Induction or Elective C-Section

[Informeddecision]

Hi all, I’m 37 weeks today and I went to the pregnancy assessment unit last night due to reduced movements and swelling in my feet. Baby is fine but my blood pressure was high, no other signs of preeclampsia. I’ve been given medication to reduce my blood pressure and will be monitored weekly.

However, due to the high blood pressure I’m going back on Monday to discuss possible induction. I’m happy to go with medical advice that the baby needs to come out sooner but I want to understand my options with whether I can opt for a c-section rather than an induction. I have provisionally mentioned this to the hospital but I want to spend the weekend understanding my options and the pros and cons of each.

The thought of induction terrifies me and I hate the thought of how long it can take if things don’t move quickly (I know this isn’t the case for everyone), however I don’t feel like I know enough about either option to really advocate myself.

I’m hoping you lovely ladies can share your experiences and also any good sources of information that I can look at to help me make an informed decision. Thank you!

I had the same choice at 37 weeks (I have APS so that’s as late as I was allowed to go).

I went for c section. To be honest never really been up for giving birth vaginally anyway. Went like a dream, recovery was as good as it gets, I was driving again within 2 weeks and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. It was absolutely right for me.

I had an induction for raised blood pressure at 37 weeks. It took under 24 hours and was a really positive experience for me. I was back walking the dog the next day, which wouldn’t have happened if I had had a caesarean. Id happily have another induction 🤷🏼‍♀️

My induction started on the Friday night and I ended up having the baby by c section on the Monday morning as he wasn't moving down far enlightens, but it wasn't a bad experience at all. I was so happy to be there having a baby I didn't care. Just take lots of snacks and things to entertain yourself and you'll be fine!

Had the drip cranked all the way to 10 for about 18 hours too, epidural after 9 of those. I think when inductions take a long time, it's only a terrible experience if you perceive it to be that way.

C section was very straight forward. For my second (currently pregnant) I'm going to have an elective c section but that's more because I want to be able to plan as I have a toddler and I've had one before so not too worried about it x

Wasn't moving down far enough*

Not "enlightens"!!

I went in with pre eclampsia at 38 weeks. Induced was 9cm after 2 hours baby was born 5 hours later. Was intense but would do it again over a c section. Was able to get up and walk, shower within an hour or 2 of giving birth.
Im 31 weeks now with baby #2 and hoping to go natural or induction if needed. Im avoiding c section. Scares me if I'm completely honest.

If it’s your first baby, the vast majority of early inductions end up in emergency c sections. Lots of evidence out there for you to read about it

If their medical advice is that it’s safer for the baby to be born sooner rather than later, and you refuse an induction, they will have to give you a C section. So if that’s what you prefer, state that and then stick tmbyour guns if they try to push you into an induction.

Had my first baby via induction. All was straightforward and positive. Waters broken around 6pm and he arrived by 2am. Didn’t need any pain relief and a straightforward recovery.

You can’t know for sure though so I think you’re definitely right to gather all the info. Go with your gut and ask them to explain each option fully. Either way it will be worth it!

I had an elective c-section for first, for other reasons, but it was straightforward and recovery was fine. In regards to driving - someone said earlier they were driving within 2 weeks - the 6 week wait rule is not about how well you feel, it's an insurance thing. Unless you have checked with your insurance company, driving before 6 weeks will invalidate your insurance.

I had an induction at 38+1 due to reduced movements and gestational diabetes. I had the pessary and contractions started 19 hours after it was inserted and I asked it to be removed at 21 hours because contractions were regular and established. Baby was born less than 12 hours after contractions started and just under 31 hours after the pessary inserted. Vaginal birth, no further interventions, gas and air only but had a second degree tear. My induction was positive. I’d had a failed sweep 2 days before my induction as my cervix was still closed.

I had an end point in mind for my induction. So I was personally prepared to go to waters being broken and if my contractions didn’t start naturally by then I would have requested a c-section rather than having the drip. Familiarise yourself with the induction process and see which point you’d be happy to get to, then if you get to that point you can request a c-section. You can start the induction asked at any point ask for a c-section if that’s what you’d prefer.

I had my first baby in May this year, I was induced at 39 weeks due to reduced movements. It went very smoothly for me. My labour went super fast, I was induced just with pessary and gel, no need for the drip. Active labour for me was just under 6 hours. I only had a first degree tear and was home the same day (although I did have the option to stay in), we were out with the pram and the dogs the day after and my recovery was so smooth.

