Need advice: c section vs induction

Knottie16288692 · October 2015

Today my doctor told me that after I reach 40 weeks that I have the choice of being induced or having a c section. My mom was induced but still couldn't deliver vaginally so they did c section. My doctor said this may be the case for me. I really don't want either and would prefer to go naturally which is why I insisted on waiting until 41 weeks before doing anything. I know what happened to my mom may not happen to me, but it sparked a question. Would it be worth it to go possibly 24 + hours of labor just to be given a c section in the end? So moms, those who have had c sections and those who have been induced, any regrets? What advice could you give me based on what happened to you?

lindsayp916 · October 2015

Your doctor is giving the option of a c section only bc of your mother's history? Or you have a medical reason other than your mother for c section?

Knottie16288692 · October 2015

Because of my small frame, the fact I'm not dilated and only 20% effaced, and partly because of my mothers medical history. Also my doctors do elective c sections for those who prefer that over vaginal births. I thought c sections were generally used during emergencies or medical conditions that could lead to an emergency. Apparently not. Either way I'm to be induced or have a c section after 41 weeks. I'm currently 39 and I know I have plenty of time to have my baby naturally, but if it doesn't go that way I need a back up plan.

nimmunogirl · October 2015

I was induced do to high blood pressure at 39 weeks. I wasn't dilated and only 50% effaced at time of the induction. My induction lasted 51 hours and I would do it all over again. Most of it was just boring and uncomfortable, but not painful. I was offered a c-section at a couple points because I was not dilating and I am glad we continued with different medical options and I was able to avoid surgery. You know what it is best for you and your little one - best of luck!

on_the_move · October 2015

something to think about also is how many children you want to have. Don't quote me on this, but I think doctors start to get nervous about doing multiple c-sections on you. And those moms who want to have a VBAC have to fight hard for them. I would go for the induction and understand that c-section is a possibility

Clorette2 · October 2015

My mom couldn't deliver my self or my brother naturally , she had to have c-sections . With that said I am smaller then her and had a perfect induction , I was not dilated or anything and it was a long boring 24 hours but u pushed him out just fine . I definitely wouldn't have major abdominal surgery unless it was 100% nessassary .

J1D · October 2015

I was induced at 38 weeks due to high blood pressure and was zero dialated/zero effaced. It took about 45 hours and I was miserable because the epidurals didn't work for me most likely because if my scoliosis. I did really want a c section after 30+ hours of labor with inadequate pain relief but they wouldn't give me one.
I will say that if the epidural had worked that I am finding recovering from a non complicated vaginal birth seems to be way easier than my friend's and family's recoveries from c sections.
The actual pushing and giving birth part for me was totally fine, it was just the 45 hours of pitocin contractions with little to no pain relief that was bad.
If an epidural will work for you in case you need some relief, I would go induction over c section.

jamielynne1533 · October 2015

I was induced twice with my first. Neither worked and I ended up with a c-section at 41 weeks. Just had my second c-section almost 3 weeks ago. That being said, I agree with the above comment of think of how many kids you want. It was mentioned to me that they don't like to do too many c-sections. I was told 3 is good. 4 is fine but I should not do more than that if I can help it. Being induced for me, was horrible. Nothing happened with me at all. I didn't get dilated past 1cm, I think I got like 20% effaced. And that was after being induced twice. (I had blood pressure issues at the very end.) I just remember a lot of back pain and not being able to get out of bed. All for nothing in my case. Everyone is different of course. Just like everyone's recovery is different. I had my c-section on a Friday and was up walking about 8 hours later and went home Sunday and was at the store that night. I felt great. My first one didn't go as well though. I had a spinal headache and had to get 2 blood patches. So I was not up so quickly.

amberrmariee20 · October 2015

I was induced at 40 weeks due to the baby's size and previous complications with my last. I was in labor from 2 pm- 8 and was 8 cms, but the baby got lodged in my pelvis. Him being stuck was the worst pain I've ever felt and I had to have an emergency c section cause his heart rate kept dropping. I don't regret trying to go naturally, I wouldn't go c section based on your mothers history, her history of babies has nothing to do with your body's capability to have babies !

VioletandRose · October 2015

I was not induced, but was scheduled to be. Then, 2 days beforehand I went into labor naturally. I was in labor for 36 hours, 4 1/2 hours pushing, before they finally made the call to do a c-section. The baby was way bigger than they thought and sunny side up. I wish one of the doctors would have made the executive decision 12 hours before that, instead of giving me the option to "wait and see" about 4 times. Once the baby was born they even said, there was no way her head would have totally fit through the birth canal. Recovery is HARD. My body is as if I delivered both ways. The cutting and delivery wasn't so bad, it was after that really hurt. Sewing up, etc. I can't say I'd electively have one, but I would come to a decision sooner than later in your decision. Being stubborn cost me.

Chirorocks15 · October 2015

One friend of mine is 4'10" and was 90 pounds soaking wet pre pregnancy. She vaginally delivered a 9 pound baby this month. You can do it! ☺️ You owe it to yourself and your baby to try a "trial of labor" without fear and pressure from your OB. If it doesn't work out, then modern medicine can get that baby out with a c-section. Good luck!

LeeCalysta · October 2015

My little girl was really high (danger of cord descending if water broke), and I have fibroids (chance that contractions may not be as productive to get baby out), so at around 39 weeks, when I wasn't dilating and baby was hanging out under my ribs, my Dr. started preparing me for the chance of needing a c-section.

We decided to wait it out instead of scheduling a c-section, and at around 41 weeks we went into labour naturally. Because baby was still high, they gave me the oxytocin (used in induction as well) to try to get her to descend. About 2 hours after my water was broken, I started getting a fever - and after a couple hours it became apparent that I haden't progressed enough - and had a high fever which was the result of a small uterine infection that started after my water broke - so a c-section was necessary for the safety of baby.

Both labour and c-sections are not easy processes. Anyone that thinks a c-section is the easy way out, is crazy. Sure, hindsite being 20-20, knowing I had a c-section anyhow, I would have skipped labour and just had the c-section. But I really appreciate trying to get baby out the natural way (they get exposed to your natural bacterial flora during delivery so they gather stronger immunity, they are less mucousy, which makes feedings easier, you can do more activities quicker following delivery, etc.).

In the end I'm satisfied with labouring and then needing a c-section, and for my whole hospital team for trying to make it happen. No regrets.

Soashwifey · October 2015

I would have another discussion with your doctor. I'm 40 weeks and 4 days and am scheduled to be induced this Sunday night. (Monday morning I will turn 41 weeks.) However, I am also not dilated at all and my cervix is considered "way back there in the posterior position." My twin sister and mother both had to have C-sections as well after not being able to give birth naturally. My sister and I are fraternal, so our genetic makeup is only 50% the same just like any sibling. She was in natural labor for 26 hours and then had to have a C-section. However, my doctor knows about this and says everyone is different. There's no way to know how your body will respond to being induced. I'm going in with the hope that I will progress and be able to deliver naturally, but I am fully aware of the possibility I may end up having a C-section. I think it's truly up to you and what you want. I would rather go through a day or so of being in labor at the chance I can have a natural delivery... but that's me and everyone is different. Good luck to you!

NatalieBrooke2007 · October 2015

I was induced and ending up getting a c section. Everyone had told me how horrible a c section would be but honestly my recovery has been great. I was walking the same day and off painkillers in less than 2 weeks. I'm actually glad I got a c section too bc I was afraid of tearing down there. My doctor did my incision really low so you can't see it with my underwear on and I'm really happy. My c section was less than 3 weeks ago and I don't feel like I've had surgery at all.

cbolton19 · October 2015

I was just induced last weekend. It was pretty boring. I went in dilated 3cm and 50% effaced. I still had to have my water broken (after 24+ hours of misoprostal and pitocin). Once they broke my water, things moved fast. So even going in with some progress it still took a while for me. The contractions after they broke my water were painful and after a few hours I opted for the epidural. That allowed me to relax (and dilate 6cm in an hour). I was able to move my legs and get up on the squat bar. The worst part for me was that my baby was sunny side up, do the OB got up in there and rotated her. I think I pushed for about an hour maybe hour and a half. After all was said and done, labor and delivery was about 35 hours for me (sounds like a lot but it was pretty boring until the last 7-8 hours). I have been lucky and my recovery has gone really well. Even though it didn't go as planned, I think the whole experience was amazing. That is just how it went for me, but With all that said, I would personally opt for induction over a c-section but preparing myself that it may still end in a c-section. Do what feels right to you though! Good luck!!

emm& · October 2015

I just had my bub and was similar, was 13 days past 40weeks so the started induction with the gels and I went into labour without needing the drip that brings on contractions.

