Induction

[ema-lou24]

Am I within my rights to refuse induction?
I have been induced with both my children, 2nd being very traumatic and taking nearly a week, causing a lot of emotional upset.
1st induction was due to being 11days late and showing no signs of labour. 2nd was due to having GD, SPD and was at 38+ weeks but she wasnt born till 4days before her due date so I personally felt induction was pointless. I was given the horrid gel which done very little as it wasnt safe for my waters to be broken due to risk of cord prolapse, it was finally safe to break waters 5days after 1st day of induction. I was very emotional in these 5days to the point I asked for a c sec as I didnt know how much more mentally I could take plus I was suffering badly with SPD along with arthritis in my lower spine and a bulging disc constantly pushing on my sciatic nerve(which I still have), so having numerous interals I honestly felt as though I had been gang raped.
I have SPD again in this pregnancy im only 19weeks, its painful but I know its nothing to what it will be.
I spoke to consultant when I was around 11 weeks and I stated I was thinking of going down elective section route due to my back problems but of course he tried to talk me out of that (thats a totally different story...bare with me).
I also stated to him then that I was dreading the thought of another induction to which he said he wouldnt induce me if all ok with pregnancy like no return of GD.

So guess what im trying to ask is if it comes to it and i get GD again or something else that requires induction, am I within my rights to refuse? obviously if they want baby out due to babys health im not going to not do it, but I will only let them get baby out if they do c sec, not induction if that makes any sense? Would they honour this?
If they look back my notes they will see the state I was in mentally and emotionally during induction. Yes every pregnancy different, every labour is different, I know this, my sons induction was a breeze thats why I didnt hesitate when they suggested 2nd induction but they cannot promise me the problems that happened 2nd time wont happen again. They say more babies u have the quicker you labour, consultant tried fob me off with that one that its my 3rd and wont take long...he cant guarantee this so dont say it. My body in previous pregnancies just hasnt seemed to be able to go into labour itself.

I hope im making sense. I know im totally rambling. Basically if they decide induction can I refuse it and ask for section instead.
Thanks ladies. Just want to know where I stand for next appt xx

 

[SuffolkMum]

Hi hun, you are absolutely within your rights to refuse ANY procedure that is recommended to you. Even if there is an increased risk to yourself or baby, the decision always belongs to you. The medical professionals will try to pressure you, but you just need to put your foot down and stand firm. They cannot force you to do anything.

It really annoys me when they make matter-of-fact statements about what will happen without actually consulting you. Unfortunately this makes most people feel they don't have any element of choice. I remember with my first pregnancy, the midwife talking about what happens after 40wks and casually stating that at 42wks an induction would be booked. No discussion, just assumption that's what would happen.

I very nearly had an induction myself due to suspected leakage of waters and it didn't even occur to me I could refuse it then. Luckily the morning of the induction, I went into labour naturally. This time, if induction is suggested, I will do my own thorough research as to how necessary it is and make the decision for myself.

 

[BunnyN]

You can refuse any medical treatment or procedure. It is your body.

An internal without your consent IS rape.

In the UK You also have the right to request a CS.
Not every doctor agrees about when, why and how to induce so make sure YOU do your own reseach and agree about the best course of action for you and your baby. I refused induction and know other women who have.

 

[ema-lou24]

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Im kind of stuck in limbo at moment as I dont know if I have GD again or not and wont know till around 28weeks or so. I know if I have GD again that they prefer baby to be born at 38/38weeks if all ok and before hand if there's any other complications.
I had a few complications during pregnancy with my daughter. I had suspected preclampsia at 29weeks but thankfuly came to nothing. Was diagnosed with GD at 28weeks and was on metformin and diet controlled although my sugar levels wherent the best,I was close to going onto insulin but cos I was due to be induced I managed to avoid insulin. I also had numerous growth scans as my 1st child my son was 9lb 7oz and that was without having GD so cos I had GD with my DD and that causes big babies I had to have a fair amount of scans but it seemed to go opposite direction with my DD as her growth was a concern as she was always on the lower scale until around 36ish weeks when she caught up, she was 7lb11oz but very petite, she actually looked about 5lb and was in tiny baby clothes. Nearer the end of pregnancy I was also informed my amniotic fluid was diminishing,I wasnt leaking so they couldnt decide where it was going so each week I had to go in with my bags incase the levels got too low and had to be induced that day. Then they had concerns my placenta wasnt working as it should,so having all that and severe SPD I was induced. The consultants where ok, but put the fear into me stating GD babies are higher risk of stillbirth l, so needed to be born early. I wasnt disputing this and went with the induction but the fact they told me all this but didnt get baby out just worked me up even more!!yes they couldnt break waters due to risk of cord prolapse but they kept telling me before induction that I needed her out before due date to elimate these risks yet I sat in a complete state due to fake contractions cos of the gel, sore due to numerous internals plus SPD, I was an emotional wreck that just wanted my baby born safely and she was but at the time it felt as though they didnt actually care, like they had told me all these horror stories, then watched me spiral into a complete melt down of worry. I know they do care as I do have my DD here safe but thats how I felt at the time. I only had her 4days before her due date,I felt it was rather pointless to have her early to actually not have her that early anyways.
They also where good at telling me the reason I had GD was due to my weight. I told them what I ate on a daily basis and they didnt believe me. I didnt eat absolute rubbish,I might be a big girl bit I still am careful and watch what I eat esp during pregnancy. So after making me feel like worlds worst mum for having GD and puting my daughters health at risk, I actually lost weight and then her growth was a concern so then that was also my fault for NOT eating enough...honestly could not win!
Im also on a mountain of strong painkillers due to my back issues, I have arthritis in lower spine along with a bulging disc that continually presses on my sciatic nerve along with a slipped disc, so to add SPD into this, im rather sore and if they suggest induction I think it would tip me over the edge!

