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3rd Trimester
Which is the lesser of two evils?
C-section or induction that may end up in a c section?
I will find out tomorrow just how much bigger baby has possibly gotten since 34 week u/s (est. 7lbs 6 oz at 34 weeks).
My OB mentioned if he is over 9 lbs, she would like to schedule a section between 39-40 weeks. She mentioned Shoulder dystocia, and wanting to avoid it. I am not sure if that is due to me being short and small and/or his size.
Would it be worse to be induced and possibly labor for hours only to find out he won't fit, or just accept her thought and schedule a section? I have heard both sides, how horrible induction is....and the other side of OBs being "cut" happy and wanting to do sections since they are scheduled.
I am not sure how to approach tomorrows appt.
Thanks!
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Re: Which is the lesser of two evils?
Maybe ask your doctor what her "stats" are - how many of her inductions result in c/s, how many end up being vaginal, etc. Ask her for her opinions on the pros and cons of both sides and then make your decision.
GL!
I agree with PP... talk everything out with your doctor, and then come to a conclusion.
A lot of people don't believe in intervention unless 100% necessary, but personally, I tend to trust my doctors. I think as long as you are well informed of her reasons behind everything she is doing, that maybe taking her suggestion is best.
I was in the same situation with my older DD. I ended up going with the c/s. When they did the c/s the Dr. said she would have never fit. My c/s went well and I felt like it was the right decision at the time. I won't lie, later on I regretted not trying a vaginal birth and I tried for a VBAC with my second. I ended up with a repeat c/s because she didn't progress.
The only thing I would say is that if you do try the induction and it fails then you know you gave it a shot, but talking to you Dr. is the best thing to do.
Just remember either way you will end up with you LO in your arms and that is the most important thing!!!
Max born July 25
Big sisters Alex and Layla
I am having a scheduled c-section due to the baby's weight and head measurements (his head measured 41 weeks and 1 day at my 37 week appointment). The only way induction would have been a better option for me in terms of lowering risks of shoulder dsytocia and other issues was if we would have taken him before 36 weeks, which would have led to even more serious risks like poor lung development. My doctor was in no way c-section happy, but we decided together that this was the best decision to ensure a safe delivery for me and the baby.
When I accepted the c-section I also took in to account those that had both emergency c-sections and scheduled c-sections for similar reasons. All of them said their scheduled c-section was by leaps and bounds better both in terms of experience and recovery.
I'm so glad you asked this - we're going through almost the exact same thing. We have another growth u/s scheduled for Friday morning (I'll be 38 weeks) to check baby's growth from 34 weeks (s/he was just under 7 lbs) and my dr is on the same page as yours - thinking either induction or c-section.
I want to try but I'm scared of the Pitocin contractions and the deep tears from end to end that may be the result.
Thanks to all who posted their advice on these "evils"!! Have a great day!?
This is a question only you and your DH can decide.
If it were me, I'd want to try to labor first. Doctors don't really know whether a baby can fit through your pelvis or not -- the only way to know is to try, then find out that it won't fit. I think that doctors are trained to fix problems -- so they see a potential problem (big baby that may not fit) and they want to fix it the best way they know how -- with a c-section. But just because a c-section may be the most efficient solution, that doesn't mean it's the best solution for you and the baby.
Personally, I'd rather try to have a vaginal delivery and ultimately be unable to do it, then have a c-section. Some people would probably rather just go ahead and schedule the c-section and save themselves the pain and frustration of labor (and potentially a labor that is futile).
Good luck!
I think it's important to remember that those of us that choose c-sections aren't just saving ourselves pain and frustration. In the end, I choose a c-section because to me it wasn't worth risking my child's health (some possible side effects of shoulder dystocia: broken collarbone, fetal asphyxia, nerve damage, etc.) so that I could attempt a vaginal delivery. I took in to account my doctor's expertise, my medical history, the size of my baby, etc. My doctor and I decided that the benefits of trying a vaginal delivery didn't outweigh the risks.
