Unless there is a medical indication, a Caesarean operation is not usually recommended. Caesarean births have their own health risks, (including infection and haemorrhage) for the woman. Avoiding a Caesarean also optimises the chances of the normal progress for any future pregnancies and births, if the woman chooses to have another child. Some women find it hard to understand why they should have to endure a labour and give birth. However, many women whose babies have died will often comment on how important it was to feel involved in their labour, and the birth of their child. Usually feeling positive about experiencing the labour, and feeling reassured that they could trust in their body to give birth to their baby.
Induction of labour
In most cases, when a baby dies in pregnancy, the labour will need to be induced. This is where the labour is started by artificial means. Induction can give you some control over the timing of when you are ready to deal with the labour and birth. Sometimes women will go into spontaneous labour by themselves, shortly after finding out their baby has died. This is fine, but may happen before you are emotionally ready to deal with it.
The woman's body is usually more responsive to any induction methods used, after their baby has died. Once the labour is established, (whether it is medically induced or starts of its own accord), the progress of dilation and pushing is often very quick. It is as if the woman's body knows something is not right, and needs to birth to her baby quickly. The labour can be as little as a few hours, once the contractions are strong.
The induction methods you may be offered can include: