XP from Oct. 2011: Induction vs Csection

stardust317

Hi all. I'm a FTM who was diagnosed with pre-e at 34 weeks. My ob has given me the option of induction or csection @ 37 weeks. I've been told that I have a narrow pelvis and I am not currently showing favorable cervical changes for induction. WDYT?

ambs21

It's definitely a personal decision, but many early inductions tend to end in c-s due to lack of progress.  I was induced at 39 weeks and was contracting (although I didn't realize it until hooked up to monitors) when I went in, and I still never made any progress.  I labored for 21+hours before making the decision to head to the OR (I was 100% effaced and they said a 1 was being generous as for dilation).  That said, I do know moms who have had perfectly smooth induction experiences.  Just know that if you do choose induction it could still end up in the OR.  Good luck deciding!

iris427

GhostMonkey:

Personally, I would go with the induction and at least give it a shot. As for the narrow pelvis part- there is no real way to know if your pelvic inlet is too narrow or not until you try to give birth. Your hips being narrow is in no way an indicator of your ability to deliver a baby vaginally.

 

This exactly.

I was told that my pelvis was too small to ever have a vaginal birth (I'm only 4'10") and I delivered my son vaginally with no issues--so you just never know.

GL 

RoxBride

I think much would depend on how serious your pre-e is progressing, and how it is being treated. If you are on bedrest and keeping it from worsening through lying on your left side, I would for sure go c/s, as you aren't going to be able to walk, or move about to help with the induction.

sabrina69barnes

   I'd go with the c-section. If you aren't having any cervical changes then an induction will likely fail and you'll end up with a c-section after hours of labor. I had a failed induction turned c-section with DS1 and a planned c-section with DS2. The planned c-section was much better. It's obviously your choice. If a vaginal birth is really important to you, you might want to consider the induction so you don't ever regret not trying.

akayf

I would schedule the induction.   It's still 3 weeks away from when they would want to do either the c-section or induction.   Your cervix may have begun to efface and dialate at that time..lots can change in 3 weeks.

Having a narrow pelvis doesn't mean you won't be able to deliver vaginally.  

Yes if you have an induction, especially if your cervix hasn't had any changes, you are at higher risk for a c-section.     But I would at least try for the induction.   I was induced with both my PGs.   The first one resulted in a vaginal delivery.   I needed a c-section for #2 because of fetal distress.   He has cord issues.

MrsCali_Bride

I would go for the induction so that I would at least have a chance at a vaginal delivery but I would go in knowing that there was always a chance that I could end up with a c-section. Good luck!

HBaylies

Personal choice.  My induction at 39w6d eventually turned into a c/s after DS never made it past 0 station.  They said afterwards he probably never stood a chance at fitting through since he never made it past 0 even after getting to 10cm and pushing for over 2 hours.  There must have not been enough room.  If it were me, I would go straight to the c/s and skip having to go through both labor, pushing, and then still have the possibility of the c/s, especially since they're already guessing you have a narrow pelvis.

Carebear517

I was induced at 40 weeks for no good reason except I felt pressured because my parents were in town for a limited time and I wanted them to meet their grandson. I was not dilated and my cervix was barely softened. I ended up not progressing past 5-6 cm, which was when I got the epi. I stayed there for about 8 hours and then we went ahead with a C section. 

I am hoping for a VBAC next time. I would get induced because it at least gives you the chance of a vaginal birth, if that's important to you. For me I know that I am trying for a VBAC because if I didnt at least give it a chance I think I would always wonder what it was like and if I could have done it.  That, the "what if", would be harder for me to live with than if I ended up with another C section. 

Enami

iris427:

GhostMonkey:

Personally, I would go with the induction and at least give it a shot. As for the narrow pelvis part- there is no real way to know if your pelvic inlet is too narrow or not until you try to give birth. Your hips being narrow is in no way an indicator of your ability to deliver a baby vaginally.

 

This exactly.

I was told that my pelvis was too small to ever have a vaginal birth (I'm only 4'10") and I delivered my son vaginally with no issues--so you just never know.

GL 

 

I'm the exact opposite. I have fairly wide hips, but my passage was too narrow to push my son through. I was told going in to my induction that it didn't look too good for a vaginal birth, but we went ahead with it anyway. I'm still not sure if I would have rather had a c-section from the get-go or if I appreciate having the opportunity to try for a vaginal delivery. I was very much wanting to go natural though, so I guess it depends on the birth experience you wanted/planned for.