Positive induction experience!

[myweeangel]

Hi everyone, just announcing the birth of my gorgeous baby boy, Noah. He arrived on his due date last Tuesday 8th May and I am eager to share birth story as I hope it will be encouraging, particularly for those of you close to due date or awaiting dreaded induction.
When I was 38+3 and again at 39+3 I had sweeps, the second at my own request as I had gone 9 days over with DD two years ago and didn't want a repeat of that. After the first, I lost my mucus plug over a few days and then after second was disappointed that there were still no contractions. Three days after that (at 39+6), my waters broke at 12 noon. I went to hospital, was only 3cm so they admitted me and kept an eye for 24 hours before induction. Next day, no progress, so it was 5pm on 8th (40 weeks) that I was induced. From 5pm til 9pm there was no progress at all, still 3cm although pain was increasing. I used gas and air and remifentinil (good stuff!). Then things kicked off! Pain got noticeably stronger and almost immediately I got the urge to push. Midwife had told me I was to get an episiotomy as I had torn and had stitches last time with DD who was 10lbs 5oz. However... no time! All of a sudden baby was coming - DH had nipped out to phone my mum and tell her things were moving along - and was only back 10 mins when Noah arrived at 10.59pm.
The speed of delivery was amazing - and despite him being 10lbs 8oz, I had no tear, no need for stitches, no vacuum, no forceps... he just shot on out! Couldn't believe it. It was definitely a shock to the system though and took a long time for it to sink in that I had my baby son in my arms.
He is a little angel - I shall have to change my nickname to mytwoweeangels! - and is feeding well and already sleeping through the night! At only one week old! Clever boy. :)
Good luck to all of you and hope that those of you "feeling nothing" take heart from this. Your waters could break any time and you could have your baby tomorrow!

[tostaky]

thank you for sharing your lovely birth story!
i am heading in yourdirection with my first sweep at 39+1

enjoy your little boy and those first few days. Noah is a great name too, we had one in the family in january

[myweeangel]

Thanks Tostaky, good luck with your sweep. Your baby will be here before you know it!

[cupcakefairy]

Amazing story weeangel and gives me lots of hope as I was v overdue with ds & prob heading for induction again this time.. can't believe how quick it was!
What method of induction did they use for you? Just the propess?

Makes me a bit that mw said u had to have an episiotomy & then u ended up not even tearing..so they would have cut you for nothing. I've put in my birth plan to avoid episiotomy at all costs as the recovery from it was horrendous.

Congrats anyway, here's hoping I have a positive story to tell next week too!

[myweeangel]

Hi cupcake, induction method was drip. Sorry can't remember more specific details!
To be honest I was more than happy to be offered episiotomy as I had torn badly with DD and knew it would be the lesser of two evils. Relieved that nothing was needed all the same!
Hope everything goes well for you and look forward to hearing your good news.

[cupcakefairy]

That's what I meant though, that I'm not sure it is the lesser of 2 evils.. from chatting with friends who've had both, a tear is much much better to recover from than an episiotomy.. but then I guess everyone has different experiences (i had a massive haematoma in my epi so am prob v biased against them!)

[myweeangel]

Because I'd had both last time - the tear then the episiotomy - I suppose it was difficult to differentiate between the pains!
All the best anyway, hope you need NEITHER! :)

[Claire1209]

I'm due to be induced Friday with dc3 and I'm petrified!! Really hope I have a good experience like this! Congratulations on your little boy!!