My but was not engaging all through labour so they were nervous about breaking water however all progressed over time in labour. I ended up having forceps and a spinal as bubs wouldn't rotate at the end after pushing for 3 hours but they told me if I hadn't tried for so long or had an epidural I more than likely would of had a c section.

I was open to whatever needed to happen however I'm glad I went through labour and delivered vaginally after sharing a room post birth with two c section ladies... They were so uncomfortable and I can imagine healing while taking care of your new bub to be so much harder.

Good luck... Is a mind blowing experience either way!!

emm& · October 2015

I should add I had an apeasiotomy and a superficial tear but once the spinal worw off was up and about pretty quickly. It's amazing what your body is designed to do but I do u drstand your anxiety leading into labour... I was in labour for about 10 hours in total but the whole thing feels like it takes about 20 mins as your so tunned into the moment!

lofin · October 2015

I was induced at 38+4. I was 1 cm and 80 percent effaced. They started pitocin at 9:30, broke my water by 11:30, my daughter was born at 4:33pm. No pain meds. Induction and pitocin have a really intimidating reputation but there are situations where it's positive! Good luck!

meganraschke · October 2015

I labored for 40 hours which ended in a cesarean, had planned on going completely unmedicated and uninterviened in a hospital setting. My baby and body however had different plans. After 21 hours of unmedicated labor, my water being broken and minimal cervical progression, I switched to pitocin and an epidural. Before birth I had strong feelings wanting an unmediated birth experience to really feel like I had experienced a 'rite of passage' so to speak. In the end I wouldn't have changed a thing about my labor, even though it was exhausting. I am happy for the unmedicated hours I had of active labor and I am happy that my obgyn was able to give me a cesarean to get my boy here when I honestly had nothing left of myself to give. Whatever you choose to do, be nice to yourself for the decisions you may have to make during labor. Time and time again people told me that I'd have to submit to my plans changing, and while pregnant I just couldn't accept that advice. Thankfully, in labor I was able to accept that and be kind to myself for my wonderfully printed birth plan to go completely out the window

KLHauck12 · October 2015

I had my baby girl on Monday night. I labored for 7 hours in the hospital (several hours at home before that).... and ended up with a c section. My baby was not in the right position for delivery so she couldn't decend. I spent several hours in various positions trying to get her to move. They gave me pitocin to make my contractions stronger (I had plenty and close together but they thought maybe they weren't strong enough to move her down). I wouldnt have handled it without an epidural. They couldnt determine how her head was...then I spiked a fever and they were concerned she was getting stressed. Turns out she was faced to the right and trying to come out with her head turned sideways....she wasn't coming out that way! They had to take her to the NICU because of risk of infection due to my fever. I was never one to get stubborn over having a c section...whatever is needed. But it has been a lot tougher than I would have thought. I didn't feel when they cut me open but sewing me up was very uncomfortable. And I got really nauseous. It was very painful and um comfortable the first few days. Then when it started to get easier to move around, I suffered from trapped gas and excess stomach acids. It's made me miserabe - affecting eating, sleeping, and taking care of my baby. I've finally got medicine thats helped. But it is hard taking care of a baby when you are in a position to need to be taken care of yourself. I'm so anxious to feel like my body will cooperate with me again and not be in pain. I know everyone's experience is different but I would think carefully about going through with major abdominal surgery without really looking into whether it is necessary.

Knottie16288692 · October 2015

Thanks everyone. My husband and I have discussed it and we decided its best to wait until 41 weeks and then make an appointment to be induced. If I have to have a c section so be it. I really would like to have him naturally so I've been researching healthy ways to induce at home. I'm loading up on pineapple and adding at least thirty minutes of walking to my schedule. Who knows if it will help, but at least if it does then I didnt have to be medically induced and suffer the long labor that I have heard about. Wish me luck!

Want a personalized experience?

Need advice: c section vs induction

Re: Need advice: c section vs induction

Choose Another Board

Search Boards