Hospital want to induce me this Friday (38+0) - help!

[worried88]

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 36+0 weeks and am now 37+5. I've been monitoring my blood sugar levels at home since the diagnosis and have managed to get them under control.

At my 36 week scan the baby's weight was estimated at 7lbs 1oz and the head circumference was 35.5cm (97th centile), so the baby is already on the large side because of the GD.

My midwife rang this morning to ask how everything is going and then asked what my thoughts were on the birth. I said I was confused over whether to go for an induction or c-section due to the size of the baby's head, so she went to speak to the consultant to get his thoughts.

She rang me back 10 minutes later and said the consultant thinks an induction is the best option and that they could get me in this Friday to start the process. I was quite shocked as the phone call began as a routine chat about GD and ended with the possibility of giving birth in two days' time.

The midwife explained that the baby will just keep on growing from here on in, so it's better to induce sooner rather than later for a vaginal delivery before they get too big. She also said that if I did go for a c-section then that could be done at 39 weeks.

I said I'd think everything through and get back to her, but I'm so confused now. Should I take their advice and go in this Friday, wait another week (when I'll be 39+0) or two (when I'll be 40+0) to be induced, or ask for a c-section?

My head is spinning - if anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

If it's any consolation I don't think you'd be allowed a doula with you atm, you could have one at the end of the phone I guess but it's not quite the same! Mumsnet will have to do

thanks @NameChange30 and everyone else who’s taken the time to reply. I can’t tell you how much it’s helped keep me sane!

You're most welcome OP, I'm glad its providing some comfort.

Good luck tonight and keep us posted x

I was thinking Sunday was worst case scenario in terms of timing but it seems increasingly likely at this rate! I will try to update after my examination on the labour ward. Thanks again everyone

To update - I’m on the labour ward now and just had the first propess inserted. I requested gas and air to take the edge off - is that really pathetic?

I spoke to the doctors and they said that if nothing happens in the next 24 hours, a c-section is still an option if I want. Would it qualify as an EMCS at that point?

They’re now monitoring the baby on the CTG machine for another 40 minutes and I will then be monitored again in six hours’ time.

The doctors said to put cord prolapse out of my mind as it’s apparently rare, and if it does happen then I’m in the right place for it to be caught immediately. It can only happen after my waters break.

It’s not great being on the labour ward as it’s a much more medical atmosphere compared to the maternity ward, plus I’m in a room with two other women. Obviously needs must though and we’re all in our own curtained bays, so there is privacy.

Still thinking about you. The fact you have been having tightening has to be a good sign. Hopefully all is going well.

Ah glad to read your update. Glad the doctor was able to reassure you about the cord prolapse thing. Fingers crossed the pessary will do the trick. Don't worry about asking for whatever pain relief you want or need!

Here's hoping things will progress over next 24h but if they don't you can ask for a c section if that's still what you want.

In my maternity hospital they allow a birth partner when in active labour (which they define as 4cm dilated i think) - will it be the same for you?

Thanks both. Yes, birth partners are allowed in once I’m in “established labour” - I need to find out what that means exactly so DH is on standby!

I’m feeling embarrassed about the gas and air but it was quite uncomfortable. Gas and air is lovely!

How will I know when contractions start - what do they feel like? Is it like bad period pain? Also, when’s the soonest you can expect a propess to get going? It’s been in for half an hour so far.

Usually it means 4cm dilated but you can dilate a lot in a short space of time and they won't necessarily be checking frequently, so if your gut instinct is telling you that things are ramping up, don't be shy about asking for an examination.

Of course you can decline vaginal exams but I'm not sure how else they define established labour in that scenario.

You'll know when contractions start! My labour felt like period pain when it first started but it very quickly progressed to strong pains that came and went.

Thanks @NameChange30. They’ve said I can have an epidural at 3-4cm I think, so I will definitely be opting for that if/when the time comes!

