Induction not working so far

[Arya10]

Hi guys

I’m 40+6, FTM and was admitted to hospital at 40+4 after a scan showed low amniotic fluid around baby. They wanted to start induction process straight away and I’ve to stay in until baby is born for lots of monitoring.

So far they gave me a 24 hour pessary which did start mild contractions, but when it was taken out the contractions stopped. They tried a sweep which had no effect. When they examined me after those 2 things, my cervix was only 1 cm dilated. They’ve since given me tablet hormones vaginally, which again started contractions but they’ve now faded away.

I am in incredible pain (I deal with a lot of pain normally due to a chronic pain condition I have and feel I generally have a high threshold) with the vaginal hormones and examinations they are carrying out. I had to refuse an examination this evening due to the pain. I can barely walk, sometimes I can’t walk or get up at all. The pain is front and back passages/pubic bone, pelvis, stomach and lower back, but is also causing my whole body to shake, throb and muscle spasms.

It’s worrying me that I’m in this much pain and labour hasn’t even begun yet. Has anyone else experienced this level of pain at the start of induction? And if so, was the rest of the process as/more painful and did induction still go on to work for you? I know so many people who have gone through the whole induction process (including drip) and it’s not worked so it’s ended in C section. I can’t imagine going through more of this pain for it to then not even work.

Experiences/advice much appreciated.

Thanks very much!

[Seb9]

Hi I had the 24 hour pessary and sons it really uncomfortable. I took paracetamol during the night with it and had a Tens machine on most of the night. They took me to delivery the morning after and broke my waters and then put me on the drip.

My own midwife recommended that if I had the drip to request an epidural and I'm glad I did as when the contractions started I was not dilated and the contractions were really strong. After I had the epidural it was wonderful. I was able to rest through the contractions until I was fully dilated. When it was time to push the epidural had worn off a bit so I could feel the contractions and was able to push. Best of luck x

[Arya10]

Thanks so much for your reply and sharing your experience. How long were you on the drip for?

I’ve been taking dihydrocodeine for the pain but it only just slightly takes the edge off. they can’t break my waters as I’m not dilated enough so can’t move on to the next steps that you had. They just want to keep repeating the pessaries and sweeps and examinations which I’m not prepared to do with the amount of pain it’s causing.

So pleased you had a good experience with the epidural and it made it bearable for you! Thank you x

[Seb9 in reply to Arya10]

Hi sorry I only just saw your response. I moved up to the delivery ward after having the pessary for 24 hours. A midwife broke my waters, I used gas and air for that. I love the stuff so not sure how much was for the pain!

Then I had the oxytocin drip and fluid, I stressed contractions about midday and I had the epidural at around 1pm the contractions were painful but I was not dilated. After the epidural I then had a sleep and rested for the afternoon. I was fully dilated at 7pm, started pushing at 8pm and baby was here by 10pm. They did think they might need to assist me at one point, but then I managed by myself. I only had a very small tear and a graze. We had our tea and toast on the delivery ward, baby had a feed and a poop. We were back down on the ward at around 2am and were able to go home that evening. Hope all goes well for you xx

[stephkp]

I went in for induction at 40 weeks due to it being an ivf pregnancy. The hospital tried to induce for 5 days and it did absolutely nothing. I had two 24hr pessaries, then the gel for a day then a gap then another pessary, and in the end I had an emergency c section as I wasn’t dilated in the slightest and babies heart rate dropped. I had no pain and no contractions during my entire 5 day induction attempt so I can’t advise how the pain will be, but hopefully the midwives can advise you. I think you just need to do what you feel is best for you and your baby. Good luck xx

[Arya10 in reply to stephkp]

Congrats on your IVF pregnancy/baby!

Thanks so much and I’m sorry you had to go through that, must have been incredibly scary when baby’s heart rate dropped. It does seem it doesn’t work for so many people. You’d think they would be able to tell/decide to stop the process sooner to not let it drag out and complications to arise.

I’m going to see if I’ve dilated any more later today and if not ask to discuss a section with a doctor, if it’s not working I don’t think it’s good for me or baby to be in so much pain and upset.

How did you find your section recovery If you don’t mind me asking?

[stephkp in reply to Arya10]

My recovery went really well. I was back to normal quickly but I made sure I listened to the advice I was given and didn’t push it. I was really disappointed that I didn’t get to give birth naturally in the beginning, but my main goal was a safe delivery and a healthy baby and that’s what I got. Also after a section If you are planning on breastfeeding, it takes longer for your milk to come in, which no one warned me about. For me, the hospital was trying to avoid a section as i was high risk for complications (which didn’t happen) due to pre existing issues. However looking back I wish they had admitted defeat long before they did. I hope you’re in less pain this morning and you have a plan moving forward xx

[Arya10 in reply to stephkp]

That’s great re your recovery. Im getting a section tomorrow or Wednesday now!