I guess I will find out soon enough once I get tested again for GD, if its positive then to start the ball rolling for refusal of inducton. Am I right in thinking if I refuse induction the only other option I have will be c sec? Im hoping I dont get GD again and have a plain sailing pregnancy that goes into labour itself for once. Anyone know the chances of getting GD again cos had in previous pregnancy?

 

[fao]

Oh hun, sorry to hear about your previous experiences.

A csection is not the only alternative to induction, and why don't you think you will go into labour by yourself? Sounds like you have never given your body a chance to do this before, not that it failed to do so.

I am being routed towards induction due to bmi and age. But I have refused and consultant will instead monitor me every other day after 40 weeks to see if baby fine. If fine, he stays put! This was an alteration from the consultants plan to induce me at 38 weeks for no reason than hospital policy due to risk factors.

Trust your body and be more assertive with your doctor!

Don't feel forced into induction or csection as the only options. I too have really bad SJD, and have had lots of positive stories from other forum users about labour and birth with this condition. Using tens is a good idea for pain relief.

As Suffolk says, you have choices, it is your body and your baby. Discuss with doctors and understand risks but the decisions are yours. I also read all the NICE guidelines to arm myself with information. Worked a treat with my consultant as she could not argue!

 

[BunnyN]

I agree the NICE guidelines are excellent.

If it comes to it I would do more research about GD and induction. My SIL chose not to be induced despite having GD in all three of her pregnancies. She worked in the medical profession and her mother is a MW so she knew quite a bit about it. You may find that you still agree with the doctors but make sure it is your choice whatever you decide. After all no one cares more about your health and your LO than you do so don't let them decide alone what is best for you. Thankfully I didn't have GD but where I live (not UK) induction at 41 weeks is standard. I did not agree that it was the best choice but there was a lot of pressure and doctors act like you are putting your LO in danger. There was also talk about inducing early because she was a large baby (all the babies in our family are large so that was no surprise to me). I chose not to have an induction and had a lovely birth experience at 41+3.

If it comes to asking for a CS this is what the NHS policy is:

If a woman requests a caesarean section because she's anxious about childbirth, she should be referred to a healthcare professional with expertise in providing mental health support. She should be offered a planned caesarean if, after discussion and support, she still feels a vaginal birth is not an acceptable option.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/caesarean-section/Pages/Introduction.aspx

 

[ema-lou24]

Having had 2 inductions previously my consultant reckons for some reason my body doesnt know how to go into labour itself, im not sure what truth there is in that and theres nothing more id love to experience than my waters breaking themselves or contractions starting themselves, ive always had waters broken for me then contractions starting after that although they didnt with my son and I had to be put on drip and with my daughter it took 2hrs after broken waters for contractions to start and I had to beg to be given the chance without the drip and thankfully I didnt need it with her labour.

Once I find out if I have GD again or not I will do my research regarding induction. I really dont want to go down that line. If all goes well and pregnancy is plain sailing then I will be left alone unless im overdue to which I will refuse induction unless they do an internal and can see its safe to break waters without gel etc,thats only way I will let them induce me. If cervix isnt favourable or risk or cord prolapse and they still want baby out then its a c sec job as im not going through days of that crap gel to be made to feel 2 inches tall and a failure x

 

[fao]

Ema-lou, another piece of useful info is the date scandal. 40 weeks is an average based on a 28 day cycle and a discredited study from the 1950s. So overdue for one woman is not overdue for another. Something to bear in mind when the doctors try and induce purely based on dates. In France I read that they treat term as 41 weeks. If you're cycle is more than 28 days or is variable, and your ovulation date is later, then your estimated due date could be well off. This makes the 12 day over rule a bit of a nonsense. Just thought that might also help you.

 

[Ella1979]

Am I right in thinking if I refuse induction the only other option I have will be c sec? Im hoping I dont get GD again and have a plain sailing pregnancy that goes into labour itself for once. Anyone know the chances of getting GD again cos had in previous pregnancy?

