scheduling a c-section

I didn't have a c-section, so I don't know everything about them. A friend of mine is a week overdue for her first baby and I believe instead of an induction, they are just scheduling a c-section. What is the rational for this? Just curious what the reasons could be?

Re: scheduling a c-section

This is exactly what happened to me. I was overdue and not dilated and the baby hadn't dropped. I talked to my OB and we discussed induction and c-section. He believed that because I was not dilated nor had the baby dropped that if I was induced it would most likely result in a c-section anyway. So we decided that I was just going to have a c-section. I thought it was the best decision for me and I do not regret it at all.

Re: scheduling a c-section

Oh that makes sense. My friend is not dilated either....guess that is why.

Re: scheduling a c-section

Like the pp said if you are not dialated your chances of ending up with a C from an induction are higher. However, 2 friends of mine were induced with no dialation and ended-up delivering vaginally, so a C is not always necessary.

If she and baby are doing fine and she's not dialated, why not wait a little while longer? She might start to dialate and go into labor on her own or increase her chances of a successful induction.

Re: scheduling a c-section

I had a similar situation to the PP with the added risk of a nearly 10lb baby. My OB felt that because I wasn't dialiating on my own that even if they did induce me I would wind up with a c-section and then have to recover from both the labor and/or pushing and surgery. But in the end my dr left the decision up to me. I chose a c-section and think it was the best choice. My ds was not over due, he was born on is EDD.

And honestly I know women I used to work with that chose a c-section...just because. Right or wrong it was her choice and her OB was okay with it.

ETA: every DR is different but some drs wont let you go more than 1 week past your due date, and some women just dont want to wait any longer...so that might be why they don't wait alittle longer.

Message edited 9/27/2008 11:23:40 AM.

Re: scheduling a c-section

I was 40weeks,3days overdue and was only 1cm dilated and my cervix was hard. The cervadil overnight softened my cevix and the next day after they broke my water I dilated from 2-10 and had my DD within a few hours and 5 pushes later. I can't see going for the csection unless it's medically necessary.

Re: scheduling a c-section

I had no dilation at all 4 days past my due date, and was induced. I ended up with a c/s, but I dont understand them NOT trying induction first, unless the baby is abnormally large or something.

I might get bashed for this, but I truly believe an induction should be tried first. But the doctors hate waiting around, so they think its easier to schedule a section and get it over with.

I was on Pitocin for only 7 hours before my dr. asked me to do a section. At the time, it sounde like the best thing in the world, but really, I could have went a lot longer. And she actually said she was tired of waiting, and was sure i was too (which I was - but lookng back, I wish I didnt agree to it)

Re: scheduling a c-section

Re: scheduling a c-section

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by Michelle1123



I might get bashed for this, but I truly believe an induction should be tried first. But the doctors hate waiting around, so they think its easier to schedule a section and get it over with.

And I may get bashed for saying the opposite, but I don't think most doctors want to do major abdominal surgery "just because".

Anyway, I wasn't late, but I had preeclampsia and my doctor wanted to try induction first and it worked.

To the OP, do you have all the facts? If she isn't dilated at all, maybe she could ask to try induction first unless she has a medical condition that warrants skipping the induction

Re: scheduling a c-section

Posted by Michelle1123

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by Michelle1123



I might get bashed for this, but I truly believe an induction should be tried first. But the doctors hate waiting around, so they think its easier to schedule a section and get it over with.

And I may get bashed for saying the opposite, but I don't think most doctors want to do major abdominal surgery "just because".

Anyway, I wasn't late, but I had preeclampsia and my doctor wanted to try induction first and it worked.

To the OP, do you have all the facts? If she isn't dilated at all, maybe she could ask to try induction first unless she has a medical condition that warrants skipping the induction

I'm sorry...I mean to put "some" doctors.

Re: scheduling a c-section

Don't know all the specifics of the story, but I don't think her baby is overly large. I think maybe the parents are just tired of waiting for their little one. I don't agree with this necessarily, just wanted to know if it was common to do this.