My consultant has offered me induction or C-section at 39 weeks due to the fact I’m assisted fertility and of an anxious disposition.
keen to understand from anyone that’s been in a similar position and been induced with an oxytocin drip how it was? I’m reading lots of scary stories about how painful it is and it can put pressure on baby?
Has anyone had a good/ok experience with it?
Xx
This is a really good question. I've also been offered early induction but I'm really unsure whether to go for vaginal birth or c section anyway.
I’m leaning towards induction rather than C-section at the moment but unsure about the process for induction and if I’m signing myself up for unnecessary pain! X
I’m sorry I have no positive stories to tell, everyone I know who had an induction said it was unbearably painful (because it builds up so quickly your body doesn’t get time to get used to it) and they all ended up in c-sections any way. 50% of inductions on average end in c-section.
It’s an outdated myth that ivf pregnancies need to be induced or c-section before due date. However as someone who also has an anxious disposition and took so long to get to this place I’m leaning towards elective c-section as there is so much more control within that. One of my friends who had a very traumatic induction ending in c section wishes she’d gone straight to elective c.
That being said there will be plenty of positive induction stories too I just have no experience of them.
Wishing you so much luck xx
I was offered this and booked in for it on the Friday at 39weeks they offered to perform a sweep at my appointment on the Tuesday to see if they could help start things naturally. That did help and my waters broke on the Friday morning a few hours before I was due to go in to have the balloon catheter for induction. They kept me in the induction ward anyways and then through the night on the Friday into Saturday my contractions and dilation were enough to go to the Labour ward. I got to about 6cm dilated by the next morning but they wanted to speed things up with the induction drip as my waters had been broken for 24 hours so at that point (having only had paracetamol so far) I said okay bit could I have an epidural first (I was tired by this point and had heard the rumours about the induction drip being sore) so they did epidural then drip at around 8am. Baby was born at 3.12pm naturally and I was calm and pain free and he was fine. They almost needed forceps as he was a bit stuck in my pelvis (the cause of all my pelvic girdle pain I had been having apparently!) but I managed one last push to avoid that whilst they prepped for the forceps. If I am lucky enough to get pregnant again I would opt for induction. With sweeps before hand but would defo have an epidural (which I was dead set against my whole pregnancy unless all other pain meds had been tried but I skipped straight to it after 24 hours 🤣🤷🏻♀️). I felt safer getting him out sooner rather than later and wanted to avoid c-section recovery time etc if possible was my thought process xx
Thanks for the definitely gives me something to think about! Xx
you don’t need to be induced due to assisted fertility - only if there are risk factors in pregnancy. Induction doesn’t start with the drip but with a pessary and then gel, the drip is needed if they don’t work. I’d see if your hospital offers an induction workshop so that you’re informed of what will happen and benefit/risk. X
so strange, I’m in exactly the same position right now. I’m 37 weeks and debating whether to accept the induction at 39 weeks or take the addition minimal risk and see if things happen naturally after sweeps. I’m talking to the consultant on Friday to weigh up the risks/benefits so will share what I find. They’ve not mentioned the CSec yet, only to try discourage me from it! I’ve got 2 other risk factors plus ivf, but had a very straightforward pregnancy. xx
I think I’m trying to avoid C-section for the fact of at least trying on my own somewhat and avoiding the after care xx
No positive story here, started with induction and ended up with an emergency C section. If I could go bak in time, I would definitely go with the planned C section. If you go with the induction option, make sure you have your painkiller of choice available as they start the induction. I found the contractions much less bearable than those of natural birth. Good luck!
This is what I’ve heard so definitely need to think more about pain relief xx
Think big...Good luck!
I was induced with pessary and ended up on the drip as baby’s heart rate was going out of control and he was clearly panicking. I didn’t find being induced (both methods) all that bad - not like the horror stories you hear.
Ended in a c-section, as his heart rate kept dipping. It was my choice and I was given the option to carry on with the drip, but to me it was clear it would end in c-section anyway.
C-sections do have a lot of aftercare, however I did cope very well (out walking 4 days later), but I know this isn’t everyone’s experience. I have had friends who have torn in natural birth and were in far more pain post birth than I was c-section. But I appreciate you may want to try to give birth naturally xx
hello,
We’re just home after a section 3 days ago. I’m over 40 and like everyone else here I’ve been through the trauma of IVF. It’s such a personal choice but for us I wanted the easiest possible route for my boy to arrive even though my recovery will be longer. He was breech but otherwise I’ve had a very normal pregnancy.
I have to say the section itself because it was elective was a breeze and our 8lb 8 bruiser arrived with no issues. I’m pleased we went down this route tbh.
If anyone wants to pm I’m more than happy to share my experience with you 😊
Best of luck xxx
hello, positive experience here of an induction at 38 weeks due to suspected big baby.. who wasn’t a big baby and was 7lb 10oz 😂
But, I would do the same again
I went into the hospital Sunday evening, had a pessary, nothing happened much for 24 hours, they repeated the pessary. My waters broke on Tuesday morning. Went to labour ward. Used a TENS machine and gas and air for contraction pain. Had an epidural when they started the oxytocin drip. Bearable pain definitely, just felt very achy. Dilated to 10cm or whatever they need by 4pm I think, baby born 7:30pm after about 30 mins actual pushing.
I would ask for the same again, I had a very good, controlled experience. I was 41, fit and healthy but very anxious and I was comforted by the constant monitoring of the baby.
Good luck, hope all goes smoothly x
Thanks so much for replying. This is good to hear, sounds like the epidural worked well for you and all pretty straightforward. Xxx
37 and not pregnant. 
Stopping medication at 12 weeks
