Devastated: induction booked, section likely.

[dinkery]

My due date today. Sudden high blood pressure problems the last week or so. Cervix completely closed and super high, zero effaced. Baby not in correct position even though he's head down - he's up so high in there she said it looks like maybe he can't fit into my pelvis but there's no way to be sure.

So an induction has been scheduled for a week from now. I go in the night of Tues 4/8 to sleep with a balloon thingie in the cervix and see if that will help, medication induction to begin the morning of Wed 4/9. She warned me that there is a high likelihood that it will not work on him because he is just sooooooo high up and the fact that it appears he may not fit, but that we will try since some babies do manage a crazy corkscrew move and just bust out of there, but there is a very good possibility of it all ending in c-section.

My husband wants to know why I don't decline the induction and just ask for a section since probably it will all end that way anyhow. He wants to know why put myself through all that instead of just skipping to the end? To be honest I'm not sure how to answer him because I don't even know myself. This is like one of my worst nightmares, I've been crying since my appointment this morning. I've had a bad feeling the whole pregnancy, but I willed myself to believe I was going to have a normal vaginal birth and now I can't deal with being told I won't, and maybe there's an off chance I'll be one of the 50% induction works for and I won't need the surgery. I understand thousands of women do it every day but I've always been completely terrified of c-section: lying strapped to a table, fully conscious, while someone slices you open and pulls your guts out. It's like a horror movie. Then again will I be even more frightened if it happens as an emergency after a failed induction? I just don't know how to handle this, feels like I'm on overload. And what about the after-effects? You don't get skin-to-skin right away, and I hear it causes trouble with successful breastfeeding, which was the case with two good friends of mine. I don't know, I'm just completely freaking out here. I'm also completely terrified of epidural and urinary catheter, neither of which I will be able to avoid with an induction/section.

 

[KJM2]

So sorry you feel so upset. Just wanted to say that I ended up with an elective section with my first as he was breech. I was pretty upset as really did not want a section. In the end it was totally fine the actual procedure I mean. And I would do it again this time if it wasn't the fact I have a toddler to consider. I also succesfully breast fed for 7 months.

 

[susywoosy]

Induction might work perfectly fine for u. There's always a risk that it wont but its really down to u whether u want to try or do as dh said and just book in for elcs. A c-section was my worst nightmare too and i hope to avoid it this time but if i do need one, i know it'll b ok. The emcs i had was fine. Scary to start with but my girl was out in 7 mins and then i was so pre-occupied with her that i wasn't really concerned with what was going on behind curtain.

i got to have a wee cuddle whilst being sewn up. Midwife brought her to me and popped her down next to my cheek and then hubby held her til i was in recovery. As soon as i was able, she was on my chest and latching on. Breast feeding went fine. No real issues. Took a few days to get it established but it was fine once we got going.

i recovered really well too. Bounced back in no time and got by with very little pain relief. It really was ok so try not to worry and if it does end in section, u'll b ok. I hope to get my vbac but there is no guarantee. I may b looking at another section too in jyst over a weeks time x

 

[halullat]

My LO was delivered via emergency c-section after hours of labour after being induced. He never seemed to engage either and he has a very large head, I suspected early on that he wouldn't be able to fit through my pelvis and he couldn't. I was desperate to avoid a c-section but he's here! I do look back and feel twinges of sadness but what happened happened and that's okay. If I were to have another baby again I would try to organise an elective c-section as I to go through that again would not be something I would be keen to repeat.

I won't lie as it is of no use to not be honest, I found my labour experience traumatic. He was in distress which is why they ended up doing the c-section, they had to take several blood samples from the top of his head while I was in labour. This being said, everyone has totally different birth experiences and yours may be absolutely amazing! I have though heard other women who have had both elective and emergency c-sections say that their elective ones were calm and much more pleasant and stressful than emergency ones. I didn't get any immediate skin-to-skin. One thing that may be worth doing is writing a c-section birth plan too so if they can accommodate they know what you would like.

