Induction tomorrow, anyone stop me stressing?

[EmmieA]

Hi, I am 40+12 tomorrow and am being induced. I've read up what to expect in terms of pessaries, drips etc but because I never thought it would apply to me I'm not sure how the birth will be different compared to if I had started naturally. Is it honestly more painful because it comes on quicker? Also, on average, does it take less time as it is started? I'm dreading it going on after visiting times and being without my husband. I know it doesn't matter as long as I get my healthy baby but have really been told nnothing about what to expect.Thanks all x

[electra]

Is this your first baby? I had an induction but it was my third and super-quick - I only needed the first bit of the induction.

From what I've heard it's if you need the drip part then it's more painful. I've had artificial contractions too because my labour stopped with dd1. It was much worse than natural labour pains.

Try to relax as much as you can so that your body will comply with the induction as quickly as possible.

[xMrsSx]

Just a word of hope for you,... I was booked in for an induction but my DS decided to make an appearance the day before so you still have time! Good luck, I'm sure it will all be fine and you'll have forgotten all this worry when you are holding your baby.

Ask the mw to explain the whole procedure to you before they start as they may presume someone else has gone through it all with you. Or try to see your comm mw today to discuss it?

[EmmieA]

Yes, this is my first baby. If for example, a pessary works, how long from then? Or is it a case of however long you would have taken anyway?

[Bensmum76]

Hi
I was induced with my DS due to pre eclampsia. I was given a pessary at midday, and started to feel slight period pain at 4ish, then at 6pm my waters were broken and by 7pm I was in full labour. Its meant to be more painful due to your body not having a chance to produce endorphins, but my DS was born by 2.35am so not too bad.
I refused the drip which was offered towards the end as I didnt see the point in having stronger contractions when the little bugger wasn't ready to come out yet.
All in all it wasn't a horrific experience, I am now 30 weeks pregnant with No2 and am more worried about going into labout naturally due to not knowing when it would happen.
The best was to look at it is that you know that by the end of the week you'll have your baby and the labour will all become a distant memory.
Good luck, you will be fine x

[Violet5]

Hi, i've been induced 3 times now...possibly about to be a 4th as this (my 6th baby) is late too !
I've never had the drip but i've had pessaries and my waters broken.
All my labours have been intense and painful but then i've never been given pain relief despite begging for it. The water birth i had was the best in terms of speed and being least painfull of all of them (have requested the pool this time too).
With my third i had to have 2 lots of pesseries 4 hours a part before the second one worked.
It's easy to say but try not to worry to much about the pain, you'll be in hospital and if you need it any pain you have will be well managed hopefully and baby will be well worth it in the end. Also they always let my OH stay no matter how many hours and what time labour went on til.
Best of luck with it all

[mamacorner]

I was induced with my 1st DD at 40+17,going in at 7am, I had two lots of pessaries and was in established labour by 2ish. My dd was born at around 12pm with the help of large amounts of G&A, which I believe was fairly average time for a first birth. My DS was born 18months later, spontaneous onset of labour, 8 hours ( again fairly normal time for second birth).
I wouldn't say either were more painful during the labour, although second time around I didn't feel the need to be "brave" and go without more painrelief.
Try to relax,and enjoy the excitement of meeting your new babe .

You don't need to worry about visiting hours for your husband, they don't send them away during induction & labour.( In my experience...and I've have kicked up a stink if they'd tried!!)

[cairns]

I wad induced with ds2 and it was great. We have a very busy local hospital ( with ds1 I was in established labour in the waiting room for a long time until a room came free) so it is great that you will being in hospital, looked after and monitored. I had an overnight pessary that didn't work, so had another one the next day. That worked gradually. Active labour only took 3 hours. No need for a drip as once they could break my waters things progressed.

Advice would be keep active, walk around the hospital, the grounds outside when contractions start as although they need to monitor you when you are induced you are not permanently strapped to the bed. Oh and take earplugs and an eyemask as it can take time for the pessary to work especially overnight and get some rest as you will need it.

[pinkpeony]

I wasn't induced but was augmented, as waters had broken but labour was late to start and not progressing, and consultant didn't want baby to risk infection. So had the drip - had an epidural first, so didn't feel any pain at all. Then went from 3cm to 10cm in about 2.5 hours. Took a little nap, then baby out after 20 minutes of pushing - just had a small tear that required one stitch. All very easy and relaxed, and had beautiful DS who came out in great health. So all can go well with the synto drip too and good luck!