Skip Induction and Right to C-Section?

Momma2B1212 · December 2012

I am a FTM and totally freaking out...I am overdue now (40 weeks and 5 days) and my doctor said she wanted to schedule an induction for Thursday. I had a fetal stress test the other night (Baby is fine!) and a sonogram that puts the baby at over 9 lbs..

I am not at all dilated and haven't had a contraction of any kind in over a week...At this point I'm thinking that if the baby doesn't come on its own in the next few days I think I might just opt for a C-Section instead of going through the whole induction process since I feel I most likely will need one in the end anyway...

Any people with experience in this situation before? Thanks!!

ckkgb2001 · December 2012

I am not sure why you would opt for a c-section. It is a major surgery. Ultrasounds for baby's size can be off by a pound or more. My friend was told days before delivery that her baby was 9.10. She was born at 8.7. It is just an estimate. I have delivered 8.5, 8.7 and 9.4 and they were all fine. I would definitely stick with an induction and see what happens! Good luck!

maiatene · December 2012

I'm kinda in the same boat as you 40weeks but baby is showing no signs of wanting to come out anytime soon... I'm considered having a cs during week 41 but I'm not 100 there bc it is major surgery that can have long lasting effects. I'm also not too keen on being induced bc if my body isn't ready no amount of picotin is going to make me ready. The thought of being in labor for up to three days is utterly ridiculous to me and imo more harmful/stressfull to the baby. I plan to talk about it my ob at my appointment later this week but in the meantime I have appointments for acupuncture and reflexology scheduled so hopefully one or the other will help move things naturally.

This isn't something to take lightly so please think about all of the options available and def speak w your doctor abt your concerns. Whatever you choose is the right decision for you and your family.

Good Luck :

pamiva1 · December 2012

I just had an induction and think you should try that first. I was also not dialated or showing any progress prior to the induction, and I think it went well. I did not need pitocin - only the cervial gel. Granted, this is my third so there's a chance things went faster because of that but you can always turn to a c-section if you don't like how the induction is progressing and if it works it will be easier on your body.

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · December 2012

I would not go straight for a c-section and would go for the induction if that is what your OB recommended. U/S's can be way off about the size, and your body may handle a big baby just fine.

If you are moving along on the induction, and things aren't progressing, then you can always opt for a c-section at that point. Just because you aren't dilated at all doesn't mean you won't dilate quickly and efficiently. Anything can change at any moment.

I would hate to see you put yourself through major surgery only to give birth to a small baby, and never having known whether the induction would have been just fine.

dee12807 · December 2012

It's a hard choice to make, I know. I can only tell you this: I delivered my daughter on Wednesday at 40w 4d. I went in for a full induction as I did with DS. I am 5' 3" and was 125lbs prepregnancy. We had no clue that baby was going to be so big, but she came out 9lbs 1oz and 20" long DS was 7lb 8oz and 21". She was sunny side up, head was slightly tipped and had to be vacuumed out because I could not get her past my pelvic bone. Then her shoulders got stuck and they were worried about her collar bone being broken or having damage to her one arm. Luckily, she's fine. Did I mention my epidural wore off at 7 cm dialated and the refill didn't work? I guess my point is that yes, it may be scary to be induced and deliver a potentially big baby, but having avoided a csection was such a releif! Even knowing what I went through, if I were to have a 3rd child I would still opt for trying the induction before scheduling surgery. Good luck with your decision!

Triathletegirl · December 2012

I had a similar experience with my first child. I was induced, and after 18 hours of labor ended up with a c-section because I only dialated to a 4. I went to the hospital without having any sort of signs of labor and I was right around 41 weeks. I think if I had been a little more patient and gone into labor on my own, I may have been able to avoid a c-section. If the baby is ok and you have no medical complications, I would try to avoid a CS. It is major surgery and the healing wasn't easy for me. Will your doctor let you go a few more days before being induced?

Also, due dates can be off, and while it can be unpleasant, going 42 weeks isn't unheard of, but would be worth it to avoid a CS.

I'll probably end up with a CS again due to having gestational diabetes and not wanting her to get too big. I'm hoping I go into early labor on my own and get to experience a vaginal birth so I can skip the recovery from surgery.

SummerOH · December 2012

Ditto PP responses. Those ultrasounds can be way off. In fact, I've seen more be off than accurate. They could say you're having a 9 pounder and you'll only have a 7 pounder. Even if the baby IS 9 pounds, that doesn't mean you won't have a successful delivery. A csection is major surgery. Personally, I would try my hardest to have a vaginal delivery.

Triathletegirl · December 2012

maiatene:
I'm kinda in the same boat as you 40weeks but baby is showing no signs of wanting to come out anytime soon... I'm considered having a cs during week 41 but I'm not 100 there bc it is major surgery that can have long lasting effects. I'm also not too keen on being induced bc if my body isn't ready no amount of picotin is going to make me ready. The thought of being in labor for up to three days is utterly ridiculous to me and imo more harmful/stressfull to the baby. I plan to talk about it my ob at my appointment later this week but in the meantime I have appointments for acupuncture and reflexology scheduled so hopefully one or the other will help move things naturally. This isn't something to take lightly so please think about all of the options available and def speak w your doctor abt your concerns. Whatever you choose is the right decision for you and your family. Good Luck :

Good idea!!

AmyRI · December 2012

Mrs.DeliaMarieP:

I would not go straight for a c-section and would go for the induction if that is what your OB recommended. U/S's can be way off about the size, and your body may handle a big baby just fine.

If you are moving along on the induction, and things aren't progressing, then you can always opt for a c-section at that point. Just because you aren't dilated at all doesn't mean you won't dilate quickly and efficiently. Anything can change at any moment.

I would hate to see you put yourself through major surgery only to give birth to a small baby, and never having known whether the induction would have been just fine.

This. C-sections are not something that should be taken lightly, and lots of inductions succeed. Also consider that it will be even harder for you to have a vaginal birth if you have a 2nd child if you opt for the c-section now. I really see no harm in attempting the induction.

Ladylec · December 2012

I am in the exact same position as you. Large baby, over due, no dilation or effacement, no contractions and have been having weekly NSTs. I have been given the option of scheduling a c section or to try and be induced, which I am in the process of trying to schedule for Thursday night. I have chosen to have an induction and if complications arise from trying to deliver a "large baby" then of course at that time we will discuss a c section.

As PPs have said, ultrasounds can be off by 1-2 pounds in either direction and I do not want to have a c section just because they think he might be too big to deliver.

AimeeL85 · December 2012

I would never opt for a c-section if you have a chance for a successful induction first. As others said, those estimates can be way off. How will you feel in hindsight if you opt for a c/s and have a baby that's maybe not even 8 lbs? Just something to think about. I would try to push a 9 or even 10 lb. baby out before going for c/s but that's just what I'm more comfortable with.

Want a personalized experience?

Skip Induction and Right to C-Section?

Re: Skip Induction and Right to C-Section?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards