Csection preferable to induction even if you want a vagina birth?

[Rosekeeper]

Keen to get peoples views and /or experiences on induction vs csection when a planned spontaneous, no intervention delivery does not go to plan.

I’ve been reading a lot of birth stories where when given the option for induction (either to start labour or speed it up), women instead choose to opt for a csection.

I have no issue with this as everyone should make the best choice for themselves but maybe naively i would have presumed that for most women hoping for a vaginal birth, the option of opting for induction would be more appealing than a C-section.

Any ideas of what drives this decision? Just trying to work out if there is a reason that I should be thinking of avoiding induction and opting for a C-section instead if I don’t go into spontaneous labour/labour isn’t going fast enough.

Or equally if you had an induction do you wish you when straight for csection, or if you avoided induction via a csection are you happy with your choice?

Thanks for your thoughts!

I had 3 days in induced labour before an emcs due to failure to progress, had I known that it was likely that an induction would fail ( I was only 36+5 when ds was born) I would have opted for CS & probably not been as ill as I was afterwards.

Hi, this is really helpful thread with lots of useful experiences. I am currently 33 weeks and trying to decide on my birthing options. I am 42 years old and will be advised to be induced at 40 weeks if I haven’t gone into spontaneous labour. I was also thinking about the option of planned section if pessaries don’t work - not sure if this will be an option. I have had an incomplete miscarriage with failed medical management previously so am worried that a similar thing might happen with induction. I am interested to hear other peoples experiences of recovery following both induction and section as this is currently hindering my decision. Would be grateful for any insights.

My experience is the same as a lot of people on this thread. Failed induction (horrible term), long long labour still resulted in EMCS.

Id never do it again, it’s so unnatural on your body (check bishops score) and am scheduled in for an ELCS next month

My own personal experience.. DC 1 induction. Hell. DD is 3.5 and I am not recovered physically or mentally.
DC2 was elective section (wouldn’t have got pregnant if it wasn’t going to be elective section) A DELIGHT. A wonderful calm way to welcome a baby.
but.. my experience is not your experience. My priorities are not yours.. but just know every option available to you and don’t be pressured (which is not the same as ‘ignore sound medical advice’)
good luck

I had an induction and glad I didn't have a c-section.
It still seems preferable to being cut open- the idea of which terrifies me.
I only needed a pessary though- not the drip which I understand can make it more painful/make intervention forceps etc more likely.

I'm pregnant again and really hoping to avoid an induction and go into labour by myself but I would still choose it over a c-section.

Also.. recover from a ‘good’ section is better than recovery from a ‘bad’ vaginal birth. Waaay better. The don’t talk to you about all the potential damage an instrumental birth can cause for example. Ive had x3 procedures under GA post vag birth. Not ideal.

It’s a very hard decision to make as no one has the crystal ball. But not all c sec recovery is hard.

I was driving at 3 weeks and picking up my 18 month old before then. heed like a dream. Yes, take any and all help offered in that first two weeks.. but it isn’t always terrible by a long shot.

My induction was horrendous. It was ok until
they started me on the pitocin drip then all hell broke loose. Not like normal contractions at all and I can compare because my first I had naturally with zero pain relief. I would never agree to be hooked up to one of those drips again. I would def choose a c section over that.

Having experienced one hospital induction and two spontaneous labours resulting in home births, I would definitely opt for elective csection over induction any day of the week.
My induction was scary, incredibly painful in comparison to my spontaneous labours, I was denied pain relief and subjected to forced examinations. I made it clear when pregnant with DCs 2 & 3 that there were 2 options for how those babies were coming out:
At home, of their own accord, anytime before 42+0.
If 42+0 arrives and baby doesnt, then elective csection it is.
I wouldn’t put myself through induction again.

Oh and after my induction I got sepsis so the recovery was bad as well.

