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Original poster

Induction or C section- opinions?

15 replies

KLM19 · 31/07/2020 20:51

Hi all me again!! Looking for honest opinions as I just dont know what to do! My options are induction at 38 or c section at 39. I'm terrified of both mainly horror stories about C sections.. but I've had a previous induction which was an absolute bloody nightmare! And did end up with fetal distress and rushed to theatre for a c section which I narrowly missed as I was 10cm by the time I got there.. so episiotomy and forceps it was... any experience and opinions will help!!! Need to think this through and have 5 days to so... errgghh...

OP posts:
userabcname · 31/07/2020 20:55

I was induced with dc1 and had an elcs with dc2. I'd pick the c section any day of the week! Induction was long, incredibly painful and resulted in a 3rd degree tear, pph and sepsis. The elcs was calm, quick and easy to recover from (even with a toddler and newborn!). I know c sections can go wrong but that's my experience.

WeDontTalkAboutLove · 31/07/2020 21:05

I had a traumatic birth following an induction and will be having an ELCS this time.
It's my understanding that generally the horror stories follow an EMCS rather than an elective which the majority seem to recover well from. I'm aware that this isn't always the case.
I do completely understand your predicament - my induction was my choice over a c section and I was adamant that a section was the very last resort for me. How things change!

Original poster
KLM19 · 31/07/2020 21:25

@KatnissK Thank you! How long was your stay in hospital after ur elective?

@WeDontTalkAboutLove yes I choose the induction over C section last time to thinking it was the less of two evils!!

The midwife seems to think the c section is a better option and the consultant seems to think the induction is!

I'm worried I pick c section and something happens but then my induction last time was so bloody traumatic I worry that happens!!

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TenThousandSpoons0 · 01/08/2020 04:54

Difficult choice - can I ask why the difference in dates? I assume you have a reason (medical or non medical) to want the baby out by 39, but I’m wondering why the choice isn’t induction at 39 or CS at 39? Main reason is that if you were choosing between spontaneous vaginal birth and CS then your thinking might be different - and more time means more chance of going into labour?
How was your recovery last time? Has the consultant talked you through why they think last time was so traumatic for you (eg - did your uterus get overstimulated = too many contractions = stressed baby and Mum, or something else?). Have they talked you through what the induction process would be like this time and what they might be able to do to make things more smooth? And lastly have you had your cervix checked yet at all to see what the starting point would be for induction?
I can expand but don’t want to be doubling up on things you know already.

In general terms, second labours are often more straightforward than first; and every induction is different because it sort of depends how ready your body is for labour. There’s no right or wrong decision, just whichever one you personally are more comfortable with so that you can be as confident as possible approaching your baby’s birth.

WheresMyMilk · 01/08/2020 05:05

Personally I found my ELCS to be a brilliant experience and a lot easier to recover from than my induction. Good luck Flowers

TenThousandSpoons0 · 01/08/2020 05:14

I just realised how many questions I asked - don’t feel at all obliged to answer them all on here, more just things that hopefully your team has talked through!!

thismeansnothing · 01/08/2020 05:31

I had a car crash of an emergency section with my first. General anaesthetic, blood transfusion, week hospital stay and a long and slow recovery.

Had an elcs with my second 7 years later. I would have had this time.and time.again. yes it's still major surgery, but it was calm, relaxed, everyone in theatre was chilled, DH was actually allowed in with me. I had her at half 5 in the afternoon and they were ready to let me go 24 hours later but I wasn't happy with feeding so ended up stopping 3 days. Very much my choice. Recovery was tons easier too. Just wish they'd stitched me up as good as they had the first time but. You can't have it all.

Original poster
KLM19 · 01/08/2020 11:00

@TenThousandSpoons0 that is the consultant that sets dates, and ofcourse its medical or the offers wouldn't be on the table. Recovery was awful last time due to severe eclampsia then on set eclampsia after and months to recover down below still issues to this day. Consultant is saying its treated like a first due to it being 12 years apart..

OP posts:
Original poster
KLM19 · 01/08/2020 11:01

@WheresMyMilk Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
KLM19 · 01/08/2020 11:02

@thismeansnothing Thank you, yes I would be the same if I dont establish feeding with baby Grin

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Seracursoren · 01/08/2020 11:11

I have only ever had EMCS and then ELCS so I cannot comment on an induction.

But the way I look at it (and how I phrased it for my ELCS) was with an ELCS you know what you are getting. You know when you are having it, can plan accordingly, and arrange childcare/food/help.

With an induction it is an unknown. No idea how long you will be in hospital for, how long they will allow the induction to go on for, what the policies are for all these things.

My EMCS was rushed due to a failure to progress and then a baby in distress. My ELCS was a walk in the park in comparison. It was very calm, I was as well rested as I could be and I had arranged childcare for Ds1.

I know it is major surgery and yes I do have the shelf belly but I have no regrets.

willowandsage · 01/08/2020 11:11

I had an EMCS after an induction which was an absolute horror show, massive blood loss and two weeks hospital stay.

Planning an ELCS this time, and have heard more positive stories regarding ELCS than I have about inductions

userabcname · 01/08/2020 12:44

@KLM19 I was home the next day after my c section. In for a week after my VB! So it was nice to be home so quickly the second time

DressingGown87 · 01/08/2020 13:02

I’m in the exact same predicament, so sorry can’t offer any advice. I have to choose between ELCS or induction. They seem to be more keen for me to have an induction, due to the fact I live alone and I may struggle after with recovery. But the horror stories I’ve read and heard of it being a long time, traumatic, and often ending in CS or instrumental after forcing your body into labour. Good luck OP.

Ceejay19 · 01/08/2020 13:57

I had a failed induction the first time which resulted in an EMCS. For my second I refused an induction (this was on my notes from 20 weeks) and as I couldn't go above 40 weeks I was booked in for an ELCS at 39 weeks. It was a great experience, I was walking as soon as the catheter was out at 12 hours and sent home 24 hours after birth. We all went out for a family breakfast the next day and the pain from the scar was completely manageable being out and about. I have no regrets and would make the same decision again.

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