Induction vs elective c

[msp2023]

Hi all, FTM to be here.
Just wondering what your thoughts/experiences are.

I've been told that by 40 weeks, if I haven't naturally gone into labour I can choose between being induced or having a c section.

I've heard some real horror stories about inductions which has put me off. The main factors being increased pain, longer labours (up to 5 days) and also my midwife said 1 in 3 end in c sections anyway?!

Please share your experiences :)

My failed induction ended up as EMCS.
Looking back I would have taken the C-Section offered.
Everything worked out well in the end…

I opted for the c section as they couldn't guarantee me 100% that I'd be able to get an epidural when requested. My sister gave birth a few months before I did. She was induced and spent days in pain, with little sleep, before having to have an EMCS anyway. She struggled to get adequate pain relief and was too exhausted by the end. She can barely remember my niece being born and developed postnatal depression.

Obviously that is a particularly bad experience, but it greatly informed my decision. I do have friends who have had inductions that went really well too - they were very glad to avoid surgery and a lengthy recovery time.

I never regretted the decision, as I knew the stats and it was the safest option for my baby overall in my own situation. I won't pretend a section is painless though - I was surprised how painful it was and how immobile I was after the spinal wore off! Recovering from major surgery whilst having a newborn to care for is in no way an easy option.

I'm trying for a VBAC so slightly different circumstances, but that's my plan.

Natural labour if it happens, but if I get to the point where an intervention is needed I've opted straight for csection rather than induction. I believe the stats for those that end up with a csection after induction with a VBAC are even higher so it just makes sense to me.

My csection experience was very positive (after the initial shock of needing to have one) but I'd still rather avoid one again if I have to. I was up and about pretty much the next day and looking after a newborn wasn't too bad but add an active toddler on top who still wants to be picked up sometimes and I think I would struggle!

I went with an induction with my first, that ended in an emcs, pure exhaustion and pretty sure I had post natal depression (can’t say the pnd was linked to the birth but it certainly didn’t help).

I am 36 weeks with my 2nd and have an elcs booked. If I go into labour before that date myself, I will give vaginal birth a go 100% but if not, elective it is!

I would never choose an induction.

Most end in assisted deliveries or c sections.

I’m 20wks pregnant with my first. I’ve already decided I’m having a c section. I just said that the thought of the natural birth and things that can go wrong was causing me a little bit of anxiety and they were fine about it. As long as you’re aware it takes abit longer to recover than natural birth it’s fine now.

If I knew then I would never have had induction with my first. It was horrific and I was traumatised. C section on the other hand with my second was a breeze in comparison

I've had an induction which led you to a cecerian.

Really? You said you were a little bit worried so they agreed? That's madness it's a huge operation and very expensive and the recovery is harder.

Is there a third option of watchful waiting (monitoring whatever your risk is) to see if you labour naturally?

I had two inductions, one which resulted in a lovely vaginal birth and one which resulted in an emcs (I was only 33 weeks). I’d choose induction again but most likely carefully consider whether there is the third option.

I chose induction both times.

It was important to me to at least give labour a try. With my first I was stepping into the unknown, but with my second, I knew I could do it as I had done it before.

My inductions were alright. They were early (37 weeks), and the labour wasn't starting by itself, so I was pain free up right up until labour was started by the drip being cranked up.

The length of the two inductions differed wildly though. My first, I had two gels, and was sent down to delivery suite to continue the induction (even though I was only 1cm) that very night. My second was started on a Monday morning, but due to a combination of factors, wasn't continued until Friday morning. I work on the delivery suite itself, so I understood completely why there were delays, but it was still miserable having to wait.

As for the final result, my first ended in a vaginal birth, while my second was a C-section. I will stress that the C-section was as a result of baby's position, and had nothing to do with the induction. If I had a third I would attempt a VBAC first.

