Induction on Tuesday - can't decide what to do

[Moorelewis]

A bit of background. This is Dc2. Dc1 I was induced at 40 weeks due to pre eclamspia. 1 pessary, caused hyperstimulation which had to be stopped with medication. Waters broke on their own, after 40 hours of painful contractions I only dilated to 2cm, fetal distress meant I ended up with an emergency c-section. Horrendous recovery from it, scar opened up and I got an infection. Couldn't even walk for weeks. Ended up with postnatal depression, didn't bond with ds. I'm extremely keen to avoid a csection and really wanted to go into labour on my own this time. However I've got high blood pressure again, albeit very well controlled on small amounts of medication. Being pressured into induction at 40+6. Had 2 sweeps from 39 weeks, cervix soft but not dilated at all so I know my body just isn't ready. In an ideal world I'd love to wait until 42 weeks to see if I go into labour on my own. My dates make me 4/5 days less than the NHS scan put me too ( private scan also agreed with me). At the same time baby isn't a big mover, has never had a pattern and I've been in for reduced movements about 5 times. Sometimes I barely feel any movement all day. Should I just go ahead with the induction? If anything happened to the baby I'd feel terrible. I just can't help feeling sick with worry as I just know it will end in another c-section. As it is a balloon induction this time it'll be a long process and a long hospital stay. I just feel terrible for my son being at home without me. Sorry for the long message.

Anyone been in this situation?

You still have a few days, you might be more ready by Tuesday? Would they break waters to start you off? Can you have an elective section? Recovery from elective should be far better than from an emergency. I had emergency then v back so I understand but it sounds like you have. A Lot to worry about and maybe an elective would be best?

If you held off on allowing induction you could keep a close eye on baby movements and if worried go in to be seen?

Hope all goes well, it is such a worrying time

Has anyone mentioned induction using Dilapan rods? They don't contain any hormones, so no risk of over stimulation, and work by gradually expanding so that the cervix can be open enough to break your waters.

I'm due to be induced on Tuesday too. At first I was going to refuse but I've got to the stage where I think the baby is safer out than in. I've asked for Dilapan as you can have them in and then go home for 12-24 hours while they work.

@birdglasspen to be honest I just can't think of anything worse than another c-section, of course there's a chance this one might go better especially if elective, but I'm literally traumatised by my recovery last time. I'd like to think I'd go in and my body might be more ready, but if it's not I just feel like I'll be more pressured to stay.

@Opinion4321 my hospital induce with a similar method called balloon induction. It is used to open up the cervix to allow waters to be broken. Usually you can go home, however because I'm medicated for blood pressure, I have to stay in from start to finish. I've already been told there is usually a wait for waters to be broken which can be days too.

It sounds like you had a super tough time with your first birth but honestly with the combination of raised BP and frequent episodes of reduced movements, I would go with the induction. I work as a midwife in a hospital that uses balloon induction all the time. It has shown to be quite successful and the balloons we use have a shorter time interval to getting women into labour than the pessary/gel. You still have several days where something could happen on its own so don't give up hope. Take things with you to help make the environment your own...music, snacks, pictures of your DC.