I believe it's reasonably high, but don't know the exact figure. I had GD in my second pregnancy after a pre-eclamptic first pregnancy (resulted in c-section). Before the diagnosis of GD, I was offered the choice between VBAC or c-section and was veering towards the VBAC. After being diagnosed with GD I was told if I hadn't gone into natural labour by 39 weeks, I'd be induced. This was changed to 38 weeks when I had to be put on metformin. I didn't want induction as I'd had a failed one with my first pregnancy. I was basically told induction or c-section. I went for the c-section as in my mind it was less scary than induction. In the end it was brought forward to 37 weeks as I had polyhydramnios. However, on the morning of the c-section I was contracting regularly and they were fairly painful - the midwife looked at the monitor and said "good job your section is this morning". I guess I could have really put my foot down and said I'll try for the VBAC, but it wasn't really presented as a choice.

Good luck with whatever you decide. But definitely push your consultant/midwives for proper answers about every question you have and don't let them fob you off xx

 

[Sarah13]

You can def refuse, I know if I ever get to that point I won't be accepting any form of intervention unless baby is at risk of course. I've read a few articles that might help I can link them for you x

 

[Sarah13]

http://theunnecesarean.com/blog/200...g-fact-from-fiction.html#sthash.VUGn1oBC.dpbs
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/tree_fruit.asp
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23594668

 

[BunnyN]

Having had 2 inductions previously my consultant reckons for some reason my body doesnt know how to go into labour itself, im not sure what truth there is in that

Honestly that sounds like total rubbish to me. If it turns out they want the baby to be born early for health reasons and you agree with them that is totally different but I think sometimes consultants get so used to dealing with problems in pregnancy and birth they forget what is normal. Anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks is completely normal. For a first baby apparently 40+5 is average to go into labour naturally. After 42 weeks the risks to your baby begin to increase slightly which is why they like to induce before then but some women choose to wait and still go into labour naturally. Sometimes they have your dates wrong or it just takes some babies a bit longer to be ready. Lots of women have an induction with their first and go into labour naturally the second time around. With your 2nd you hadn't even reached your due date so what makes him think you would not have gone into labour given the chance?? If you had gone to 43 weeks with both pregnancies and then had to be induced I would understand his reasoning but I don't see what he is basing it on in your case. If anything I think your history proves that early induction doesn't work very well for you, not that you can't go into labour naturally.

 

[ema-lou24]

BunnyH youve hit the nail with that! Its exactly how I think about the whole thing, I honestly just felt like a number when I was in my appt with consultant infact I felt like he just wanted rid of me despite me trying to explain to him my fears of another induction, asked questions about labour and if I would be able to get epidural due to my bk problems etc and it was just as if he couldnt be bothered to explain or even put my mind at ease. All he said was if I refuse induction then thats fine but didnt give me any other option around it other than if u dont need induced for any reason then I will be left to go myself until 41 weeks and then baby would need to be brought out but if I have any medical issues like GD again id need induced but didnt give me any options etc when I said im refusing induction. If my baby needs to be born asap then of course im bot going to refuse induction and risk my babys health but it would need to be c sec. When I stated my fears for natural labout cos of my back and dont think im going to cope with the pain I have 24/7 along with full blown labour and all I got was its your 3rd time your body knows what to do so it wont take long...that wasnt my point! He doesnt know if I would even be allowed an epidural due to my back issues so has referred me to anethesist so they can assess my back and make sure its safe to have one if needed but consultant didnt answer my question when I asked what would happen if its not safe for epidural?
Im all over the place with complete worry and fear and not sure if im coming or going half the time. Im due my GD test at 28weeks so depending on result of that will depend if insee consultant then or at 32weeks like states in my notes ove to see him again and get a scan.

Thank you ladies for all your help and information. Its greatly appreciated and also to just write it all down. My OH is great but he always hits with why worry over something you have no control over...he has a point to a certain extent but still, im a pregnant woman I need to know where I stand and another thing is I have 2 kids at home, one will be 11 by time this one born and the other a few months away from 3, so I cannot be in hospital for a week induction like I was with my DD...I know u cant plan these things and dont know birth date unless booked in with a section, but my OH lost a week of his paternity due to my induction, I dont have anyone to watch DD if im in hosp for days being induced etc...im now just being picky I think haha!

Thanks ladies. I will keep you updated with how things go and any more info on where I stand etc would be amazing. Thank you xx

 

[BunnyN]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I was not very happy with my care or birth options during pregnancy and it totally stressed me out. I know things can change and no plan is 100% but I really needed to feel there was some kind of plan in place that worked for me. I didn't mind adapting if it was needed on the day but I felt like it was all being left to total chance as to how it turned out on the day and I was expected to have total trust in my doctors, which they had not given me any reason for. Eventually I had a heart to heart with my OH about it and we ended up going with an independent MW and a home birth which I was so much happier with. It is not worth getting overly stressed over every posiblility because some things are out of your control but there is some stuff that you can have control over so it's good to give it thought. If I had just waited to see how it went on the day I am sure I would have ended up with a very different birth experience .

Keep us posted. Hugs.