Should I push for an induction or not?? 36 week consultant appointment tomorrow

[Imo93]

Have my 36 week consultant appointment tomorrow to discuss my birth options, I was born with gastroschisis (intestines born on the outside) and have a 7 inch abdominal scar and lots of stomach pain and discomfort as well as daily vomitting up meals due to the lack of space for baby and my organs in my abdominal cavity, my consultant has never met anyone with my condition and isn't exactly an expert on what could happen if I needed an emergency c section ( organs not in the usual place) so im anxious about all the possibilities and putting my abdomen through some stretching to get to 40 weeks. If offered induction should I take it?

[kt_11]

Hope your appointment goes ok. I have no experience of your condition I’m afraid other than seeing it in newborn babies so can’t advise but really your consultant needs to be seeking advice of other professionals (general surgeons maybe?) who can help to inform his decisions. Somebody somewhere must’ve experienced this before even if it’s not common.

Induction or not, there’s always a chance you could need an emergency section so they need to be prepared for any issues that could arise with that so they can give you the best possible care. If you’re that anxious you might make a decision between you and the consultant that induction might be helpful. Having said that, I started getting induced at 38+4 (IVF pregnancy) and baby still didn’t come til his due date so it’s not necessarily a definite solution. xx

[claire16c]

I would want your consultant to have already spoken to your consultant or a leading consultant in that area, before you have your meeting. And not leaving it totally up to you to be worrying with no prior discussion between them. So you can know what has happened to other women in your circumstances. If c/section is best or worst etc x

[Annakarissa]

I agree with the posts that have already been made - I would recommend solving the worry by urging your consultant to do the research and be more informed.

My induction process took me 5 days - it was a daily process of gels and hospital visits. Also the induction caused painful, intense contractions (that you don’t feel after getting the epidural ) but puts increased pressure on baby - a true eviction notice which can sometimes (not all the time) end up in an emergency c-section.

Hopefully you can get your consultant more informed - bring up your concerns, they are absolutely valid.