My experience: DC1, induction, horrible, delivery with vacuum extractor, problems with placenta retention.
DC2 also horrible induction, no instruments this time, but more serious problems with placenta.
DC3 induction, but no progress and placental abruption, delivered by emergency CS - the best experience of all!
I recovered much faster after CS, I was absolutely fascinated by ability to sit almost immediately.
I would wholeheartedly recommend either all natural route or CS

Surely through that means they used the forceps through the incision for the c section, so no going up your vagina, no epiostomy, no significant risk of double incontinence from it etc.

Still not pleasant for the baby, but much nicer for you.

Maybe less likely with a planned section? as baby wouldn’t already be wedged in the birth canal ( not a technical term!!). I don’t know.. one of those thing that can happen in birth that no one really earns you about hey.

im fully team planned section, and especially so when it is Vs induction.

I'm currently recovering from an emergency c-section brought about by induction. I was induced at exactly 39 weeks due to pregnancy induced hypertension. My induction took place over 2-3 days using the pessary and two rounds of gel. They were talking of making me have a 24hr break from the process because my body wasn't ready (cervix remained Bishops Score 1 throughout) - but then all hell broke loose as it was discovered the contractions brought about by the gel were putting the baby in distress.

Granted it's still early days (this happened five days ago so still fresh), but I wouldn't have an induction again, just to avoid having a repeat of the emergency c-section.

I am slightly bitter that I raised the possibility of an planned c-section with my consultant with the idea of reducing stress to the baby and that I believed her when she said she didn't think it necessary. I would have preferred that to the situation I experienced.

I've been induced at 37 weeks twice. Never had a sniff of spontaneous labour. Started from a Bishop score of 0 both times. Other than the minimum amount of cervical dilation, nothing happened from the gels and ARM. Only the drip did anything.

First baby was a regular vaginal birth. Second was emergency C-section. Baby wasn't descending (deflexed OP), I wasn't dilating, and there were signs of distress in baby. I have zero regrets regarding the induction. Having had a caesarean my original sentiment regarding elective ones hasn't changed. I would never opt to have one without having exhausted every other option first. Recovery, while nowhere as bad as expected, has been far more difficult than the vaginal birth. I'm nearly 9 weeks and 3 courses of antibiotics post partum and my wound is still not completely healed and still sore.

Any future babies, I would choose induction over caesarean every time.

I’ve had both, and the planned Caesarian was a thousand times better than the induction, did less damage to my body, and healed much quicker. I would always advise against an induction.

@Mumto7moboy what do you mean by you can change your mind at any point? Not intended to be argumentative- I am about to give birth and so far any time I try to raise a preference about anything I get redirected to “we will induce you”. I want a section but it doesn’t seem to be an option. Do you have any tips for how I can get what I want?

I know this wasn’t directed to me so sorry for butting in.. if you are sure you want a section, tell them.

Keep asking, ask in writing. In a non emergency situation, can they even induce you without consent? It is a medical procedure and you are allowed to say no (obviously so much more complex around birth as you want to do the best for baby and sometimes things which are optional and should only happen after discussion and agreement, are not presented in that way)

If you are not getting the support you need or expect, does your trust have a maternity voices partnership? They may help.

Or, consider contacting PALs - they will help direct you to the person who will listen to your request and discuss it with you. It may not be possible of course.. but that should be due to you - not ‘the system’

In writing, loud and clear.

good luck

100% elective over induction.
I was induced for my first took over 5 days and was exhausting ending in emergency section.

2nd born was a planned- so lovely and relaxed

I was induced. I've never had a c section. However, If I have another - I will never, never been induced again.

I’ve had 2 inductions.

DS1 my waters broke at 35 weeks with no contractions. Not offered a C-section. Had a pitocin drip and epidural, DS1 born 12 hours later.

DS2 was scanning as large with large head and shoulders. Given the option of C-section or induction, both at 38 weeks. I opted for induction again pitocin and epidural and again born 12 hours later. I did need an episiotomy as he did get stuck.

if I had of had anymore and been given the option again I’d have done induction again.

I had a hysterectomy a few years ago and found the recovery quite tough and wouldn’t have wanted to do also be dealing with a newborn.