Talk to me about being induced!

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

So my consultant was discussing inducing me around 37/38/39 weeks due to my crippling anxiety that my baby is going to die. I've had three miscarriages and this is basically my last chance to have a baby due to age.

I'm now 36+1, had a growth scan yesterday that showed a weird femur measurement that distorted a normal head circumference and normal abdominal measurement, so now the baby is tracking the 22nd centile when 4 weeks ago it was around the 90th!! Cord pressure and blood flow are absolutely fine so the consultant doesn't think the placenta is giving up, but I'm afraid I lost the plot entirely and was hysterical so she is asking if I want to be induced in the next couple of weeks.

I am do torn about it and don't know what the right thing to do is. Ds1 was born at 40+2, spontaneous labour, VBAC, painful but really problem free. The consultant said about using the gel to try and get things started, but am I right that this could end up just bringing on a really really long latent phase with things stopping and starting? I have a toddler, limited support aside from DP who needs to concentrate at work and I can't see him being happy if I'm ringing him all the time thinking labour has started. Equally right now my anxiety is so severe that I'm hardly sleeping, crying at the drop of a hat and I know this is not good for baby. I feel he will be safer out than in, but again I'm aware I'm being totally irrational.

Any induction stories would be great.

[spnfan]

Oh who. I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety.

I was induced after 12 hours of contractions doing nothing - my cervix was still firmly closed.

Once I had the pessary labour lasted 12 hours. It would possibly have been shorter but I was pushing for 3 hours before the midwife noticed DD was presenting brow and i needed a c section.

I know this isn't the same as induction from a standing start but ime induction didn't make labour last any longer.

[fletchybear]

I can only really share my own experience but I was induced and honestly wish I'd never agreed. It was at 38 weeks due to earlier mc, so the reasoning was there. But baby just wasn't ready. 2 days of slow labour, water didn't break and I didn't dilate. Ended up as an emergency c section under General Aesthetic, so unfortunately all I remember is the inducement part.
I know other people will have had a more positive experience however now I'm pregnant again I have opted straight for c section. I truly hope everything turns out good for you and I'm sure it will. The main thing is to do what you feel comfy with

[hufflebottom]

I was induced (after BP was monitored for 2 days and a lot of bouncing between maternity and delivery wards) lunchtime on a Sunday and dd arrived early hours on Monday morning.

They did prep me for a c section just in case but all was fine.


Hoping all goes well op.

[MagpieCursedTea]

I was induced at 38 weeks (insulin treated gestational diabetes). I was dreading it. I had 2 pessaries over 2 days. I had some mild contractions and they didn't think it would be enough but it managed to get my cervix open just enough to break my waters. The contractions really ramped up after that but I still only got to 2cm after another 12 hours so needed the drip. DS was born another 18 hours after that. So it took a while but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I had quite a positive experience. I've also heard inductions are quicker if it's not your first baby.

Best of luck!

[Artioo2]

When I was induced I stayed in hospital overnight after they started things off, so if that's what they do where you are, you wouldn't need to call your DH in unnecessarily because the midwives could advise you how close you were to things really happening. I ended up with an emergency c section too, and there is some evidence that induction increases rates for emergency c sections, and makes labour more painful. But you have to balance that risk with the discomfort you are already feeling from your anxiety, which sounds extreme.

[SparklyTinselTits]

My waters broke at 37+5 but labour did not start. I was left for 24 hrs to see if anything happened on its own. It didn't, so I was induced at 38 weeks. Pessary went in, and within 20 mins I was contracting away. I got taken to delivery suite where things slowed down a bit, so the midwife got a synto drip going. The contractions got much quicker and more intense, but DD was born 2 hrs later
Childbirth is never a pleasant experience, but after hearing lots of induction horror stories, I was dreading it! But to be honest, induction was nowhere near as bad as I had expected! The synto does make the contractions very intense, but it's not unbearable.
I hope all goes well for you OP

[UmbongoUnchained]

I was induced at 37 weeks and it was absolutely fine. In fact after a terrible pregnancy and a poorly baby when she was born, the labour and birth were the only bits I enjoyed.

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

Thank you for sharing your experiences 🌸🌸

I had no idea about the link between induction and c-section!! That's food for thought 😔

I have another scan on Tues with the consultant this time to double check everything. She said yesterday that she wasn't worried and she was paid to be worried. If Tuesday's scan confirms that there is no reason to think the placenta is struggling I think I am just going to try and let nature take its course. It's like I'm damned if I do and potentially damned if I don't.

[SomebodySedateMe]

I'm going to be induced at 38 weeks die to gestational diabetes. I'm terrified like you, history of recurrent loss and probably our only chance to have a baby.

I've heard mixed stories but it does seem to increase the chances of emergency c. I know it's not ideal but if it's the only way to get my baby here safely then I'll have to deal with it.

[Artioo2]

Remember that although induction seems to increase the chance of an emergency c section, that increase is small - the likelihood would be that you would have a normal delivery.