I won’t push it I promise. I read about the milk thing, midwife is assuring me that he’ll get colostrum til the milk comes in? Or is that not right? and they’ll not let me leave until he’s happily feeding. I’m learning they follow protocol to the letter no matter what you say/how much pain you’re in. I just dug my heels in (and if I didn’t have a pain condition already probably would have continued).

Still in pain but so relieved that I’m not continuing with the torture! And now I know I’ll get to meet my little guy very soon xx

[Prosopon]

Hi, I recently had a failed induction, unfortunately. I found the pessary very painful. It made me feel swollen and I couldn't walk more than a few feet without having to sit down to relieve a feeling of intense pressure. The pessary gave me mild contractions, which eased off.

I was then started on the drip. This gave me contractions which bizarrely I could hardly feel at first, and the midwife was amazed I wasn't in pain! However, I did have pretty painful back pain, which came and went. After 4 hours of the drip I was 2cm dilated and they were able to break my waters. Contractions became increasingly more painful but were manageable with breathing techniques and a little gas and air, which I didn't find overly helpful.

After 13 hours on the drip, in which they had to keep tweaking it due to drops in the baby's heart rate and other issues I was only 3cm dilated and they said I needed an emergency c section. I broke down after this and found it harder to deal with the pain, knowing I'd been through it for nothing. They stopped the drip and I had the c section shortly after.

I found the whole experience traumatic, to be honest. Part of me wishes I'd just had the c section straight away, and not bothered with the induction process, but another part of me is glad I gave it a go. Now, almost 2 weeks later, I'm just thankful to have a healthy baby and am trying to put the birth behind me.

I'm afraid I don't have any advice and I think only you can know and decide what you can cope with, but I thought I'd share my experience. I'm just sorry it's rather negative!

Anyway, I hope you'll have your beautiful baby in your arms soon.

[Arya10 in reply to Prosopon]

I’m so sorry you had that horrible experience

I’m the same as you, the contractions I either don’t feel or they feel like pressure similar to when you get your blood pressure taken, but this pessary pain is unbearable and then them wanting to continually shove their fingers up there. I cry in pain each time.

I’ve said to them I’ve heard so many stories like yours that it ends in emergency C section but they keep saying they’re surprised to hear that. I already feel traumatised and I’m not at drip stage. I keep thinking maybe the drip part will work and it won’t be as bad as the pessary pain but I’m not convinced.

Really appreciate your honesty. Congrats on getting though it and enjoy baby xx

[Prosopon in reply to Arya10]

Hi, how are you getting on? Have you had your c section? Seems like this was the best option for you. Hopefully you are recovering well with a lovely baby. I've recovered really quickly from my c section. Feel almost completely back to normal 2 weeks on! Hope all is well with you x

[Arya10 in reply to Prosopon]

Thanks for checking in Yes! Had him on Tuesday evening by C Section and got home yesterday. He is just perfect.

❤️ 7lb 14oz. They were shocked how big he was, I’m very slight. The midwife involved said there was no way he’d have fit vaginally.

I’m in a fair bit of pain but only some of that is the section, most of it is from the induction process. Definitely made the right choice.

Thanks so much for everyone’s advice xx

[Prosopon in reply to Arya10]

I'm glad it all turned out well for you and that you're home now. I had similar as my baby was 8lbs 2oz and I'm only 5 feet tall with a pre-pregnancy weight of 40kgs! Don't think I was ever going to be able to push him out!

[Flick2104]

Hi, it’s the pessary that’s making you hurt so much, it makes me really sore and throbbing pain down there, and examinations are extremely painful. I’ve had the hormone drip and laboured with no pain relief, I find it helps a lot if your on all 4’s. I have also had an emergency c-section because of a prolapsed cord not through failed induction. I’ve never gone into labour naturally and I’ve had 8 children. Me personally I wouldn’t have anymore pessary, hopefully the pain will ease up then move as much as you can and get on the birthing ball and see if you can kick start it. Have another sweep if you can cope with it. I had a c-section in august with my last child. I still have pain from it now but I’m 40 and it was my 8th child, I’m sure your recover a lot quicker. The actual procedure was not that bad and I didn’t find it bad afterwards, just taken me ages to heel. Wishing you the best of luck xx

[Arya10 in reply to Flick2104]

Omg it’s awful isn’t it! Wow 8, clearly didn’t put you off haha!! I said no to more pessary, sweeps, internal exams. Spoke to a more senior midwife who said to me ‘the minute I met you on Friday I just knew the induction wasn’t going to work for you, I’ve seen it happen so many times’ referring to my body being sensitive, and having so much pain from even the internal exams before the pessaries. So she has persuaded the doctor that a

section is the best way forward for me.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I’m sorry to hear you’re still having pain from your section - have you had any help with it? Like a special massage or acupuncture or something? xx

[Hidden]

Hello! I went 2 weeks over in July. For one week they tried the insert, then the gels (twice), they attempted many sweeps (much easier and less pain with gas and air). I never got beyond 1 cm dilated. Eventually they put me on the drip at the maximum level and still I only had "tightenings", I feel like I am cheating to call them contractions. Still nothing. So, in the end, I had a c-section. After a week of trying every which way it was so quick and amazing. The team at the hospital were great.

