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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Upset about birth options

41 replies

Strawberry06 · 12/02/2024 12:13

Oh I'm in such a state :-(

I'm 40+4 today and had the midwife round to do a sweep.

I also had an induction booked for this Friday but I told my midwife I'd rather have a section than be induced. I know it sounds dramatic but my sister had one and reacted badly to it to the point she was fitting and had to have an emergency section anyway and as a result my nephew spent the first year of his life on steroids. I'm just completely freaked out by it.

Anyway my midwife phoned the PAU for a doctor to call me back which they did. So I told the doctor everything and she basically said I can't have a section as there's no medical reason for it. I asked if I could at least move the induction to Monday 19th which she also refused cause the policy is they don't let you go beyond 41 weeks. I got so upset and started crying and had to hang up.

Doctor rang me back and said they have moved the induction to Monday but that I'll have to go in for monitoring this Friday and over the weekend.

Now I just feel more upset as to whether I've made the right decision as I don't want to put baby at risk being in there too long which she seemed to keep repeating at me.

If it gets to next Monday and I still don't want to be induced then a consultant will speak to me and I might be able to have a section.

Also, it doesn't look like the sweep will work as midwife said my cervix was still closed. I was so hopeful that it would be favourable.

Just feeling absolutely hopeless and exhausted :-(

OP posts:

Readytoevolve · 13/02/2024 05:27

I’m sorry OP, that is tough.

Book in for reflexology and acupuncture, try and get a last minute appointment to help you relax but also try and get things moving before Friday.

watch soppy feel good shows and movies. Look at old photo albums. Build up your oxytocin and relax. You’ll give yourself a better chance of going natural.

Good luck x

PurBal · 13/02/2024 05:39

It’s your choice OP. There are reasons for induction at 41 rather than 42 sure. DC1 would have been induced at 42. For DC2 I was forced into one 41 weeks but Dsis had a baby a few weeks after me in the same hospital and she was told 42. I was low risk and she was higher due to her weight. You don’t have to be induced. You can ask for a section or you can wait it out. Yes there are risks to that. It’s YOUR choice to decide if you’re okay with those risks.

EvelynSalt · 13/02/2024 05:49

You might find this helpful OP as it breaks down the NICE guidance and there's a useful pdf.

www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/

GreatGateauxsby · 13/02/2024 06:04

100% what @Porridgeislife said.

I have now had 2 great elcs for pretty much no reason other than maternal choice.

Do not be fobbed off. Go back and kick up a stink.

I also would completely refuse induction even if overdue and insist on an elcs. This is based on horror stories i have heard from others.

Sandpitnotmoshpit · 13/02/2024 06:10

*Yes they have changed due to statistics showing increased death for both mother and baby at 42 weeks compared to 41.

It’s all very well monitoring but they won’t understand just how much placenta function might be failing just from listening to the heartbeat.*

I don't think this can be consistent across the country.... I had DS in August and was booked in for induction at 41+5 which is standard in my trust. No monitoring other than weekly midwife appointments from 40 weeks and obviously to go in with reduced movements. I went in to labour naturally at 41+4..... It might happen for you OP, but if you want a section stick to your guns.

whathappenedno · 13/02/2024 06:13

You have the right to request a c section. They should not refuse you. I'd speak to another doctor and push a little harder back.

lostwithoutpronouns · 13/02/2024 08:38

Ask what percentage of inductions end in EMCS there. It's usually a lot.

Naptrappedmummy · 13/02/2024 08:59

lostwithoutpronouns · 13/02/2024 08:38

Ask what percentage of inductions end in EMCS there. It's usually a lot.

Very much depends on age, BMI, whether it’s first baby and size of baby. Would take all of this into account.

Creepybookworm · 13/02/2024 09:14

The induction rate was 30% last year and the Caesarean rate 40%, this is a huge increase from 10 years ago. The infant morality and material mortality rates have not gone down, they have slight increased. The rates of birth trauma have also increased. So for those stating that induction keeps babies safe, this is not shown in the stats.

Original poster

Strawberry06 · 13/02/2024 12:35

Thanks all for the replies. I spent the rest of the day just napping cause I felt completely exhausted and upset.

For those asking I'm 36 (conceived at 35) and had a wonderful symptomless pregnancy! I even worked up to 39 weeks.

The hospital have told me the induction type is rods first to open the cervix? Then gel? She said they don't use pessaries or drips. So I feel somewhat better about it.

I also feel better it's been moved to Monday 19th and I'll go in this Friday for my first day of monitoring and may even ask for another sweep. Hopefully everything will be ok.

Obviously hoping he'll make an appearance before then!

OP posts:

MariaVT65 · 13/02/2024 12:48

Sandpitnotmoshpit · 13/02/2024 06:10

*Yes they have changed due to statistics showing increased death for both mother and baby at 42 weeks compared to 41.

It’s all very well monitoring but they won’t understand just how much placenta function might be failing just from listening to the heartbeat.*

It’s been updated in the NICE guidelines so clearly some trusts still aren’t following them.

vacay · 13/02/2024 12:49

Op you have a right to birth how you want. Read my most recent thread ! Makes me so angry

calishire · 13/02/2024 12:58

You've got loads of time to go into labour naturally. Try to relax and get some exercise :)

BennyAndBjorn · 13/02/2024 13:11

Strawberry06 · 13/02/2024 12:35

Thanks all for the replies. I spent the rest of the day just napping cause I felt completely exhausted and upset.

For those asking I'm 36 (conceived at 35) and had a wonderful symptomless pregnancy! I even worked up to 39 weeks.

The hospital have told me the induction type is rods first to open the cervix? Then gel? She said they don't use pessaries or drips. So I feel somewhat better about it.

I also feel better it's been moved to Monday 19th and I'll go in this Friday for my first day of monitoring and may even ask for another sweep. Hopefully everything will be ok.

Obviously hoping he'll make an appearance before then!

Hi OP,

I’m so sorry your hospital are putting pressure on you. This is unfortunately a really common experience. Have a look at the Ten Month Mamas UK group on Facebook if you can. There is loads of advice and support about self advocacy and standing your ground etc. There’s also some good links to peer reviewed studies on going past 41/42 weeks if that’s what you feel you want to do.

Remember this is YOUR birth. You cannot be forced into anything you don’t want to do.

lioneggs · 13/02/2024 13:21

You can have a c section for any reason you want. I know several people who have refused induction and gone straight for a c section. I know others that have had a planned section because that's their preference from the start. I'd ask to speak to another consultant!

Hotgirlwinter · 13/02/2024 13:26

So frustrating, there is of course a small increased risk to the placenta health but there are also increased complications associated with inductions.

there are risks to every option, the key is to weigh them up for your own circumstances.

Get on the yoga ball and do some bouncing, lots of walking about, raspberry leaf tea, some sex if you feel up to it, keep active (obviously low impact and nothing strenuous), try and gently move baby along! Fingers crossed for a natural kick off

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