Should I Just Schedule a C Section?

[diamond lil]

I have no hope of going into labor on my own. I will be induced on Sunday, at 42 weeks.

It just seems like such a collosal waste. Why bother going through the farce of pitocin, epidural, and stalled fake labor just to wind up with a c-section? Why not just cut to the chase and schedule a c-section and save myself the grief?

I've already tried nipple stim, castor oil, and I might make an acupuncture appointment if I can get in today, but other than that, I have no hope. I don't have any contractions and I am not even dilated a millimeter. I'm srtarting not to care anymore.

By the end of this week, I will have wasted 2 weeks of my 6 weeks of maternity leave for nothing (other than feeling miserable). I feel like 12 weeks of Bradley classes were a complete waste because I will not have a natural childbirth.

[sunshinestarr]

Not in your DDC but I couldn't read and not give you a . I'm sorry you have to make such a decision. Maybe baby just isn't finished cooking? .

[alicia9178]

Mama...to be honest...I would try for the induction. The reality is it could work!! I was really against induction with this baby, but when my waterbroke and I had to go into the hospital because I was alittle to early to deliver at home, I knew I was on the clock...especially being a VBAC...and I had an induction and it worked. Adding a recovery from a C-section will make your remaining maternity leave even more stressful!!! Give it a try mama and BELIEVE you can birth your baby vaginally!!!!!
Alicia

[ccasanova]

*hugs* to you mama in this stressfull time. Are you sure that the docs gave you the right due date? They could have been way too early. All babies have to be born at one time or another. There is no way that you'll stay pregnant forever. With that said, sometimes something will be off and labor might not start on it's own, but how is baby doing? When you go in for checks, is the heart beat fine? Are the levels of amniotic fluid good? Have they done an ultrasound to see if the placenta is still functioning well? If everything looks good, I would wait to go into labor on my own. But, if baby is starting to look stressed, then maybe something is off, and in this case it would be best for labor to be augmented. Does your family history have a history or long pregnancies? All things to look at. Search your heart and see what feels best to you. I have been through 1 c-section that was truly medically necessary, but I would never willingly go through it again. Despite also having been medically induced once, and also not liking it, I would rather do that than go straight for the cutting table. Then I would at least know that I tried to avoid major surgery, that is very painful to recover from. Sending strong birthing vibes your way!

[bettie cracker]

oh mama. I know you must be frustrated. You will decide to do what you and your baby need. Just try the best you can to stay positive.

[heatherRN]

Try acupuncture! I had acupressure yesterday w/massage and she said she has had 2 previous clients start labor 12-24 hours later. I had reflexology/acupressure yesterday at noon and awoke with bloody show and nice contractions!

[kris4chloe]

You could still go into labor on your own, I went to 41w6d with my last one. I have had two inductions and they were fine, I actually did them both without epidurals just some pain meds. Inductions can work and they do not always lead to c-sections. I would not voluntarily go in for a c-section the recovery is so much longer and it is surgery.

[robertandenith]

I too think you should BELIEVE you could give birth vaginally. I did this with my other 2 kids (they were both inductions) and I was totally against (and still am) c-section unless you have a big health issue. I was induced with my first girl and I was in labor for 3 DAYS! I refused to do a c-section and was firm and BELIEVED that I was able to give birth vaginally. I did another selective induction with my second and labor was shorter - 12 hours. I never ended in c-section (although my mw was surprised how I never did) but I was positive and knew I could do it. I wouldn't do another induction in the world but I would prefer doing that as opposed to a c-section.

Hang in there momma

[caedmyn]

Could you try a foley catheter first for the induction? I don't know if you have to be a tiny bit dialated first for them to insert it, but they just put it in and inflate it and it falls out on its own when you're around 4 cm. That seems like it would be a lot more likely to work with an unfavorable cervix than straight pitocin. Cervidil (to ripen the cervix) might be another thing to look at as a first step of induction.

Anyhow, you still have nearly a week to go. Dilation (or lack thereof) isn't a good indicator of when you'll go into labor. Plenty of women are dilated for several centimeters for weeks before going into labor, and it's entirely possible to go into labor the next day after not being dilated at all the previous day. Hang in there and wait and see what happens in the next few days.

[bettymamma]

I am so sorry you are feeling like this and have to make this choice. It is a very hard one! You are going to get lots of advice...but, you need to do what you are comfortable with and what you feel is right. YOU will be the one to deal with either choice...AND....either way you will have a wonderful, splendid, AND HEALTHY little baby in your arms.

Whenever I am feeling like this I talk to my midwife..very supportive and can give advice in a non-judgemental fashion.... not sure if you feel the same way about your provider...but if you do...I call and chat with him/her.

Sometimes they can try stripping membranes or cervadil before more drastic measures...talk to them...they may be able to shed some light!

It will all work out for you, whatever decision you make!!

[ChristSavesAll]

When i was induced with ds I asked them to break my water first, I had contractions pretty quick after that. They forced meto take pitocin which stopped my contractions, when they stopped the pit my contractions started back up again. He was born 5 hours after my water was broken...
Maybe ask to have your water broken and decline the pit, see how that works for you.

