HELP - “planned” premature baby, should I have a C-section or an induction??

[MrsRose2018]

Hi ladies,

You may have been a previous post of mine saying that my waters broke at 25 weeks. I am now 26+3 and trundling on ok with no signs of infection or early labour!

I haven’t had a meeting with a consultant yet but am looking for advice as to what is “best” in terms of delivery? The hope is I can get to 34 weeks and then will induce me but I believe I also have the option of an elective cesarean as well!

My “birth plan” before all this happened was to go for a midwife led vaginal, non induced birth with a section as a last resort. I’ve accepted I will have a premature baby (just about) but I don’t know whether to go for a planned induction and have an emergency C section as a back up or to have a planned section!

Everything is giving me conflicting advice! Some resources say a planned section is better because it is “gentler” on a premature baby and reduces the risk of them getting into distress during labour - this risk is increased in my case due to having no amniotic fluid left!

Other resources say an induction is better as the vaginal birth gives them a “kickstart” and gets their lungs etc going.

A final consideration is that I could possibly get to 34 weeks, be fine and be able to carry on bit by bit with a maximum gestation if 36/37 weeks but that makes a planned section unlikely as I obviously can’t just shuffle that back.

I don’t care about myself - I’ll deal with the pain and difficulty of recovery post section if that’s what’s best for my baby but as this is my first I just don’t know...

Advice/perspectives would be greatly appreciated!

xx

Your situation is entirely dependent on so many variable factors that it’s impossible for anyone to suggest what would be best without the whole picture. I would be guided entirely by the obstetric and neonatal teams. Their countless years of training and experience count for far more than some anecdotes that might not even apply to your specific circumstances.

@Bienentrinkwasser I completely agree but I wouldn't enter into any massive life decision without first doing some research and seeking advice of people who have been there before me!

I believe it's very important to advocate for yourself and your medical care and whilst I would never suppose to know more than the professionals who have trained their whole life for this, I don't want to just blindly accept what I am told

@MrsRose2018 that’s a really sensible thing to be doing. I didn’t have the time to properly research and pretty much blindly followed the professional advice given at the time- my experiences with my current pregnancy suggest not all professionals would have done the same. Always question, always advocate and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Good luck!!

I was torn between the two options whilst pregnant with my DTs. I was in hospital for a few days before having them due to severe pe and the day before I had them changed my mind from being induced to having a section.

For us, it was the best thing I could’ve done. Each baby and I had our own medical team. Dt2 was born not breathing properly - within seconds the room filled to bursting with extra medics and she was rushed off to scbu. Luckily she was absolutely fine, but I shudder to think what could’ve happened if I’d given birth vaginally and she’d run into the same difficulties. They were born at 36+5 and weighed 6lb 6oz and 7lb 3oz.

Up until things got hairy with my dd, the experience was fantastic and so calm, and I felt completely in control of what was happening despite being so vulnerable.

Good luck whichever way you decide.