Sorry we cross posted, I missed your update.
Active labour is 4cm and they'll move you to a birth suite at that point. And yes it probably would be classed as EMCS if nothing happens.

Good luck and think positively your going to meet your baby and a hundred new adventures!

Thanks @Blackbear19.

Do you literally feel nothing with the epidural once it starts to work - not even forceps?

There is a school of thought which says that dilation isn't everything. I think length, strength and frequency of contractions is important too. If you request an epidural they'll obviously have to call the anaesthetist which takes a bit of time as well. So don't be shy about it

I have no recollection of this but apparently I demanded an epidural when I was in the transition phase (had endured labour just on gas and air up to that point) and they did call the anaesthetist and prepare me, but then I was about to start pushing so I sent them away again

Anyway I must go to bed now but I am thinking of you and will check back when I wake up! Best of luck, you've got this 💪

@worried88 glad to read your update and see that things are progressing.

In terms of it being classed as an EMCS, basically they have levels, so a category 1,2,3 based on how urgent the need is. So one of my friends had a c section, all very calm time to discuss it all etc, wheeled down slowly and chatted things through first... But as it wasn't planned in advance it was technically classed as an emergency c section. Obviously at the other end of the scale is when they need to get the baby out ASAP. I think any c section you have now would be called an "emergency" as you are in labour, but I really wouldn't worry about how it's categorised, and hopefully you won't even need one and will be holding a baby shortly ☺️

I honestly don't know about epidural my first was a water birth with gas n air and the second was induced with pessary, 4 pills and a bath. I have no clue when I got to 4cm or anything else.

Honestly you might not need half the possible interventions.

Yes it will be an emcs, because technically you are already in labour, when my induction failed I was in theatre within 30 minutes, despite arguing & refusing to sign the consent form, my mum actually forced me to sign it saying if I didn't she was going home & leaving me to it.

It took me 2 pessarys 6 hours apart before I felt anything at all, after 12 hours that got me to 3cm and they broke my waters, as I said she was born 2 hours later.

How are you doing this morning?
You won't feel anything with an epidural, I had an emergency section under an epidural.

Thinking of you OP!

How are you doing ? Hope you managed to get some sleep. Never easy to sleep in hospital.

an emergency section is any section that took place on a day it was planned (if that makes sense!!). So if you were booked for a planned section on a Tuesday, but waters went on the Monday so you had it then, that would be counted as an emergency one. It doesn’t mean it’s all panic and emergency buzzers etc, can still be very calm and even a delay of a couple of hours after the decision rather than rushing etc.
The epidural took pain away for me. The only thing I felt was my bum muscles tighten whenever there was a contraction, not an unpleasant feeling 😂 x

That’s meant to say... a day it WASN’T planned!

I remember watching this video that there are three types of c section-planned, unplanned and emergency. Emergency is basically for very serious cases when you get rushed to surgery in minutes. Most other ones you have time to consider it -although perhaps not a lot of time -so that would be unplanned. So unless there was a sudden emergency I think yours would
Fall into unplanned. Apparently emergency c sections are very rare-usually they fall into unplanned -so they happen quickly but not in a letter of minutes. You still have a little
Time to gather yourself. Good luck.

Matter of minutes not letter of minutes!

Glad the doctors put your mind at ease about cord prolapse. And that you have had a pessary! Things are finally underway!

Agreed with others about it technically being an emergency section because you'll be in labour. But if things don't progress, and you and baby aren't distressed it'll probably be classed as a Cat. 3. Which is effectively an 'emergency' elective section.

As for the epidural, while I've not had one, I do work in obstetric theatres. During a procedure, you won't feel any pain, but you will still have the sensation of touch. It's usually described as 'rummaging'. You'll know something is going on down there, but you'd be hard pressed to say exactly what. The surgeons will tell you what they're doing at each stage unless you ask them not to.

Hope things are proceeding nicely for you this morning. Let us know how you get on when you are able. ❤️