Induction or C-Section.. Do you get a say?

[PuddingPie16]

Hi Ladies,

I'm due another DS in September but starting to get anxious about the birth itself and was looking for some advice or just stories shared?

Unfortunately, we lost a twin at 14 weeks so ever since then, my pregnancy has been full of anxiety. Thankfully, so far our baby has been healthy and doing well and I thought with this being our second pregnancy that I would be quite laid back about expectations of the birth. However, as due date is getting closer (Sept) I feel way more nervous than I did with our first!

Our DS1's birth was relatively straight-forward and required some minimal intervention at the end but I was lucky enough to give birth the day I was booked in to be induced (41±6).
However, I now can't stop worrying about something going wrong and complications at birth this time round. I think this is because of everything we have already gone through.

I have heard a lot of horror stories regarding induction since DS1 and so the thought of that happening (if he is overdue obviously) fills me with dread. I think I would prefer a section but am fully aware it is major surgery and recovery time is so much longer.

Realistically, do you get a say at all if you do go overdue and would they take mental health into account when it comes to options?

Hi, firstly I'm sorry for your loss with your baby's twins. I lost twins last year at 16 weeks, I had to give birth to them due to size. This time around I have requested a c-section due to my anxiety and not wanting to relive that experience.
You can request to talk to a professional about having a c-section and they can go through all the considerations. For me it has massively helped how I feel about this pregnancy as it feels I am in a bit more control.

Of course you get a say, it's your body. They can't do anything you do not consent to. They can give you advice and information about the risks of different options though.

You have a right to request a C-section simply because it's your choice, the doctors would want to be sure you understand the risks and benefits of different options - if you are sure it's definitely what you want then be adamant about it. You could see if you get to the point where they recommend induction and say you would like to request a C-section instead, or just ask to be booked in for an elective one.

I get quite annoyed about the way induction is spoken about, when I was expecting DD1 there was lots of talk about 'we might have to induce you' or 'we might book you in for induction' without any indication that I had a say in the matter. Inductions can be fine but I believe there's a higher risk of needing intervention (instrumental delivery, epidural, C section etc) than if you go into labour naturally.

Info on here:
www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/

PS sorry to hear about your lost twin.

@CustomerRelations I agree, I was booked for an induction and never made to feel like I actually had a say. I wish I’d spoken up because i was not happy at all :(

[quote bleachblondemom]@CustomerRelations I agree, I was booked for an induction and never made to feel like I actually had a say. I wish I’d spoken up because i was not happy at all :([/quote]
Same. I wish I’d been really firm. I did not want a vaginal delivery and as it was I went through a lot of unnecessary pain.

I am never having another induction!

@lavenderandwisteria I’ve said that next time I’m going to make a nuisance of myself and speak up, don’t care if anyone thinks I’m being demanding 😂

I'm also due in September. For various reasons, they've said that they want to induce me at 39 weeks. I spoke with my consultant today and said that if I happen to go into spontaneous labour before that then I'm happy to go with the flow and attempt vaginal birth (as long as there are no complications obvs) but if not then I want ELCS at 39 weeks. I really don't fancy induction. He was satisfied with my decision and I've been booked in for the ELCS.

Have you spoken with your MW or consultant?

@PuddingPie16 I'm sorry to hear of your loss of your twin. Totally understandable why you want to avoid potential trauma of induction.

Im also due in September and have asked for a c- section at 39 or 40 weeks to avoid induction. If I go into spontaneous labour before then so be it but you certainly can ask for a section instead.

I would speak to your midwife and/or call your antenatal team ASAP to get a consultant appointment soon

You get to refuse induction. If you would prefer to have an elcs rather than a vaginal birth you can choose that too.

Thank you everyone for sharing your not experiences and giving advice, it has been really helpful.

I genuinely didn't realise how many women felt so strongly about inductions. Like most, if I go into labour naturally then that doesn't scare me as much. I think it's because you do hear or so many complications with inductions?

I am currently seeing a Consultant regularly for growth scans but not for anything else. Baby has been growing great so far but with what we have gone through, they have monitored us more closely. MW has been great so may speak to her and the Consultant when I see them both next week..thank you for advising that.

Good luck @GrapefruitTsunami and @LunaDreams for your September babies! When are you due and how are you feeling about it all?

@Crazylemon86 I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of your twins x I hope this pregnancy is going as well as it can for you and you are being well looked after x

You can decline induction. You cannot demand C section, but they may well offer

@PuddingPie16 I'm due 30th September, although if c-section goes ahead as planned then he will hopefully arrive from 23rd Sept onwards. Physically I'm doing OK...just pretty tired & some back ache. Emotionally I'm struggling a bit with anxiety which is part of plan for section but fortunately have great perinatal MH support.
How are you doing?

It will be your choice and I completely understand the huge anxiety after a loss. But a elcs isn't always easy and straight-forward - I don't want to scare people but just add some balance. I had an elcs for DC2 who was breech and the drugs made me feel horrendous and I lost a huge amount of blood and I find recovery very tough, all of which made it hard to bond with DC2. I was induced for DC3 as he was late and I had a very positive experience, better than the spontaneous labour for much smaller DC1. In my experience people who be are induced for late babies have a reasonably good time, maybe because their bodies are almost ready for labour. But I don't know if that holds out in the stats.