Induction / long post natal stay

[SconeRanger]

So, I'm diabetic (type 1, not gestational) and how several other health concerns which mean I'll have to be on IV steroids during labour for at least 48 hours afterwards, possibly more, before transitioning back to oral 'roids. The is my first pregnancy, and everything has gone swimmingly so far. I'm currently 36 weeks, and will be induced at 38. I'm struggling to find stories from people who have been induced for reasons other than being overdue, and who have had to stay in for quite a few days afterwards. I'm quite anxious about having to stay in afterwards because I know I'm an awful inpatient and I think I'll just want to get home with baby and try to adjust to everything.

Basically, I'm asking if anyone has any stories or advice that might give me a bit of an idea of what's coming and any tips on how to cope. Thanks!

[SweetAdeline]

I had to stay in for 24hrs after induction because of gestational diabetes. What made a massive difference was paying to have my own room. I think it cost £120 no matter how long you stayed in my hospital. Worth every penny to avoid the selfish twats who'd watched tv with no headphones for the 36hrs I was in the induction ward.

[SconeRanger]

I don't think that's an option at my hospital - though I'll make sure to ask if it's a possibility when I go on the tour of the labour ward later this week.

[TattieHowkerz]

I am type 1 diabetic too and stayed in for a week (!) after induction with my DD. She was having antibiotics hence the long stay.

There were some good things about being in that long. It was nice to have people there to help/advise anytime I wasn't sure of anything. It was nice to have cups of tea and meals on tap. Of course when I got home DP was there, but in hospital you can't be tempted to overdo it, because there is nothing to do! In fact I felt a bit tearful about leaving all the lovely midwives and assistants when we did go. I got lots of help around breastfeeding and expressing (had to express for a few days due to DD's short-term medical issues).

Ask/ beg for a private room after a day or two. They know it is hard. Take lots of snacks and comfy clothes. Cardigans and hoodies are good for feeling more dressed sitting up in bed when there are unfamiliar people around. Take cheap slippers that you can throw away as the floors get filthy with all the visitors trailing in and out, even when cleaned frequently.

Hope all goes well. Good luck. I am 11 weeks with my second so the prospect of a 38 week induction and extended stay wasn't enough to out me off!

[Chococroc]

I'm a type 1 and had my baby in March last year. My story isn't a straightforward/reassuring one I'm afraid but hopefully still useful to share - ignore if you don't want to know!

I was meant to be induced at 38 weeks, but ended up being induced at 36 +1 because baby hadn't grown since the previous growth scan 2 weeks previously. It turned out to be a placenta issue unrelated to the diabetes (I had near perfect control throughout).
I was induced in the early hours of the morning and started to have 'tightenings' within a few hours. Around lunchtime they put me in a foetal heart rate monitor and picked up that baby's heart rate was dropping each time I had a contraction. An examination showed that I hadnt progressed particularly far and so they recommended a c section which I agreed to. Whilst the spinal was being given baby's heart rate dropped quite dramatically and it became a crash section. Despite that however I found it quite a positive experience and the surgical team were great at putting me at ease. So pleased I took the decision to take the recommendation rather than wait a bit longer to see what happened.
A few hours after he was born my son's blood sugars started to drop and so he had to go to NICU. We also had some problems feeding and his weight dropped so we ended up staying in for 5 nights. I was ready to be discharged sooner but he wasn't. I'm not going to lie, I really didn't like the postnatal ward, it was loud, hot and busy. But I can honestly say that was all forgotten once I got to go home: my hospital has a policy that diabetics aren't put in private rooms. Their explanation being that it's in case you hypo, which is crazy, do they think your never alone at other times! So I'd definitely recommend asking their policy on that in advance.
Good luck with it all, happy to answer any other questions if useful.

[SconeRanger]

Thanks guys! Glad it wasn't bad enough to put you off a second TattieHowkerz!

Seems like I should prepare for a decent length stay afterwards. Did you manage to sleep at all? That's something I'm particularly worried about. Also, can you take your baby out and about for a walk? (Obviously not when he was in NICU). It sounds like trying for a private room should be a priority - I can't believe your hospital Chococroc! Like you say, do they think we have someone watching us all the time?!

Were the nurses/midwives good at keeping on top of the diabetes side of thing? I've been in before for non pregnancy things, and the ward staff took 40 minutes to get me some glucose when I had a hypo!

[SparklyTinselTits]

I was induced due to premature rupture of membranes at 38 weeks. My labour didn't start on its own, so had to be induced to reduce the risks of infection to baby.
Induction was fine! Labour was relatively easy, and very quick!
My local hospital is notorious for shitty postnatal care, so when they said I would have to stay on the ward for 24hrs to monitor baby, I felt sick the care was as shoddy as I had expected. They didn't even tell me where a toilet was ffs.
If it weren't for the fact that they were monitoring my baby, I would have discharged myself and left asap.
My friend was induced at the hospital that's slightly further away two weeks later, and she couldn't praise them enough!!
I think it totally depends on your hospital staff! My hospital was woefully understaffed.

