Inductions and c-sections?

[VJONES1985]

I'm 21w with dc1 and am going to be induced at 38 weeks because I'm type one diabetic. I have heard that 'early' inductions often end in c-sections but I really want to avoid a CS if I can. I have a few questions -

What does an induction involve?
Is there anything I can do to encourage it to work?
What are your experiences of induction and CS?

Thanks.

[BettyFriedansLoveChild]

Hi, I was induced at 39 weeks due to suspected leaking of amniotic fluid. I was given a pessary at 3am, and contractions kicked in around an hour later, each lasting for about a minute, with one or two minute gaps between them. I wasn't allowed to leave the hospital, but was encouraged to walk around. This first part wasn't too painful, and I found that I was able to cope so long as I was able to move. This went on until around 3pm the following afternoon, when my dilation was checked and found to be less than 1cm, which was pretty discouraging. I was put on a synoctin drip, which was considerably more painful than the pessary. After several hours on that I still wasn't dilating, and was given an epidural so that they could turn the dose up. After 12 hours on the drip I hadn't even dilated 2cm, and by 4am the medical team on duty had decided to give up on the induction and DD was born by CS instead. I hope another poster comes along with a more positive induction story in a moment. I have the impression that an induction is most likely to succeed if you are already on your way - i.e. partially dilated, and baby's head engaged.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

I had an induction due to being at 40+12. Contractions kicked in about 6 hours after the second pessary, no progress from that or rutpure of membranes until on drip at which point I was also offered an epidural which I took and slept for the first time in 3 days.

Delivery was instrumental but neither of us have long-term problems from it.

Its a long progress, it took me 4 days from admission to hospital to holding DS. I don't know if they'll let you go for as long. I walked as much as I could until contractions got too much (felt like miles but I was waddling rather slowly).

Good luck.

[VJONES1985]

Thank you for sharing. I thought that may be the case with inductions as early as 38 weeks unfortunately. That was really helpful, thanks.

[VJONES1985]

Pint of tea - it all sounds long winded and stressful! Need to prepare myself for the longhaul!

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Don't worry, it doesn't have to be stressful. I got a lot of reading and listening to things on the iPod done until things kicked off. I just would have coped better had someone warned me that it could take days.

[VJONES1985]

Thanks, I will make sure my Kobo is in my hospital bag!!

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

I researched this a few months ago and I'm pretty sure that (statistically) pre-term induction increases the likelihoods of both a C-Section AND an instrumental delivery if it is your first DC OR you have had a previous C-Section.

However there is still a much higher chance of you delivering vaginally than not.

Probably not much help. Your MW should be able to give you the hospital stats.

I'm being induced at term on Saturday (for being 40) and am dreading the idea of a 4 day pre-labour / labour - as I've previously had a vaginal delivery I'm hoping this won't be the case.

[Notrightnowww]

I was induced at 40w with first baby. First pessary did nothing (though FTMs get a lower dose I think and they fully expect you to need the second dose).

Had second pessary and strong contractions started within an hour. 3 hours later I was fully dilated, and delivered 5 hours after pessary - no drip, no ARM, no instrumental delivery.

I realise I was lucky, but it's not always a slow process with lots of intervention.

[finalyfine]

I'm type1 diabetic as well. Got induced at 37weeks. Went in on a Wednesday & after the 6 try with gel & nothing happening. Was being examined last time before the doctor saying she books me in for Cs. But just as she put her hand in my membrane broke. Got lead upstairs & hooked up to drip on Saturday morning and by Sunday I was to tried & I asked for section & doctor said no, but come shift change & new doctor said ok.

[finalyfine]

Was told to walk around to speed up labour, so I went for a really long walk second day & made myself go hypo and later that day had rebound hyper of 15.4 so doctors decided to hook me up insulin drip which meant I was stuck in bed. This prevented me from doing the most effective thing I could do to speed it up. So take it from me, be extra careful with your glucose control. Like I have to tell you. Section healed very quickly, I had my section on late Sunday & was discharged on Tuesday morning. Ds is healthy & 7months now and I have had no problems. Ps how come you been told this very early? I was told after my last growth scan that I need to come in for an induction next week, as the scan said I was carrying a large child. which was a lie he was only 2kg

[Meerka]

oh gawd Im booked in with an induction on tues and it'll probably be pessaries. The stories here do not sound good, except for notrightnow :(

[weebigmamma]

I had an induction by pessary with my first and it all went very well. 8 hours from beginning labour until the birth and I had gas and air only. I had a 3rd degree tear but that wasn't the fault of the induction- could happen to anyone. No need for forceps or anything or a section. Have just had an elective section and that went well too. good luck to you! My doc had said he didn't think the pessary would work and that I might need another or a drip, but the pessary kicked in within minutes!

[Madasabox]

I have had two inductions due to diabetes and am booked in for my third. First was straight onto drip as waters had broken and I wasn't dilating. Took 21 hours from waters breaking. Forceps delivery but all fine. Second was at 40+2, pessary => nothing => waters being broken => nothing => drip => demand for epidural (not given) => eventually gave birth to a big boy with no instruments, no tear, no cut. 36 hours from start to finish. So no C section despite children who were very reluctant to come out!