Wishing you all the best, and fingers crossed you have the natural birth you are after x

 

[FarmersWife5]

Kind of in the same boat! Induction is book in for me next week also! I am scared and nervous.. but honestly more excited that he will finally be here!! I go in Friday night and will "sleep" through the night with Cervidil and see how that works in the morning.. Was told the same thing about it maybe not working and hacing to do a c section.. But we will see!

Hang in there and try to focus on your precious baby arriving next week!!

 

[sun]

Hugs. Just because the baby hasn't moved down doesn't mean you'll need a section. My first wasn't engaged at all before my water broke. Once labour started, he came down and turned to get himself into a good position. It is very rare that a baby can't actually fit through the pelvis - usually failure to progress in labour is due to the baby's position rather than them being "too big".

But try and think positively about the induction! The longer you go past your due date, the more likely it is that it will work!

 

[OnjNairne]

I read your post from yesterday and you mentioned baby's position not putting pressure on your cervix. Is this the only reason you think you will have a c-section, or do they think baby is too big? If it is just positional, there are exercises to get baby in the right position. I was scheduled to be induced with my last baby and the midwife told me to spend some time on my hands and knees to help get baby in position. I went into labour on my own at 40 +1 (without being dilated, effaced, etc before that).

Here are some ideas from a quick google search:

Positions to try:

Sit the wrong way round on an upright chair and lean over the back.
Sit on an upright chair, with your feet flat on the floor, and lean forward so that your belly hangs between your knees.
Sit on a birthing ball.
If you sit a lot at work, take regular breaks to stand up and move around. If necessary, sit on a couple of cushions to keep your hips raised up above your knees.
Kneel forward over a pile of pillows, a beanbag, or a birthing ball, with your knees apart and your bottom down. You can read or watch TV in this position.
Get onto all-fours and move around.
Put a cushion under your bottom if you’re travelling by car.
Lie on your left side, with your right leg over and in front of your left leg (with a cushion or pillow between your knees).
Swim or float on your front (avoid breast-stroke leg actions if you have any pelvic pain).



Positions to avoid:

Sitting leaning back on a squashy sofa or chair.
Sitting with your legs crossed.
Squatting deeply.


Hope this helps give you hope!!

 

[HunnyBuns]

Im also booked for C-Section same day as you....Im not worried a bit tho because I had EMCS with my first....after laboring 12 hours.....only thing I felt was a few hard presses....I puked on the anesthesiologist ( I told him I was about to, he said it was just the meds, well....) but other than that it was fine...my recovery was so simple...I had the Section at 8pm the next day I was up cleaning my room when the doctor walked in! Im happy to be doing another C-Section, guess im opposite I'm really hoping to not have to feel one labor pain this time around....the surgery is much easier than the contractions!

 

[mamaduke]

I have a friend who found out with her first one that her pelvis isn't built right for vaginal deliveries and that she has to have C-sections for all of her deliveries. At first she was gutted (much like you are feeling), but she's at least thankful that she can have more children, even if it means another surgery.

No matter whether LO comes vaginally or via C, here's hoping your LO arrives safely and healthy and that you make it through safely and healthy as well!

 

[jenmcn1]

My due date today. Sudden high blood pressure problems the last week or so. Cervix completely closed and super high, zero effaced. Baby not in correct position even though he's head down - he's up so high in there she said it looks like maybe he can't fit into my pelvis but there's no way to be sure.

So an induction has been scheduled for a week from now. I go in the night of Tues 4/8 to sleep with a balloon thingie in the cervix and see if that will help, medication induction to begin the morning of Wed 4/9. She warned me that there is a high likelihood that it will not work on him because he is just sooooooo high up and the fact that it appears he may not fit, but that we will try since some babies do manage a crazy corkscrew move and just bust out of there, but there is a very good possibility of it all ending in c-section.

