Does anyone else have no confidence in being induced?

[Rosemarypots]

My pregnancy is classed as high risk and I think it's possible that the hospital won't want me to go beyond a certain number of weeks, possibly 37.

I'd love an uncomplicated vaginal birth, but if I don't go into labour naturally ahead of any agreed date then I'm starting to think a scheduled C section is likely to be preferable to induction.

My main reasoning is that my hospital and the two others closest by have been rated as "requires improvement" for patient safety by the inspector the CQC. It's mainly to do with staffing issues, and the care of women being induced / in early labour has come up as a key problem.

In my first pregnancy some years ago, I was induced and went into rapid painful contractions on the triage ward, which felt undignified and I had to push to be transferred to the labour ward to get some pain relief. I can only think it's worse now.

I've also been reading recent threads on here where women have ended up opting for C sections after having been booked for an induction, which either hasn't happened or has been prolonged.

I know C sections are major operations, and they've never been my preference. But is anyone else thinking that, with the state of current maternity services, a planned C section is likely to be a much more preferable experience to induction? I don't want to scaremonger - it's possible that the services in my area are particularly bad. I just don't have confidence in the process with the current staffing challenges.

I felt the same op and went with a c section. I've read positive things about inductions on here but the people I know in real life who had them didn't have good experiences.

I'm also in a place where the maternity services need improving and are under staffed so didn't have confidence in the care they'd be able to provide during an induction.

Not saying I'm right necessarily but I came to the same conclusions as you.

I think at 37 weeks you'd really be forcing your body and baby, and therefore an induction is unlikely to go smoothly. I would choose a planned C-section in your situation.

I was pressured to induce (worries about big baby)

i think induction is bullshit and the worst of all worlds - forcing in you and baby into something they’re not ready for.

i held out as long as I could (no other reason to intervene) i was having pre contractions all week and think I would have gone into labour naturally if I’d been nurtured and supported rather than manipulated and upset.

anyway i had a c section just before 40 weeks.

is different to vaginal birth and I’m still angry and feel cheated out of that.

BUT very glad I said no to induction - c section much better for me

I've had 2 inductions and both positive experiences but I think if I were in your situation I would have opted for a C-section too. Good luck with whatever you decide

I agree with this. I had a great induction at a Requires Improvement hospital but I was 41 weeks and had a very straightforward pregnancy/birth.

At 37 weeks an induction is much less likely to work and I’d be inclined to opt for a section.

It's a tricky one, but given that DS1 almost died after a terrible, under-staffed induction, I might have considered a c-section if I'd gone back to that hospital. My second induction with DS2 was a different world - plenty of staff, closely monitored (and cared for!!) with no issues whatsoever.

Good luck with your decision, although it sounds like you've already made it.

36% chance an inductions will end in emergency c sections. Plus, many will end in forceps etc. I would rather have a planned c section, at least then you have a 100% chance of it ending up being an ELCS, with no risk of emergency c sec (a completely diff ballgame), or forceps etc.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366839/

It's mainly to do with staffing issues, and the care of women being induced / in early labour has come up as a key problem.

In this case I wouldn't want to be induced.

I was induced at 37 weeks with DD2 and it was absolutely fine. If anything it was better than my spontaneous labour with DD1. But this wasn't at a hospital where it had been flagged as an issue. Even if it ends up fine you'll be stressed and anxious and it won't be a pleasant experience.

I had 2 home births and I would still go for a c section over an induction. There would have to be clear medical need though. Not baby is looking big/small/overdue. I was high risk with both pregnancies but only due to BMI. I wasn't discussing next steps until 42 weeks and probably would have waited a week past that too. I didn't have to however as mine came at 40+2 and 41. My 2 sil had 3 inductions turned c section and 1 repeat section between their 4 births.

Different circumstances but I loved my planned c-section. Relaxing and lots of attention for me and my baby.
yes, the recovery is tough but it was endurable as I had lots of cuddles with my baby who arrived safely and drama-free.
Good luck xx

@Rosemarypots no advice as I’m currently facing a very similar decision and also leaning towards a c section for the reasons you describe.

I hate not feeling in control, and the idea of being on an induction ward for days is my worst nightmare.

