Dealing with fear- irrational or not- c-section vs. induction

Marcy82

I was recently diagnosed with gestational hypertension at 36 weeks.  I am on medication and bed rest currently at 38 weeks to keep this in check. I am not PE- platelets and liver function were good, no protein spillage in 24 hour urine test, no edema, no pains, no headaches- just elevated blood pressure.  

I have been seeing a specialist and my regular OB doc and they have decided that I should not go beyond 40 weeks.  They are going to have a discussion to see what they think about inducing me at some point before my due date.  I would like to have the opportunity to have a vaginal delivery, but I think I've just gone and worked myself into a tizzy over what 'my choice' will be.  Both doctors seem open to allowing me some degree of choice in how this will go down.  

I don't want to have a c-section; frankly the thought of being opened up on a table while awake scares the bejeebus out of me. It took us a year to conceive and I feel like even though it's a small chance the thought of being infertile from something going wrong in a c-section isn't something that I'd like to chance since we do want a few more kids.  Also I don't want to have a c-section every time I have a child.  I don't know many people who have had successful VBACs, perhaps I don't know enough people and there ARE plenty of those who are having success with it all the time.

I feel like being induced isn't a good enough guarantee as well. That I would be putting myself through a long procedure (I'm not currently dilated at all, but hopefully that will change in the next two weeks) by being induced that might not work anyway and would result in a c-section in the end.  I would be in the hospital for the entire thing and I know that everyone's body reacts to induction in different ways, but the thought of being there for 24 hours waiting for the whole thing to take effect doesn't thrill me in combination with if I do have a c-section that I'd be in the hospital for a few more days.  

God I don't know what to do and I'm sorry ladies for this vent. I can't sleep right now because my mind is racing. I'm not looking for someone else to make my decision. I am excited to finally meet my daughter in the next few weeks.  I am ready for this moment, but I'm not necessarily ready for the moment that leads up to her arrival.  Am I being a huge baby? I know in my heart of hearts that it doesn't matter HOW she arrives, just that she arrives safely.  Thank you for reading.   

LittleDucky

My doctor has also talked about delivering early (like within the next couples of weeks) because of my BP, and I am nervous about having a failed induction and needing a c-section.  I haven't had an internal yet so I don't know whether my cervix is favorable for induction or not, but I know that early inductions have a pretty high failure rate.  I just keep telling myself that a healthy mom and healthy baby are the most important, regardless of how we get there.

Holler4dmb

I will also be delivering early.  I too have GD and I also have a cerclage.  I just found out yesterday that I have a large amount of amniotic fluid and that will also increase my chance of a c-section.  The baby is a happy camper in there with the extra fluid and will most likely not drop on her own.  I too am not thrilled with the idea of a c-section but as long as she is happy and healthy I can just deal with the recovery.

Hang in there. 

Marcy82

Yes, you are so right. It's hard to feel like you are making the right decision all of the time with these things. I just don't want to regret anything. It's so hard with your first because, at least I do, feel like so much is unexpected and having no frame of reference is scary.  Best of luck to you. 

SarahTx5701

well my doctors were morons and induced me due to severe pre-e at 35 weeks.

It was a long and very hard labor ,36 hours, however, I ended up being able to deliver vaginally.  I was not favorable at all, but my life and my ds's were in danger, so we proceeded with the induction. My BP was well over 200's over 115's my protein was in the severe category, I was swollen terribly and had the worst headache in my life. It was very very bad. I SHOULD have been just cut open and it would have been easier, but my hospital didn't want to transfer me to the downtown hospital and lose the money.

long story. anyway, all that to say, you can have a successful vaginal delivery with an induction with no dilation or jump start at all. I came close to stalling and getting a section, but got him out in time.

if you trust your doctors then do what is best for you and your baby. Go for the induction if you can and its healthy for you. It may go just fine.

Big hugs!!!

Marcy82

Thank you for your story! I really appreciate it! 

trizzie

I have had 2 scheduled c/s.  Honestly, it is not bad at all.  Once your baby is here you will not care how they got here, as long as they are here and healthy.  Good luck to you.

viety82bur

Hi, I was lurking and saw your post.  With S, who is now 21 months, I also had this...it never progressed to pre-e but I was absolutely miserable and had terrible headaches, was on bedrest, gained 13 lbs in 1 week due to swelling,etc. 

Anyway, I went in to be induced @ 39 weeks and ended up with a c-section.  After 12 hours of pitocin, progressing from only 3 (I went in at 3cm) to 4.5 cm, and an epidural that literally numbed me in half but not in the right way (imagine a line drawn down the center of your body) I had a c-section and she was born at 10:36 pm, after I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am.  The c-section was by far the best part of the day and though they offered me the choice of a VBAC this time, I'm opting for another c-section.  I had no complications from the surgery and, sorry if this is TMI, it was great in that they really cleaned me out.  I bled for maybe 5 days afterwards and that was it.... I too was nervous about having one but it worked out well.  Yes, you're sore afterwards but I think that surgery soreness is different, sometimes better and sometimes worse, than -I-just-pushed-a-watermelon-out-of-an-orange soreness.  As far as the being awake for surgery part, I was just so relieved to have her out that I didn't even care at that point.  You're absolutely right in that regardless of how it ends up you'll just be so relieved that she arrived safely.  Good luck to you!

Marcy82

my dd was born on 11/9 via c-section and you were totally right. it went well. my recovery was great. i'm already back to feeling normal with the exception of trying to translate what my dd wants thanks everyone so much. it was certainly an easy thing and the right thing to do. my blood pressure righted itself immediately after she was born. all of you rock. thank you!!!!!