What is best for the baby?

[M D]

With my first birth I was 41+2 when I was induced. Induction required three lots of gel over a period of 24hrs plus the insertion of a ballon type thingy (can't remember the correct name) to get me to start dialating. Finally, I had a drip and my waters broke and then took 10 hrs to get to full dilation. After 2 and half hours of pushing bub wasn't going any where and had to be suctioned out.

In the past two weeks I have had two people (neither knew the other had said anythign as they do not know each other) suggest that in this instance (both brought up this example without knowing my situation) that a c-section whilst major surgery for me would be better for the bub.

First was my Acupuncturist who I am seeing to try and avoid an induction. She is pregnant herself and was telling me that she has decided that she doesn't want forceps or the bub suctioned out, she would rather have a c-section.

Then my Yoga teacher was talking about birthing options and weighing these up. Again she mentioned that she believes if the bub is not moving down then there is a reason for that and forcing that to happening is not always the best option for the baby and a c-section again whilst major sugery for the Mum may be better for the baby.

Now both these people are very pro natural birth.

I was beyond tired after my first birth as after two days of little sleep and not eating for over 24hrs whilst I was in labour whilst I recovered eventually it did place a lot of stress on myself and my husband as well as bub particulaly with establlishing b/feeding.

My plan is to go into labour naturally, hence the Acupuncture, and have a beautiful natural birth. But if it plays out like my first I would like to have all my options thought out prior to the day.

So, after that essay I wrote I would love to hear your thoughts.....

[NaeNae]

I think every pregnancy is different. Might be worth checking with your Ob and Hossy what the policy is on interferring with Labour eg: how long before they would say its time them to "help"

Having had a c-sect *just my opinion here* I would rather forceps or suctioning the baby out and I think maybe your two specialist should read something like Silent Knife. If they are choosing to go under the knife just because they don't want other intervention methods without first giving their bodies the opportunity to do its thing then I would be less inclined to listen to their advice.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, plenty of women have very positive C-Sects, I personally found recovery awful and incredibly limiting and having had a vaginal birth with second degree tearing I know of the two options which way I prefer and what has had the best and quickest healing for me.

Nae x

[Inertia]

if the bub is not moving down then there is a reason for that and forcing that to happening is not always the best option for the baby and a c-section again whilst major sugery for the Mum may be better for the baby.

The reason for it may well have been that baby was not ready to come out yet.

Best for baby in that instance IMO is not forcing it out with induction.

I would say in this case, 3 lots of gel and a Foleys Cath at the standard 40+10 sounds like they still haven't learnt to accept that dates could be wrong.

If they start talking 40+10 induction again, talk to them about doing an ultrasound instead to check the health of bub and your placenta. If its all good, ask for a bit more time.

I have had 6 SVBs and none of my kids were assisted out.

[FabFiona]

I had a similar thread recently regarding episiotomy vs c/s. I had thought that I'd prefer a c/s over an episiotomy. But hearing from other members here, I now realise that I'd avoid a c/s at all costs.

[MrsBexie]

I agree here that the induction was the problem.
The baby was not ready to come yet, even with all those interventions, it didn't want to come. As Honey Aspen said, maybe say if you get to 40 + 10 again, ask for an US first before any induction talk comes up.

I said I would rather a C-sect than forceps... but I would allow the vacuum.

[RhiChiChi]

I think every pregnancy is different. Might be worth checking with your Ob and Hossy what the policy is on interferring with Labour eg: how long before they would say its time them to "help"

.....If they are choosing to go under the knife just because they don't want other intervention methods without first giving their bodies the opportunity to do its thing then I would be less inclined to listen to their advice.

Nae x

^^

Even though I had a positive c-sect experienced and healed really well, every pg & labour etc... is different. I would say from your first experience that bubs wasn't ready to be born & that is why you had a failed induction (I did too, hence the c-sect)

[M D]

Thank you for your replies.

