Experiences of induction and top tips for making it as positive as possible?

[Lynstoun]

I'm meeting the consultant next week to discuss being induced. I'm currently 36 + 4 and at 41 years old I'm worried about the increased risk of still birth after 39 weeks for older women. After years of trying to conceive, fertility treatment and miscarriage I feel this is my one chance of becoming a Mum. I am aware that being induced brings its own risk and I will listen to the pros and cons when discussing with the consultant before making a final decision. My ideal birth would be one with as little intervention as possible and I am keen to remain active and if possible avoid an epidural.

So I'm interested in your experiences of being induced and in particular any tips you may have for making it as positive as possible.

[Dozymum]

My second daughter was induced due to growth problems within the womb. It was 14 years ago, but from what I can recall not too bad.

I met with the obstetrician on a Friday and he told me to come back on Tuesday to be induced. It was very unexpected on my part as I had no notion that things were bad enough for this to happen.

I went in early Tues morning and there was quite a lot of hanging around. Eventually I was shown to the ward. They were trying to start labour using prostaglandin(?) gel and it took ages get going. Labour wasn't properly established until late in the evening and my daughter was finally born at 7.15 the next morning weighing 5lb 13oz so inducing had been the best decision for her. During labour my movement was very restricted as I had to be monitored a lot of the time and I wasn't able to have the water birth I was considering. All in all I wish it could have been a natural birth but things worked out fine in the end. My daughter is healthy and now about to overtake me in height!

[Hidden]

I was induced with my 2nd which involved a pessary which gave me contractions all night but they stopped in the morning but was enough to dilate me to break my waters had an epidural and oxytocin think its called but failed to progress and had an emergency section...3rd one my waters went but cos of strep b had to be induced as contractions hadn't started so again the drip but due to crap midwife was not very nice birth but he was fine that was main thing... and lat one went in they broke my waters and put the drip up amazing midwife kept an eye so I didn't hyper stimulate. .. where ur contractions then get on top of the induced contractions she turned drip off and pushed him out was amazing experience and put my faith back into good births! just get ur facts together ask as many questions as u want all the way thru don't feel fobbed off stand ur ground and all the best

[DrFluffy]

Make sure you have all the facts on likelihood of failure of induction at the unit you plan to deliver at.

I was induced at 37 weeks, and I REALLY regret my decision. I was quoted 80% of primips will deliver vaginally at 37/40. Unfortunately, I didn't question what they go through to achieve that...

My 67 hour labour, although resulting in a vaginal delivery, was anything but natural. Baby was distressed for most if the last 15-20 hours - poor CTG trace with type 2 dips, 3 episodes of prolonged foetal bradycardia (over 90 minutes each - less than 90 can just be bubba sleeping), senior midwifes in and out to review traces - trying to look calm, but failing (I'm a doctor - i know what 'professional calm but actually really worried face' looks like). I was nil by mouth for the last 17 hours as was constantly on the brink of section, which is horrendous when you are really hungry and going through a long, energy sapping process - the two times I almost went to theatre, there was someone in more need. I cried my eyes out when my hind waters finally went, about 4 hours before he was finally delivered, and there was no meconium - I've never been so relieved in my life. Then there's the tear and sutures... I won't post the full gory details - they're on here in a blog post if you want to find them.

If I was in this position again, I would definitely request an elective Caesarian. The whole episode left me emotionally and physically scared, and delayed bonding with my LO for well over a week - not a nice feeling, trust me! Just before my LO and i were discharged from community midwifery, My community midwife told me she virtually had me on suicide watch, she was so worried about me post-partum - explains the numerous 'how are you' phone calls - I just though it was a comprehensive service!!!

Things are much better now. My LO and I are solidly bonded! However - my pelvic floor... I've been left with a cystocoele and a rectocoele. I have no bladder sensation when I need to pee - thankfully I have bladder control though, so just need to make sure I remember to make myself owe every few hours.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is it's not a straightforward procedure, without risks. Make sure you're better informed and prepared than I was.

[Megzey]

I would opt for the Elective C-Section if you can and they make it an option for you. I know it is nice to have a natural birth but they dont all go to plan and as swimmingly as you hope. I had a teriible labour with my 2nd with him being shoulder dystocia and unfortuantly I remember every single minute I was in the delivery suite with only paractemols for pain releif. I am hoping for a C-section this time after my growth scan at 36 weeks, I never want to go through that again.

[Envgirl]

Hi, I was induced as my LO was so late (15days) , the right thing for me and not horrendous, if you want to know more, check out my birth story on my blog post. Good luck!

[DrFluffy in reply to Envgirl]

I think induction is a very different thing once you reach 40+/40...

[Envgirl in reply to DrFluffy]

I'm sure you are right I still can't get over what you went through, horrendous, I was telling my OH about it and he was appalled. It wasn't what I would have chosen but I don't have the baby is done switch! Thanks for your advice on the nappy question too x