Thinking out loud- going into labor

blessedandhopeful

For mobile: Thinking out loud- going into labor

I realize this may be a silly question, but do you think it is possible for someone to never go into labor? As in, their body doesn't even head in that direction for some reason? I ended up with a RCS a week ago @ 41 weeks because, yet again, my body was not doing anything. I was induced with DS1, and what happens when you are induced at 0 cm and 0% effacement? Yeah, it failed. Looking back, I do wonder whether I would have made it had my OB ok'd the epidural I wanted. I only ever made it to 3 cm with all the drugs, and she said I had to be at 4 cm to get one. I found out after the fact that is bull. Ugh. Anyway, I was aiming for VBAC this time, and once again didn't go into labor. My doc (different from first pregnancy) said it could be that my pelvis is shaped in such a way that doesn't allow for engagement. How true that is, I don't know. At this point no doctor that I know of will let me try for a VBA2C. I was lucky to find one in this area to let me try for a regular VBAC. I am (so far) emotionally dealing with this c-section better than my first. I bawled on a regular basis for a couple months after that one. I'm trying not to dwell on it, and my doctor's comment somewhat eased my mind about it all possibly being necessary, but at the same time I do get upset that I will likely never experience a vaginal birth. I hope I don't get as depressed as I did last time, but I am the only one on both sides of our family who has had to have c-sections, and it makes me feel like my body fails me in that area. A ridiculous thing to say/feel. Perhaps my babies like to gestate until 42+ weeks and they never had the option? Who knows. Long background story...sorry.

TL;DR- *silly question* Do you think some women will just never go into labor on their own, resulting in a then "necessary" c-section?

fyafighterwife86

This is honestly something I've never thought of.
But is assume so. I think back in the olden days there were women who would be pregnant well over 10 months. I'm not sure if their babies survived but I certainly think it's possible for some women never to 'labor'.

lavendergiraffes

It's possible but I think some people just don't get the chance to carry their babies for that long if needed. I got a nst today and the other girl in there was 6 days overdue. She said with her first she went 21 days. There was no reason to induce and so she just waited. I don't know if that helps but.... I'm sorry you didn't get your VBAC. :-/ sometimes it's needed though so don't beat yourself up!

krissy3435

I have also heard, but not researched that back in the old days, having the baby be in too long and continuing to grow would/could result in baby death or even mom. I am sure you would have gone into labor at some point, but better now than too much later. I have had to have c sections each time and I think there are plus's and minus's to each way. I always joke that thanks to having c-sections, at least I don't pee when I laugh or sneeze. Don't feel bad! It is what it is.

jenb_99

It is possible. In that case the placenta disintegrates and the baby dies. At that point the body might try to go into labor, but many still don't (like due to bad positioning or an impossible fit), and necrosis and infection set in. Then the baby and other dead tissue have to be removed surgically or mom dies too.

But yeah...in developed countries we're not allowed to go that long, so it's not a concern for us. You either go into labor on your own by 42w (or earlier, depending on your doctor), are induced, or have a c-section.

hanafan36

The way I understand it: Scientists originally figured that babies are supposed to cook longer, but couldn't because a woman's pelvis is too small and our bodies can't handle the 18-20 months required to give birth to a bipedal baby.

Now, though, scientists believe it's because of the strain on our metabolisms that we give birth at 9 months.