41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

I have to decide between c-section and induction. My doc said given my situation...that I have not dilated at all beyone 1cm over the past month, he does not see spontaneous labor happening. I also have not experienced any contractions.(my mother had me with a csection because she had not dilated or had a contraction) We are making plans for either c-section or induction. Honostly I just want what is best for my baby. I could care less about my pain I don't want my child in any distress at all. He also said that in similar situations like mine 50% of inductions result in c-sections because of complications such as still not dilating enough or distress to the baby. As of now I have a c-section planned for Tuesday but my NP and midwife said that I can always switch to induction. Anyone was/is/knew someone in a similar situation? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you

ETA- is 7lbs8oz and I have not dropped

Message edited 5/15/2009 12:50:48 PM.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

If it were me and i was in that situation i would at least want to try the induction before consenting to having a surgery done but it's about what's best for you and the baby. But that's just my opinion if i were in that situation.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

if this were my situation and the doctor was concerned about 'distress' to the baby with a vaginal birth (as it seems yours are) - i would forgo the induction and do the c.

my SIL was induced at 41.5 weeks - she went through 12 hours of pushing to wind up with a c-section....afterwards they told her that NO amount of pushing would've gotten her beautiful little girl down her canal....so she should sincerely consider a scheduled C for their next.

there is no right or wrong choice - you have to follow your gut and your heart!

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

My cousin just went through the exact same thing. She was dilated 1 cm her water broke so they put her in the hospital. They ended up giving her Pitocin but she only got to 3 cm. After lots of pain and almost 24 hours of labor she had a c section. I say just go for the c section.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

I was induced because I was 1/2 cm for a whole month and finally when my date was approcaching I hit 1 cm. The doctor planned to induce me two days after my DD because my little girl was taking a long time to gain weight.

I was given cervdil to help soften my cervix and then the next day given Potoin to help bring on contractions. I am not going to lie, Potoin does make the contractions strong because. For me it did and I got and epi and I was in heaven.

GL HTH

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

I would definitly talk to the dr about the chances of an induction working. They should know how big the baby is and if they believe that the baby will decend and come out. Sometimes a c-section is unavoidable. I would see if they can tell you any of this first before you make your decision.
I was induced at 39 weeks with my DD and was not dilated or contracting and would up having her vaginally with very few complications. I would see what the odds are that the induction would work and exactly how big they expect your LO to be.
Good Luck with whatever decision you make

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

Personally, I would never NOT try.

Good luck though- you must be very excited and anxious at the same time!!!!

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

I was in a similar situation and went into it saying

let's go for the induction but if the labor stalls or if the baby is in distress, we would go right for the c-section

I did wind up with a c but at least I tried with the induction

I had a WONDERFUL experience and baby #2 will be a scheduled c-section

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

I was in the exact same situation with my first son. At 41 week 3 days I was finally induced and I then labored for 38 hours. I never dilated and the baby never dropped. I ended up in emergency c b/c of distress to the baby. I feel bad b/c I know exactly what you are going through. I personally would ask your doctor what he/she thinks is best. Perhaps you could be induced but ask for a c if after a certain amount of time nothing happens. Best wishes to you!

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

I was in a similar situation. I was 41 weeks pregnant at 1 cm. My docs were pushing for induction/c-section but I wanted to wait. So we decided that I would go in for an induction at 41W3D. Turns out I didn't need it - I went into labor naturally at 41W1D and had my baby the next day. A lot can happen in 3 days!

If it were me I would schedule the induction before heading right for a c-sec.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

here is the short verson of my story:

40w5days - doc appt Jan2/08 9:00am 1cm she said i will not be having her anytime soon schedule NST for the 6th

11:00am went to Pizza Hut for lunch

12:30 - water broke at FILs

12:45 - at hospital

1:30ish hooked up to pitocin

6:00 - finally started feeling good contractions was about 3-4cm

8:00 - 5cm got epidural

9:45-10 - 10cm

10:21 pm - DD was born on the day the doctor said there was no chance.

So i guess what im saying is you never know even the doctors dont know! I would give induction a try myself!

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

I was a scheduled c/s at 40 weeks due to DS's size and my lack of progression. I CHOSE to have a c/s and dont regret it and thought hte recovery was pretty easy overall ( I had never had surgery but I can't imagine having an easier recovery with a v-birth)

However the main factor in my decision to have a c/s was that I had not dilated at all! I was still closed tight as my OB said. And like you DS didnt drop and I never had contractions (BH stopped around 30ish weeks)

WIth all that said IF I had been 1 cm dilated I would have opted for an induction.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

i would definitely try the induction first! my water broke at 40 weeks and i was only 1 cm dilated. after getting pictocin and an epidural, i was able to delivery vaginally.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

My OB has been in practice for 40+ years. I'm not saying how many b/c he delivered me.

When I developed preeclampsia he said we had to deliver and scheduled a c-section. I asked him about induction. He said absolutely not. His reasoning was based on dialation and effacement. He said based on where I was an induction would not be successful and would result in a c-section after many hours of pain and struggle. Trust me when I say, a c-section is the last thing on earth he wanted to do. I trusted his judgment on the c-section, and I'm glad I did.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

Message edited 5/15/2009 10:08:10 PM.

Re: 41w dilated only 1cm and need to decide.

My water broke and I was admitted (also was strep b positive).
They induced me with Cervadil and Pitocin...Only got to 2cms (30 hours later).
Ended up in a c section.