the ventouse will usually ensure that the baby is born. S/he may have a somewhat bruised and slightly misshapen head but that
should resolve very quickly over the first day or two. Forceps are
more likely to be used if the baby is still a little high in the
birth canal and will usually be used in theatre, just in case
there is a need to proceed to a caesarean section. An
episiotomy is usually done too. Again the baby may be
bruised and so will the woman. Recovery is generally
uncomplicated but many women may feel somewhat
traumatized by this process and will benefit from
good support and a debrief.
So it is easy to see how a simple decision to accept
IOL can lead to a very different experience to the
one you envisaged. The association for
Improvement in Maternity Services and the NCT
will provide you with good quality information
on IOL to help you make an informed choice.
EMERGENCY C SECTION
Sometimes what starts as a planned vaginal birth ends as a caesarean section. Equally
some births are planned as a caesarean
section from the start. The emergency C
section rate in the UK is 15%, while some 13%
are planned C sections, giving a total of 28%
of all births. The reasons for this are varied.
The woman may have a medical or obstetric
condition that suggests a c section is
preferable. It may be an issue with the baby.
Perhaps a previous birth incident or
experience indicates that a c section is a good
choice. Many of these issues will be individual
to the woman and her baby.
Sometimes the labour creates too much stress for
the baby, especially if there are a lot of interventions
and then a c section is proposed. Equally, if an IOL is
started but is not successful in initiating labour, a c
section may be the only solution. This will be an
unplanned or emergency C section.
Ultimately, whether a woman chooses a caesarean
section, or whether circumstances choose it for her, it is a
valid choice that should be respected. She has still given birth.