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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Induction or natural delivery

27 replies

kayleesmithy · 03/04/2020 19:10

If you were given the choice to induce at 38+2 or wait for natural labour to occur what would you choose?

We've been given the choice and really have no idea what to do. Our consultant is off now with coronavirus and my midwife is self-isolating and offloaded all patients to another midwife who said she couldn't really help.

Our induction is scheduled for a week on Tuesday. Struggling to get in touch with anyone. Was originally scheduled for induction at 39 weeks due to low PAPP-A but seems to not be a concern anymore if they've given us a choice thinking baby is big.

OP posts:

N12345625 · 03/04/2020 19:20

I had an induction at 38+3 and honestly it was awful. I was given the catheter. I had to have three separate midwives try and insert it as they really struggled, and it was so painful. I then started bleeding after 9 hours (when I was one cm dilated) and they had to break my waters. I was having mild contractions every 5 minutes for about 2 hours. I then suddenly got really really bad contractions every minute for about an hour and a half. Honestly it was so so painful (apparently that can happen with induction as you are going from 0 to 100 when your body isn't ready). I then had an epidural but it took them 40 minutes to put in as I was having contractions so frequently and every time they had to stop. After about 3 hours I then had to have an emergency c section due to my daughter's heart rate slowing down showing she was distressed. I really don't think it would have ended in a c section if I stuck to my guns and didn't get induced. Luckily (and most importantly) my daughter was and is healthy and I left after three days. I think if it is not vital, don't force your baby to come when you don't have to. Obviously this is just one story, as there are so many successful inductions. I am pregnant again and really hope I can go into labour naturally this time.

KHall84 · 03/04/2020 19:23

I would most definitely wait for it to happen naturally unless there is a medical reason to be induced but as you have the option I would say not so I would wait as the % of women that get induced end up with a csection so I would wait x

anonymum95 · 03/04/2020 19:25

Unless there are medical reasons as to why you'd have to be induced I'd avoid it. Wasn't induced myself but I've not heard any good stories, ride it out and see what happens.

Redwinestillfine · 03/04/2020 19:26

Hard one op. I am quite anti induction but I also don't think it's good for the baby to be in over 40 days so I would probably take the hit on induction. Fingers crossed baby comes before then

Sexnotgender · 03/04/2020 19:27

Absolutely wait. I had DS at 42 weeks, would definitely wait until nature took its course.

Dawninglory · 03/04/2020 19:32

I would ask for a sweep first, worked for me 5 days after due date.

GetTheSprinkles · 03/04/2020 19:35

I went into labour but it was really stop start so was induced with an oxytocin drip 36 hours after my waters broke. As I had an epidural soon after it was great (we were even watching tv)!
I did end up with an EMCS but I think it would have happened anyway as baby was in an awkward back to back position

MsChatterbox · 03/04/2020 19:39

I would wait unless it's dangerous for you to wait.

Pentium85 · 03/04/2020 19:39

I had induction and it was absolutely fine, but no idea why you would choose to have one earlier than necessary?

switswoo81 · 03/04/2020 19:40

I had two inductions, first at 40+6 due to reduced movement and the second at 38+6 for gestational diabetes.
Both were absolutely lovely experiences. I had the drip on both, the first baby I had contraction s for 9 hours and 45 mins pushing the second I had contractions for two hours and pushed for twenty mins. I had an epidural at 3cm for number 1 and 8cm for number 2
Felt in control and relaxed the whole time.
I'm not too sure what you should do due to the current climate I just wanted to allay any fears by giving my experience

Spam88 · 03/04/2020 19:45

I've had one spontaneous and one induced. I'd be induced again if I needed to be (hypothetically speaking, I'm not actually letting my DH anywhere near me ever again because I have nooooo desire to do the whole pregnancy and childbirth thing again). But if it's not medically necessary then I wouldn't do it because of the increased risk of section, and I just think that all being well it's best to let them come when they're ready.

Lalapurple · 03/04/2020 19:46

I had an induction but unless there is strong reason for you to have one I would wait. Induction increases the risk of things going wrong during birth.

BeetrootRocks · 03/04/2020 19:50

I wouldn't be induced without medical reason.

