I was booked in for an induction on a Tuesday, given I was post-dates and coming up on the 42 week mark. Looking back, I should have asked for an induction closer to 40 weeks, but it wasn't on offer either.
I had cervadil tape, which is extremely uncomfortable and fairly painful to insert, and I had two insertions of it, because it didn't "work". I was experiencing contractions every 5-10 minutes or so but baby didn't drop and my cervix remained closed.
After not sleeping Tuesday night, I was given endone to numb the contraction pain so I could get some sleep on Wednesday night. Despite my explaining opioids make me vomit, I was denied anti-emetics. When I then was vomiting, the midwives assured me it was labour starting. I disagreed through gritted teeth and I was now sleep deprived and throwing up. My cervix was still at maybe 2cm and I was exhausted so I requested a c section. This was Thursday morning. I was asked if I was sure and whether I would like to try a balloon induction or other methods. The obstetrician had recommended the balloon, I was told. I'm very proud of standing my ground at this point and insisted on a c section.
I was scheduled to go into theatres on Thursday afternoon but got bumped for a more urgent case. The joys of a small hospital.
I was sent home to try to relax on Thursday night and told to only have a very small snack if it was before 5am, since I hadn't eaten Thursday to prep for surgery.
I had a half a cereal bar before 5am on Friday morning, after not being able to stomach any dinner. So basically well over 24 hours since a decent meal. I felt rubbish.
Upon returning to the hospital, the anaesthetist refused to let me go into theatre, due to the couple mouthfuls of breakfast I'd eaten. So I was delayed again.
I finally got propped for theatre at closer to 4pm, by which time a different anaesthetist was on and he was appalled at my low blood sugars from not eating for almost 48 hours by that point. I got to have some sugary drink and into theatre I went.
The surgery itself was easy, quick and painless. The anaesthetist talked my partner and I through it all and baby was out and on my chest very quickly. Turns out he still hadn't dropped and clearly had no intention of coming out vaginally at all.
I was wheeled into recovery and started getting a bit shaky, which is not uncommon with an epidural.
When I got back to my room, I could finally relax a little. I was given endone and again denied anti-emetics so I was vomiting, holding my incision and crying. All while trying to learn how to latch a baby.
Over the coming days, I was "milked" by the midwives, which felt so embarrassing and degrading that I will never go through that again. Consent was barely sought before squeezing my sore, full breasts and often consent was not sought at all. I refused endone after the first night and was chastised for that decision by the midwives.
I couldn't wait to go home and thankfully had no complications from the surgery.
If I were to do it again, I would book in an elective c section without a second thought.