advice on induction

[Hollpenguin10]

Hello,

Im getting induced tomorrow and I’m just wondering if anybody has any advice to give me with anything?

Thank you!

Hollie

[Seb9]

I would definitely recommend wireless headphones to use to listen to music or audio book or watch a film It can take a long time and it's nice to have something to listen to or watch if you're on the ward for a while.

I have had two inductions and the bit I disliked the most was the hormone pessary. So my advice would be to ask them if they can check if you're already dilated enough to break your waters and skip straight to the oxytocin drip.

Or if you are not dilated enough I'd maybe ask for a balloon induction which is when they insert a balloon and fill it with water to stretch and soften your cervix, instead of the hormone pessary, if you do want that you might need to be quite firm with your decision as I found they were keen to do their normal process of pessary then drip.

Take plenty of snacks and drinks, although you'll get meals provided it can be nice to snack when you feel like it too. They don't let you eat after the drip is in place, so make sure they let you have plenty to eat before they do that bit.

I had an epidural with my first as my contractions came in really fast but I wasn't dilated enough to push and it gave me a chance to relax and dilate without pain. My second the contractions were much more gentle at first and so I didn't have an epidural and just used gas and air so each labour can be really different so maybe just have an idea of what pain relief you want and when you want it, so you feel confident to ask for what you want.

Good luck with everything

[Emdog87]

Take things to keep you busy, books, headphones, magazines and snacks.

I went in to be induced, I was very lucky as I was already 4cm dilated so they only had to break my waters but there wasn’t any space in delivery for me. I had to wait 3 nights before they sent me up!

Good luck. X

[Flora631]

Food food and more food!

Good luck, hope yours is speedy x

[Natasha319]

I would say, be yourself, show them your personality