"Unplanned C-Section after induction - entire experience"

After advice from the Dr, we decided to go ahead with a scheduled induction of labour due to my babies predicted size and my own weight. This process was outlined clearly to us, I felt informed and very clear that I could change my mind at any moment.

The induction went ahead late on the day it was planned. I felt like I was able to make informed decisions throughout the beginning of this process. My only issue with the cervical ripening portion of the induction was around the point where we were using cervadil to continue ripening after the balloon had fallen out. I felt that I was very clear on why the tape was in (I was at 3cm from the ballon but I was still very posterior) however, when a midwife did a check of this they noticed it wasn’t sitting in the right spot, they announced that I was 3cm anyway and removed the tape without discussion. This midwife also then went on to let the team know I was ready for my waters to be broken. I didn’t see that midwife again after that. I do find myself wondering if this one moment changed the trajectory of my labour. I really wish I had the option for the tape to be repositioned/to maybe try gel and to get a little more time before breaking my waters. The way it happened I felt like all of the choice I had previously had disappeared and I didn’t feel able to speak up as I previously felt okay to do.

The remainder of my birth was unexpected but, well managed in my opinion. Once my waters were broken, they started the synthetic Oxytocin (I do wish I was given the option to see if labour might have started naturally after my waters were broken - but I should have spoken up). I ended up being quite sensitive to the synthetic Oxytocin and over some time my contractions went from being manageable with my chosen tools to quite constant and unmanageable. I ended up opting for an epidural and then an elective c section as I had not progressed further than 3-4cm during this time and I was told my baby had shown signs of distress. My only concern about how this whole process went is that once the epidural was placed, no one removed the clip that lets the machine top up the epidural so, after the initial dose, I didn’t receive another so, by the time I got to the c-section space I was feeling contractions again. Luckily, there are great processes to check this before the c-section and the staff in this area were incredible.

Overall regarding my labour - I felt generally well supported and informed and we had a positive outcome.

After my c-section my time on the ward was fantastic. The midwives were incredible and I felt myself and my baby were very well supported especially while navigating a very unsettled new baby.

Very specifically on my first day I believe it was an afternoon/morning shift we received fantastic support and education from an amazing midwife who even came in quickly to say hello the next shift she was on which was so lovely. Also, the second night I had a really hard time balancing my own care and baby being really unsettled due to mucus and I was so very well supported through this by a different midwife. I felt like the midwife went above and beyond and it made the world of difference.

After discharge the incredible midwife care continued and I feel this had a massive impact on how my first few weeks as a mother ended up. I knew I would be very anxious but, I felt very supported through this and was very well informed about the various resources to use for support for myself and my baby.

Overall I had a positive experience and feel that the resources available to me and the midwives were invaluable. If I could make a suggestion for improvement overall it would be the eduction for an unplanned c-section. The information around c-sections and recovery available overall is fantastic however, there are some things I read in the resources regarding movement straight after and in the first few days at home that I wish had been told to me more explicitly. I found myself quite anxious when I got home and read through the resources with a bit of a clearer head as I felt I didn’t take care of myself as well I could have while in hospital and worried I might have restricted my long term recovery.

Thank you to the team that looked after us.