Argh argh... staring down the barrel of induction with back-to-back baby

[CountBapula]

I'm 41+3 with DS2. Had a sweep at my 41-week appointment and it did nothing (except I nearly fainted ). They said head was right down and my cervix was central, but nothing's really happened since then except the odd twinge.

I'm booked for induction Monday night and am terrified. I was induced with DS1 at (I think) 41+4 and it was okay (one pessary, 13-hour labour, ventouse) but it seems that it'll be different this time.

Last time I went in for about 9am, and DS was born about 1am. This time I'll have to go in at 9pm, have the pessary then they'll send DH home. I'm being a wimp but I don't want to stay in hospital alone :( Also they've said I'd have to have continuous monitoring and birth pool not an option - gutting as I really wanted a birth centre water birth this time round. I also have pretty bad SPD, and DS2 is back to back, so I'm terrified of the pain and ending up stuck on my back.

Don't know what I'm asking for, really. Reassurance? Hand holding? Good experiences?

[iamusuallybeingunreasonable]

Oh crap, I'm staring down that barrel with you, had a third sweep yesterday and nothing and induction booked for Wednesday... Absolutely scared witless and will also likely be alone (that worries me less so)... I'm more worried about what happened last time, ie I went 100% non communicative and literally zoned so far out with pain DH thought I was asleep!!

This ones back to back too and potentially bigger than my last and that one ripped me in two ... I feel like I want an epidural before I even begin and I had nothing last time, pelvis is killing me but considering some serious physical activities today in the vain hope something gives?!

[CountBapula]

It's so scary, isn't it? Really hope things get going for us soon. I only had gas and air last time and it fecking hurt. I'm thinking similar to you re epidural this time

My mother is texting me every day to ask whether I'm in labour

[Charingcrossbun]

Ladies I think I'm closely following you towards the barrel as have my second sweep tomorrow at 10days over and then they will book an induction.
Only advice I have is on the mum front - I replied to texts with a standard; I've not forgotten you and will let you know what this baby's up to as soon as I know? That helped keep family at bay, so far......

[CountBapula]

Welcome charing. Maybe we can all hold each other's hands.

I've only been offered one sweep (short-staffed, apparently...) but in any case I probably wouldn't have another one. I had two with DS1 and nothing happened. Plus I seem to react to then really badly for some reason...

[iamusuallybeingunreasonable]

Ladies, I dare not get excited but my plug has just gone (TMI and revolting!), last time this happened just before contractions started, so I'm off for a day of walking to try and spark something, I'm sending you both the vibes though

[saffstel]

Both mine back to back, both induced. With no 1 had v painful back labour but with no 2, she moved round during a 4 hour (eeek!) labour and it was fine! Did that pain-relief free too (not by choice). I'm sure you will be fine! Good luck

[CountBapula]

Ooh iam, how exciting! Fingers crossed.

Thanks saff - am hoping that it'll be relatively quick, at least.

[Charingcrossbun]

Thanks saff - it does help to hear positive stories!
Have no pain at all now, it's glorious sunshine outside but I really don't think I can face all the inevitable "when's it due?" if I venture outside without crying!

[iamusuallybeingunreasonable]

Nothing yet and had a red hot stir fry for lunch and a vindaloo for dinner!! Gripey back ache but I'm holding on to what I saw this morning, yucky as it was!

[CountBapula]

Fingers crossed iam. I've had no signs at all today :(

[Mummyk1982]

I'm not as overdue as you, only 40+3 but feeling like nothing is moving and nothing will move and that this baby will be there forever. I don't want to be induced it's against everything I stood for in this pregnancy, I didn't even want sweeps but gave in to one the other day cos I'm so fed up- only made me more fed up cos cervix so high and posterior they couldn't do it,
Just had a proper fed up tearful moment- I just want my body to do this on its own. Having had another sweep booked and my firms completed and sitting with the admin ppl already for induction I just feel hopeless.
Ironically baby has been in perfect position throughout pregnancy and had been 2-3/5 engaged for the last 4 weeks. Come on baby!!!!!

[iamusuallybeingunreasonable]

Urgh!!! These babies!! I mean they must think we are great hosts, but boy oh boy am I sick of my pelvis feeling like its on fire and it's come to something when you are willing on the thought of being in agony!

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

Do you want some tips? I've not been through induction, but I've been through two back to back labours, one on the drip? I'm not an expert or anything, but here's what I know.

