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Childbirth

Induction by ARM?

36 replies

midori1999 · 30/09/2013 18:50

I'm booked for induction by ARM on Weds. On examination today my cervix is 1 long, 3cm dilated and very soft. (Not sure of position) this will be my 6th labour.

If ARM doesn't bring on contractions then they'll start the drip.

Would anyone mind sharing their experience of induction by ARM and whether it started contractions or a drip was needed and also timescale from membranes being ruptured and contractions starting if possible?

Thank you.

OP posts:

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4athomeand1cooking · 01/10/2013 18:10

Had ARM at 7:30pm, technically was just under 3cm but they managed to do it.

Contractions started about 8pm. Baby was born at 10:15pm.

I found it very quick and easy and hope you will too

Playdoughcaterpillar · 01/10/2013 18:14

If your cervix is that favourable and you've had several before very likely it will be "a breeze" like the above.
good luck, try to relax if you can, that will help

midori1999 · 01/10/2013 20:28

Thank you both. I don't want to get my hopes up, but that sounds promising.

I'm going in for 10am, very excited, not sure ill sleep much tonight, although so tired hopefully I do!

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AmandaPandtheNightmareMonsters · 01/10/2013 20:31

I had a friend who had a similar experience to 4athome with her second. Labour was about 4 hours I think. The biggest factor in induction (other than being 'about to go' on your own) is a proven cervix, according to one mw I spoke to. No idea if that is accurate, but if it is yours should be a breeze.

4athomeand1cooking · 01/10/2013 21:25

I do remember feeling the urge to push and thinking surely I am no-where near ready. Contractions were not too strong but i really felt the ring of fire.

Good luck for tomorrow

Mumraathenoisylion · 01/10/2013 21:29

After a failed pessary induction I had ARM. It was a bit more painful than the previous birth which I only needed pessaries for but after they were broken it was a very quick process and I didn't need a drip.

....FYI dc2 was 2lb heavier than dc1 which may have contributed to the extra pain and I only had gas and air despite asking for any and every drug available.

TobyLerone · 01/10/2013 22:51

I had ARM at about lunchtime. It all got very political because I'd seen my community MW the day before and she told me she could have broken them there and then, but because the baby's head wasn't engaged she didn't want to in case of cord prolapse. So she told me to tell the MWs in the hospital what she'd said, and to let them do it as I was in the right place then if anything did go wrong.

She came in to see me at lunchtime (on her day off) and was surprised they hadn't done it. They had refused to do it that morning, as had a consultant. She left the room and came back in with an apron on and a hook in hand! Broke my waters and went about her day off.

The MWs on the ward were unhappy that she'd done it and made me stay on the bed with nothing happening for hours, in case the baby became distressed

Eventually, at 5pm, they examined me and said I was 4cm and could get up and walk around if I wanted and they'd come back to put me on the drip at 9pm. As soon as I stood up it was like someone had punched me in the cervix! Sudden, very strong contractions. I couldn't even leave the room. Soon felt the urge to push, but kept telling myself it couldn't possibly be because I was only 4cm. Eventually I couldn't not push, so the MW rolled her eyes and told me to get on the bed and she'd check me. She turned back around from putting her gloves on and said "oh, no need! I can see the baby's head!"

DD was born at 6:21pm with no pain relief whatsoever. Easiest birth in the world!

midori1999 · 02/10/2013 12:37

Thank you for the replies, they are encouraging.

The consultant came and examined me and broke my waters about 15 mins ago and she is coming back in two hours to check on what's happening and they'll consider a drip at four hours if no contractions at all. I have got a big of backache, but I could be imagining it.

Fingers crossed!

OP posts:

TobyLerone · 02/10/2013 12:40

Get up and walk around. It'll help!

Good luck :o

midori1999 · 02/10/2013 12:58

Thanks. I'm on continuous monitoring at the moment, so a bit restricted. The midwife showed me they have remote monitors (without wires) so I can try those, but they don't always work that well apparently. She's just gone for some lunch, so ill ask her when she gets back.

I'm currently sat up in a chair, but when I sit upright my leg moves the monitor, but if they can sort that I can use a birthing ball even if I have to be connected to the monitor for now.