42+2 with DD and wish had had the knowledge etc to wait. My body wasn't ready and it wasn't fun.

Ginger1982 · 03/04/2020 19:52

I was induced and hated it. 2 days of nothing happening then horrendous pain once in the drip. Constantly hooked up so couldn't get off the bed and ended up with an emergency section. I was told I should be induced at 38 weeks as DS was measuring big. As a first timer I didn't feel strong enough to argue to let me go naturally and they told me as IVF I couldn't go over due date. If there is ever a next time I will argue strongly for going naturally.

Spied · 03/04/2020 19:54

2 inductions and both went fine.
I think I'd wait if there is no medical need though.

JanewaysBun · 03/04/2020 20:22

I had the drip.
Not fun tbh but would definitely choose to have it at 40 weeks if I wasn't in labour. It was painful but now I feel fine about it and helped DS arrive safely

MichelleOR84 · 04/04/2020 13:31

I went into labour naturally at 37 weeks but after 38 hours I was still only 4cms so they had to induce me ( gave me the hormone drip ). It hurt . It really really hurt . They recommended an epidural actually , warned me that an induction hurts worse than natural plabour, but I’m stubborn and said no . Next time if I’m induced I’ll take the epidural 😝! But hopefully I never have to be induced. I couldn’t move around and had to lie on my back for every contraction . It was horrible .

Persipan · 04/04/2020 13:55

I was literally induced yesterday and had the baby in the early hours of this morning. I was induced at 39 weeks for medical reasons (multiple risk factors for early placental failure). It was totally fine!

I didn't actually get as far as the drip - after I'd had the pessary in for about 13 hours my waters broke, and then I progressed really quickly (that part wasn't particularly fun but it was very much what I'd anticipated any labour of mine would be like anyway) and within two or three hours I'd dilated to 9cm and was in the labour ward, and then a couple of hours later baby was out. Had paracetamol and dihydrocodeine after my waters went, and then gas and air for a bit. So, it doesn't have to be awful. I think that, like anything, people's experiences will vary.

Temple29 · 04/04/2020 13:58

I was induced and it was fine and a quick labour but I had preeclampsia so no choice. I’m pregnant again and the midwife told me it’s a much nicer experience if I’m lucky enough to go naturally this time.

RhymingRabbit3 · 04/04/2020 13:59

Is there a medical reason for you to be induced or is it just because of the midwife and consultant being off and basically trying to get you "over and done with"?
Personally I wouldnt ever have an induction without a medical reason - it can be more intense and painful, it can be prolonged and may not even work, it leads to a higher incidence of interventions such as forceps or c section and the multiple risks that come from that.

ohmysoul · 04/04/2020 14:01

I had low papp-a and was induced bang on 40 weeks. It took nearly 4 days and was absolutely horrific. If I had my time again I would absolutely refuse induction and choose to be monitored more instead. I didn't even realise that was an option until I had my birth debrief. Avoid induction as much as possible.

fedupandlookingforchange · 04/04/2020 14:04

If theres no medical reason wait. You'll probably go into labour naturally before 41 weeks and natural labour I found manageable. Induced contractions even with the epidural were painful and exhausting plus you are stuck laying down.

Danar89 · 04/04/2020 15:07

I am being induced on Tuesday at 40+1 for low pappa. I would rather not and had hoped to have extra monitoring instead, Doctor called me and said the chance of still birth is higher give or take a few days around 40 weeks so I've reluctantly agreed!

KMoKMo · 04/04/2020 15:11

I would never want to be induced again unless medically necessary. It was horrendous.

latheritup · 04/04/2020 15:18

I was induced at 38+5 due to reduced movements and I am so happy I was.

I had a really positive experience albeit I had to wait 2 days for a bed on the labour ward but it meant I got to relax and watch plenty of tv shows on my iPad before giving birth.

Pessary in on Thursday, waters broken on Saturday and contractions started without the need for the drip so I was able to deliver in the water. My labour was only 5 hours and I had only paracetamol for pain relief as the hot water was a wonder. I didn't have any tears so no stitches. We were home 6 hours later. She's 7 weeks today

If I was offered induction should I decide to have another baby, based on my experience then yes I would have it.

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