anyone scheduling a c-section rather than inducing?

iluvabrit

today at my 38 week appt, we did an ultrasound that measured baby at ae almost 9 pounds (i know, not totally reliable, but i'm not going to have a 6lb baby, either)...

 i am also locked up tighter than a drum, apparently.  my ob suggested if we get past due date, with a baby that large, inductions don't always work real well and i would most like end up with a c-section anyway.  he suggested that i should go straight to c-section with an overdue baby that size.

 now, i have a ton of friends who ended up just that way... induced and ended up with a c-section.  i would love to avoid that.

so is anyone facing a similar decision or advised the same thing?  what are you thinking?

turtlegirl115

My due date is Sat and I have absolutely no progress so far. I go back on Monday and if I still don't have progress, we'll start discussing induction vs c-section. So I'm wondering the same thing. I've heard that about 50% of inductions end up in c-sections anyway so I'm thinking about just skipping the pain. Although I know recovery is worse for a c-section. I don't know what to do either. I'm interested in hearing everyone's opinion on this.

Poplin2007

Why is he worrying about induction already? You're not overdue yet, so I'd hold off worrying about it.

How strongly does your doctor feel about it?  IMO, he's the medical professional and I'd defer to his opinion.  If he's kind of on the fence, I'd probably try to go vaginally.

beth thacker

I have GD and when they do a growth ultrasound I will probably schedule a c/s afterwards. If she is measuring bigger than 7lbs which i'm sure she will be then i'm not even attempting to push her out of me. I don't want to risk anything and I don't want to lay there for hours, maybe even days trying to labor and end up cut open anyways. I'll save myself the exhaustion and just go with the c/s.

ETA: Let me add that my midwife I discussed this with recommended a c/s for me because my baby has broader shoulders and the chance of being bigger due to me having GD. If I didn't have GD we wouldn't even be discussing a c/s and i'd be all for a vaginal delivery. 

rebbieW

I think the third option - that you didn't mention - is the one I'd take. Just let the baby come on its own. Even if it is a very big baby, there's no real reason to think you couldn't give birth to him/her when the time comes. Your doctor is probably right in saying that an induction would likely result in a C-section if your cervical situation isn't favorable, but why would you need an induction anyway? (I don't mean to challenge you, just your doctor's thinking.)

robbie3982

I always thought it would really suck to have to go through labor and then still end up with a c-section, but in my Bradley class last week our instructor was telling us that it's actually better for the baby to experience labor.  I believe she said babies who experience at least a little labor are less likely to have breathing issues after birth.  She didn't quote any specific studies, but it's something you might want to look into before making your decision.

That being said, a 9 pounder doesn't sound undoable for a vaginal birth.  My instructor had a 12 pounder and didn't tear.  Our bodies can do amazing things.

iluvabrit

oh, i totally agree.  he mentioned scheduling something even before my due date and i was like, heck no!  i would like it to happen naturally ideally.  guess i'm just starting to think about the what if's.

 

 

adge76

I have a friend who went through 12 hours of induction/labor only to have an emergency c-section because the baby's heart rate dropped suddenly.  She ended up having a 10 pound 5 oz baby!  IMO, I'd rather save my energy and just go straight for the C.  Why put your body through all that stress to just end up there anyway? 

mollymurphy

robbie3982:

our instructor was telling us that it's actually better for the baby to experience labor.? I believe she said babies who experience at least a little labor are less likely to have breathing issues after birth.?

Ditto this: I would probably want to have a conversation w/my doctor about risks for the baby if you do not labor...respiratory issues is the one that I'd be most concerned about if I were considering having a C-section w/o laboring first.?

shannynhall

Large baby is a horrible reason for a c-section. Horrible.

So you don't want to be induced and end up with a c-section, but you're ok with the c-section part? If I was in your situation, I would want to go into spontaneous labor and deliver the baby naturally, not matter how big the guess was as to her size.

articiafreeman

I am choosing to schedule a c-section a week before my due date. My DD was born by emergency c-section and this baby is measuring large.

Amy314

I agree with those that are wondering why it is needed to induce or schedule c-section purely because the baby may be large. A 9 pound baby is not that large. A petite friend of mine delivered a baby over 9 pounds unmedicated and with no complications. Also, 40 weeks is supposed to be the average period of pregnancy. For low risk pregnancies, it is typically safe to wait up to 2 weeks after your "due date" to deliver. There is definitely a much higher likelihood of having complications and ending up with a c-section if you are induced. I personally would avoid being induced unless absolutely necessary, and question why your doctor thinks this is necessary - a big baby should be not be reason alone. Some doctors encourage inductions or schedule c-sections purely because it is most convenient for their schedule (although they obviously will not tell you that is the reason). Good luck.