Anyone up to help me avoid my planned c section in the morning?

[Fipfop]

Need some tips at speeding up early stages of labour. I have a planned c section in the morning which I really don't want but as I had a c section the first time and have failed their attempts to induce me earlier in the week, I wasn't left with any other options.

As it would happen, I started with contractions yesterday afternoon. Since 4.30 they've been around 6-7 minutes apart and getting progressively more painful. I'm the last hour they're now more often but more irregular. Seem to be between 2-6 minutes apart. Some last 30 seconds, some last over a minute. Some are manageable and some I feel I would benefit from gas and air.

Anyone give any tips on speeding this stage up to get me into labour ward? They've said if I go into labour naturally before my c section then they would let that continue but I assume I'll have to be established by then

Walk up and down the stairs, dance, swaying your hips from side to side. Both apparently help to position babies head and 'bounce' it against the cervix.

Hang on, it's your body, you don't have to agree to any surgery if you don't want to?!?! Regardless of what fits the NHS scheduling.

As long as baby is doing ok/well, you are happy and understand the risks associated with a vbac , there is no need to rush this along. Clearly things are moving/beginning anyway.

They tried to induce you earlier in the week, is that because you are past your due date? Have you had regular monitoring since the failed induction?

But to be honest it sounds like you're in pretty active labour to me and you should prepare for a delivery this morning!

Woohoo! I'd just call and postpone the c section. Good for you that things are happening! I hope you have your baby soon!

Sorry to give more information, I'm 40+6 and they wanted baby out around due date as I have low papp a and have had a few episodes of reduced movements. However baby seems very happy and is growing well now! The doctors were concerned about risks of still birth for someone in my situation.

Labour ward have told me to try and rest but they seem to go back to 6/7 minutes but all long and painful then. I'm not really sure if I'm better with more often but irregular or less often but long and painful!

Moving around has to be a good thing, surely.
There are some videos on youtube for good positions to help things along.

Good luck OP!

I totally get the wanting to avoid a section - I had one with my first (breech) and had a VBAC two years later. Now lying awake (ugh) expecting DC3 in a few weeks time. VBAC definitely the right decision for me - wasn't overly keen on my section.

Oxytocin - is your other half up for any natural oxytocin production?! Nipple stimulation, sex? Keep the lights low, safe secure place.

Also, if your labour has started, would they be up for monitoring rather than continuing with the section?

I had the following on my phone re induction, but a lot of the same questions apply here:

Why do you feel I need to be induced?
Am I or my baby in imminent danger?
Specific benefits of induction in my case?
And the risks?
What percentage of women in this hospital who are induced go on to have caesarean or instrumental delivery?
What kind of monitoring? And how can you adapt it so I can move around?
Choices of induction?
Alternatives?
Can I have a think about it for a couple of days?

It's up to you if you have a c section, not them. Would you be up for them breaking your waters if they could? Walk up & downstairs sideways, circle your hips like you are using a hula hoop, bounce on your ball. You could try a curry or something else spicy.

Thanks everyone. These are all really good suggestions. Seem to be getting contractions around every 4 minutes now, all quite painful but only lasting about 30 seconds.

Id definitely be up for having my waters broken but there's a 5 day wait on labour ward for that at the minute 😩. Don't think I've got 5 days in me. Hoping I'm far enough along when I get in for them to let me give it a go!

I know I don't have to agree to the c section, just scares me going against advice when consequences could be so massive! Will see what they have to say today and hopefully I'll get a chance!

I had an EMCS after a failed induction and an ELCS the next time. Both very good recoveries. Good luck, hope all is well.

As someone who has had a stillbirth, I would just follow whatever advice they give you to get your baby out alive. One way or another. Good luck, op.

Sounds like labour is establishing OP. Keep moving, eating dates etc, and going up the stairs sideways. Remember stress will inhibit labour too so try to keep calm. I'd cancel the c section and stay home today see how it goes, and reschedule for a couple days time if nothing happens. I feel like you feel you've got a time bomb on your head so might be slowing you down.

Honestly, if they have expressed concern and are worried about the potential for still birth, I would just go and have the section.

Don't worry about the section, they're not going to force one on you when you're already in labour. Just let them know what stage you're at and that you don't need the section now.

Keep on your feet. Don't sit down or lay down. Let gravity help the contractions. - I assumed you were in hospital - but if not can you walk around? Stairs only if it is safe. Good luck

I should add that this happened to me - went into labour the night before planned section. Everyone just shifted to normal delivery mode.

Good luck OP. It's sounds woo but I did an induction of labour meditation I found on YouTube and my labour started the next day. It did help me feel relaxed and connected to the baby so maybe that oxy boost helped? I was also doing nipple stimulation, spending lots of time on my birth bath and being smart about resting positions i.e. not reclining on the couch, keeping upright, forward and open.

@BuenoSucia what an awful message!! Not exactly what the OP needs to be imagining when it sounds like she is in labour and either way about to have a baby today! OP hasn't said she's going to refuse medical advice, the team have already said that if she goes into labour naturally then they will let her continue.

But yeah HUN you carry on with your judgemental angry comments.

Good luck with whatever happens today @Fipfop xx

If they were 'worried' they'd have the baby out immediately, there and then, not book a surgery or induction for a week or 2 away 😂 are you in the sector? With coercive language like that and the 'dead baby' shock value comment, I'd guess so 😬

No, I’m not in any “sector” - but I was that mum who lay there for what seemed like hours asking if my baby was alive - and the doctors still with me shaking their heads and saying they didn’t know.

and some fuck-muppet up thread DID encourage her to refuse advice.

It sounds like you have some issues and trauma you need to work through offline in your own time before trying to offer advice.

Figure of 8 hip swivels on a birthing/exercise ball and try to relax (so much easier said than done). I most spent time leaning upwards and forward.

Why did you need a section the first time?
If you are labouring well and monitored well you can ask to delay the section slightly if you think you are on your way naturally - don't be pushed into having one just because it fits their theatre timetable, have one if it's the right thing to do. No one here can judge that - too many variables.
FWIW I refused induction at 41+ weeks as I could feel contractions starting (albeit v small) and not first baby. And I knew I labour v quickly once I reach 4 cm (so I somewhat ignore the idea of 'established' labour being 4cm). I gave birth 8 hours after refusing induction. Good luck!

Hopefully they have accepted you in to labour ward, or at least offered you monitoring. As they have mentioned risk of still birth I think it wise to see what they say and get a full picture.

It does sound like labour is trying to establish though. But again I'd ask for monitoring, even if it meant staying in to be kept on a monitor if a vbac is what you want.

If however there is any danger or concern over baby, like you said you'll follow their advice.

Good luck OP.

P.s lots of walking and gently bounce on a birthing ball/excercise ball if you have one I found that great to ease some pain and get things going.

I would get on a birthday ball. Have it at the side of Ur bed and rest Ur head side ways on the bed. I bounced for about an hour and a little while later my waters went on their own. Obviously different things work for different people. Lots of walking and maybe a star jump or two 😂