Induction 38+4

[kt_11]

Hi

Just looking for some other people’s experiences of induction of labour as I’m worried I might not have made the right decision about this.

Currently 37+3 weeks. Have had several scans throughout pregnancy, all of which have showed baby is on the larger side (about 95th centile). Also measuring ahead of dates on midwife measurements. No confusion about dates as it’s IVF pregnancy. Glucose test was normal so not diabetic.

Consultant has suggested early induction as worried about baby being too large and I’ve agreed to this, booked for next week coming up for 39 weeks. I don’t feel I’ve been pushed into induction but that I’ve made the decision based on baby being big and I’m really scared of him getting stuck and distressed and ending up with a c-section. Dr advised me that recent evidence suggests no increase in c-sections following induction (I really don’t want a Caesarean unless definitely medically essential).

But now I’m really worried I’ve made the wrong decision and am thinking if the induction doesn’t progress labour I’ll end up with a c-section anyway. I know scans etc aren’t always accurate but baby has looked consistently big across about 4 or 5 scans. I also know suspected large baby is not necessarily a recommendation for induction.

Has anyone been through this? Was induction successful or was it as awful as some of the stories I’ve heard? I’m really fit and active and had hoped for a fairly active birth but now wondering if this is going to happen now I’ve opted for induction, as I think they’ll want to do more monitoring.

I’m seeing my midwife on Tuesday so can talk it through with her then but would like some reassurance and/or advice on the meantime if anyone has any? x

[Cheekymonkey85]

This is a tuff one because as with childbirth in general our experiences vary so much. I was induced with my daughter, but I was over due. I was very successful for me & although very painful I managed ok with minimal pain relief etc.

I have 2 sisters who were also induced. 1 post term also which included an epidural & forceps delivery & the other a week early due to gestational diabetes. She spent days failing to progress & ended up with a csection- but it wasn't rushed etc, she was just tired & was best for her.

I wasn't monitored too much to begin with- was able to walk around, get a warm bath etc. It wasn't until labour was established that the monitors went on. It wasn't quick for me but it wasn't a particularly negative experience either & im happy with how it went.

If you opt for it, take plenty to read, music & snacks to keep your strength up. Ignore the horror stories but do prepare yourself for any intervention- because that's just sensible to do anyway xx

[kt_11 in reply to Cheekymonkey85]

Thanks for your reply. I know it's difficult to predict what will happen. I just want baby to be as safe as possible but am keen to avoid loads of medical interventions, and everything I read seems to suggest I'll now be more likely to need exactly what I didn't want. My main preference all along has been that I don't want an epidural so good to know you managed with minimal pain relief, although I appreciate it might be different because I won't be overdue.

My medical team have been recommending induction at term due to the IVF anyhow, but for some reason I always felt (based on nothing but gut feeling) that baby might come a bit early so this wouldn't be an issue!

[Hidden]

My pregnancy was IVF too. I had induction at 41+4 days and that in itself wasn’t too bad. I went in at 9am and went back at about 7pm as they said I could due to my blood pressure being a little high. My waters broke at 1am in the morning.

Unfortunately I did have a c section after trying forceps twice but this was only because she was so big and we weren’t expecting it (10lb 1oz). I went fully dilated so the induction did go well.

I was measuring fine at all the midwife appointments and I didn’t look big at all so was a shock.

I was adamant in my birth plan I didn’t want an epidural and I didn’t as they take a few hours to work apparently so I had a spinal block.

All in all it wasn’t too bad even the section. I was just glad she got here safely in the end xx

[kt_11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the input and congratulations on your baby girl. Good to hear you didn't find it too bad despite the various interventions you ended up needing. So much variation between doctors, as mine have been keen since day 1 that I don't go overdue, whereas you obviously went a bit past due date.

I'm sure I could have declined induction but I've been so anxious throughout this pregnancy and I know if I choose not to have it I'll only be worrying about what could happen if I wait. I had a few weeks of feeling a lot more relaxed but as due date has crept closer and I've had to start discussing these options I've just got really worried again!

