early induction - 34 weeks on

[Rootatoot]

Bit of a shock yesterday. Found out that my high bp has affected baby's growth & they're very carefully monitoring me now, with a proviso that if baby needs to come out now, they'll do it. Gave me steroid injections for baby's lungs just in case.

I wrongly assumed they were talking about ELCS and was bit suprised that consultant said they'd prob try to induce first. I didn't know they would do that this early on.

Does anyone have any previous experience of being induced earlier in pregnancy? Logically, it doesn't compute with me that my body will want to comply this early as surely cervix is no where near ready? And then if induction doesn't work, I'll be in EMCS situation.

Don't want to get ahead of myself, but do want to just mentally prepare a bit. Been a bit of a shock this last 24 hours.

(oh & can I cheekily tag on a question rather than start new thread...what toiletries did you use after giving birth? Non perfumed shower gels I presume?Getting bag packed asap)

[ragdollismyname]

Hiya, aww you're in the exact same situation i was when i had my dd. I went for a routine check-up at 34 weeks, bp was really high so they sent me to hospital for monitoring, ended up staying in a week before being induced at 35 weeks. I actually had a really good induction experience.

They inserted a pessary in the morning then checked me 6 hours later, i hadn't had any niggles or pains but they managed to break my waters (what little there was of them , this was an added complication due to the pre-eclampsia).
Started me on syntocin drip straight away, dd was born 4 hours later after just using gas and air. I was lucky that it worked so quickly and they had warned me it could take a few days due to baby being early.

She was a mini 3lb 12oz and had to spend 12 nights in special care just to get her to a point where she was strong enough to feed and maintain her body temperature. This was the worst time, i just walked around in a daze because it had all come as such a shock so try and prepare yourself for the fact that your baby might have to stay in a little while.

Rest as much as you can, i was really frustrated coz i didn't feel ill at all but it is a serious condition so listen to the doctors.

Hope they manage to control your blood pressure and you have a good induction experience.

I just used my normal shower gel that i had in the house coz i went to hospital with an overnight bag that was packed in a hurry then my dp kept bringing stuff in for me, didn't seem to affect me, it was a dove one tho so nice and moisturising.

[KaraJS]

Wasn't induced but had 2nd baby at 35. Weeks and 3rd baby at 32 weeks, my waters broke first with both baby's and i started dilating later, they can give you pesseries to soften cervix if needed! 35 week baby was 5lb 15 and 32 week baby was 4lb 4 , good luck

[KaraJS]

Beertrickspotter was just wondering why they decided to induce you? They told me both times they wouldn't induce me till 37 weeks which I wasn't very happy about.

[KaraJS]

The 2 nd time my waters broke they scanned me the first day and kept me in due to the risk of cord prolapse, the waters kept leaking up until I went into labour and he was born 6 days later, they never checked them after the first day but when he was delivered by emc the doctor said there was no water left, I think they should prob have been scanning me regularly but for some reason they didnt

[KaraJS]

It's happened to me twice and they could never give me any reason either, I went into labour 4 days after the first time and 6 days the 2nd time, I'm pg again but they can't really give me any answers if it will be the same this time as my first baby was full term

[sprinkles77]

I had early induction (38 weeks, so not that early). At the start of induction things did not look hopeful as cervix not favourable. 3 doses of gel over 36 hours, then they broke my waters, syntocinon drip for 13 hours. Not a single bloody contraction. No more than 1 cm dilated. Ended up in EMCS because I went mental at them having had no sleep for 4 nights and because all this time DS had not moved once. Was really pissed off because right at the begining before my induction began, and then after the first dose of gel was inserted, two different doctors had said to me that things were not favourable and if I got no contractions I would have a CS as the first opportunity. The MW on the labour ward was wonderful and supportive. Probably the only member of staff that was. Sorry for being bitter. I'm sure lots of people have a better time than I did. And on the bright side, at least I was not in any pain!

With regards to toiletries, I used plain water (no soap etc) once the dressing was off my scar. Just used normal stuff everywhere else. Take flip flops and antiseptic wipes to the hospital.

[Rootatoot]

sprinkles that sounds pretty dire. sorry you went through that. Although I think it's important not to worry because other people like yourself have had a bad experience, I do think it is helpful to share what can go wrong so that, if it is possible, any signs that things are heading that way and we can try and be more insistant perhaps. Mind you, with my BP & complications, I don't think they'd let me fail to progress. They seem to be being very cautious with me, which is good.