[Chococroc]

We weren't 'allowed' to take the baby out of the ward, although I could go for a wander while DP was there with him if I wanted. May be different elsewhere though.
The staff on the delivery ward were good at keeping on top of the diabetes side of things, although at the same time I kept autonomy over it, they checked as opposed to did if that makes sense. I really wasn't looking forward to going into the sliding scale, but when it came down to it I was happy to let someone else take control for a while. They struggled to get my sugars up in recovery but were great dealing with it.
The postnatal ward wouldn't admit me until I was off the sliding scale and they didn't really do anything on the diabetes side other than ask me what my readings were. I preferred it that way to be honest. Though I would recommend having your own hypo treatments with you.
The diabetes pregnancy team did visit me everyday I was in though which was reassuring and good to see familiar faces.

[SconeRanger]

So where were you before you were off the sliding scale, Chococroc? Did they keep you on the delivery ward.

I have a feeling our hospital will want to keep the baby on the ward too, they seem to have a very intense alarm system for babies. I've already stuck a six pack of lucozade in my hospital bag!

I'm hoping to stay on my pump throughout, but have told my husband that if I start not being able to keep on top of it, or I'm distracted by labour, I won't mind if they put me on the sliding scale as I'll be on an IV anyway.

[Chococroc]

Yes, inwent back to my room on delivery after the c section and stayed until the next morning when they took me off the sliding scale (strangely my own room was fine in that situation!) . That's the other thing didn't mention, the induction was done on delivery ward rather than on the antenatal ward which is a definite advantage.

[SconeRanger]

Haha, obviously hypos weren't too much of a risk there then! Yeah, I think my hospital has an induction bay with four beds on the delivery ward, which I think might make me feel a bit better than just being on the antenatal ward.

[TattieHowkerz]

Once I was on the postnatal ward I just managed my diabetes and gave them some figures. I'd bring your own hypo treatments and top up foods. Having had a situation (not pregnancy related) where I was noted down for being administered 720 units of insulin (someone misread 12u) I prefer to do things myself!

I slept fine on the ward. Well, as well as anyone with a newborn does. I'm aware I stirred when other babies cried but you are so tired you won't be lying awake!

[SconeRanger]

Argh, that's a scary mistake! I like to keep control of things myself where possible too. I'm glad to hear its not impossible to sleep on the wards!

[Junosmum]

I wasn't induced but did stay in afterwards- I was dreading it but actually found it quite lovely and relaxing! The midwives were lovely and I even got a private room. I didn't have to worry about anything and they kept visitors to a min, which I needed, though I could have had more if I'd wanted. Plus you have a brand new human to care for so it isn't like when your in hospital normally. So it may not be as bad as you think. Though it will be warmer than the sahara!

[SconeRanger]

Thanks Junosmum, I'm glad you found it useful, hopefully I'll have a similar experience. I'll make sure I put my summer PJs in my bag then :)

[jessplussomeonenew]

I was induced due to pre-eclampsia at 38+6 and stayed in for 10 days total waiting for my BP to stabilise. I was climbing the walls by the end of it! My top tips would be: make sure you know where your stuff/baby stuff is at home so you can dispatch people to get what you need - a notepad and pen really help with making lists. You may find you need more baby clothes than you might if you were at home earlier, as my husband found it took ages to get the laundry done in the brief moments he had at home. A private room is definitely something to ask for as I think I'd have really struggled to sleep (even more than I actually did) on a multi-bed ward - I could distantly hear babies waking each other up along the corridor and was very glad that wasn't me.

If you are going to need regular checks for your diabetes, try to get them to align the timing with any medication and if possible do it when the baby wakes so that you're not getting too many extra wakeups at night - I was on 2 or 4-hourly BP checks for most of the time and they got really good at saying "buzz us the next time the baby wakes after [approx time check was due] and we'll come and give you your meds/BP check".

One thing that made a huge difference for me after about 4-5 days was putting a "don't disturb" sign on the door - the medics came in for checks etc but it stopped people waking me up to ask me if I wanted a cup of tea/clean the room/empty the bin, which was driving me mad as it invariably happened when I finally got to sleep after a disturbed night.

Good luck, hope this helps!

[Millie2013]

Induced at 40 weeks, due to concerns over baby's growth. I had to stay in for a week due to PPH (had to have two transfusions), baby dropping weight and hematoma (ouch). I had my own room and bathroom, which was nice for privacy and I was quite poorly for a few days, but once I started to get a bit better, it was harder, as they were busy and I often got overlooked. I couldn't even walk to the nurses' station to get a cup of tea, could just about get to the bathroom
Several years on though, it just seems like a tiny part of the early days. And (the ward was on lockdown due to noroviris), it helped me to bond with my LO and establish BF, without the interruption of constant visitors (OH was allowed in)

[mrsleomcgary]

Also type 1 and induced at 38weeks with both pregnancies.