[Hidden in reply to kt_11]

I know what you mean. My IVF was fairly straight forward and other than bleeding early on it was an easy pregnancy and I was classed as normal so they didn’t do anything extra.

I would of preferred being induced earlier because I was getting really anxious the longer I went over so it’s good they are keeping a close eye on you and if they had offered induction at 39 I would of definitely taken it.

I think induction works quite well but if it doesn’t first time they try again. Have they given you a leaflet to look through? X

[kt_11 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah same here really. I've been fairly fit and well throughout and still managing to do cross-training and going to the gym regularly working with my PT. Had a very small bleed on the morning of my viability scan (before the scan) but otherwise no complications. Just me being anxious!

They didn't give me any documents but the hospital has a leaflet about induction on their website which I've had a look through. I work in healthcare (for the hospital I'm due to have my baby) so I'm fairly good at sorting the actual evidence from other people's horror stories but in this instance I'm struggling to weigh up what to do as I think I'll be anxious either way! x

[Hidden in reply to kt_11]

It’s always different when it’s you in that position and such a hard decision. Hopefully your midwife can help ease your worries a bit xx

[Georgina_D]

Everyone is different.

My waters were broken and the pain of contractions went from zero to 100 in 2 hours. Consider having an epidural.

Also research shows you are more likely to tear and have assisted (ventouse/ forceps) after being induced. This usually means an episiotomy too.

I had an episiotomy, ventouse delivery and 3rd degree tear. Ouch

I wish I'd had C section! I know c section means being bed bound for 6 weeks but I'd rather that than tears, cuts and stitches in my fanny! (Sorry my opinion)

X

[Hidden in reply to Georgina_D]

C-section doesn't mean that you will be bed bound for 6 weeks. I was encouraged to walk around as soon as I had full control of my legs, for me it was just few hours after the actual procedure. Yes, you do have to take it easy and it is bloody painful( I didn't take pain meds afterwards because they made me so sleepy) but you have to move about as much as possible to prevent blood clots and newborn baby doesn't really let you stay in bed. Most difficult thing for me was coughing/sneezing and standing up/sitting down. I was going for walks with baby in the pushchair on day 4. You shouldn't drive and do strenuous exercise for the first 6weeks.

[kt_11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I know that I wouldn’t be immobile after a c-section and if I had to have one because there was a risk to my baby I would obviously not think twice. But as you say there are complications which I’d prefer to avoid by not having one if at all possible.

There is a chance that my baby might not be quite so big after all (scans can be inaccurate) and it does seem unnecessary to have major abdominal surgery for no other reason than that. x

[Georgina_D in reply to Hidden]

Ok I take it back. Not bed bound for 6 weeks but will be in pain when standing, sitting or doing anything using abdominal muscles.

In a nutshell a normal (complication free) vaginal delivery has a shorter recovery time than a complication free c section, however vaginal deliveries can also result in prolonged recovery, like in my case. Nearly 6 months postnatal and still in pain. I couldnt drive for over 3 months!

[kt_11 in reply to Georgina_D]

Exactly! Hence my reluctance for a section when I’m not convinced it’s essential as an elective. Sorry to hear you’re still struggling after your birth though. Sounds like you’ve had a pretty rough deal x

[roxannacar in reply to kt_11]

God forbid every vaginal tear ends up so bad... I had a third degree tear in my first ... I was out and about quickly ... I remember being at Tesco on day 3 with hubby and baby and was driving within the week. My second I had a small tear (same place) was actually bit more sore but same up and about with a toddler!

[kt_11 in reply to Georgina_D]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I know everyone is different, which is I think why I’m finding it so difficult to decide (it’s hard to decide what’s best for me with no previous pregnancy/birth as I’m aware that what was best for one person might not be the same for me).

It does look like there’s some evidence suggesting a higher rate of tears with induction which does make sense if it can all happen pretty quickly once it gets going. I suppose the body doesn’t have chance to stretch and adjust to what’s happening.

