Being induced today (39+1), eek!

[violetbean]

I'm terrified. Please hold my hand!

Being induced because blood pressure is high and they found 1+ protein in my urine. I also have a UTI (not sure if that makes a difference).

Baby is a boy (according to 2 sonographers. I'm 39+1 today.

DH is with me. Am on my way home to pick up my hospital bag, then back to ante-natal ward. Eek!

Good luck violet! How exciting! Just think soon you will be holding your beautiful baby!
I had an induction as baby was 12 days overdue (darn comfy womb!) it was fine, it did hurt I can't lie, but the fantastic thing is that you are really closely monitored so if you or baby need anything (drugs!) the midwife/doctors are right there to help you, none of these being sent home as your not dilated then realising your 8cm horror stories you hear.
Just keep focusing on how exciting it is, and get your DH to give you back massages, only time you can demand them on tap

Thanks so much city. Am in ante-natal ward, had sweep and pessary inserted, am 1-2cm dilated. Pretty uncomfortable but feeling a bit calmer now.

good luck violet

Great! I know it sounds silly but get some rest now if you can. So excited for you!

Thanks guys! Have watched a DVD with DH, am now off the monitor, got given some meds to try to bring my blood pressure down and also something to relieve the headache (I think caused by blocked sinuses - I have a bad cold) and now hoping for a little nap. No regular pains yet. Will keep posting as it helps calm me for some reason!

Being monitored again and have been given some paracetamol to take the edge off the headache.

Hope you're ok today?

Yep, nothing much happening except for a constant dull ache. Pessary coming out around 6pm and I'll be examined then, hopefully things will be moving a bit! Am bouncing on the ball and walking around the ward to get baby engaged.

Just keep moving and also get any rest you can now. Induction can take a long time (2 days for me). Have a shower too if they will let you .

If you want to get things moving and you aren't attached to a monitor take your DH with you and find a flight of stairs to walk up and down a few dozen times, mixed in with laps of the hospital corridors that should help. Good luck

Thanks so much for the great advice! Went for a walk with DH round the hospital (including some stairs) and now being monitored again. Pain pretty constant this afternoon (apart from during my much-needed nap!) but has eased up a bit in the last half hour. Hope things start ramping up soon!

How exciting. ..I was induced at 38 wks for the exact same reason andvi had a really positive experience.

Good luck OP I really recommend a nice bath to hrlp with the aches from the pessary.

Ooh this is exciting - I was just browsing through the Active convos list for something good to read. Keep us posted!

Ooh a bath would be heaven but there isn't one on this ward, just a shower. If I get transferred to labour ward later there might be a bath there! Am hopeful but deep down know this is unlikely to happen tonight as am not in any pain at all now. Where are the contractions?!

It's a bit weird at the mo, overnight and this morning there were 4 of us in the 4 beds in this room, now I'm the only one left - the other three have gone to the labour ward having contractions. Feel like I'm letting the side down! On the up side, if I have to stay here tonight at least it might be a bit quieter!

Asked midwife if I could have some pain relief when she examines me and she said I could have some gas and air, yay! Feel like a bit of a wuss but yesterday's sweep was SO painful, it seemed worth the embarrassment of asking!

OK, now in a lot of pain. MW gave me gas and air, weirdest feeling ever - like I was removed from my body for a few minutes. Could hear my own voice when I spoke and it sounded really deep and like it was far away.

She examined me and said cervix is still posterior and feels closed (weird as yesterday's MW said it was 1-2cm dilated!). She took out the pessary and put in the gel stuff. Hurt a lot. Looks like I'll be here overnight still waiting for contractions to start. Sigh.

Have now taken paracetamol and codeine as well as the blood pressure meds. Hope they kick in soon!

Cold flannel on forehead helping a bit. Want to do some of my active birth moves (from the Juju Sundin book) but am on the monitor so movement is a bit limited. At least I'm on my own in the ward so I can vocalise a bit without disturbing people!

Oh, good luck violet. It wont be long now!

Ooh DH has had to go home (visiting hours 8am-10pm) but before he left he fitted the TENS machine onto me. It's awesome!

Apparently if this gel doesn't work and they can't break my waters I'll have to wait another 24 hours and then they'll try again with another pessary or something. Could be in for the long haul, eek! Please waters, just break!!!

Now have 2 new neighbours on the ward, much less lonely now! Am being monitored for half an hour and then examined again to see if the gel had any effect. Doesn't seem like it's worked as I've not been having strong regular contractions, but fingers crossed in any case!

Nope, still just 1cm. Argh. Have to wait until gel has been in 24 hours (8ish tonight) until they give me more / try to break my waters. Sigh.

Oh Violet I hope you're making some progress now. It won't be long till you have your lo!

Thanks for the support guys!

Lady in the next bed who came in about 4 hours ago is already having clear contractions.

Just have to be patient and remember that in a few days little one should be here, and that we're in the best place to be looked after considering the blood pressure complications etc. Maybe I need to schedule in some distracting activities for today... watch a DVD, take a walk round the hospital, have a shower, bounce on the ball, nap, read magazines, etc...

...update MN...

Sorry to hear it's taking a while. When is your partner coming back?

Ooh good luck!

I was induced at 37 weeks due to waters breaking early. Made it to 3-4cm but it just didn't seem to work for me so ended up with a CS. Don't let that discourage you though - it was because my waters had gone. And if it does end up happening to you I found it a lovely experience - very calm, baby cuddles and bf straight away.

Soon you'll be holding your beautiful baby!

Good luck op! I was induced with my previous 2 pregnancies. The first because of pre eclampsia and the second because of high BP. The first took 3 days to get me going and it felt like forever !! You will get there eventually :)
I'm currently in hospital with my third due to high BP again.
What was your BP sitting at? I'm hoping to be sent home today as only 35 weeks!

Good luck op! I keep checking back on to see how you're doing. I was induced but pessary didn't work so was put on drip which really worked very quickly! If you go on the drip it gets painful quite quickly so if you want an epidural ask for one early on. That's my top tip! x