What are my chances that my OB/GYN will schedule a c-section or an induction?

Question

I am 1 week away from my due date and I want to have my Dr. schedule a C-Section or an induction sometime between this coming up Thursday (my next Dr.'s appointment) and the 26th (my due date). I am very scared to deliever my son vaginally because I ripped so bad with my daughter who was only 6.6 pounds and my son (as of a week ago) was 8.3 pounds. Is there a way I can just ask my Dr. to do a C-Section or an induction? Do they do things like that?

Answer 1

You can always ask...it will never hurt to just ask your doctor if he will set an induction date. I'm not sure about your doctor but I do know that some doctors are not as quick to do a c-section because of all the risks associated. Some doctors are quick to do a c-section because the pro's out weigh the con's such as in your case, you have scar tissue from your first birth and there could be some complications during delivery vaginally but I'm not a doctor! 25 hours after my induction my doctor decided to do a c-section because the baby had not even "dropped" Good luck and remember there's no harm in asking!

Answer 2

You can just ask, sure.

But....just because the ultrasound says your son is 8.3 pounds doesn't mean that's necessarily true. They predicted I would have a 10 pound baby and my daugther was 7 pounds. Ultrasound after the 3rd trimester is WAY off in terms of weight.

That doesn't seem like a reason to me to schedule an unecessary major surgical proceedure.

If you'd like to be induced, you risk the chances of tearing again -- Pitocin contracts your uterus in a way it normally wouldn't contract, which can make for more pain, and more intervention.

Why not wait until you go into labor and try to deliver without pitocin or a c-section? Have your husband or boyfriend massage your perineum with something like astro glide or KY starting now -- it'll help it stretch better because it's more moisturized. When you're pushing, ask the doctor to put counter pressure on your perineum...it'll keep it from tearing so badly. Finally, don't get an episiotomy. Those cause tears that can be MUCH worse than natural tears.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Weight estimates by u/s are just guesses. Don't let a weight estimate scare you. They are frequently wrong by as much as a pound. Asking for an induction might be a bad idea. If your body and your baby aren't ready, it could make for a rough birth. Waiting for the baby to come on his own should make labor easier.

Sounds like you had a bad experience with your daughter. Many things could have contributed to that........

- Was her birth very fast? (Side-lying is a good pushing position if baby is coming fast.)
- Were you induced? (There are hormones that are released prior to labor starting that help to loosen up your pelvis and make more room for the baby to pass.)
- Did you have an epidural? (Limits movement, limits pushing positions, can't feel natural urges to push.)
- Were you able to listen to your own body's cues about when to push or did they direct your pushing? (Don't let them count "1...2...3..4..." but instead follow your own natural instincts.)
- Did the caregiver support your perineum?
- How experienced was your caregiver?
- Did you do perineal massage during pregnancy?
- How was your nutrition during pregnancy?
- What position did you push in? (On your back with your feet up in stirrups is the WORST position and makes you more likely to tear. Squatting is a great position as it widens your pelvic outlet.)
- Did your caregiver use warm compresses on your bottom to help you stretch?
- Did you only tear or did you have an episiotomy that extended into a tear? (Allowing a cut weakens the perineum and makes you more likely to have a bad tear.)

Have you talked to your current caregiver about ways to prevent tearing? Have you considered waterbirth? (I had a second degree tear with my first "land birth" but #2 and #3 were born in the water with NO perineal damage at all.)

Answer 4

Yes you can ask ur Dr. to schedule a C-Section, you might have to pay the extra costs associated with a C-Section. The reason ur Dr. may not have suggest a C-Section in the first place is because a C-Section is major abdominal surgery, u are on more meds for pain, and with stitches on ur abdomine it makes it harder to bond with ur baby during breastfeeding or just holding ur baby.

Answer 5

I ripped with my first child and didn't with the other three. I doubt that you will rip again. In general Doctors won't schedule or perform unnecessary c-sections but they may induce you if you are past due.

Answer 6

An induced delivery is still vaginal, it just that labor is forced. You'd have to talk to your OB/GYN about the risks involved with a C-section. Its major surgery.

Answer 7

you can ask....i have had two pregnancies and have never had natural childbirth.....the first was emergency c-sec and the second was twins....since multiple births are considered to be abnormal and my first was c-sec, they gave me a choice...also if your obgyn feels that your baby has developed enough and you are absolutely miserable (i'm talking cant go on miserable) he may order an amnio to check the baby's lungs and if all clear he may induce....if you want a c-sec ask and see if he'll do it due to your prior experience

Answer 8

Yes. I had a scheduled c-section 3 weeks ago because my cervix was closed and my baby didn't "drop". i had him august 28th. He was 8lbs and 8oz. 21 inches long. I think he "dropped" but was so long that I could not tell whether he dropped or not. Congrats on your little one.

Answer 9

some doctors will, if you dont deliver by your due date, usually they will schedule one or the other, talk to your doctor about your concerns, and GOOD LUCK! I know some would rather do a c-cection and some will only do it as a last resort (i had a 4th degree laceration myself but my son was 8lbs14oz naturally OWWWW)

Answer 10

yes i would ask him to , and if he was the same DR. you have the first time then maybe he will remember how bad you ripped and do a c-section