I would focus personally on trying to get the back into a better position. You have a 'proven cervix' and you could easily be one of those women who labours easily with the pessary, particularly if you can get the baby in a good position.

Have a look on the spinning babies website and try some inversions. Also spend as much time as you can over tomorrow on your hands and knees or leaning forward over a birth ball. Is there any way you can go swimming tomorrow - a good long period bump down (very gentle swimming!) might help him turn.

Second, flat on your back is the worst position for a baby to turn. When you go in for induction, try and talk to them about what options are available. Can they, for example, set you up on the monitor in such a way as to allow you some movement kneeling on the bed, bouncing on a ball, etc. Epidural is great, and when I went on the drip it was the right decision, but flat on my back also meant (I think) that my DD1 had little chance of shifting position. Gravity was encouraging her to stay where she was.

Thirdly, if you want an epidural for the drip, make them do it in that order. I was astonished how quickly an anaesthetist was found when I said that I wasn't letting them put the drip in until I'd been set up. The other way round is not so good if your epidural is then delayed and you really need it!

Oh, and the overdue texts are hideous aren't they? I'm on no. 3 and have been 8 and 9 days over both previous times, so this time the due date is a total secret. Only known to my mother and DH. Literally no one else outside the medical staff. No friends, not MIL, no one. They have all been given rough dates, but nothing that will allow them to pester!

[Charingcrossbun]

Thanks penguin!
Hang in there ladies these babies will come out eventually! My back aches and my baby was moving so much today it made me vomit but I'm determined not to get too excited as I felt so disappointed and upset this morning having got excited last night and then nothing...again!

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

Is it your first Charing? How exciting!

The only other piece of advice I have is if you go into labour naturally, be cautious about suggestions of ARM if things seem to be going slowly. I found out after DD1 that this is often considered pretty bad practice as a standard approach in early labour with a back to back baby (obviously there are fact specific circumstances where it will be a good idea). A baby can turn far more easily in a bag of water than without, so unless there is a good reason to break your waters, doing so just to try and 'get things moving a bit more' can do more harm than good.

[Charingcrossbun]

Thanks! It is my first and it is really exciting although it's hard to keep focused on that at the moment.
I'm really surprised by how emotional being so overdue has made me!

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

It does that to you!

After two overdue I have assumed that I will go over (to the extent that I have done naff all preparation for the baby, despite being theoretically nearly 36 weeks as, in my head, I have 5-6 weeks to go!). The last twice I've found it really hard and analysed every twinge.

[CountBapula]

Thanks Penguins - great tips there. Will keep all that in mind.

I had a proper weepy moment on DH's shoulder earlier We're now watching Bill Bailey on DVD to try and cheer me up. DH gave me a lovely foot massage that made the baby go crazy - my stomach looked like a bag of excited kittens for a while there...

[SpinningFates]

Count - the hospital can offer you continous monitoring- but you do not have to accept it. Your body. Your choice.

I second the "no drip until I get an epidural".

Good Luck

[iamusuallybeingunreasonable]

Nothing!! How depressing..

I third no drip til epidural as well after last time, they have me synto to augment me as I was slowing down (not sure how a first labour that takes 7 hours start to finish is slow) but once that synto drip was on I was in agony and lo and behold by the time they examined me again it was too late for an epidural - I wasn't best pleased

[CountBapula]

Sorry to hear that, iam... Keep the faith! And thanks for all the tips, everyone. I've written everything down as a kind of induction birth plan.

In lots of pain this morning as baby seems to have his foot jammed under my left rib...

[Charingcrossbun]

We'll get there ladies! My induction is booked for Tuesday morning. Midwife did sweep today and was super super positive (she said she could feel the babies hair!!!) but I'm determined not to get my hopes up!
4 cm dialated, 2cm long and thin, fully engaged - I'm not believing any of it until I have a baby in my arms!'

[Mummyk1982]

That sounds great charing, I'm so excited for you and envious at the same time! How did you get a sweep done on a Sunday? If mine doesn't work on Wednesday I'd want one more before induction the following Monday. My midwife only lives at the end of my road, I keep wanting to walk down to her and ask her to do a sweep! :-)

[CountBapula]

Fingers crossed, charing!

[Charingcrossbun]

Mummyk - I know I'm lucky the maternity unit is open 7 days. I love the idea of just knocking on the door of your midwife with a smile and asking for a quick favour!!
Fingers crossed for Monday!