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TobyLerone · 02/10/2013 13:00

Oh, what a bugger.

AmandaPandtheNightmareMonsters · 02/10/2013 13:09

How long do they want to monitor you for?

midori1999 · 02/10/2013 13:51

Thanks.

I'm not sure how long ill need to stay on the monitoring, but for the forseeable I think. I'm on a birthing ball now and the midwife put an extra belt on the monitor to keep it in place for me so I can bounce.

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TobyLerone · 02/10/2013 13:52

Why are they monitoring you?

midori1999 · 02/10/2013 14:01

I haven't asked.

The consultant is due back to check me in about 20 mins, so ill ask then and see if I can get more mobile. It's a bit of a pain, but I do find it reassuring tbh.

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5madthings · 02/10/2013 14:05

Four of mine were induced by arm, it was fine, I only needed the drip for one and that was because she was back to back, once the drip was working it only took three hours and I managed with just gas and air and staying a mobile.

Woith the others arm worked on its own and I then laboured in the bath and had ds4 in birhring pool.

Labours were seven hours, three hours, under one hour and then the last one wait the drip was three hours.

Good luck. X

midori1999 · 02/10/2013 14:10

Thanks 5madthings. Do you mind me asking if you know how long it took from your waters breaking to contractions starting? It's been about 1hr 45 now for me (DH set a timer....

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TobyLerone · 02/10/2013 14:11

Yes, do ask. Sometimes I wonder if they just keep us on the monitors so long because it keeps us immobile and out of trouble. Obvious medical reasons notwithstanding, of course!

Honestly, though, the drip can be nasty. If it's necessary, it's a good thing. But if being mobile would help labour progress without it, it's what I would want to do. I'm a belligerent bugger, though, who wouldn't allow the MWs/drs to tell me what to do without a good reason. Sometimes it just seems that they do things because it's next on their 'procedure', regardless of whether they're necessary.

Then again, I'm not the one in hospital right now, being induced! Best of luck, OP!

Mumraathenoisylion · 02/10/2013 14:18

Just wanted to day I'm here cheering you on midori.

Keep bouncing

5madthings · 02/10/2013 14:54

It varied each time, with ds2 it took a while, ds3 again a while but I had lots of niggles and then when it finally got going out was full on.

Ds4 was very quick and dd they didn't get going properly hence the drip.

You can ask for them to wait longer before the drip rather than start after four hours, I did wit ds2 and they were umming and ahhing about the drip with ds3 but my midwife said no (as did I) she said you are knackered, have a sleep, Gert some energy and then it will get going, she was right!

You can bargain with the em if you and baby are fine for longer, or just refuse. I think up to 24hrs is OK after that the risk of infection goes up?

5madthings · 02/10/2013 14:56

Oh and yes if baby is fine get the monitor off and ask for intermittent monitoring! Get up and mobile and go for a walk etc. they have to monitor you for a bit once they brk waters to check babyis ok,but then it can come off if all is well.

midori1999 · 02/10/2013 18:12

Well I've been off the monitor for a while now. Had a walk around the hospital, bounced on the ball enthusiastically and still nothing sadly.

There are time restrictions as to how long they'll leave me not just due to infection risks, but I've had to come off a treatment dose of clexane (blood thinner) to be induced and they can't start that again until after labour and also can't leave me off it for too long, so they're going to start a drip. Just a low dose and if contractions get started they'll take me off it again to see if I progress on my own.

DH has popped home to get the DC sorted and put them to bed. It was awful leaving DD this morning, she's only 2 so doesn't understand properly. At least her Daddy can put her to bed. The others are older so know what's going on and don't really mind being left at all. In fact, they were probably looking forward to it...

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elcranko · 02/10/2013 18:48

Really hope that the drip gets things going soon OP. Good luck x

TobyLerone · 02/10/2013 22:35

How's it going?

midori1999 · 03/10/2013 03:32

Thanks for the support and help.

Baby Hugo was born at 1.19am weighing 7lbs 2oz. The time between last posting and him being born was, erm... Interesting?

Ill update properly tomorrow.

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