break my waters so ended up with emergency c section

First pessary was Thursday lunchtime and c section was Sunday lunchtime

I was overdue, so things may be done differently in that case, but...

I had the pessary which did nothing, and also the drip which did nothing. The trace was showing lots of contractions but I didn't feel anything more than mild cramping. So it was a very relaxed emergency c section.

I had a spinal, remember getting it but not how it felt or if it hurt, so it can't have been that bad! The procedure took just under 45 minutes. I could feel some tugging, I've seen it described as being like someone is washing up in your tummy. Not painful at all.

I did feel a bit sick at one point but they gave me meds to stop it.

DH was there the whole time, they held DD up so we could see her, then brought her and the placenta to be checked out, and DH cut the cord. They offered to let me hold her but I was too nervous while lying down so DH held her and sat by my head.

In my hospital they get you up 12 hours after but that would've been midnight so oh you to rest until the morning. The staff lifted the baby in and out of her cot and did any nappy changes that first night.

I didn't need anything stronger than diclofenac, and had an easy recovery. Breastfed for nine months with no issues. Due another soon, eligible for vbac but going with elcs as experience was entirely positive last time.

I had the 24 hour pessary which done fuck all. I then had 3 rounds of gel and on 3rd the contractions started.
Ended up with an emergency c section. Honestly it was a breeze. According to my notes decision made for emerg section at 7.26pm Baby born at 8pm on sat and I was up and walking by 7am on Sunday morning.

Recovery for me personally was fine. Got out on the Monday. Was a bit slow for a while but I Managed on paracetamol and cocodomol. Now 8 months on, minimal scar and no problems.
Defo not the horro stories I had read.

I had 2 prostin pessarys 6 hours apart and then they broke my waters at 3cm dilated, she was born 2 hours later. Hopefully they can break your waters!

I can answer c section questions

Do you feel much?

No, they do a block injection in lower back and they keep checking you are numb. You can feel sensations but no pain.

How long does it take start to finish?

It took them about 15 mins to get my son out then tneh stitch you up and you're wheeled into recovery - it's so fast.

How long is recovery time, and can you still breastfeed?

Yes... However my colostrum was delayed and I had to top up with formula for first couple days. I moved onto exclusive BFing and did for one year. However lots of women I know have had C sections could breastfeed straight away no problem.

I felt quite mobile after a few days, but I would say it was a few weeks before I could walk for 20 minutes or so. Reading stories on here the recovery time seems to be very personal.

Good luck whatever you decide

dc1 was overdue & was given a pessary, it worked 12 hours later. It was painful because it was very quick so no pain relief & back to back. I found the contractions worse than then pushing though. No intervention & a couple of stitches. No real pain after.

DC2 I was offered a CS at 38 weeks. I tried pessary & gel but no budging. I went for the CS option then as thought likely to end in emergency CS. I find the CS incredibly painful after but I expected it to be a breeze. I breastfeed straight away & was discharged the next morning. I took paracetamol at home but the first few days were hard. There seems to be quite a variance in how long people stay in/strength of painkillers.

If I had another I would like a VB but CS was defo the right option for dc2.