I guess what I am asking is at what point if any do I say I would prefer a c-section or if induction is my only option should I just let it go and if it follows the same path as the first then let it run its course??

[NaeNae]

I would opt for the option of "if there is a chance that my baby will not survive then cut me open" ... other than that I'd wait and see and exhaust all other options first

[berrme]

I am with the other girls here. The problem was the induction, and neither a c/s or suction delivery was the ideal wasy for your baby to be born. It is great that you are having acupuncture... I am positive that it helped me go into labour naturally and have a relatively quick first labour and birth.
I would not opt for a c/s unless there was a serious risk for you or bub by continuing with labour. It is well documented that the passage through the birth canal is important for the baby. It results in the release of hormones that aid BFing and recovery, and in 'waking' the baby up ready for being in the world. They are not meant to come out of an incision in your abdomen, a c/s should be a life saving measure only. I don't think DS1 has any lasting damage done to him by being a c/s delivery, but I am positive that DS2 has benefited from his vaginal delivery and also from picking his own birthday. He BF more easily, he slept better and he has met developmental milestones earler.

[LimeSlice]

Induction is NEVER your only option if baby and you are healthy.

Having had both - a c/s and vac extraction, I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that a c/s is NOT easier on bubs, not easier on you and there is no way in hell I would consent to a cs over a vac extraction if I had to choose again. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. (Even after another 28 hour labour)

If they are using the ventouse, then bubs is all but (if not already) crowning. Going for a cs is cutting ff your nose to spite your face (all things being equal and healthy this is).

I would like to let you know too there is a HUGE difference between the ventouse and forceps. The thought of someone using forceps on my baby led me to think the same way as your acupuncturist. Having to have a cs regardless first time around, it doesn't stop the ned for forceps - they will more often than not need to use them to pull baby out via the cs anyway - especially if bubs is further engaged or in a difficult position to pull out. So no joy avoiding it simply by opting for a cs.

Most doctors will NOT use forceps first, the ventouse is first port of call. It is much gentler and much easier on both you and bubs, and does not require an episiotomy most of the time. You would not even be able to tell looking at my DD now (10 days PP) that she had a ventouse used on her.


Unless there is a medical reason - DO NOT be induced - That is why you had a crap time of it last time, if bubs were ready, you would have laboured yourself.
Unless there is a medical reason - DO NOT opt for a cs based on what happened last time - all births are different, your body is different, and as I said, it will not actually avoid forceps. Major abdominal surgery unless medically indicated, is NEVER the best option for you, hence by extension it is never the best option for baby.
I find it amusing that the people to usually come up with these comments are women who have never birthed, or never actually had a c section themselves. In other words, if they haven't BTDT, smile, nod and walk away - they have no clue.

Anyway, I am rambling. But seriously, There is no reason to be induced in a healthy pregnancy, prior to 42 weeks, and even then there are other options available to you.

Do you plan on having other kids? If you do, then avoid a CS like the plague it is.

Good luck!

[NaeNae]

^^ YEP THAT ^^

Limeslice Id' rep you for that but I need to wait ... very well said hun

[KitFaerie]

The best thing is whatever you feel the most comfortable with, there are arguments for both xo

[doulacara]

I would also encourage you to look into coached vs instinctive pushing. In a hospital setting, many care providers will ask you to start pushing as soon as you have reached 10cm, regardless of whether you feel the urge to push. In this scenario, both mothers and babies can quickly become tired and stressed and a ventouse is called for. If you opt to wait until you feel the urge to push, your body is doing the work for you. There is often a significant delay between reaching full dilation and feeling the urge to push, which is nature's way of giving us a break.

[Heaven]

Having had both a c/s and a VB I can say I would never ever ever choose to have a c/s unless it was a life threatening situation. The recovery for me was awful and now I can see how much it affected everything in those first few weeks with my DD1.

I hope the acupuncture works for you and you avoid induction this time. I think it definitely helped me! My first was 12 days overdue and my second was only 2 days (and I had acupuncture 2 days before).