Being induced and feeling dubious

[Sarah-Bee]

Hi, I'm 31 weeks pregnant and am being induced in around 6 weeks. I'm beginning to feel really anxious about it. I'd be grateful of some insight from any mums who have been through this? Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi fluffy82,

I've personally never being induced with any of my kids ( 2) but from what I understand about the whole process of induction is usually for a potential risk which may be threatening the baby's life whilst in the womb.

You mentioned the induction is planned to happen in 6 wks time so it sounds as if your midwife has carefully thought it through & by this time the baby / pregnancy is also thought as "full term" so I'm sure everything will be fine.

Wishing you luck!

x

[mummymummy]

Induction is very hit or miss to be honest.... If ur body isn't ready it can end up in a section ... I've had 2bad experiences and 2 good ones...u should discuss all of ur fears with ur consultant, the fact they are inducing u at 37 weeks must mean they are doing it for the safety of u and ur baby... induction can be more painful so u can ask for an epidural... but u will be well looked after I'm sure. .. hope all goes well xx

[Mummy4]

Why would you be induced if you don't mind me asking???

[Sarah-Bee in reply to Mummy4]

I am diabetic and before I was pregnant I controlled it with my diet but they put me on insulin when I was 13 weeks so apparently it's procedure not to let me go past 38 weeks.

[claire234]

Hey Hun. I was induced Wednesday just gone at 39 weeks for obstetric cholestatsis. The first pessary they put in for 24 hours and then do an examination, after my 24 hours were up I wasn't even a cm dilated and my cervix was still very long and posterior. So another propess went in for a further 24 hours and had another examination at 7.15 on the Friday. STILL no change with my cervix. I was heart broken, the consultant came and decided that I would require a c section sat morning as they wouldn't be able to break my waters. So I geared my self up all night for the section. Sat morning came around I saw a different consultant. She said I'm going to try to break your waters - so off we went to delivery suite. And I don't know how she managed it but she managed to break my waters fully (I was using gas and air at this point). Then to make me have contractions they put a drip up and used a drug called senatoin. That starts contractions and the doseage gets turns up every half an hour so you eventually get up to 120 mls (the highest rate possible) and I had to stay on this to maintain my contractions. I was examined at 5.30 and was 3 cms dilated. Examined again at 20.30 and was still 3 cm. the drip was carrying on throughout this I so far had only managed with gas and air and one injection of pethadin (which didn't touch the pain a bit) I then had to have epidural as I really could not cope with the pain was exhausted and it was brilliant. I was examined finally at 12.30 am and was 10 cm dilated the midwife could not believe it. I started pushing at 1.30 and our little girl was born at 1.58 am yesterday Sunday 2.3.14. Basically the induction didn't work for me at all I'm not saying it won't for you but this is a true account of what has very recently just happened to me. I was in established labour from 14.00 on Saturday 1st march till she was born at 1.56 am Sunday 2nd. So a long time. It was exhausting and don't try to be brave and only get through with gas and air or pethadin if you really are in pain and need something stronger take it. The midwives kept saying to me, you don't get a medal if your brave. They were so correct. Our little girl was 6 lbs 1 ounce but perfect. Just listen to the midwives and your body. And just remember induction isn't the only way of getting your little one born. I hope that's helped and i Havnt rambled too much xx

[Hidden]

One of my friends was induced with a pessary, she only needed one and her husband insisted she wanted a water birth, she had a calm, beautiful birth in the birthing pool, so it can be done. Visualise the the type of birth you want and you're more likely to get it. Hope all goes well.

[jubbly]

My experience was similar to claire234 except mine ended in c section. But I saw other women come and go during my stay in hospital who were also induced, and luckily for them their bodies took over! I saw more good experiences of being induced than bad ones! One women came in a day after me, and she had to be taken to the central delivery suite by tea time! She was 36 weeks! When ur sat there, seeing all these women progress who arrived after you, it can really turn u into the green eyed monster, by the Saturday, I was exhausted, physically and emotionally! I went in on the 17/10/13 and he was born 21/10/13 at 12:24. Even though it ended in c sec, I wouldn't change a thing! I found the operation fascinating, and wasn't any less proud of myself for how it happened! All I can say is good luck, and get as much advice as possible to try mentally prepare yourself for all scenarios! Baba will be in ur arms soon enough! And again, GOOD LUCK p.s, it can't be that bad, my boy is 4 months and I'm all broody again already x

[Trekbec]

I too was induced at 37 weeks due to having a 'big baby'. My experience was similar to Claire234, but I was having contractions almost as soon as the first pessary went in, (had the next propess 24hrs later) and my waters broke 'naturally', be that 36hrs after the first pessary/examination.

