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Childbirth

Positive stories about induction?

31 replies

AlfieBear87 · 22/03/2013 18:27

Hi all, I'm currently 38+3 and am being monitored twice weekly because the baby's growth rate dropped dramatically at 36 weeks. They gave me a sweep today but said that although my cervix is slightly open its still very long so I've not got much hope of anything happening naturally at this point. They have said they won't let me go any longer than 39 weeks.

Does anybody have any positive induction stories? The only ones I've heard have been horrendous and ended in assisted deliveries and tears/cuts.

With DS1 I had a water birth with G&A and no other intervention at all. I'm really worried about bring stuck on a bed with the drip in my arm and monitor around my belly - the only way I know how to cope with pain is to move as much as I can.

TIA

OP posts:

Report

AlfieBear87 · 22/03/2013 19:29

Hmm I knew it, there is no such thing as a positive induction.

Gutted.

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JemimaPuddle · 22/03/2013 19:31

I do!
I was overdue by 10 days with DD2, was induced using a peasant at 12.05pm and she was born at 4.05pm I had a perfect labour:)

JemimaPuddle · 22/03/2013 19:32

A peasant? Haha. Pessary!

AlfieBear87 · 22/03/2013 19:42

Haha a peasant!! Love it.

Thanks Jemima, there is some hope then! Did you just have the pessary or did you have the drip too? I don't really understand how it all works tbh.....

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purplepippin · 22/03/2013 19:45

I have had 4 inductions at various stages, 38 weeks, 39, weeks, 41 weeks and 42 weeks. All the inductions were fine, I only ever had to have the gel put in no problems with that and then had my waters broken and it was all very easy. The only intervention was with my 1st and I needed an episiotomy and a few stitches. The following 3 were all fine. The worst part of the process was the waiting for things to get going. My only advice is to keep upright and as active as possible, I spent much of the time walking around the hospital to get things going.

AlfieBear87 · 22/03/2013 19:55

Ok that doesn't sound too bad.....thanks purple.

I'm hating having to wait for the induction, let alone waiting for the actual induction to kick in! Patience is not my strong point...

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MustafaCake · 22/03/2013 20:11

Ha ha at being induced using a peasant!

Another positive story here.

Induced at 35 weeks (so really not ready to go!). Had 1 pessary and a sweep, chilled out for a few hours then waters went and first contractions started.

DS born 1 hour after first twinge!

No need for the drip and no time for any pain relief except gas and air.

It was v painful but then childbirth is!

TrishkanOEUFak · 22/03/2013 20:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Josie5 · 22/03/2013 20:47

I'm having an induction tomorrow, had to be induced with my first wasn't great so am pleased to hear some positive stories for a change!

intheshed · 22/03/2013 20:58

I had an induction with DD2- I actually cried when the midwife told me I needed an induction- for DD1 I had a lovely water birth with gas and air and didn't think I would cope without the birthing pool.

In the end I just needed the pessary and it was fine- had it inserted at 11am, contractions started around 5pm, in established labour by 9pm and DD2 born at 11pm! I still moved around lots in labour- they brought me a birthing ball and I was encouraged to go off walking round the hospital while in early labour. In the end I did it all on gas and air, with no stitches or any other intervention needed.

Good luck!

AlfieBear87 · 22/03/2013 20:58

Geez mustafa that sounds amazing (painful but amazing!) Can't believe it happened that quickly for you at 35 weeks. That's definitely made me feel better about the whole induction situation.

My Braxton Hicks have been even more manic than normal tonight so fingers crossed it may kick off naturally after the sweep today.

Good luck Josie, hope tomorrow goes really well for you.

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AlfieBear87 · 22/03/2013 20:59

Quick question - once the pessary is in do you have to stay in the hospital or do they let you go home until it kicks in?

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intheshed · 22/03/2013 21:06

I had to stay in once the pessary was in, to be honest the first few hours were quite nice - I dozed, read magazines and listened to music. Then wandered around the hospital for a bit with DH to try to get things going.

Poppykat1 · 22/03/2013 21:11

Another positive here too!
Had 3 pesseries over the 24 hours all nice, calm and relaxed. actual labour was very quick and easy and I wouldnt bat an eyelid if i ever have to be induced again

Newforestpony · 22/03/2013 21:18

I was induced at 40 weeks because ds needed surgery within 24 hours of birth, so they wanted the team to be in place.