Had monitoring yesterday and 2nd dose of steroids. Baby all fine. Getting checked again on Monday so just taking day at a time. Hoping can make it a couple of weeks further along, which would be great for baby and for me - at least I'd have time to read my birthing skills book, in case I need them!

Thanks guys. x0x

[sprinkles77]

What is really hard about NHS care is that you tend to see lots of different members of staff and get different opinions. I wish that hospitals could stick to a protocol so you knew where you stood. If I'd been told at the begining to expect 4 doses of gel, Ideally 8 hrs apart but probably more due to staff delays, then 12 hrs on a drips and then if no progress a cs. Instead I kept being promised the CS at the next hurdle then getting it witheld.

Point is, try to keep your expectations low, especially if you are very impatient like I am! You need someone who can act as your advocate and express your wishes when you are tired and anxious. My DH was useless at this, and I was very angry with him at the time. Not many people fail to progress with an induction! BTW, the CS itself was fab, will be pushing for ELCS next time if i get pg again.

I hope you baby stays put for a little longer, and that you both keep well. Good luck!

[sodthehousework]

Good luck OP! I was induced at 39 weeks with ds1 (now 2) so not v early and I think they said conditions had to be favourable to proceed with induction. His head had started to engage I think by then. I had two lots of gel then they broke my waters which was uncomfortable but didn't take too long. Had the drip up then and went on to have an epidural. Took about 14 hours in total and everything went ok. Hope you manage to hold on as long as possible! All the best

[Sewmuchtodo]

Hi OP, My blood pressure soared at 33+4 with DC1. I was taken in for monotoring and when it came down a little I was allowed to have bed/sofa rest at home with MW checking daily. BP rose again at 35+6 and I was admitted to hospital. Pre-eclampsia kicked in fully at 36+4 and I was induced at 36+5 with DC1. His head was engaged (had been since 34wks). i recieved one pesserie at 9pm and began to feel period style pains at 11pm, I had a bath and tried to get some sleep. Pains began to intensify at 5.30am. I requested to see the consultant as the nurse on a general ward (as not in labour) was being dismissive. Consultant broke my waters at 6am and my darling son arrived at 8.20am weighing a healthy 6lb6oz.

[Sewmuchtodo]

Sorry ment to hit preview!

Good luck, please let us know how you are getting on. x

[bruffin]

i was taken into hospital at 32 weeks for high blood pressure, but managed to get to 38 weeks before blood pressure rocketed and I started to get protein in my urine and I was induced. It did take 3 days and it was a 24hour labour on top and ended up in theatre in case forceps failed, which they didn't.
But DS was fine and weighed 6lb 7. He is a 6ft tall 15 yr old now.

My DD was born two years later with no complications at 37 weeks and was exactly the same weight.

[Primafacie]

Hi, my waters went at 33 weeks and I was induced at 33+6. The pessary did not do anything so they put me on the drip for what felt like ages, but was probably about 10 hours. I asked for an epidural to be sited before they started the drip. It was fab! I slept through labour, woke up ready to push, baby out in two minutes. He was born at 34 weeks exactly, weighing two kilos, and could breathe and feed on his own. He did not spend anytime in nicu, however he was very badly jaundiced which continued for nearly 10 weeks. He had two stints of phototherapy but is all recovered now.

We were offered a tour of the nicu and scbu before the birth, which I would highly recommend if you can do it. My husband found it even more informative and helpful than I did as he does not spend all his leisure time on MN

Good luck, it is very stressful but in a few weeks time it will all be water under the bridge! Try to focus on the fact that the chances of a positive outcome with no permanent health issues are the same at 34 weeks and at term.

Oh, and I just used my regular toiletries after the birth.

[Rootatoot]

Just quick update. Still cooking baby! 35 weeks today so happy that he's staying put for now. BP has come down a bit and the doppler scan was ok on Weds, so consultant quite happy for now. I've got another growth scan next wednesday and a review then, so they'll decide about induction then I presume, or else just leave me for a bit longer if all going ok.

Baby seems perfectly happy where he is anyway - kicking like mad. Got antenatal class on labour/birth tomorrow so at least I'll have a chance to ask some questions ahead of it all kicking off.