I felt exactly the same. I had planned a homebirth but dd was 3 weeks overdue. They wanted to induce me but I knew in my heart of hearts I wouldnt have coped well with it and in all likelihood I would end up with a c section anyway.

I decided to have a planned c section the next day and absolutely no regrets. It was the best decision for me and baby in those circumstances.

I had an unsuccessful induction and it was awful, would never do it again.

Ended up with an emergency c section, which was fine (apart from being so exhausted from a 4 day labour that I couldn't even hold my baby afterwards).

Already decided that if we are lucky enough to have a second child, there will be no induction. Natural labour or elective c section only.

If I had to deliver at 37 weeks I'd have a section too. And I say that as someone who had a 'natural' traumatic first birth and an induced straightforward second birth.

First birth was failed induction over 3 days at 42weeks, which ended up as c section unplanned low staff & fumbled epidural which left me with nerve pain issues. Second child I asked for a planned section which I had at 38weeks far far better experience and recovery because I wasn’t exhausted and stressed from waiting & double the number of staff as I was planned. No regrets asking for the second C-section

@Rosemarypots I was induced at 39+5 due to size of DS. First child. I was terrified given all the stories that you read. Long but successful and uncomplicated induction. DS born at 40 weeks. Straight forward birth, no interventions, slight graze and 1 internal stitch for me. Given my same circumstances again, I would pick induction.
But at 37 weeks I would choose a planned section.

Wishing you all the best ❤️

I absolutely was not going to be induced. It was recommended I didn't go beyond 39 weeks and I said if you're telling me he needs to come out you'll have to take him as I'm not risking 5 miserable sleepless days in hospital for it to result in a problematic birth that requires intervention anyway (during Covid alone)

The c section was by no means an easy option and had its own unexpected issues but it was made much less stressful by being planned, knowing baby wasn't going to get into distress in the womb.

I heard to many first hand horror stories of induction and I just couldn't face it. I reluctantly accepted a sweep 3 days prior to c section in case it worked but obviously at 38 weeks baby wasn't anywhere near ready to respond for himself and cervix was closed tight for business.

I was in hospital for days having inductions. It was so uncomfortable. It’s nothing to do with staff levels but I wouldn’t do it again. It obviously works for some but I wouldn’t go through it again just to end up with a section.

Definitely c section. No doubt.

@goababy You're sort of in luck.

During pregnany 2 I told my midwife I would not consent to induction and she reasurred me that it wasn't an option. She said induction is not recommended as part of a VBAC for subsequent labours. Induction increases the risk of uterine rupture so it is not allowed.

it's csection or natural labour.

Ha good to know we're all in the same page! I was on the induction drip for 30 hours and had to stop because of concerns about uterine rupture which was a very scary though 😟

I am opting for a c section for similar reasons. The concept of induction terrifies me and I feel like it would just end in an emergency section anyway. I am hoping for a calm experience but am a week out with no date yet so staffing may be an issue with c sections too!

I am thinking exactly the same @Rosemarypots . I have heard some awful induction stories from friends recently, often because of understaffing. Just a fortnight ago a close friend had to wait 4 days after induction started to get a labour ward bed for them to break her waters, by which time she was exhausted, had developed sepsis and needed an emergency c section. Under no circumstances will I consent to an induction, I’ll push for c section if it comes to it.

glad to read this so I know it’s not just me, I was told I’d be having an induction at my first ever midwife appointment, once I realised what it entailed I refused as I couldn’t see the point in hurrying up the birth for reasons that weren’t clear cut except I was an older mom. However in the end my waters broke and my baby failed to progress so I ended up having a c section anyway but still glad I refused an induction!

I had a terrible induction with my first at 42 weeks. Definitely not recommended. Baby was also incredibly challenging and I felt at death's door afterwards. Had post natal depression due to colicky baby which I am convinced was due to the trauma my baby suffered during the three day long induction process.

I was booked in for c section with my second. He came naturally, the day before the c section was planned and it was a different experience entirely. Baby was also much calmer and cried so much less than baby 1 who was relentless.

I would 100% recommend the c section based on my experiences of induction. If I could turn the clock back I would have pushed for this with baby 1 at 40 weeks.

Anecdotal but the calmness of birth really affects the baby in my (limited) experience.