Think I’ll just have to discuss my worries with the midwife next week and see how that makes me feel as I suspect there isn’t a right or wrong answer! x

[Hidden in reply to kt_11]

Also regarding tears with my induction and trying forceps twice I didn’t tear or have to be cut so you could be lucky too. With my section I walked into town on day 4 and all the pain went after 2 weeks and I was driving at 3 weeks xx

[Major2116]

I was induced at 38 weeks with reduced movement and baby being big. He came out at 8lb 13oz so if I had gone the full 2 weeks then they said I was looking at at least a 10lb baby.

I had a rough birth but they was purely because my uterus was exhausted. They used a vontuse or however it's spelt in the end which is known as a kiwi so it's a suction cap type thing to pull him out. They won't necessarily take you for a c section straight away. If other things can be done first then they'll do that.

My anxiety was sky high but as I was being induced me and our boy were monitored regularly. Also a bonus that I could prepare myself with hair removal haha xx

[Crispmonster]

I had an induction at 39 weeks, also IVF pregnancy. Like you I suffered with anxiety throughout so in a way knowing when baby was coming and the high level of control / monitoring helped with that. Process itself was not as long and awful as I was expecting, the drip made me move through stages of labour quickly and from waters breaking to delivery was about 7 hours. There were a couple of issues in that the three epidurals attempted failed (but I hear this is rare) and I did need an episiotomy (a thought I had dreaded for entire pregnancy) however it really wasn’t as bad as I had imagined. I’m currently expecting no: 2 after more treatment and if advised again to have induction would do so, although every delivery is different and it is important you feel in control. Wishing you well xx

[bluewanderlust]

I had an induction at 39+1. I had the pessary for first 24 hours which almost didnt work. At 30 hours they broke my waters which was not really painful. I then went on the drip and had gas and air until I was around 8 cm. I think it was painful as I want to be honest with you. I wish I had asked for an epidural sooner as by the time I was ready to push I was worn out with the pain from the contractions. I did not progress so ended up having an emergency c-section. I do not agree with the doctor that says it does not increase risk of c-section as all my friends that had induction ended up with c-sections. Please don't feel that a c-section is the worst case scenario, I was relieved to get one as I absolutely did not want forceps. My recovery has been swift and I have friends that have had many more complications from natural birth. I do not feel that I 'missed out' on a natural birth either as this will be my only baby I will not get the chance to experience it again, the most amazing thing is getting your baby here safely. Wishing you all the very best for your birth xx

[Hidden in reply to bluewanderlust]

Your birth sounds just like mine but they tried forceps twice on me (luckily no cuts or tears). I was a bit mad that they wouldn’t really listen to me or believe me when I said I couldn’t go on anymore (I had a very stern consultant who wouldn’t give in). I eventually had c section and then she believed me when my baby weighed 10lb 1oz xx

[Sisi14]

I’ve had 2 inductions 1st baby and 3rd baby both over 8lb too but managed to give birth normal first time pesary and pethodine and 15 hours from start to finish and my other induction 14 days late and went on at 1pm broke waters at 3pm no pain relief just breathed through it don’t know how and she was born at 8pm with about 20 mins of hard pain ! It’s hard to know what’s going to happen really til labour as I thought my 3rd baby would be easier but she was the heaviest and longest one past due date !

I hope your ok , everyone is different but don’t panic of what’s going to happen as it will send you barmy all my babies were 8lb 4, 8lb 6, 8lb 11oz and natural deliveries and I’m normally a size 8 and 5ft 6 myself!

All the best for you xx

[Natto87]

I was induced with my second baby for reduced movements at 40+8 i woke up at 6 am and was 9cm had him 45 mins later. I got induced with my 3rd at 39 weeks again reduced movements had contractions but not dilating got up in the morning went for breakfast they tried breaking my waters but it didnt realy work. An hour later they took me to delivery broke my waters properly and 2 hours later i had her. Iv had good experiences with induction. If i had another one it wouldnt phaze me havin it again. Atleast you r in the right place when it all starts. Good luck x