Has anyone opted for a C-Section over an Induction?

[sunshinecitrus1]

If so, what were your reasons?

Not entirely relevant but I had an induction, it wasn't awful but it wasn't good either. I think it put me off having another baby and if I was younger or less experienced in life and hadn't faced tough, tough mental and physical situations I couldn't have coped.

I didn't know I could just have gone straight to c-section. Most of the ladies on my induction ward ended up with emergency caesareans anyway.

Planned c-sections certainly seem much more civilised. Yes, it's major abdominal surgery but you can plan for this.

Get your bishops score and if you're not soft and ready in the cervix department - go straight to the operating theatre!

I don't know how pregnant you are, I went to 42 weeks and was fed up and would not have done another week of pregnancy (I was just too big and lumbering). My placenta was nice and healthy at 40+14 but it's a big consideration for lots of people

I had an induction which ended in a c-section

I wish I’d known my bishops score which meant I was highly likely to end in an EMCS and therefore would have opted for that, rather than having the 30 hours of labour and then ending in it anyway

Thanks for the replies!

I am guessing your bishop score is where your midwife would check your cervix and see how dilated (if at all!) you are? Never heard it called that before! I am assuming you can just ask for this at a standard midwife app?

It is my due date tomorrow (FTM!), I have had some early labour signs in the last week (nothing consistent yet though) and have my next midwife app a week today. If nothing has happened by then my midwife is going to refer me to a consultant to discuss induction vs c-section as she knows I really don’t want to be induced. Not trying to think of that too much just yet as I am hoping baby still comes naturally (there is still time ) but just wanted to hear of others experiences.

I've opted for elcs over induction.

Baby is measuring very big so they want to bring her at 39wk and I had an elcs last time with breech twins. I had an induction with our eldest and swore off them (fetal distress, assisted delivery), the consultants did say if they use the drip it doubles my risk of scar rupture. Chances are baby will not be ready to come early so drip would be required, my 2 spontaneous labours (both unassisted vb's with big babies) didn't start until close to due date. Mines booked for next week.

No experience of induction but if you want a c-section instead you can request one and should be able to get one! I’ve requested one for my first baby, nothing to do with induction, I’ve just requested one from the start! Have a look at birth rights or the NICE guidelines if you come against any hassle getting it approved but you shouldn’t if they’re willing to discuss it. They’re just quite extreme with the risks so maybe read them yourself before the appointment

I have an induction booked for this Sunday-bishop score is only 4 at the moment and baby still not fully engaged so chances are my induction will not be successful. I will only try the gel which they will insert every 6 hours. If the first two gels don’t work I am going to refuse to have another one inserted on the next day (they usually try max 3 times) and will instead request a c section. If the gel does work and my waters can be broken I will accept it, but unless labour starts on its own after that I am definitely not going to accept the drip. In either case it will be my decision when to stop the induction and how much interventions to accept.
You can refuse the induction completely and ask for a c section instead, it’s your birth and body. xx

I had an induction with DD - it was horribly painful and didn't change a thing, I didn't dilate at at all. I had the pessaries and the gel. Still ended up with a CS and was in hospital for 8 days start to finish! DD ended up being huge anyway so I'm rather glad!

With DC2 I'm either going to see if I go into labour naturally (absolutely don't want to be induced again!) and have my c section booked in if I don't go into labour on my own.

I have a consultant meeting tomorrow to discuss this exact thing. I am planning on requesting c-section as an alternative to induction (and also to any form of assisted delivery if possible)due to mental health reasons. I'm 32 weeks with my first. Will be interesting to see how agreeable to the consultant is!

I have a c section booked for 40+9 as per the hospital induction guidelines. I have effectively refused induction and opted for section if I don't go naturally. The consultant i discussed it with was brilliant we had a great conversation and she really understood my concerns about induction and we decided this was a good compromise.

I’ve had both. The ELCS was a lot less traumatic!

I've had both plus a spontaneous labour. My induction was my favourite and I really hated my elcs - the drugs made me feel horrendous, sick and confused.

I asked for a section on day 3 of my induction. Had pessary and two gels and nothing was happening. Was offered them to break my waters and go on the drip but was warned I might need a section so at that point I asked just to go straight to theatre. Student midwife I had was great at advocating on my behalf and the consultant told me he felt it was the right choice. Section was calm and lovely so I have no regrets.

Thanks for all of your stories. It really helps to hear about other people’s experiences. I am hoping I go into labour spontaneously but I am just weighing up my other options.
@LunaDreams Good luck with your consultant appointment tomorrow. Let me know how it goes as this may be me next week! X

I am currently being induced 5th baby 4th pregnancy. My first son was stillborn at 41 weeks and my last 2 pregnancies have been induced which worked. I had the balloon for this induction on Monday evening nothing and have had 2 gels and nothing. I'm 10th in the queue for waters to be broken and have been told it's a number of days wait for that. I am getting closer to the 40 weeks which I really don't want to get to as what happened with my first born. Am I allowed to insist a C-section or not?

@Kc1603 Yes you are perfectly within your rights to request a C-Section. If I was in your position I would speak with your midwife and see what she says. My due date is tomorrow and I see my midwife again a week today. If baby hasn’t come by then, she is going to refer me to a consultant to discuss induction vs c-section. I am sure the consultant will try and convince me to go down the induction route but my midwife has told me that ultimately, it is my choice. It is my birth and baby after all and it’s the same for you

@sunshinecitrus1 just to update you about my appointment. In short I was told almost everything related to labour & birth is my choice. I can chose to have a ELCS over being induced, and I can ask to have a c-section over an assisted delivery if it is possible (depending on babies position at that point). I can also ask for a ELCS now and just skip over option of a vaginal birth entirely. Overwhelming but great to know there is so much choice. Am going back in a month to give them a decision and take steps from there. Hope you have support with your choices whatever they end up being x

@LunaDreams Thanks for updating me on your appointment That has filled me with a lot more confidence ready for my appointment next week. Hopefully I will have a consultant like you did and I can make a choice without feeling pressured into a certain option!