First and only pregnancy. I had a pessary (no peasants here!!) and then the sintocin drip. Birth was a breeze as I thought I was having "niggles" only, but apparently it was labour with proper contractions ;-)

Great birth, audience of around 20 medical professionals as an unusual condition for ds, but was perfect for us.

Ds is now a healthy nearly 5 year old - thank goodness for the wonderful NHS!!!

louisianablue2000 · 22/03/2013 22:03

I've had two inductions and a 'natural' birth.

I was induced with DD1 because my waters broke but I didn't go into labour. I had a pessary overnight then the drip the next day. The pessary was the worst part in my opinion. I had an episiotomy but otherwise normal birth, had G&A and pethidine for pain relief.

With DS my waters broke at 36 weeks and there was a ton of merconium in my waters. After they checked DS's heartbeat was OK and hearing about my normal and fairly fast two labours I was induced with a drip. Once labour started things progressed quickly. His heartrate dropped so I was going to have an EMCS but he arrived before they could prep me. Total labour 2.5h, second stage 10mins. Only a few puffs of G&A.

Our family is complete but I would never worry about having an induction. In particular with DS it allowed me to avoid a CS (just!).

TrishkanOEUFak · 22/03/2013 22:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Josie5 · 22/03/2013 22:50

I've been told by one midwife ill have to stay in and by another I won't! Would like to come home to be honest as know ill relax more and my toddler will keep me distracted. But it depends on your history and if you've had complications.

Pleasenomorepeppa · 23/03/2013 20:09

I was induced at 42 weeks with DD2. I had 1 pessary felt lots of tummy cramping for 3 hours, regular contractions (totally bearable with no pain relief for 1 hour. 15 mins of horrid ones, i was examined, was 3cm, waters were broken & 25 mins & 2 pushes later 8lb 7oz DD was born. No tearing & a brilliant birth experience!
She was born at 10.38pm & I was discharged at lunchtime the next day. I pushed her to the ward myself & took DD1 to school the day afteri came home.
Good luck .

holbea · 23/03/2013 20:20

I do! Went 2 weeks over so induced with pessary. After 5 hours of nothing, it was like someone had flicked a switch and DD was born 2.5 hours later! Did have a 2nd degree tear though.

Bunny19 · 25/03/2013 19:45

I was induced at 40 weeks because of high blood pressure.

2 pessaries and drip for me, had concractions for a couple of days, uncomfortable but not overly painful. Then had waters broken and drip put in at 12pm on the 3rd day and DD was born a 5.08pm!

Just had gas and air, I was monitored all the way through because of high bp but i could move around as much as I pleased, I started off standing, then on the birthing ball, then on all fours and eventually on the bed!

The midwife was amazing and the whole thing was lovely (as childbirth can be lol)

Good luck!

MrsWinklepicker · 27/03/2013 18:56

Another good one here - DC1 was induced at 42 weeks - after the first pessary, everything progressed really quickly and I was able to have a water birth using just gas and air :)

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Chisbird · 27/03/2013 20:16

No horror stories here, both my babies were induced at 42 weeks and labour was fine. Needed to have my waters broken each time as the sweeps and pessaries did nothing, wasn't offered peasants! Feel like I missed out on something now

EldritchCleavage · 28/03/2013 11:02

Induced at 39 weeks due to reduced foetal movement. Ended up on the drip, 9 hour delivery with no other intervention except epidural. I did tear (because I pushed DS out in about 3 goes-should have paced myself!) but was stitched up and healed quickly and well. It was fine really.

sleepyhead · 28/03/2013 11:09

I was induced at 40+10 and it was fine. Pessary only and the contractions didn't really ramp up until my waters broke (of their own accord) about 5 hours before ds was born.

This time I'm being induced at 40 weeks if ds2 doesn't show up by then (38+2 today) due to maternal age - my choice - and I'm a lot less apprehensive because of my good experience last time.

Good luck! I hope dc comes on his/her own, but it doesn't need to be a bad experience if they don't.

Flip

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