My husband wants to know why I don't decline the induction and just ask for a section since probably it will all end that way anyhow. He wants to know why put myself through all that instead of just skipping to the end? To be honest I'm not sure how to answer him because I don't even know myself. This is like one of my worst nightmares, I've been crying since my appointment this morning. I've had a bad feeling the whole pregnancy, but I willed myself to believe I was going to have a normal vaginal birth and now I can't deal with being told I won't, and maybe there's an off chance I'll be one of the 50% induction works for and I won't need the surgery. I understand thousands of women do it every day but I've always been completely terrified of c-section: lying strapped to a table, fully conscious, while someone slices you open and pulls your guts out. It's like a horror movie. Then again will I be even more frightened if it happens as an emergency after a failed induction? I just don't know how to handle this, feels like I'm on overload. And what about the after-effects? You don't get skin-to-skin right away, and I hear it causes trouble with successful breastfeeding, which was the case with two good friends of mine. I don't know, I'm just completely freaking out here. I'm also completely terrified of epidural and urinary catheter, neither of which I will be able to avoid with an induction/section.

This is hard. Every pregnancy is so different. I'm expecting my 3rd baby and having a 2nd csection. My other two kids were inductions. First one ended with a forcep delivery. And the 2nd she turned breech last minute so I ended up with a csection. Is this your first baby? Labour and delivery can be hard if it is, regardless, because it's your first. Your body has never done this before. That being said, I think it's crazy they are jumping to conclusions that your baby 'probably' won't fit try your pelvis. Unfortunately the medical community can be like this. However, you do what you feel is best. Bounce on an exercise ball, which gets baby moving down (start TODAY)....and when you're in the hospital try to walk around as much as you can, insist on it, as gravity will move baby down. Laying flat on your back slows the process down. And if you DO end up with a csection, that's ok. I know how terrified I was of surgery. But it wasn't too bad. And I had NO issues with breast feeding. Infact I nursed exclusively for 15months. Breast feeding CAN be difficult whether it's a vaginal delivery or csection. Everyone struggles with it. It can take a good 6-8 weeks to establish a routine as each baby is so different. Hang in there, pack healthy snacks, stay hydrated, relax, walk as much as you can before and after you have the baby(even after csection).

If it were me, I would personally attempt an induction first before jumping to a csection. But it really comes down to what YOU want.

 

[little moomin]

i would just add that there's no reason an induction means catheter or epidural. i had a catheter for 3 minutes right before pushing as baby was back to back so i couldn't drain my bladder but it was right back out again and thats unusual situation. You can easily have an induction with neither.
also just because baby isn't engaged doesn't mean they can't. I know there are cultural difference here but maybe when you feel a little calmer you will see all it not lost x

 

[Jeval323]

I just had an induction, I was not dilated, not effaced and she was way up when I went in. Took me 12 hours of labor, 20min of pushing and a wonderful experience. Don't lose hope, I was in the same boat as you thinking it would be c-sec no matter what and things went so well. Good luck!

 

[Mrs HM]

Please don be upset. It's hard because you have time to think and worry but honestly, once things get underway you'll be amazed how strong you become for your baby.

I had an emcs and I fell to pieces when they told me that baby was breech and it was the only way to get him out. I was terrified and really didn;t think I could do it - I've never been in hospital before, or had surgery or even let myself think that I'd have anything other than a normal, natural birth. About ten minutes later I was facing down the fear as I knew this was the best and safest way to get my baby out. I had a really straight-forward section and recovery and BF exclusively for 6months and stopped at 12months, so in my case bf wasn't harmed at all.

I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a cs again as I know what's involved and it's not the worst outcome at all.

Please say positive, although your doctor sounds unduly negative at this stage induction might work and you might not need a cs at all.

 

[dinkery]

Thank you so much to all who have been replying here. I'm really on the edge of my seat over this, and praying that induction will go well.

The doctors seem to think he doesn't have room in my pelvis - I went back to them today and will go again on Tuesday before I am admitted into hospital that night - but it doesn't seem their opinion on that is changing. Even though the last thing I want is surgery, I asked if it might be better to skip induction since the outlook seems so negative, and just go right for the section - why put my body through that with my heart condition if it isn't going to work - but was told no and that I don't have the right to request a section, that it's up to the doctors in the hospital based on their examinations of me and how the induction progresses. I was kind of shocked and a little taken aback by that response (I don't have the right?) but at this point I don't feel there's much I can do. Feeling pretty helpless...

But hearing everyone else's stories and experiences has been helping some. Even when I hear bad things, it still helps me feel more prepared. I'm the type that needs all the info I can get, makes me feel a little less panicky somehow, just being more aware.