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 :)

I had induction both times (pessary). 11 hours labour first and 7 hours second.. just Gas and air ..
This was 39 and 31 years ago.
We didn't get a choice.. epidural wasn't a choice.. you could have a pethidine injection.
I've had major surgery ( laparotomy and hysterectomy and no way would l have chosen a C section). The scar still gets sore.

I've being induced 5 times and all vaginal deliveries.

My induction ended in ECS and I wound never agree on induction again.

My induction was perfect. I had the gel and walked around a beautiful garden while it kicked In then back to my dimly lit room with my music and a bit of gas and air. 8 hours start to finish including 20 min pushing stage. It was magical, as was my first birth which wasn't an induction. Wish I could go back in time and do it all again

Hi there I am a labour ward midwife. I always tell women and partners that the length of induction and the length of natural labour depend on the size and position of the baby and the size and shape of the woman's pelvis. So combinations are endless. I have seen plenty of quick inductions and plenty of drawn out natural labours. Sarah Wickham has a good book on inductions, available on Amazon for a few pounds. Personally I would start with induction. Just as I would start with ibuprofen and physio if I was considering surgery for a knee problem. If you decide to go for induction I suggest you get a TENS machine, they really help (based on my experience of looking after women on our labour ward). I hope it helps

Section all the way. Most inductions end in either emergency section or forcep or other intervention. I have no idea why they still offer/push inductions as they’re basically a statistical disaster.

Relax. Not everything is as dramatic as it reads. Note it says I CAN choose between the two.
I perfectly well know my rights and limits.

All I am asking for are people's personal experiences, which the majority have been kind enough to share :)

I'm quite curious as to where people are getting their "most inductions end in intervention" from. I'd love to see some numbers. I've always heard it quoted it at around 30-40%, which while high, is not the majority. But I believe that's overall. I've never heard if there's a difference if just the pessary sends you into labour vs. needing the drip. I can imagine gestation does make a difference, as does if you're a FTM, or multip.

Hi labour ward midwife again. We are inducing when risks of induction (including risk of an emergency Caesarean or instrumental delivery) are thought to be smaller than risks of an elective Caesarean. First Caesarean section is technically very easy. Even then it's associated with increased risks to mother and baby (excessive blood loss, infection, blood clots, baby admitted to neonatal care unit with breathing difficulties). There more risks with the 2nd pregnancy- increased risk of stillbirth, increased risk of placenta accreta (placenta that grows inside the uterus and makes bleeding difficult to control at delivery). I am all for personal choice. But for me it's induction any day over an elective surgery.

I had an induction a couple of weeks ago and was so scared it would be awful and end in a c section but it was fine. Quick labour and no issues birth.

Just wanted to give my input as I also only seen horror stories but it can also work out okay. I was 40+2.

I was induced (drip) at 40w because my waters went after a sweep but only half my waters and didn't progress naturally.
I wish I'd had more information and been better prepared as the contractions were relentless, I had no break between them and they were very painful. But I did manage for 8 hours on gas and air.
We needed an episiotomy and ventouse delivery, at this stage I had a morphine injection as the pain quickly became unmanageable. I don't know if this would have been the case without induction, there was an issue with my daughter's cord and they had to get her out fast.
Obviously I'd have preferred a natural labour and not to have needed interventions but I also want to say that I'm proud of how childbirth went and how I handled it, and I do get a bit defensive by implications that any intervention is somehow a failure. I trusted the medical professionals and I do think in my case everything that happened was medically necessary. I just wish I'd had more idea what to expect being induced.

I'm now 36w pregnant with my second and may be advised not to go past 40w due to low papp-a. I've got a scan on Monday that will be pretty crucial for determining next steps. I'm considering an elective section because baby has been breech, but if he's moved into head down position then I'll hope for natural labour but be prepared for induction again, I think.

You're doing the right thing seeking out info and stories, I wish I'd done that first time round. Good luck whatever you decide!

Many of us had successful inductions that didn't result in forceps or emergency c sections. There are short and long term risks to c sections too. Have you spoken to your midwife and obstetrician about risks?

DS1 was induced 5 weeks early. I had the pessary gel, labour started a few hours later. I had gas and air and it was fine.

DS2 was a planned c section due to his position (transverse lie).

Recovery from.the c section was much harder. I'd take an induction any day over a c section.

However, you need to do what feels right for you.

My first was EMC after a failed induction. Currently pregnant with my second and I will try a VBAC if I go in to labour naturally. If I don't, then I will go straight to C-section.

I will not be doing another induction.

I was induced and had an emcs it was all fine the labour and the c section I was happy and calm throughout (did the PBC course)

But the only thing on my birth plan was no pethadine (sp?) as I was convinced if I accepted it I would end up as one of those 'in labour for 5 days then having a c section anyway' so when they offered after 12hours of labour I said no thank you and had an emcs within the hour

www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/induction-adverse-outcomes/

OP - again, "you can choose between the two" clearly you don't know your rights.

I'm pregnant with my third, recently left big pharma and am a doula, so I am incredibly distrustful of maternity "care".

I've seen enough to know that most women don't trust physiological birth and both mothers and their children pay the price.

LOL. I'm a clinical pharmacist working in the NHS. I know much more about the processes behind the scenes of maternity care than you have assumed.

I know where policies and advice comes from, the reasoning behind certain options and situations. I also have enough clinical knowledge and abilities to make my own decisions and know my rights.
If I choose to not wait until my body goes into natural labour and follow the advice of midwives/clinicians - that is a perfectly appropriate decision.

Enough with the high and mighty attitude - there are nicer ways to phrase things than you have without trying to come off as superior. Wish you all the best with your third :)

Thank you to everyone else who has shared their experience! This has given me a lot to think about - much appreciated :)

I think it depends on how ready your cervix is which is very difficult to predict ahead of time. I've had two inductions and both were very quick and easy (6 hrs from drip starting to delivering, no epidurals) but I was already a few cms dilated and my waters had gone, I just didn't get any contractions. I've also had two natural births that were really long and much more intense than the inductions. I did book in for a c-section with my 3rd baby because I was told she was very large, my first was 10lb 5oz, but I went into labour at 38 weeks and she was only 7lbs 10oz. I would definitely refuse an induction if my cervix wasn't ready though.

I am on insulin so baby has to come around 38 weeks.
Absolutely no way was I personally having an induction - call me weak but I genuinely don't think I'd cope with the process for numerous reasons.

I have an elective booked at 38+3 and feel really confident in my decision.

That's if I don't go early eeek (9 days to go!)

@msp2023 Hi!

I am completely against having an induction and was going to wait for Labour to start naturally, baby is measuring big so have been offered induction or section at 39 weeks and I am in the same thought process as you. I think I would prefer a section over induction and I think I’m going to make that choice. I have also been told I don’t need to listen to the professionals and I can go over my due date however I am not prepared to go against the consultants advice because why would I ?!

Good luck with what you choose. People have positive or negative experiences with both so it’s really what you think will be best! There are risks to both. Yes a C section is major surgery and can have a longer recovery period than a straight forward natural Labour however some labours end up in severe tearing, emcs etc and recovery can take a lot longer!! Inductions especially increase the risks of 3rd or 4th degree tears so it’s really weighing up all options.

In my head a ELCS is more predictable, you know the risks you know the date. Do what you feel is best 💖