I was on pethidine (allowed me to get some kip) shortly afterwards as was just so exhausted, due to not really any sleep. 48hrs after first arriving at Hosp, I was taken to delivery suite, where I was hooked up to a continuous heart monitor, few other drips and the hormone drip. I was examined, and was 1cm!!! 1CM!!!!!!!!!

I was having contractions constantly and had an epidural. By midnight I was 6cm. (60hrs of contractions and every drug going). I then had a c-section Yippee!!!!!!!

I just don't think my body, or baby were ready to be honest, but its true, no one wins any medals in labour. The hospital were great, and the c-section was like winning the lottery in the end!

You will be fine, just be prepared that it might end up in c-sec, but the hospital did everything to look after me and my baby, so I look back at my horrendous time and just laugh now. My baby was 8lb 15oz, so definitely the best decision all round not to wait much longer.

Good luck

[Hidden]

I was induced and it was absolutely fine. I was given the pessary early afternoon then we were sent off for lunch so we walked to the local and had a pub lunch. Walked back to hospital and I could feel things happening. There wasn't a bed ready for us so we had to wait around for a couple of hours I'm a waiting room. Then I was put in a room with another woman who was also in early stage of labour. Labour pains developed slowly over the evening, building gradually -I recommend walking up and down stairs to move things along! My husband was sent home or some rest just before midnight but got called back in at 330am to be told I was being moved to the labour suite!

They broke my waters, but that was fine -felt a bit like doing a big, warm wee. They also put me on the hormone drip.

My 'vision' was giving birth in a birthing pool & no epidural. No birth pool for me and guess what an epidural! But honestly...I wouldn't change a thing. I was anxious too about being induced (no I wasn't, I was terrified! I remember crying myself to sleep the night before) but you have no need to worry. And as soon as your little baby comes out and they place him or her on your chest, NOTHING else matters

[Dante101]

Hi there, I was induced at 37 weeks due to pre eclampsia , I had the gel and they broke my waters, from the start of this to giving birth was around 8 hours, labour was 3 1/2 hours . I think I was lucky the process was quite quick although I know for some people it can be slow . Overall was fine although I had quite a lot of blood loss. I think the hard part is not knowing how long it will take and if it will work , I was expecting it to take a couple of days but it was all so fast!

Overall the whole induction went well for me but everyone is different, all I will say is be prepared for every eventuality good luck x

[NatalieK]

I was induced as I had gestational diabetes and which was controlled with insulin. I had pessary and drip. Unfortunately it ended in a c section as I failed to progress beyond 6cm. I was dead against a c section all through pregnancy but I was so tired. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, I don't feel like I've been cheated and would do it all again in a heart beat. He was worth every contraction. Good luck xxx

[scoffcat in reply to NatalieK]

My experience was similar. I was induced as I was 10 days overdue, but failed to progress beyond 5m. But actually the c section was a really positive experience - calm, and I got lots of skin to skin time straight after the birth. So even if it doesn't go to plan it can be a positive experience. And I agree with others - take the pain relief if you need it. The epidural was fantastic!

[Shortbird76]

Well after being 10 days late, Louie James finally made an appearance on 5/1/14, weighing in at 6lb 13oz. I ended up being induced on 3rd, after 2 lots of jollop nothing was moving and I was still 1cm and I'd been in hospital for nearly 48hrs, I was in a lot of pain but not dialating. They had to give me has and air just to examine me!!!! I then had pethadine just so I could rest, eventually the next morning they gave me some more jollop and my epidural, absolute godsend as I then was not in pain. After 6 hours I did dilate to 8cm and the doctor then panicked as his heart rate was dropping. Before I knew it I was rushed into theater and they delivered him via vontuse and found that he had the cord round his neck, good call

By the doctor as god knows what would have happened otherwise. I don't remember much about Louie's birth as I had so many drugs up to that point that I was on the moon!!! Everyone's experiences are different and my body was clearly not ready or just didn't want to play ball. Some inductions end up in an instrumental delivery and or a c section, which both take a while for mum and baby to recover from. Hope yours goes well and I haven't frightened the life out of you!!!

Louie is now 2 months old and doing very wellXxx