Good luck - sounds like you might be heading for a c-section too x

[Arya10 in reply to Hidden]

Hey, that sounds exactly what’s happening to me, though not at drip stage yet. I can’t take any more pain. BUT they’ve now agreed to a C Section! I can’t believe I’m happy about a section! No more internal exams or horrendous vaginal pain that might end in nothing.

Omg I can’t believe I get to finally meet my little man ❤️ so emotional. They said tomorrow or Wednesday. Hope he’s ok.

Ps I followed your journey, I can’t believe it was back in July you had your bubba, how is he? How are you?? Xx

[Hidden in reply to Arya10]

Awww that's brilliant news. And hopefully no pain until then. I had no pain after either (they give you pain killers to take at home too), but I couldn't get up from bed very easily as you have no use of tummy muscle at all. It is odd. Then I got swollen ankles and feet for a few weeks when I hadn't during the pregnancy. It was because they pumped me full of fluids.

A csection is an odd experience. It seems too easy after everything else ha ha.

Angus is doing really well. He has started rolling and saying dadadadada - especially first thing in the morning. We have also started weaning which is an interesting toilet experience. So far he seems to like food though which is great.

I hope all goes well for you. Not long now! Xxx

[Arya10 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I’m sure it’s going to be a very strange experience. Just means my DH has to look after me a bit longer 😂 he already has to pick up anything I drop and put my shoes and socks on for me.

That is fantastic to hear he’s doing well ❤️ ick re the toilet experience - that reminds me, I can’t wait to have normal number 2’s again after months of iron tablets that have messed me all up.

Thank you xx

[E_05]

I went in to be induced due to maternal anxiety (it was an IVF pregnancy and after 5 cycles and 2 MMC I spent my whole pregnancy terrified) similarly with 24 hr pessary I had mild contractions which then stopped, I then had 2 lots of tablets and so many sweeps, walked stairs and bounced on the ball but after 3 days still nothing had changed so I asked for a csection x

[Arya10 in reply to E_05]

Thanks for your reply - I totally get your anxiety and no wonder you were terrified throughout your pregnancy. We took a long time to get pregnant and were waiting for IVF when acupuncture worked for us in the end and we have been worried sick throughout so I cannot imagine what you were going through. Congrats that you made it through!

How did you find the section? I’m now getting one either tomorrow or Wednesday xx

[E_05 in reply to Arya10]

Aw glad they’ve agreed to one, won’t be long before you’re holding your baby!

I found it okay tbh, I think the sooner you can get up even just to take a few small steps the easier the recover but just listen to your body. I had really swollen ankles after but it’s to be expected apparently and my tummy muscles are still rubbish lol

If you didn’t do it before you went it, ask someone to stock up your freezer with meals as for me that was the biggest life saver x

[MissSaoPaulo]

How are you? Still hanging on there? I hope it's all resolved soon, one way or another.

Your story sounds similar to mine. I was taken in at 40+5 for low fluid, and my waters broke in the hospital reception. Pessaries every 4 hours, but no contractions started - and I was shocked at how painful it was putting the pessaries in the 2nd and 3rd times. Really sore, I wasn't expecting it. After the 3rd time, although I hadn't wanted a cesarean at all, I started to get scared about the birth dragging on and on. Baby was being monitored the whole time and was fine but I thought - how long am I going to wait? Until she's in distress and I end up with an emergency c-section anyway?

I'm in Brazil, birth rates here are something like 80% elective c-section in private hospitals, so when I told the Dr I didn't want any more pessaries and wanted a c-section, the only problem was squeezing me into the schedule. It was fine, totally not traumatic, although not what I'd wanted. Recovery is a bit of a bitch, and you have to be careful for quite a while, but it was fine. If you breastfeed, keep the baby under your arm rather than across your body. Try to keep the wound dry while it heals. Get someone to take the baby off you before you try to stand up from seated - you'll need your arms free. And nice big pants and baggy clothes to sit above your scar - you won't be able to stand anything pressing on it

Really hope you're doing ok over there xxx