Induction or c-section at 37 weeks?

[eucalippy]

I'm going around in circles, for multiple reasons baby needs to come at 37 weeks and my hospital have recommended induction. This is my second birth, the first being an emergency caesarean.

I've tried to make a list to help me decide and I'm not getting far!

Induction
Pros: Birth process will help prepare babies lungs
Quicker recovery (if all goes well)
Shorter hospital stay

Cons: More chance of it failing due to gestation and fact it's a VBAC
Could result in another emergency section
Could start off lots of interventions
Fear of the unknown

C-section
Pros: feel more in control, no chance of emergency section
I know what to expect and what the recovery will be like
No chance of scar rupture like with VBAC

Cons: Baby not getting prepared by birth process and taken out earlier than expected, might not be ready
Recovery could be difficult with two kids to look after
Major surgery

I was induced at 40+1 and I had a terrible experience, ended up prepared for a CS, and baby came out by forceps.

My mistake was that I tried to do it without an epidural and got the epidural very late. Even when I asked for it, it took 2h to get the doctors!

so maybe that’s why it was so bad.

I might have to make this choice again for my 2nd pregnancy and I’ll probably take the induction again. But my body has been through a kind of labour, so hopefully it will know better, and second I’ll ask for an epidural as soon as they can give me one!

I think the early you have the induction (like at 37 weeks) the worse it’s going to be, pain wise. But you can ask for an epidural. It takes all the pain away. And also if you progress fast (I went to 10cm extremely quickly, like in 1-2h after the epidural) you are rested enough to push and not end up with forceps (I was 31h in and exhausted).

so I don’t know what to say. It might be hell until you get to the 4cm (I think) required to get an epidural, but if you manage to be rested at that point, you’ll be ok.

good luck whatever you choose x

I was going to say induction before I read you have had a C-section before but I think if I were you I would go for planned C-section.
im Sure it’s not always the case but the difference I’ve seen in people after a planned vs emergency seems huge. If you have people who can help you if needed after the surgery then that’s the way I would go. Good luck

Hi, I am in a similar situation. I will need either an induction or c section between 37 and 38 weeks. So I am very interested to hear the opinions on here.

This is my second and I have had a c section with my first.

My first, they tried induction at 37 weeks. It just didn’t work. Went on for I think about 20 hours before I just said I wanted a c section. I had one, all very calm, had time for the epidural and etc. I’m not sure if it was just me not reacting to the drip or my baby she just wasn’t ready.

I am leaning towards the plan, that if I can go till 38 weeks, I will try another induction but at 37 I’ll go c section.

Whatever the choice, I know at 37 weeks my baby was born no complications and fully formed so I am fairly comfortable.

Having had an induction and knowing how brutal it can be I would say c section, especially with a previous.
Wish I'd taken my own advice.
Planned you can prepare for

100% C-section. I couldn't bear the thought of the risks associated with an induced birth. I know C section isn't always straightforward but it seems more favourable of the two.

However I am completely mentally scarred by birth trauma and having a lot of therapy for it. Congrats on your new baby by the way

Having had an EMCS, I would 100% option for an ELCS over induction if we were to have a second.

Opt for*

I've never given birth, but summing up all anecdotal evidence and all the actual research I've come across I'd pick C-section over induction any day. The risks of vaginal birth, especially one which is forced along before your body is ready would simply be unacceptable to me.

Things that may also help weigh up the pros/cons that you haven’t mentioned in the post (apols if you have already considered them)….
how far did you get with labour first time and what prompted the section? (Makes a bit of a difference to the likelihood of a successful vbac)
what’s the indication for delivering at 37wks?
what do they mean by induction? The previous vbac may mean they wouldn’t consider the full range of induction options and would bail out to do a cat3 section (less of an emergency but not an elective) if things didn’t progress completely smoothly.
HTH

Greybeardy brings up some good points. Doctors are a bit more wary of using hormones in a VBAC induction, to reduce the chance of scar dehiscence. So the threshold for an emergency C-section is far lower. How likely the reason for the C-section happening again is a factor.

Personally I've had two 37 week inductions. Both were fine experiences. Needed the drip to kickstart labour, but it wasn't too bad. First time was a vaginal birth, second a C-section. As baby was badly positioned, the C-section would have happened even if I'd laboured naturally. Both babies were healthy, good sized, and, other than DC2 needing a little bit of suctioning of excess mucus, needed no breathing support or NICU stay.

I would choose an induction for a third child, as a VBAC in my case would be more likely to be successful. But in your case, I think I would be swaying towards a C-section. Especially if you have some help to look after DC1.

I had an emcs first time and have opted for an elcs this time (about 3 weeks.)

Because othe precious section the consultant explained they'd used balloon method and stay away from hormones or pesseries.

Like you, I know what to expect frm a section, plus, it will overall be a calmer experience.

Just a note but if you book a section and you go into labour early they will do an emcs.

Good luck!

*pervious not precious lol

I've had both induction (which was very unpleasant for me) ending in EMCS, and planned section. Definitely planned section, if it were me.

I'd worry that my body wasn't ready to labour naturally at 37 weeks so after my failed induction I'd go for the section.

Agree with this. If you’d not already had a C-section I’d say give the induction a go but in your shoes I’d have a C-section again.

C-section. Your body has not laboured previously, inductions can be hard and fast. As you have had a previous c-section their threshold for an instrumental delivery or EMCS may well be lower to avoid any complications. Go for planned, then you know what you're getting.