Elective C-section/failed induction

Hi, I’ve had two lots of the pessary this week in hospital which hasn’t been successful. I’m waiting for a doctor to come and see me about next steps - I’m beginning to think a c-section may be mentioned. Now I’m starting to think that having had two lots of hormone pessary and it doing nothing, will I have problems dilating further into labour with a drip etc and end up in an emergency section😣 Any advice, what would you do in this position?
Thanks ❤️

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I ended up in this exact same position shy of two weeks ago. After 4 nights on the transition ward getting only a few hours sleep a night, I opted for an elective section. They couldn't fit me in that day so let me go home to see my doggos and to sleep. We went back the following day and had our section and it was such a positive calm experience. I'm now 10 days past surgery, got out for a walk on day 8 and am up walking, doing house work, mainly back to normal other than a little slower/unable to lift heavy things. Everyone will obviously have their own experience but I wouldn't change mine for the world :)

With my first born I had the pessary induction and had 3 pessarys all of which did nothing and I was told I needed to go for a section as baby would be under a lot of stress having been in hospital having contractions all week on the pessary. The c section itself went beautifully, they made it such a beautiful calm experience for me! And the recovery was so much better than I was expecting, I had minimal pain and was up on my feet the next day doing everything as normal! I had my second daughter 12 days ago and this time around I had the balloon induction and this was successful! And I had a vaginal birth with her! So maybe ask about the balloon of your heart is set on a vaginal birth, if not a c section really isn’t as bad as I thought it would be I absolutely loved mine just as much as I loved my vaginal birth xxx

Thank you both so much! It’s so helpful hearing other people’s stories, even better when they end in a positive way 🫶🏼 my cervix is still shut at the moment so a balloon isn’t an option unfortunately🥺

Aww I hope it all goes well for you what ever the outcome! But don’t stress over a section it was honestly a lovely experience for me. My partner still got to cut the cord, and I still did skin to skin straight away. Having a more planned section is way better than it ending in an emergency too! Xx

I also had 2 failed pessaries as baby wasn't coping with contractions and her heart rate kept dipping. Balloon wasn't an option for me either because they didn't have any at any of the hospitals around so my only option was a C-section which I had already prepared myself for.
Same as the ladies above it was such a calm, positive experience! My husband got to cut the cord, I did skin to skin once the paeds team had done their checks (not standard procedure but baby girl was only on the third centile so they were there as a precaution). Whilst I was having the spinal block my heart rate was 50 I was so calm! The anaesthetist I had was amazing and told me what and when it was being done (he did ask if I wanted to know first)
The recovery has been fine for me, just make sure you don't overdo anything, and try and get some peppermint tea for the gas pains.
But you'll be absolutely fine honestly!! Xx

I was in this position 4 days ago. 3 days on pesssary gels and I only got to 3 cm. I had my waters broken and after 2 hours of labouring alone and 8 hours on the oxytocin drip I hadn’t progressed anymore than 2cm. I went for a c section and I’m so glad I did as the reason my baby wasn’t dropping into my pelvis was because his cord was wrapped around his neck twice (not that this will happen to you this was just my experience) so to me taking the section was the best thing I did xx

I had a failed induction (first with the balloon then the drip) and had to go for an emergency section. The section was a lovely experience, the healing itself is taking a long time and it's not easy, but the procedure was a lot better than the induction. I was in agony with the induction and felt like it was not going anywhere apart from distressing me and baby.

I had this exact same thing 2 weeks ago and I WISH I just had a C-section to start with. The induction for me was awful and the C-section was a dream. I was totally terrified about it but I couldn’t recommend it more. If you have any specific questions you’re worried about, happy to answer x

Haven't been in this situation but I did have an elective C-section with this baby and I will say it was an extremely positive experience and recovery has been far easier than expected. I would ask all the questions and get all the facts so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your stories. These kind of decisions are such huge and daunting ones but it makes it a lot easier ❤️

I had one pessary, 2 lots of prostin gel then a 24hour break which is when my contractions began. Induced on a Saturday and contractions began on the Monday x

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Induction experience

I just wanted to share my experience with being induced as I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it may help others.

I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

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It’s my birthday tomorrow.

Ok so I am going to be 35 years young. I can’t believe how much this life has thrown at me but it’s okay I’m a survivor. I am truly blessed to be alive. 🥳🧁🎂 The only downside is I won’t be celebrating my birthday because my man can’t take me out. So many emotions right now.