I went for induction and have no regrets

I'd go for a section as I had a horrific induction experience.
But it can be luck of the draw as there are people out there who've had bad experiences of sections.
Birth can be unpredictable however you choose to do it.
I also know people who had inductions and all they needed was the pessary then they gave birth naturally within a few hours and it was all completely fine. If your induction goes like that then it's obviously much better than having a section which will always take a lot more recovery time etc..
But a planned section would have been so much better than what I went thru with my induction.
Unfortunately you just don't know how it's going to be

I highly recommend looking at Dr Sara Wickham’s website, she is a midwife researcher.

One of her books is called Inducing Labour and I really recommend it. I found it really useful when I was considering my options.

https://www.sarawickham.com/

@BlackWitchyCat I don’t know why I ever expect the internet to be a nice place. Maybe I played it down with the phrasing but you have no idea what would cause me to be anxious for childbirth. You just choose to be judgy. I was just saying if she wants a c section she could probable have one by choice.

My birth preference is waterbirth, gas and air, hypnobirthing.

If anything is wrong and I’m either not going into labour by 41 weeks or I’m failing to progress in labour I have requested an elective C-section. There is no way I’m getting induced or having any intervention. Every person I know who was induced on their first baby ended in a long time in pain and finally a c-section anyway. I don’t want that long strain on my body before having surgery. Big no.

why do you have to be induced at 40 weeks or is this preference? You can wait a little longer if you’d like to.

I was induced at 39 weeks with gels but they didn't help me dilate. Once I was attached to the drip, I delivered my baby in a few hours. The delivery was fine and I didn't need forceps. I was on gas and air. My tummy is flat and was back to normal in 2 months. With a c section you'd always have a scar and wounds take ages to heal. There's also risks of blood clots, infections, a shelf and I've heard that women are still numb there years later, which is quite scary.

Thank you all - this is so interesting to read. It has confirmed my worries that inductions do often end in intervention/emcs.

To clarify - they'd like me to have a preferred option by 40 weeks for a plan if I don't naturally go into labour by 41 weeks.

There is no way in hell I would ever agree to being induced.

Also sending you a handhold OP I’m 37 weeks and hoping to go natural as there’s no way I’m having an induction but I’m still scared of the elective C-section.

Have a look at positive birthing company and they hypnobirthing course they offer online. It’s super popular and helped me to make all my informed decisions as I felt very in the dark.

I've had inductions for both of mine. They were both fine. One after my waters went but no contractions after 24 hours and the other as I had gestational diabetes and they didn't want me to go over 39 weeks and hadn't started at all!

Both positive experiences.

The 'latent phase' of labour can last several days whether you are induced or not, the difference is that with an induction you spend it in hospital rather than at home amd this can make it feel longer. Plan to spend a few days in hospital and it will be ok.

The hormone drip can make the contractions feel more painful so I asked for an early epidural or remifentanyl PCA when/just before they started that. But felt incontrol and involved in the process both times.

As your midwife said 1 in 3 end in section so not most.

It’s a hard one. I waited until 42 weeks with DC1 which sent the professionals mad 🤣 It felt right at the time although I’m not sure I’d do it again. I would recommend having a sweep before going down the extreme route of induction or section (unless you’ve been told for medical reasons you must deliver by 40 weeks).

I had an ELCS with DC2 due to their size at 39+4. I’d say on balance I’d probably go with a section if it came to it. I don’t know many women with positive induction stories whereas most friends who’ve had an elective have a positive experience. I would say my ELCS was positive. Very different to a natural birth but just as magical.

I had an induction at 42 weeks,it led to a 36 hour miserable failed labour ,distressed baby who's heartbeat kept dropping dangerously low and finally a Caesarean section which was traumatic
My second I had an elective caesarean and it was fantastic

"I've been told"

You realise you can DECLINE.

42 weeks and beyond is a normal length of gestation, even then I wouldn't be tempted by ANY form of induction - that includes a sweep.

All menstrual cycles are different, and coincidentally so are pregnancies.

In Your Own Time by Dr Sarah Wickham is worth a read.

This! In other countries your due date is often later