For dd1 I was in hospital for 4 nights but she had trouble feeding so they kept us in to try and get over that. I was greatful for it truth be told and had no problems despite being in a 4 bed ward.

Dd2 I was out after 2 nights. Slightly more traumatic with her in that her blood sugars wouldnt stablise so she had to go to scbu for 24 hours to be tube fed. It was horrible at the time,even though I knew she was ok really,but it did get me a private room back on the post natal ward.

I was only on the sliding scale for about an hour after delivery both times so going back to post natal wasnt an issue. For my diabetes care the diabetes team gave me insulin doses to start with (the reduction in the amount of insulin you need is instant and HUGE) then left me to adjust them accordingly; the midwifes took the view that I know what i'm doing with my diabtetes much better than they do and they just asked me for my readings when doing the drug rounds.The diabetes team also visited me on the ward to make sure there were no problems. Take a bottle or two of lucosade with you and keep a really close eye on your levels,hypos will sneak up on you.

[frangipani13]

I would say take plenty of snacks that are suitable for the diet you follow. I had GD and there were no suitable meals for me so I ate all my snacks but no proper meal during induction which totally messed up by blood sugars and meant I had to go on the sliding scale. Little one was in NICU for 5 days and being on a ward saved my sanity in some ways i think I'd have gone a bit potty in a private room. We had one at the start and due to how busy they were we did feel forgotten about. Pack earplugs as you will get some noise and flip flops for the shower. Light weight dressing gown was v handy and light nighties or PJ's that open at the front. good luck!!

[Mummyme87]

Diabetes side you will probably be expected to self care until in active labour. Then most units midwife will normally check your blood sugars as per protocol for type 1 diabetes. Sliding scale as per protocol which midwives are fairly used to. Post birth you will probably be expected to self care again and they will do blood sugars for baby. Some units midwife does them, sometimes nursery nurses. Diabetes is fairly common so the team are usually okay with care.

Make sure you have lots of appropriate snacks and some lucozade.
If you are in for a while post birth, maybe pay for a private room if available although they can be expensive. Wards are noisy and if you're in for a while this might be hard.

Wards are busy and generally understaffed. Midwives are often caring for 8 women or more plus babies who are on regular observations, blood sugar checks, antibiotics, needing discharged, having breastfeeding problems etc etc so you may not see a huge amount of your midwife.

Hopefully you will have a good experience

[ThePug]

Glad I found this thread - I'm Type 1 diabetic & due to be induced next Saturday at 36+1 (if I make it through monitoring this week). Original plan had been to do it 'by 38 weeks' but my insulin requirements dropped a couple of weeks ago, so they hauled me in for steroids & 24 hours of monitoring (and sliding scale due to the steroids) last week to prepare for an earlier delivery.

Our hospital has private rooms (£150 for ensuite) so hoping I can get one of those for the whole stay as it's likely I'll be in for a while. When I was in last week it was on a 4-bed assessment room where everyone else seemed to be starting the induction process, or coming in for examination before being taken to a private delivery room. It was like Picadilly Circus and not very private (I heard way TMI!) so hope I can avoid this.

Have monitoring appointments on Mon, Wed & Fri this week and could be kept in at any stage, but hopefully all will be ok and I'll make it to Saturday (and maybe have a Valentines baby )

[SconeRanger]

Good luck, Pug! Hope the monitoring goes well, and that your induction is smooth when the time comes. Let me know how you get on? My insulin requirements are going the other way, I'm on about double what I was before pregnancy. Hoping the drop down after birth isn't too rough.

[SconeRanger]

It's so great to hear other people's experiences, thanks everyone for sharing. You've made me feel a lot better about the whole thing.

[ThePug]

Thanks Scone - and yes, it's because my insulin requirements haven't shot up like yours that they're a bit concerned. I've been waiting & waiting for them to go up like I was told they would early on but it never happened, and about 2 weeks ago I was hypoing all the time so had to drop my doses. That's when they got very twitchy about things possibly going wrong. All scans & monitoring on baby show he's absolutely fine though and definitely well nourished (estimated 6lb 3 on Friday at 35+1, tummy the size of a 39+4'er - all this despite my Hba1c's having been perfect throughout).

Just back from monitoring now and (as I could have told them) baby moving fine.

I'll try and remember to report back here how it all goes but if I don't get chance before you go in, good luck to you too!

[SconeRanger]

It sounds a bit like we're the opposite. My HBA1C has been fine throughout too, but my issuing requirements are high and my bump is comparatively tiny! I'm 37 weeks and measuring more like a 32. I've had loads of extra growth scans and baby seems to be happy plodding along on the 50th percentile and is a real mover. Hope the rest of the monitoring goes well.