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Original poster

Induction vs caesarean 38 weeks

13 replies

PurpleRay · 13/10/2021 13:33

Hi all,

Have been told I’ll be induced over the weekend due to medical issues affecting the baby. I’ll be 38 weeks on Friday.

Would you go for induction or opt for a caesarean instead?

I’ve heard horror stories of inductions not working/being excruciatingly painful, especially before 40 weeks. Or they just end up in emergency c section anyway because baby wasn't ready.

Any advice from anyone whose been in thus position? Have just been told and havent had a chance to discuss with my partner yet either Sad

Thank you! X

OP posts:
sarah13xx · 13/10/2021 13:36

Haven’t been in that position but have recently had a section and I’d pick it all day long. It was completely amazing, painless, calm and he was out within a minute! I would do it again in a heartbeat

Sleeplessem · 13/10/2021 13:49

I was induced at 37 weeks with my daughter.

It wasn’t all that bad, one propess pessary 12 hours from pessary being inserted and dd being born. It is different from a spontaneous labour but it doesn’t have to be horrendous. No tears or interventions and felt back to normal the next day.

With induction it’s worth finding out your hosptials induction protocol as that can impact outcome.

Sometimes induction is all too eagerly recommended by consultants. Have you gone through the brain acronym? X

marykitty · 13/10/2021 13:54

It can vary a lot
I was induced at 41 weeks, horrible experience ending with EMCS
A dear friend of mine was induced at 38 weeks due to baby size (wrongly calculated because the baby was just 7p Grin) and she said it was a nice experience, but she did get an epidural

PeterPomegranate · 13/10/2021 14:01

I was induced at 38 weeks. It didn’t work (like literally nothing happened - never had a contraction) and there would some scary moments where his heart rate dropped. After 3 sleepless nights I had a caesarean.

Can’t tell you what to do but that was my experience.

Good luck. It’s a worrying time xx

ShirleyPhallus · 13/10/2021 14:03

@PeterPomegranate

I was induced at 38 weeks. It didn’t work (like literally nothing happened - never had a contraction) and there would some scary moments where his heart rate dropped. After 3 sleepless nights I had a caesarean.

Can’t tell you what to do but that was my experience.

Good luck. It’s a worrying time xx

This was basically my experience too. My baby just wasn’t ready to be born.

If I had the choice, I’d go for the section right away. A few days / nights of little sleep and a lot of pain followed by a section anyway - I wish I could have saved the sleep and pain and just got straight to the CS!

SamuelWhiskey · 13/10/2021 14:09

I've had two inductions. Both were fine, although the first was somewhat lengthier than the second - which only took about 5 hours. I had epidurals for both and didn't require instrumental deliveries.

I've never had a section so can't compare, but given that I've recovered so quickly from both inductions I personally would choose a third over a section if I were ever to find myself in that position!

PeterPomegranate · 13/10/2021 17:18

“ This was basically my experience too. My baby just wasn’t ready to be born.

If I had the choice, I’d go for the section right away. A few days / nights of little sleep and a lot of pain followed by a section anyway - I wish I could have saved the sleep and pain and just got straight to the CS!”

I declined a VBAC for my second pregnancy. Very happy with my decision to have a caesarean. I couldn’t face the risk of another failed induction ending in a caesarean anyway. I was well rested and the caesarean was a positive experience.

I’ve never given birth so can’t compare recovery. No regrets about caesareans though. I know I was probably lucky with recovery (no infection or anything).

Sleeplessem · 13/10/2021 17:36

Makes me sad @ShirleyPhallus that they never gave you that choice, or presented it you as an option. You absolutely have a choice on how you birth, too often it gets obscured from women

Cobbsgirl92 · 13/10/2021 20:53

I had a failed induction at 37+6.
Ended in an emergency c section after 4 long days of pessaries and stress.
Do what feels right for you, in my experience the c section was the light at the end of the tunnel after a long few days.
Good luck, it will all be worth it in the end whatever you choose.

MrsCremuel · 13/10/2021 21:15

I’ve had 2 inductions. The first was technically ‘augmentation’ in that I went on the drip. Happened at 41 weeks. Was 19 hours, epidural didn’t work properly, ended in episiotomy and forceps and I found it very traumatic with a long recovery.

Second time at 39 weeks due to (unfounded it turned out) concerns over baby’s size. 24hour pessary didn’t do much but once the gel was administered I had my baby within 6 hours, was much much less painful and I managed it on gas and air. The wait on the ward sent me barmy and I was tired but it was a good experience once it got started.

Morgan12 · 13/10/2021 21:23

I've had both. I'd go for the section.
But everyone's story is different.

My section was planned, calm and actually quite lovely.

My induction was absolutely horrendous, out of control and scary.

ShirleyPhallus · 15/10/2021 08:41

@Sleeplessem

Makes me sad *@ShirleyPhallus* that they never gave you that choice, or presented it you as an option. You absolutely have a choice on how you birth, too often it gets obscured from women
Yes, I do wish I’d been better informed on the failure rates of inductions (failure is a horrible word but that’s what they use!), and given the proper choice. For a second child I’ll absolutely get a CS
McOrange · 20/10/2021 19:02

@PurpleRay how did you get on?

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