Any reason why you wont just wait it out? Medical reason?
DD was just born lat Sunday 8-17-08 and I would've been 42 weeks that Mon. I did nothing to induce labor just went for walks to help it along. After my water broke she was born in less than an hour all natural. It really is better to wait till baby is ready.

[Theia]

Originally Posted by robertandenith

I too think you should BELIEVE you could give birth vaginally. I did this with my other 2 kids (they were both inductions) and I was totally against (and still am) c-section unless you have a big health issue. I was induced with my first girl and I was in labor for 3 DAYS! I refused to do a c-section and was firm and BELIEVED that I was able to give birth vaginally. I did another selective induction with my second and labor was shorter - 12 hours. I never ended in c-section (although my mw was surprised how I never did) but I was positive and knew I could do it. I wouldn't do another induction in the world but I would prefer doing that as opposed to a c-section.

Hang in there momma

:

Not in your DDC, but wanted to respond. You can do this. Also, as stated by others, sections add to the healing process, I'd avoid it. I had my homebirth transferred to a hospital. I kept telling the docs "NO" every time they had an intervention. I knew my baby was safe and that anything they might try could jeapordize that. Your LO knows when it wants to come. I'd put it off as long as possible unless there is a medical reason to intervene. Keep doing the other natural encouraging things and hopefully you can get accupunture too! Best wishes!

[Qalliope]

Three things to consider

First, you do not have to take the induction. You can refuse. I know you feel like you are on the clock anyway because of maternity leave, but I would worry about that later. You may be able to negotiate with your boss for extra time, or find a way to make it happen financially, if that is what is bothering you.

Second, induction does not always = csec. With my first, I had an induction at 42w and 4 days. I stalled several times during my 68 hour labor, but I kept turning down the section (and AROM, because that would have put a time limit on me) and had him vaginally. I did end up with an epidural a few hours before I had him but I was unprepared and didn't realize that I was close to the end.

Third, with this baby, I went from closed up like Fort Knox to in full blown labor in a couple of hours, to birth 6 hours after that. It can happen FAST! If you decide to wait it out though, don't let anybody check your dilation until you go into labor, not even you. It's tremendously discouraging and stressful, and doesn't mean a thing anyway.

[alegna]

Not in your group but had to send you

Feel free to pm me- my ds was 43 weeks 5 days.

-Angela

[trimestersdoula]

Not in your DDC, but I just wanted to say that a "term" baby is from 37 or 38 (depending on who you ask) to 42 weeks. Technically a baby isn't even overdue until 42 weeks 1 day. Try not to worry mama, this baby will come.

[CathyG80]

I just wanted to echo Qalliope... When I went for my 40w 4 day visit with DS, I was closed up tight... the next night, my water broke and contractions started! Don't give up hope!!

[diamond lil]

My doctor cannot allow me to go past 42 weeks.

I have just lost all my faith and hope in having a natural childbirth. I am very discouraged and depressed right now, but I thank all of you for your kind words. I hope things will change, but I don't know.

As suggested by another poster, I called and made an appointment to see an acupuncture specialist for tomorrow afternoon. I might try castor oil again. I don't think I took enough last time.

I want to try to do everything I can to avoid the induction.

[saimeiyu]

Originally Posted by diamond lil

My doctor cannot allow me to go past 42 weeks.

I have just lost all my faith and hope in having a natural childbirth. I am very discouraged and depressed right now, but I thank all of you for your kind words. I hope things will change, but I don't know.

As suggested by another poster, I called and made an appointment to see an acupuncture specialist for tomorrow afternoon. I might try castor oil again. I don't think I took enough last time.

I want to try to do everything I can to avoid the induction.

Definitely in the acupuncture. I've read a couple of studies say that even if labor doesn't start on its own with acupuncture, it lessens the time of an induced labor. Here's a couple:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11802511
http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/co...962/frame.html

So there's plenty of hope.
Your doctor can't "allow" you to? Why? He thinks he'll lose his license? The hospital will bar him from practicing there? Your uterus will explode?

Do you have any complications?

[Ayame87]

I was induced, and I was so scared of a c-section but everything turned out perfect!! I hope everything goes well.

[diamond lil]

Originally Posted by saimeiyu

Definitely in the acupuncture. I've read a couple of studies say that even if labor doesn't start on its own with acupuncture, it lessens the time of an induced labor. Here's a couple:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11802511
http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/co...962/frame.html

So there's plenty of hope.
Your doctor can't "allow" you to? Why? He thinks he'll lose his license? The hospital will bar him from practicing there? Your uterus will explode?

Do you have any complications?

Thank you for these links.

My doctor is a family practitioner. She will lose her delivery privilages at the hospital if she lets me go past 42 weeks. Those are the rules. She told me that she would love to let me go longer, but she has to follow the hospitals rules. I want to keep her for the delivery instead of getting passed onto to an OB.