Having seen friends recovering from C-Sections, even the ones that had as good as you could hope for recoveries, I didn't really want that, I didn't want to be in pain simply lifting my own baby.

Obviously everyone's different but before giving birth I always thought I would have chosen an Elective Section but since having my little boy, I wouldn't hesitate to be induced again (although obviously one good experience doesn't mean the next will be)

I was induced with both my babies. Both times the pessary didn't work and I needed the drip. It took ages as they need to leave time for the pessary to work. During that time I was not in pain though. Babies arrived safely and I was home quickly. Recovery was very quick.

I would opt for induction over C-section purely due to recovery time.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences I really appreciate it! The recovery of a c-section does put me off but I also know that an induction (or even natural labour) could result in an emergency c-section. Think I’m just a bit in shock as was hoping to just go into labour which I suppose I still might as they were talking about inducing me at 39/40 weeks.

@sohypnotic I spoke to my insurers as well as my GP before I started driving again at 2 weeks. My insurers advised their only requirement was that I could safely do an emergency stop, which I could. I wasn’t in any pain at all by then.

@sohypnotic they didn’t actually have a 2 week restriction - as far as they were concerned I could have got in the car the day after as long as I could do an emergency stop. Not saying I agree with that but the 6 weeks for insurance purposes seems to be a myth.

I'd go for elective section. I was induced, it was horrific and I ended up with an emcs under GA, sepsis post op and long painful recovery. wish I had asked for a c section to begin with!

I'd be asking for a C section over an induction that will have a high chance of ending in section anyway when your having it that early!!

Does anyone know where I can find stats about inductions resulting in emcs particularly for first time mums?

And also depending on when you’re induced? I keep looking for things but feel like I’m getting nowhere.

I’m having an induction next Thursday for my first baby- the proposed course of events is a balloon induction, and then a drip if needed. The obstetrician explained to me that the balloon method gives a gentler start and typically avoids strong contractions associated with inductions. She also made it clear that waters may well break on their own and drip may not be needed- it depends on how my body reacts. I don’t really mind a C sec if it comes to that, but I’d like to experience a vaginal birth and hopefully a mild recovery if I can. I think the best thing is to be open minded! I’m also quite ok with being in hospital for a while that’s fine so I’m prepared for it to take a while! As long as I leave hospital and with a healthy baby I will be happy Xox

I had an induction with my first. Two pessaries, waters had to be broken, laboured with drip for 4 days, 2 failed epidurals so limited pain relief and eventually forceps and episiotomy.

It was horrific BUT I'm doing it again next week!

I was offered a c section but with a toddler now at home, I want to be able to pick him up quickly.

I'm told my experience is rare and when the epidural worked, I was calm and I think it would have been a better experience.

It's entirely your choice and do remember that if you decide on a c section and get any resistance!

Having been induced at 37 weeks for DC1 (which ended in a vaginal, non instrumental birth) and an elective section at 39 weeks for DC2- I would say the section experience and recovery was far, far better.

Having said that, if I was told I had to deliver at 37 weeks again then I would go for induction 100%. Before 39 weeks babies born by section have a higher chance of breathing difficulties. It's just not worth it in my opinion.

If the doctors think it is safe to do so, I would have a section pencilled in for when you turn 39 weeks, but if you go into labour naturally before that then just labour naturally and deliver that way.

If they think you need to deliver early then I would go for the induction for the safety of your baby. The drip (if you need it) is intense though- but you can insist on having an epidural placed before they start the drip- they can't refuse.

@Informeddecision

Does anyone know where I can find stats about inductions resulting in emcs particularly for first time mums?

I was looking for those stats a few weeks ago and had a similarly difficult time finding anything useful. I asked the obstetrician and she didn't have any solid figures, but said for first time mothers overall (so not necessarily just looking at induction) around 15% end in emcs and about 25% result in instrumental delivery. When I asked if being induced early (I was offered 37+2 due to large baby and type 1 diabetes) increased those odds I was told it's quite likely, but they didn't have figures to refer to.

In the end I've opted for elective c-section at 38 weeks. It's on Monday so can't report how it went yet!

Ask the consultant about their unit and how likely it is that you will end up with an emergency section. Mine knew the stats of their own unit and that is what swayed me to an elective section over induction. I was out the next day even with a section and was well recovered after a week and out for gentle walks etc in week 2. But a straightforward vaginal birth obv the best way but if that's not likely then elective section all the way for me. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! @cheesychips15 good luck for Monday!