Birth plans?

[tiredandclumsy]

Hi everyone, Starting to look in to potential birth plans even though I'm told baby won't stick to this Obviously all very exciting, though I have a lot of questions surrounding my options as a mum.

Can I ask to be induced prior to due date or is this just a waste of time? This would be for various reasons mainly severe hip pain and a lot of family trauma around the time baby is due.

Can I ask for an elective c-section as a first time mum? More of a just wanting to know type situation I'd rather not take this route

I've had a google and obviously come up a blank with these things, my mums a bit useless when it comes to knowing too as she last gave birth 16 years ago and actually only ever had c-sections for various reasons! So she knows nothing about induction etc. I'm currently midwife led and have no major complications, just a bit of anaemia if that changes anything. Does my family birthing history contribute at all to how I'll be expected to give birth/ what I can request?

I don't think you can request to be induced early without medical requirement

You can however request an elective c section - I did due to family history of stillbirths (several) and also 2 colleagues I know whose babies were left severely disabled by hospital mismanagement during natural labour. In the end I needed one any due to baby being breech

Bear in mind that your hospital may refuse the c section and may transfer you elsewhere to find a doctor who will do it with no medical need - lots of hospitals these days don't offer elective c sections and you may end up at a 2nd / 3rd or even 4th choice hospital

You need to request it after 30 weeks but don't leave it too late - I'd start the conversation early with your midwife so she can advise you of the implications

C sections are major surgery however and come with their own risk - in many ways I regret having one - I was left totally infertile within 2 years of my c section as scar tissue destroyed my tubes. It wasn't a risk that I recall ever being told about by the doctors at the time but mine is very much a worst case scenario

I have requested to be induced as my last labour was super quick and I had her at home in an emergency situation, obviously I'm very keen to avoid that again especially seeing as second births are often quicker. I am midwife led but induction had to be discussed with a consultant, she was more than happy to book me in for induction but said because there's no problems with the baby I can't be induced until after my due date. I imagine this is pretty standard but I don't know, I just put it down to my body should be more ready after my due date so higher chance of the induction working 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you for replying!
I'm sorry to hear about you experience with the c-section I'm due a midwife appointment this week so will ask her about hospital policies etc then to see what can be done.

The only reason I ask really is due to quite bad PGP, and Baby literally being due right when we had a major family trauma, involving the death of my infant nephew, I just really don't think I will cope mentally with a new baby when we lost him at the same time the year before

Obviously I'm very grateful for the healthy pregnancy I have had so far and completely understand where the nhs would be coming from if they disagree with either request

@Twitchett22

I have requested to be induced as my last labour was super quick and I had her at home in an emergency situation, obviously I'm very keen to avoid that again especially seeing as second births are often quicker. I am midwife led but induction had to be discussed with a consultant, she was more than happy to book me in for induction but said because there's no problems with the baby I can't be induced until after my due date. I imagine this is pretty standard but I don't know, I just put it down to my body should be more ready after my due date so higher chance of the induction working 🤷🏼‍♀️

It can't hurt asking then! I'm glad you're being considered for the induction you're wanting! Hopefully your consultant agrees I'll ask my midwife and see what her stance is, I'm expecting a firm no though, would be good to at least discuss with a consultant though, even if I was offered induction on/ a day or two after due date that would be better than the idea of going over and baby being born in the middle of a very sad family time

You could enquire I'm sure.

But please first research into the benefits for your baby and your own body on why a natural birth at the time your body decides is the best option if that can happen.

No baby will stick to a schedule, ever. So a few days different in arrival isnt going to be of much benefit, (besides my DC were 2 weeks+ early - ties could be the same or 2 weeks late)

But letting your body decide, and allowing your baby to be born vaginally without the possible exhaustion and consequences of an induction could have multiple benefits to make everything much easier on you.

All of this will differ trust to trust. Discuss with your community midwife for solid answers to your questions.