Induction vs. C section

betheveh · November 2011

I am struggling with this decision as my doctor has put this in my hands essentially. At 39 weeks will it be induction or scheduled c section??

Our background in a nutshell is - recently moved to high risk and university hospital for possible specialty care as our baby may (or may not) have a chromosomal syndrome that could cause airway issues at delivery along with other complications. I also have gestational diabetes and this is my first child. I have not dilated at all to date. He is big (over 8 lbs estimated right now), his belly is measuring 4 weeks ahead which makes me concerned for shoulder dystocia.

My biggest fear is forcing my body into an induction when it isn't ready - having a difficult/long labor and having him get stuck or worse distressed and then maybe even having to do a section. To me I am leaning towards just doing the c section as it seems like a safer, controlled situation...should I feel guilty about this?

ChrisMiss31 · November 2011

I will give you my take on this as I had a very similar situation. When I was pregnant with my first I had a lot of complications. My doctor suggested we induce at 37 weeks so that I would have the energy to do a natural labour. I was not dialated at all at the time either. Well I ended up in labor for 29 hours and it all ended in an emergency c-section. When I saw my DS for the first time I think it was obvious they were off on the due date by a bit. He was 6 lbs, and covered in the dark hair all over! I mean everywhere, even on his little nose! I am guessing he was a couple weeks earlier than they had thought. He couldn't breathe on his own the first couple days so we ended up in a neonatal clinic for a week. It was hard! The second time around my doctor (different doc) was concerned my pregnancies where too close together and suggested rather strongly that I do a scheduled c-section at 38 and a half weeks. My second DS was born via c-section without complications and was a lovely 8 lbs 9 oz, with beautiful skin and no "fur" lol! My recovery seemed much faster and less painful this second time around (possibly due to the deadend nerves from the first time around). So if you know you are going to have to choose one or the other, based on my experience I would go the route of the c-section, but try to do it as late in the pregnancy as possible!! It is very hard to go through a long labour only for it to end in a c-section! It is draining physically and mentally!

iris427 · November 2011

There is no reason at all to feel guilty about going straight to the c/s if that is what you feel more comfortable with.

You can always have your Bishop score evaluated when you reach 39 weeks and then go from there.

smerka · November 2011

I had an induction (at 41weeks) with my first and a scheduled csection (breech) with my second. The recovery from the first was hellish. The second was a breeze in comparison. Every delivery is different. But it is all about getting baby out safely. No need to feel guilty either way.

disbride061103 · November 2011

iris427:
There is no reason at all to feel guilty about going straight to the c/s if that is what you feel more comfortable with.
You can always have your Bishop score evaluated when you reach 39 weeks and then go from there.

Agreed. You don't need to make a decision this second. There is nothing wrong with waiting until you NEED to decide and then see if you have made any progress.

flutepharm87 · November 2011

If I were in your situation, I would go for a c-section. It seems like the safest delivery option for you and your baby. I wasn't dilating at all when it was determined I had to deliver and I was told that it made me a poor candidate for an induction. Basically, I would have had a long, painful delivery that would likely result in a c-section anyway. Why put yourself through a long, painful labor when you'll probably need a c-section anyway based on the information you've provided?

mel101 · November 2011

flutepharm87:
If I were in your situation, I would go for a c-section. It seems like the safest delivery option for you and your baby. I wasn't dilating at all when it was determined I had to deliver and I was told that it made me a poor candidate for an induction. Basically, I would have had a long, painful delivery that would likely result in a c-section anyway. Why put yourself through a long, painful labor when you'll probably need a c-section anyway based on the information you've provided?

Completely agree! I went through 16 hours of labor ending in a csection. Never doing that again. I want to save all my energy to be alert and not miss a moment of my new baby's first hours,

samm1983 · November 2011

I had a similar situation. I went for the induction. It was exactly as I expected and a pretty good experience for the most part. I went in not dilated at all and my baby was also measuring almost 9 lbs. Pretty much exactly 24 hours later I was ready to push. Pushed for 2 hours, tried the vac and then my doctor said it wasn't going to happen and I would have to have a c-section. According to my doctor, he was just too big. My doctor had been suggesting I skip the induction and go straight to the c-section, but I went for the induction (even though I knew there was a 50/50 shot it would work) and I don't regret it. My only regret is that I should have pushed my doctor for continuing with pushing and not doing the c-section. I seriously feel like I could have pushed for many more hours if they would have let me. The reason I feel that way is because I have had a lot of complications from my c-section.

Rob & Tori · November 2011

Every birth is different and you shouldn't feel guilty in your choice. I went in at 40 weeks to be induced. I was not dialated at all. I went through the whole ripening thing twice and then the pitocin on top of that and still had not dialated at all. My blood pressure rose while I was being induced so I was not allowed to leave the hospital and I was given the choice of either trying the induction again or having a c-section. I thought it would be safer for me and the baby to just have the c-section. As the doctor pulled her out of mme she told me it would have ended in a C-dection anyway so I'm happy with the choice I made. My LO was born at 8lb12oz. The pedi said she was actually past 40 weeks when born based on her skin peeling so bad from the fluid.

Pelusa214 · November 2011

I was induced with DD#1 and had an elective c/s this time around. The c/s experience was a million times better. I wish I'd had the c/s with DD#1 like they wanted me to. But every delivery is different, so it's hard to know ahead of time. But if you want the c/s, I don't see any reason why you should feel guilty. With all the complications, I wouldn't risk the induction, and a c/s seems a lot safer - IF it was me. But it's not. Do what you feel in your heart & don't feel bad about it.

jjhp2018 · November 2011

*lurking*

I agree with the others, don't feel guilty. Factoring in the complications that may already pose a risk, for me, i'd go the c/s route.

My first came at 37 weeks and was a breeze (no epi or anything). 2nd we did an induction at 39+1 due to GD and some hypertension issues. I made it to 8cm by 8 hrs in but I had stalled and baby still had not came down at all. OB seen some fluctuations in her heartrate and thought it was safer with the c/s so they gave me a quick spinal because I had not gotten an epi and the c/s was a breeze.

Reason she didn't come down? She was 9lbs 6oz and she was letting us know she wasn't coming down - we were gonna have to make her lol. They allowed me to push to see if I could get her down before surgery and that's when they seen the fluctuations of her heartrate.

Recovery sucked but I have been told it's worse with your first and worse when you go through labor and then have to have a c/s.

Good luck!!

stardust317 · November 2011

My ob delivered me at 37 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. She gave me the option of induction, but did not think I was favorable. I was not dilated at all and I was not having contractions. My biggest concern was having a long labor and still requiring a csection. I opted for the csection. I have occasionally had thoughts about whether or not this was the right decision for my baby and I but she's here and we're both healthy. Also, my csection recovery was a breeze.

ougrad1 · November 2011

I was induced with my first. When they gave me the epi, my daughter's h/r went down into the 60s. With the potential airway problem with your LO, I would opt for the section. The doctors can quickly get him out and handle any issues appropriately and efficiently. GL-

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