Induction VS natural

[mamawanabe21]

I would like some advice, please!
I have super bad SPD that has me laid up 95% of the time because of the pain, and I'm only 29 weeks. My consultant has said that I can be induced at 36/37 weeks, but I'm starting to worry that it's not the best option?
I'm starting to think that maybe I should at least try and wait it out until 40 weeks for baby's sake, but the pain is horrendous. I literally can not do anything, and sometimes I'm even screaming in pain when I try to move

What do you lovely ladies think? Is an early induction worth it? And will the labour be worse than natural? FTM here, so really anxious.

 

[_Lexi_]

I spoke with my consultant last week about early induction at 37 weeks for other reasons. He strongly advised against it because of the increased risk of neurological damage to the baby. 36 weeks sounds very early for induction, baby isn't even considered full term at that point. x

 

[aliss]

I am so sorry you are suffering. Your body will amost certainly not be ready at 36/37 weeks (and some women aren't even ready at 40). From my own experience (induced when "not ready" at 40 weeks and a different natural labour), yes, the pain is much more with induction. Just being honest. For them to suggest at 36/37 weeks that sounds like a very severe case though and I would really take their opinion into consideration. I'm quite pro-natural birth but I'd probably get an epidural or even elect a section at that.

 

[Anthrogirl]

I understand how horrible you must be feeling to discuss early induction before baby is term or at the cusp of term, but these are very early gestational ages. The labor will likely (but not necessarily) be more difficult, but I would honestly be more concerned about the baby. Perhaps you can up your physio and just take it one day at a time? My middle daughter was born at 37 weeks after PROM and had no 'medical' issues but was really neurologically delayed and took about 6-8 weeks of sheer hell to catch up. The way my midwife puts it, even the difference between 37 and 38 weeks can be a life or sanity saver for babies and new parents.
Either way, I wish you all the best, this is such a difficult decision to make.

 

[Pink Flowers]

I haven't had a natural labour so I can't compare. But my induced labour was 2 hours 30 from waters being broken when I wasnt a cm to him being in my arms. I had no pains apart from a big one just before I needed to push. But I was 42weeks baby could have just been ready.

I have heard some hhorrible thingsabout early inductions but I have also heard some lovely stories think it depends on your body

 

[mamawanabe21]

Thank you for your input. I really am leaning more towards putting up with the pain and keeping her baking for as long as possible. I don't really like the idea of forcing her out when she's not ready. I don't know if it's just nerves making me think this though.
The consultant didn't mention any of the negative side effects you've pointed out which is a bit weird. Maybe I'll wait and see how it goes.
Thank you

 

[DLA]

Agree with the other ladies. I personally wouldn't consider an early induction unless the baby's or my health was at serious risk. With SPD, from what I've understood, it's not really risky to you so much as just painful. That's just what my OB has told me about it, they call it pelvic pain over here and just tell you to deal. Ugh. I've been having a rough time with it myself, especially on my busy days at work, it's absolutely horrid. But anyways, I would do everything in my power to avoid an induction just because I can't even imagine having my baby in the NICU and wouldn't want to risk that. Good luck.

 

[MindUtopia]

Have you tried osteopathy? I had horrible SPD at the beginning of 3rd tri. Like could barely get out of bed and could barely walk around the house somedays, even though I'd been walking 10 miles up and down hills a few weeks earlier. I saw an osteopath for 2 sessions and also started swimming 3x a week (no frog legs strokes though) and it was pretty much gone within a few weeks. I actually felt MUCH better at 37 weeks than I did at 27 weeks! Much of SPD is caused by a misalignment in the pelvis that gets made worse when all your connective tissues start to stretch to get ready for baby. So many people go to physio or use a support band, which doesn't often work, because doing exercises won't help if the underlying problem (a misalignment) isn't fixed. Seriously, I was like a new person! You'll have to pay privately for osteopathy, but it's worth it. Mine was 33 quid a visit and I only needed to go twice (actually most osteopaths only recommend about 2-3 treatments because if it's going to work, it works quickly). Some of the best money I spent during my pregnancy.

To answer your question, I'd definitely wait it out for a spontaneous labour. Besides the fact that if it's treated, you might feel fine anyway, induction is way more painful than a natural labour and way riskier for your baby. You'll need to have a continuous monitor attached to you (either around your stomach or via a pin inserted into your baby's scalp) and that almost always means they'll encourage you to labour on your back. This is the most painful position for SPD. An upright position is much easier on your pelvis when you have SPD. Mine was horrendous from about 27-32 weeks, but I rarely had any pain by the time I went into labour thanks to the osteopathy and gentle swimming and it didn't bother me at all when I was in labour. I had a natural home birth and laboured entirely in a kneeling or squatting position. I couldn't have even squatted at all a month or so before, but I did it for 4 hours continuously in labour! Seriously, look for an osteopath, specifically one who specialises in pregnancy. It's worth the money to be pain-free (and have your sanity back!).

 

[Pielette]

I second the osteopathy suggestion I see an excellent cranial osteopath because my neck and pelvis keep sliding out of alignment and she is amazing, I've only needed to see her twice so far although I think I may need another visit soon.

I echo what the others have said but I really do sympathise, it must be horrendous

 

[purplespecs]

I would try and wait it out if I were you but just to throw it out there, I was induced at 36+6 due to pre-eclampsia and my DS was born in 3h 35mins and was absolutely fine. Although I wouldn't have chosen for him to be born that early, the induction wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and we were both ok afterwards. Tough decision to make

 

[Anthrogirl]

As an aside, is an osteopath the same as a chiropractor here in North America? My MW and many of my friends swear by chiropracty in pregnancy, but I have a phobia so I stick with massage therapy and acupressure.

 

[Jingles23]

No an osteopath is different than a chiropractor. I'm going to a chiropractor next week to get my pelvis realigned because baby is breech and I also have a lot of pelvic pain. If you are really nervous about a chiropractor, maybe try an osteopath. From what I have heard, they are super super gentle.....like barely even touch you gentle. My friend's kids have fallen asleep on the table during treatments. I'm also super nervous about the chiropractor but am even more nervous about the possibility of a C-section because of a breech baby so I think it is worth it.