Plus, you wouldn't be damned if you ended up with a c section. It might not be your ideal birth, but the baby would be out and safe, which is all that really matters in the end.

But in your position, I would be listening to the consultant when they say they're not worried.

[fletchybear]

My experience wasn't great, (above post) but if it meant I got the same result id do it again and again. I've been given a different option this time which I'm going to take. But if I didn't have the option of electing straight for the c-section then I'd get Induced. When you hold your babba you won't care if you were in labour a little longer speak with your docs and do what is best for you. You will hear horror stories here, cause the bad experiences are always remembered.
You are worried enough without labour stories adding to it focus on end result - best of luck xxx

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

SomebodySedateMe - apt username! That exactly how I feel, sedate me and wake me up when it's all over.

I'm so sorry you have had recurrent loss too. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, it's totally screwed my head up and I can't seem to push through it at the moment. The last eight months have been easier than the thought of the next four weeks. If I had an actual busy all reason I wouldn't question induction for a moment, it's more that they are only suggesting it because I am breaking down in hysterical crying every time the consultant sees me. I think she just thinks 'this poor woman, let's just wind this thing up now' but what if pushing for medical interference actually causes a worse situation?

Fuck I wish I had a crystal ball.

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

*an actual physical reason

[kate7590]

I was induced at 41 +3 because my LB was too lazy to make an appearance himself
It was long and drawn out, Im afraid.
If I had to choose again this time Id rather a c-section than another induction. That along with the bad tear I had……
Determined to get this one out on time!!

[BabyTheCaveLion]

I was induced with DS2 at 39 weeks as he had stopped growing. DS1 was 16months old at the time and all our family live 150 miles away so for me the induction was actually really helpful! We could plan when my mum was going to arrive to look after DS1 and when my DH could finish work.

The induction itself was absolutely fine. Pessary went in at 9am and he was born at 9pm. I found it a bit more painful than DS1's water birth because I was being monitored so couldn't get in the bath etc but I still managed it with just gas and air.

Maybe I was lucky with a good induction, I don't know. I honestly think you should do what's best for you...at 37 weeks your baby will be full term, the induction might give you the control you need to get your worries slightly more under control?

[LBOCS2]

I was induced at 38+3 due to preeclampsia with DD.

Pessary went in at lunchtime, 10pm my waters went, 10.30am the following day I was holding my DD. It was fine :) no real complications (2nd degree tear) and we were both fine - I didn't even need the drip.

It's not always awful.

[startingagain13]

Hi I'm due today as well, and had an induction with my last child who is now 6. I went to the hospital and had prostin, it worked within an hour and baby was delivered 4 hours later with no interventions or pain relief apart from gas and air. She weighed 8'13" and was totally fine as was I. The pushing stage was under an hour.

However I don't want to be induced this time as I quite fancy trying a water birth. In fact I'm really desperate to do that, as I really like the idea of it.

[stefana]

Hi I am today 40 weeks and I am so sad the baby is not showing up and I really need to give natural birth cause I Don t have no one to help me after a c section so...any natural ideas so I can induce my labour????

[allegretto]

I was induced with pessaries for two days and nothing happened. On the third day I was put on the drip and labour was really fast and uncontrolled (I also broke my coccyx). I also wasn't allowed any pain relief so from personal experience I would avoid induction again or at least get gas and air!

[MagpieCursedTea]

Allegretto that sounds awful! How come you weren't allowed pain relief? I had gas and air up until the drip and was then advised to have an epidural. Even my NCT teacher said to have the epidural with the drip!

[allegretto]

Magpie - because it was a Saturday and they didn't have anyone available to do pain relief at weekends! (Didn't tell me before I was induced though). I gave birth in Italy though and it left a lot to be desired (I also only got a paracetamol after my c-section 4 years later - I think they like being thrifty!!)

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Oh no poor you! I had a very positive induction but not at all the same circumstances as you so not sure I can be of any help, but wanted to give you and.

With DS I was induced at 3pm, he was born at 3am and labour was less than 40 mins (2cm-born in 40 mins). Had 1 pessary but he was 11 days late so maybe that's why he came so fast.

Good luck!

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Btw in those 40 minutes I had forceps with no pain relief (no time for it and don't understand g&a), had epis and 3rd degree tear, haemorrhage, but I'd still class it as a positive experience. Your induction may be brilliant! That being said I'm definitely having a section next time.

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

I had to be it on that hideous drip with my sons birth and my god I don't want to do that again if I can help it. No epidural, they took away my gas and air, he was back to back so every contraction was in my back. I want to throw up just thinking about it.

[holdmybeer]

Ds2 was induced and took 39 hours from start to finish. I had to stay in hospital for the duration and was monitored carefully. I had an epidural though and I would opt for that birth again over Ds1's natural labour with just gas & air.

Unfortunately, ds struggled due to the epidural but I was monitored very closely. I fell asleep after the epidural was placed and woke up ready to push and ds arrived with just 3 or 4 pushes but dp had been warned that I may have needed an emergency section and they were preparing forceps to assist the delivery when he arrived!