Second induction - difference to first?

[mellymell]

Am currently 41.3 with my second child and may have to resort to a second induction on the weekend.

Had a terrible time with the first induction - the full range of interventions apart from a caesar and was pretty sick afterwards. Was hoping to avoid that this time, so have been trying every natural induction remedy and have had one sweep already. Next one on Wednesday.

The MW said that for a second induction, it's usually a pessary and the breaking of waters which triggers everything, then straightforward birth from then on.

I would much rather go the natural route, but I obviously breed lazy babies and am just so tired of waiting.

Opinions from those who've had two inductions on the difference betw the two?

[GustWriter]

Not quite what you've asked but I've had two babies, one induced. Childbirth is what it is really - not a huge barrel of laughs but worth it when its over. At least you have an idea of protocol. I'd say best thing to do is get rest beforehand and stay calm and focused as much as you can during the birth.

[CarGirl]

I've had 4 inductions that have all been quite different but all ended up in unassisted deliveries.

My only advice would be to try all 3 pesseries before you let them break your waters. Once you have your waters broken (had that done twice) it is really painful and I feel you are going a step further down the intervention needed route.

With my 4th baby, induction at 42 week, I had a bishops score of 1 6 hours after the first pessary (had a bishops score of one before I even got pregnant!) then the 2nd pessary set everything going however my waters did not break until I was fully dilated and delivering - my 2nd stage was 2 minutes!

This is only my advice as a mum whose always been induced to going overdue. My other big tip is that besides the monitoring for 45 minutes after the pessary is inserted refuse continuous monitoring that way you stay more mobile. If get strapped to that bed it isn't going to help you labour & deliver as naturual as you could IYSWIM.

[tyaca]

sry for hijak but is it standard to do pessaries before breaking waters? i went in for an induction in march and was expecting pessaries but my waters were broken instead (apparently cause i was 2cm dilated). that didnt work so ended up with the drip. gutted cause my fab ante natal MW had reckoned i was v ripe and that one pessary should be enough to get me going.

[mellymell]

CarGirl - thanks for the tip on the multiple pessaries - I got the impression that 1 pessary and waters broken was the standard, so will ask for more of the former before the latter.

[CarGirl]

I've not got any midwifery training but when they break your waters then the baby's head will sit on the cervix and cause it to dilate but it is usually very intense and painful when they do it so let the pessaries slowly work on opening your cervix surely has to be kinder to your body?

Usually they do 3 pesseries and then break your waters if you're dilated enough.

[keevamum]

I had both DD's by induction. Only difference with DD2 was it was a lot quicker. 2 hours from start to finish instead of 8 hours with DD1. Still hurt but at least it was over quickly.

[Amapoleon]

I have had 2 although in two different countries. The firstin the U.K, was fast and furious, gel drip etc but no intervention. The second, in Spain,I imagine was more like a natural labour. Something like a tampon was inserted and nature was left to take its cause, waters broke, build up of contractions etc but this one took ages and ended up in a c-section. I think with the second one, it was done too early and the baby just wasn't ready to come out.

[mamijacacalys]

I have had 2 inductions.

With DS (2002), had one pessary on the Tuesday night, one on the Wed morning. Mild contractions started 12 noon on the Wed, DS born 830pm (had to have episiotomy/forceps to help him out) but otherwise no intervention. Few gasps of gas and air, that's all.

With DD (2006), as cervix was not so 'ripe' as with DS, had a different type of pessary ('T-bag'?)on the Wednesday morning - had to keep in for 24 hours until the Thursday morning. Started having mild contractions 6am Thurs morning, DD born at 1.30pm. Didn't even have gas and air that time!

So both times fairly similar - pessaries only (no breaking of waters, drips or epidurals) - but DD was quicker than DS, which was to be expected as she was a 2nd baby.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[Rolf]

Hi Mellymel

I agree with everything Cargirl said! I'd avoid having your waters broken if at all possible and once you're in labour encourage them to leave you alone.

My 2 inductions felt very different. DC1 - although I needed just the pessaries I found the whole thing pretty unpleasant. With DC3 once I'd moved on from prostin pains to proper labour it was pretty much like a normal labour. The only difference was the hospital's enthusiasm for intervention . I prepared an induction birthplan the other day, just in case. If you want me to post it let me know.

[lilyloo]

i had induction with ds was a nightmare two lot's of gel, drip etc. episiotomy and ventouse
natural labour with dd1
induction with dd2 went 13 days over had one lot of gel and labour progressed same as dd1 but was quicker no need for waters to be broken

[disneystar]

i had a terrible first induction

im having another one in 17 days am trust me i am armed with my info now

def 3 lots of pessaries i am not lettin them break my waters till my body is ready

last baby got badly stuck needed intervention so this time im having a epidural before breaking waters
once they do this the pain is the worst the more you can dilate naturally the better
good luck hun