Great replies ladies, I appreciate it! I will discuss it with her tomorrow....after we find out what the u/s, NST, etc shows.
I
my OB and trust her, but have a lot of friends and family buzzing in my ear about what I should do (you know, because they have all had babies before)!
lol I know.....none of them are OB's!
For me, excuse me while I cringe, but I think I would do the induction thing first if it was REALLY necessary. I don't think the size of my baby would make me get an induction though. They can't accurately tell how big your baby is.
A c-section would be easier than an induction but the only thing with that is you will most likely end up having to have c-sections for the rest of your births (if you choose to have more children) since a lot of insurance companies won't cover a VBAC.
Matthew Kevin
7/31/83-7/20/11
Met 1/8/00
Engaged 4/21/06
Married 9/29/07
Two beautiful legacies: Noah Matthew (2 yrs) and Chloe Marcella (8 mos)
Day Three
I just wanted to wish the best of luck no matter what you choose! I know it's hard when you first find out a c-section might be necessary, and that difficulty is often compounded by those that think they know better than you and your doctor about what is best for your body and your baby. I highly recommend talking to other moms that have had c-sections especially if you know some that had c-sections for the same reasons you might. I find that those that have had emergency c-sections and planned c-sections due to baby's size or other medical reasons are more capable of understanding the complexity of this decision than those that haven't.
If I thought for even a second my doctor might be pushing an unneeded c-section on me I would have gotten a new doctor in a second. If I can't trust my doctor to help me make the best decision in terms of vaginal or c-section birth than why would I trust him to make any decision concerning my baby and I. Talk it over with your doctor, and remember that you can have a wonderful birth experience whether it is vaginal or through a c-section. Don't let anyone take the joy of birthing away from you
Just to share my personal experience, I was induced due to DS measuring big. I didn't get induced until 39 w 2 d. My Dr. suggested a cs and I wasn't comfortable with that, so we went with the induction. Before I did that, I checked my Bishop's Score and seemed to be a good candidate. I was already 4 cm when it started. I had DS vaginally in 12 hours and an overall great experience. But, DS wasn't even 8 lbs. I would have had a very difficult time knowing that I agreed to a cs that wasn't necessary.
Every situation is different and not everyone would feel the way I do, but I just wanted to throw that out there. I had a lot of amniotic fluid and that might have helped throw off the measurments somehow. She measured the baby 4 times by sono all with the same result. There is a margin of error with sonos so just keep that in mind. GL with your decision and I'm glad you trust your Dr. because that will make a huge difference.
I think that I've just known too many people who had huge babies.
My sister had a scheduled c/s at 36 weeks with her 3rd because he was 10lbs. She is 5 ft 2 in and normally 100 or so lbs. There was no way that baby was going to fit through the birth canal.
We have a family friend who was just built small. Her 1st was an average sized baby, but the pressure from the baby's head actually fractured her pelvis during labor. Sure, she got her vaginal delivery, but she couldn't do anything for the baby for over a month.
If I were in your shoes I would just ask you dr what the chances are that you would be able to vaginally deliver. I'm assuming that you want to avoid a c/s, but sometimes it really is the safest option.
I had no idea, hm......something to ask!
I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I went in last Friday and still have had zero progress. And I mean zero. I've had internals for 4 weeks & nothing has changed. So basically my body is not preparing itself for labor and my baby is measuring 42 weeks.
We talked about induction but basically in my case, I would most likely labor for 10-12 hours & still end up with a c-section. So I'm having a C-section on Thurs. I wasn't too happy about it & we are going to double check if there's been any progress tomorrow. If there has been then we won't do the C-section.
I would trust your Dr. on this. They do this everyday and are well qualified - that's why you picked the one you did.
GL!
Going straight for the c-section ----> 100% chance of c-section.
Induction -----> obviously something less than 100%.
Induction certainly has a greater chance of c-section than spontaneous labor, but it is not an absolute. And I mst echo another poster - if you have a c-section, in this country you will likely have c-sections for all subsequent births unless you really fight for a VBAC.