Declining induction and requesting an elective caesarean at 42 weeks??

[Utardelis]

Just wondered if anyone has any experiences or thoughts on declining induction but asking for an elective c section?

In an ideal world would like to go naturally before 42 weeks but know these things are rarely the case - I have read statistically induction doubles the chance of having an emergency c section and also anecdotally heard recovery is better from elective than emergency?!

Any thoughts/advice welcomed!!

I can't advise as to whether you can opt for one or not but if I'd had the opportunity to do so, I would have taken it. I had 2 inductions and the pain was immense and the labour spanned days. I had a natural birth with my 3rd and the difference was like night and day.
It's a really exciting time though! Good luck 😊

Hello,

I was 42 weeks with both my pregnancies, and I chose to have a elective C section both times. (My cervix was not open at all, so chances of an induction being successful are zero)

I had two very nice experiences and would always recommend elective C section in similar circumstances. However be prepared to be challenged on your choices, I had to explain my choice to 3 different doctors before I was booked in. I did feel pressured to try induction, however after reading the statistics and doing my research I was very happy with my choice.

@twilightermummy @Ilovemygirl19 thank you for your replies!! Both very helpful ❤️

I feel like my gut is telling me go elective c section so need to stand strong once I make a final decision!

Opposite experience here. 2 inductions, both under 3 hours in total. No pain relief required
That’s the trouble with anecdotal evidence - it really proves nothing either way

I can’t advise whether to opt for one or not but just thought I’d advise I did have a positive induction story. Induced at 41 + 5 days with a pessary. Laboured over night with pessary and it was removed at 5am at 2cm and I went into labour and baby arrived naturally with no intervention 5 hours later and I was home by 6pm same day. I was very scared of induction and happy with how my birth went. It was incredibly painful but as it was quick I was able to cope.

Waters broke at 39 weeks with my first then everything stopped so the induced me, then put me on the drip. It was bloody awful and long and I wish I let things go naturally for longer.
They kept offering early induction seconds time round and I refused. They booked intervention at 41 + 5 which I desperately didn't want. He decided to start making a move 41 + 4 and was born naturally at 41 +5.
I'm glad I stuck to my guns.

I know you can't always plan these things and you need to do what's safest for you and babu but trust what your body is telling you. Main advise is to make sure you eat regularly. I went into 15 hour labour not eaten since lunch and that was just fruit and yoghurt 😂

Would depend very much on the state of my cervix. I would only opt for induction if it were ripe.

This was my birth plan i.e wanted c section rather than induction. I went into labour naturally with no need for induction but I would have been prepared to assert myself to get the c section if needed.

I heard that elective recovery is easier than emergency because you’ve not potentially gone through the exertion/tiredness of labour (plus turn stress of needing an emergency) so it’s easier on your body

I was induced for each birth 10 days over.

First induction nothing happened all day. Husband sent home. Immediately went into labour. Daughter arrived 6 hours later. Lots of interventions including ventouse. Vomited a lot.

Second birth , begged for an elective C section. Didn’t get it. Tried for induction on due date. Too early did not work. Spent next 10 days very uncomfortable on the ante natal ward. Finally could stand it no longer. Had 2 hours sleep with help of sleeping tablet. Absolutely exhausted . Had the most enormous shit ever. Midwife said I was 2cm and broke waters. Sent to delivery suite. Again nothing happened all day. Then my named midwife was on shift and looked after me. The comfort of having her there did the trick. DD2 born 3 hours later with tens machine and anti sickness jab. Much better experience.

if nature had been allowed to take its course I reckon I would naturally deliver at term plus 11.
I don’t think induction works. I was very worried about placenta failure as had a friend who suffered a stillbirth.
i would rather have had c sections . Last birth was 23 years ago. Check how readily available c sections are at your hospital

I did this! After the hell of induction with my first which ended in EMCS after 36 hours I was not having induction again! I did get a little push back from the consultant but not because of the ELCS over induction, more because he wanted to schedule it for 41+0 but I wanted more time.

