"Frustrated that my childbirth choice was not respected"

I was advised by a doctor at Forth Valley to have an early induction due to the size of my baby. I was unsure about this option and wanted more information so I spoke to my community midwife.

They were incredibly supportive and encouraging and provided information in a way that was helpful and informative and delivered in a way that the doctor had failed to do. On arrival for the induction I asked for the Cook balloon instead of the hormonal induction. I had to wait 12 hours to be seen by a doctor to talk about this in more detail.

I was frustrated by this as I was told previously there was a need to act quickly, however I felt frustrated by waiting 12 hours in hospital when I could have been at home in a more relaxed environment. Despite multiple midwives reassuring me that the Cook balloon was a viable and sensible option, I was led to believe by doctors that this was an unusual choice and their tone made me feel like I should just get on with it as it was faster and better and more convenient for them to have the hormonal induction.

In the end I took the hormonal induction and this whole process resulted in me being in hospital for 48 hours before active labour even started. By the time my waters were broken I felt exhausted and not equipped to manage the birth how I had wanted (e.g. without pain relief).

I feel frustrated at the lack of recognition of my requests from the doctors and their dismissal of the options I had discussed already with the midwives.