Can you request a c section instead of induction? “High risk”

[Littlebee1990]

Hi Everyone,

Currently 39 weeks pregnant and have a few things classed as high risk factors making me consultant lead but aside from that have had a pretty straight forward pregnancy (polyhydramnios identified at 36 weeks, baby measuring “big” and head 100th centile and I have a heart condition however this is not deemed to have any input on my labour).

I have a consultant appointment this week to discuss birth, they wanted to book to induce me at 39 weeks but I asked for a little more time and a meeting and another scan to review fluid levels and growth etc instead.

IF fluid is still high, baby is still measuring big etc then am I able to ask if they’d consider a planned section over induction? I’ve done a lot of research and looking at all the factors I do think chances of an induction in my case resulting in an emergency c section is high. My preference is to Labour naturally however I’ve been advised that to due to the risk factors they do not want me going over due date which is a few days after my appointment this week so I’m wondering if I’m able to request a planned c section if I don’t go in to Labour naturally given the above risk factors?

Thanks for reading and any advice/input welcome! X

You can request a c section simply because you want one with no medical reason so yes! It’s just whether the particular consultant says yes, if they say no they have to refer you to someone who will say yes x

Yes you can request an elcs, they can book you in for one at short notice too.
Just be firm about what you want and hope that your current consultant says yes. If you have to wait for a referral to another consultant you have higher chance of going in to spontanious labour before they arrange an elcs.

There is very limited to no evidence (and the guidelines even say don't) to induce early due to a "big baby". Also most places are using "personalised" graphs to tell you a percentile so baby may not be considered "big" to others.
Some people just make bigger babies and some have more fluid, it's just nature.
Consider if you really want to be induced at all and you can decline ANYTHING you don't want. If it was a real emergency or they thought baby/you was really in danger they would have no problem giving you a c section. You can request one too.

Also the risk they may tell you for a big baby is shoulder dystopia (stuck shoulders) but this can happen for babies of any size and is a higher risk when induced and on your back to labour.

You absolutely can, I have done so just this week! They wanted to induce me on Monday but after previous history I had always decided that I would choose C-Section over an induction & so informed them of my decision. The midwifes were amazing and totally understood; consultants do like to push induction over ELCS but I politely declined.

You do have to be firm but ultimately it is your choice, they will advise you on risks/benefits but it looks like you've done the research already, as had I.

Good luck OP

Thank you everyone, lots to think about x