Labour started naturally at 41+3. It also ended in an EMCS but I was much more at peace with it and didn’t get PPD like i had with my first.

It’s so difficult to be able to trust the care you may get during induction that a c section sounds like a safer option.

Inductions are awful. C sections are fab. I refused an induction and demanded a c section. Junior doctors told it was ‘a shame’ to have surgery. Consultant agreed to a section immediately. Best thing I ever did.

I had a positive experience of induction at 42+2. It all happened very quickly with just a pessary and no further interventions. It was my 2nd baby and my cervix was very favourable at the start though. Good luck

I had an induction (I too was wanting a section but felt pressured by the medical staff to try induction first). Was dreading it as I had heard so many negative stories and when examined my cervix was closed and basically the midwife said it was unlikely to work. I gave birth a few hours after the pessary, no pain relief (not out of choice!) and very quick. At the end of the day it’s your decision but just wanted to give you a positive induction story. Good luck!

My induction was great. Yes it took a long time to get ready to have my waters broken, but we just chilled out and enjoyed the time as much as we could, we read, played games, tbh it was a break from having our toddler! Once my waters were broken by the midwife it progressed very quickly and honestly wasn’t that bad except for the transition into the birth canal but that bit only lasted 10 - 15 minutes. Just gas and air for pain relief needed.

Personally I wouldn’t risk a c-section if it’s not clinically necessary, especially if I wanted further babies. Placenta accretas are on the rise which can lead to a hysterectomy and also scar tissue or wound issues and infection risks. These can all be very serious. Of course you could end up with an emergency c section but many of us don’t and we were happy with an induction.

Whatever you choose, try to relax and enjoy the time as much as possible. It will help with oxytocin levels which is beneficial for you and baby whatever you decide.

Have you actually ever had an induction?
My induction was pretty amazing. First pessary at 9am, next at 6pm. Nothing of note. 9pm, just after DH left, went to the toilet and came out feeling the need to push! Midwife checked and 8 CMS dilated. Hasty return of DH just in time to catch DD. From first pains to delivery 2 hours, no pain relief needed.

Yes, it was shit. Out came the ventouse and a baby in distress etc. Waiting a couple of minutes for them to revive the poor child was one of the worst moments of my life. The agony of the labour pains from being induced was hellish. Couldn’t even drive past the sign for the turn off for the hospital for months afterwards, never mind go near the building itself. Urgh. Hence demanding the c section on baby 2 when they told me I’d be induced.

Of course anecdotally, but i had an emergency c-section after failed induction (first child), and a planned c-section with my second.
First was a horrible experience, second was amazing. Recovery ok for both, but a bit easier for the second.
I would go for a planned c-section anytime.

My sister in law had an emergency c section with her first, and an elective with her second. She found recovery from the emergency so much easier.

Any reason why you reckon you won’t go before 42 weeks?

I started being induced at 39+4 (due to age - I’m 43 and they don’t like you going over after 40). I wanted to have the Foley’s induction, but my cervix was too far closed, so I went in the following day and had the gel (2 x 1ml doses). DD was born 53 hours later without so much as my needing stitches! So not every induction is an intervention fest!

@curliegirlie thanks for sharing!! im hoping I do!!

its my first and apparently most common day for natural labour is 41+3

my area recommends an induction at 41 weeks - just thinking if I can put things off an extra few days but need a back up plan if things dont get going!

Exactly the same experience for me!

Oh how i wish i could go back and redo my choices. DS was born at 41+5 "naturally" without induction and it was a horrible and scary experience with very brutal ventouse and huge amount of blood loss. DS now has some developmental challenges and i often wonder if it's linked to birth trauma. I had wanted elective c section but was pushed towards "natural delivery" and against my gut feeling I didn't push back.

Do what you feel is best for you and your child. Best of luck.