Tell me about your induction at 38 weeks

[weakestlink]

Did it take ages...?!

I am booked in due to high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.

I have been induced before but at 40 weeks so wondering if at 38 weeks my body won't be gearing up to labour yet and will take ages?

[Hawkmoth]

Mine didn't! About eight hours from pessary, didn't think I was in labour. Was checked at 2cm, had bath, was pushing forty minutes later and had ventouse as DD was distressed with the speed of it all. All fine though in the end.

Was totally unfavourable to start with, but some people just react quickly!

[newbie6]

Hi

I am a type 1 diabetic so was induced at 38 weeks. I went into labour after the first pessary but didn't dilate past 5cm so ended up with a section but I think that was just my body as opposed to being induced. Good luck!

X

[LilacBreastedRoller]

Thanks for asking this question, weakest -- I am anticipating this too, and not sure what to expect.

[TinkyPeet]

Will be having one In 2 weeks time at 38, due to huge baby, was Induced at 39 last time and it took 3 pessaries to get things going so I'm hoping this time will be quicker!

[weakestlink]

tinky that is what I am dreading! I'm also booked in for 2 weeks time! How much is your baby weighing? The scan said mine was 9lbs today so goodness only knows how heavy in another 2 weeks! Got another scan next week!

[TinkyPeet]

He was just shy of 8lbs at 35.3, 5lb at 31. Got another scan and sweep at 38.1 and induction 2 days after if I haven't gone into labour, have you got a sweep booked? X

[TinkyPeet]

I'm 36.1 today btw x

[TarkaTheOtter]

I was induced at 38 weeks with dd. I had the pessary and didn't really feel anything but was dilated enough (about 1.5cm) they could start the next stage. Unfortunately the delivery suite was full for TWO DAYS. Eventually they had a bed free, broke my waters and started syntocin drip. Took 8 hrs from that point. First 4hrs were fine, then 4 hours in active labour which got painful so had epidural.
Don't know if you'll be the same but I had a glucose/insulin drip (despite managing with metformin during pregnancy) AND the syntocin drip so was effectively pinned to the bed on my back which may have increased the pain someone. Epidural was great though and still had some feeling just no pain so knew when to push. Baby came out first contraction I pushed.

[weakestlink]

No they didn't offer a sweep - they did look at my cervix though so perhaps saw no point so didn't bother mentioning it? Just booked for induction at 37+6.... Scan & consultant next week at 36+6 and I think the diabetes people make a plan for insulin in labour at that point (?) all very confusing!

[weakestlink]

Tarka that's another fear - too busy to take me. Would be biggest pain in the arse ever due to having to arrange childcare for 2 pre-schoolers.
I am on insulin 4 x day so I am assuming I will have the drip as well but haven't been given much info on that yet (next week perhaps?).

[Jeezimacasalinga]

I was induced at 38 weeks for DC 2+3 because of high bp. Try not to worry too much - both my labours started very quickly after pessary. DC2 was born very quickly afterwards, with DC3 I did need the syntocin drip but only because she was positioned very awkwardly and the labour couldn't progress because there was no pressure on cervix. So I did have to wait quite a while until there was a bed and they could break my waters, BUT the good part was that they were organised and waiting with my epidural (DC2 birth was too quick so I had no pain relief. I know which way I prefer!) Good luck!

[pommedechocolat]

With dd1 - yes, 2 days and 12 hours from drip. With dd2 - no, 16 hours and 4 from drip.

[Midori1999]

I should be booked for induction at 37/38 weeks due to insulin controlled gestational diabetes and the fact I am also on heparin. I was booked for induction at 38 +3 last time too (same reasons) but went into labour naturally 4 days before, so can't really help on the induction.

I was supposed to have a glucose/insulin drip during labour, but apparently they didn't have 'time' to do it. I was only in active labour for four hours, but my blood sugars stayed stable and DD was fine after birth too, despite having a lovely slice of white toast when I got to the hospital....

[NightmareWalking]

I was induced at 38 weeks for DD as amniotic fluid was low, my blood pressure had got too high for me (although still not high) and they found something in my blood which indicated liver problems (they never adequately explained this which made me quite cross).

Pessary around 1 pm Saturday, midwife said they didn't expect it to work and I'd probably be in for two or three days before anything happened. I went & sat in the sunshine afterwards and sent DH to run errands and only when he got back realised that funny tummy ache I got from time to time might be contractions! Spent afternoon and early evening walking around the hospital grounds, waters went about 9pm and DD was born shortly before 2am. I just had gas & air as I had wanted a homebirth and that having gone wrong I wanted to be discharged as soon as possible - DD & I were home by 2pm on Sunday.

[Anothermrssmith]

I will be induced at about 38weeks because I have type one diabetes, don't know if I'm pleased I read this or not!

[TarkaTheOtter]

Another aside from the delay in getting onto the delivery suite the whole thing was positive. In fact, if I manage to avoid gd in this pregnancy and am not induced early I will be a bit lost. I had one-to-one care throughout the induction from two lovely midwives (one student) who organised me an epidural as soon as I felt I needed one. Before that they were happy to chat and help with hypnobirthing. All felt very calm and under control.