I'm 40 +5, had a sweep on Fri & nothing has happened.

I'm seeing the consultant tomorrow to discuss the next step, I'm trying to work out the pro's & cons of induction & c section.

I was born with a congenital heart defect so I have to stay in hospital 3-5 days after birth anyway so I'm prepared for that.

My usual consultant wanted me to have a SVD (as I did with my 1st child 11 yrs ago) as its better for my body to do it naturally & induction is harder on the body & makes me more prone to infections from the examinations etc but seeing as there's no sign of that happening (as yet!)

Last week I went to see the consultant & she was away - not sure if she's on holiday or what so I saw a different one (male) & he was discussing induction & he said it was ok for me to be induced etc.

I'm just thinking of being induced & being in labour for days then need an emergency c section, so should I push for a c section anyway?? The (male) consultant seems reluctant for me to have a c section.

Apparantly they only do planned c sections on Thurs, so I need to get one sorted tomorrow. Any advice anyone?

Obviously it's up to you and everyone's situation is a bit different, but this is my third baby and I am having a planned c-section.
My first baby was induced and it took 3 days(!), long and tiring, ended up with an epidural, episiotomy and forceps.
My second baby was also induced and also took 3 days and after all that it ended up with an emergency c-section anyway.
So this time I was given the choice - VBAC or planned section and as the chances are I will go over my due date again, I opted for the section option, which will take place in my 39th week.
I don't know if they would induce me again after a section, but I wouldn't like to go through induction again for it to result in another section.
Having said that, everyone is different and they could induce you and it take only a few hours. My circumstances are different to yours and I'm sure you will be fine being induced, many people on here are induced on here! I know it's a bummer waiting and waiting for baby to come!
As long as you think you can cope from a heart-health point of view for either a section or labouring for a few days (it does get tiring!), then go with the induction. I would love not to be cut open or have stiches etc and have a natural delivery, but I can't see that happening. I realise you will be in hospital for a while anyway, but stiches and c-section pains are not nice! TBH I'd give induction a shot and hope for the best and then take lots of rest whatever the outcome, don't be in a rush to leave the hospital.
I think I'm going on a bit now! I hope I've helped a bit anyway! x

Thanks for replying, how long were you in hospital after your c section?

In 2006 I had to have an ovary removed - due to ovarian cysts & was in hospital 5 days then (& I assume the pain & scar are very similar) just wondering if c section would be about the same time scale for staying in hospital

I ended up having my section at 3am on a saturday morning and stayed in the labour/delivery suite room until about 10am.
I was then transferred to the post natal ward and I was there for 3 nights in total (sat/sun/mon night) and left on tuesday morning after seeing and being checked by the doctor.

I had an investigative surgery in 2000 and stayed in hospital about the same amount of time then too, it probably is about the same timeframe. They do get you up and walking after the first night even if it kills! It does help and gets easier though!
Different hospital this time but I asked when I went on a tour of the ward and was told about 4 days after a c-section.
I suppose if you are staying in that length of time anyway for observations then choose whatever you feel comfier with. x

Thanks for the insight hun, I think I'm going to go down the c section route, I can't stand being in labour for days, I get very tired anyway & being in labour for days & being knackered isn't my idea of fun.
No doubt the consultant will try & talk me out of it tomorrow!

I'm a week over and was planning on a vbac but I'm gonna end up with a section if I go 2 wk over. I was induced with ds and needed emergency section, if you feel that it's necessary then really voice that to the consultant. I wish id been a bit more vocal cos my chances of the vbac I hoped for r going down every day! X

Good luck, whatever you decide to do!
They may try and talk you out of it because there is every chance it won't take that long to get you into established labour. Even if they do it is completely your choice and if you are firm and have enough good reasons then they will agree it.
If you do get talked into a more natural birth/induction, then I advise an epidural for a few reasons:
With an induction, contractions can get more painful quicker and can be harder to tolerate.
If you are induced and it is taking a while, an epidural gives you more of a chance to rest and avoid being as tired with the painful contractions.
Lastly, as long as you have an epidural in place, if you do need an assisted delivery or a c-section, you can at least be awake and get to see your LO straight away.
Hope you go into labour naturally in the next few hours! x

Thanks for the advice & I don't think there's any chance of labour starting naturally in the next week let alone hours! lol x

UPDATE

I've got my C section booked for Thurs, I really had to push to get it though

Wow! Well done you! At least you have got what you wanted! So exciting now for you! Just think, thursday and you'll be holding ur LO in ur arms!

I know you have to be in for a while anyway too, at least now u can plan everthing and everyone lol!

Good luck, can't wait to hear ur news! x