Induction... what to expect?

[Missdusk]

Hi,

Im 10 days overdue today, it feels like the longest pregnancy ever and im so ready for him to arrive already. Hes a big baby and my bump is currently measuring 44 weeks so hes definitely coming out Thursday. Im a little nervous about what to expect at my induction, my midwife tried to explain everything but there is something to be said for hearing it form someone who has been through it. Does anybody have any experiences they can share? Nothing else has got this boy moving so far and im now certain hes not going to arrive before my appointment.

[Shadow1986]

With my induction I was asked to come in at 7pm evening, but unfortunately there were too busy to start me off so I didn't get seen until 11am the next day - I was awake waiting all night unable to sleep. So if you get the chance go in the morning so you at least get a full nights sleep first!

So I was examined and given my first pessary at 11am, as it was twins I was being monitored the whole time so stuck to the bed, But with a single pregnancy I'd imagine you'd be free to have a walk around after this! Another examination and pessary given about 6pm as first one hadn't done anything really.

No pains or anything, went to sleep (well attempted to!) barely slept but awoke at 4am with a sharp pain in one side.

Was examined at 6am, was 3cm dilated and they were able to break my waters. After this the contractions started immediately!!

I won't bore you with the rest seeing as it was a twin labour and everyone will progress differently but hope that bit explains the timing of my induction stage!!

Good luck!

[Missdusk]

Ive been given 7:30am to go in for which sounds like a plus! Im currently 2-3cm dilated and have been for over a week now, so do you think they would skip the pessary and go straight to breaking waters? My midwife said they might but as shes not an induction midwife she didn't want to guarantee something as could be different for first time mums. I know the pessary is what can drag the process out, they said at antenatal that on average it takes two of them :/

[Shadow1986]

Oh yes definitely good to go in the morning that's great.
I can imagine on average its two pessary's for those who are not at all dilated like I was.
You'd hope if you are currently 2-3cm, by time you go in your at least be a definite 3cm and they easily broke my waters at 3cm, so that may be all you need.
I was slightly unprepared for the strength of the contractions so quickly - they don't seem to build up like you would have in a normal labour I don't think - they come on pretty fast.
Make sure you've eaten before they break your waters as I hadn't but expected to be able to afterwards but no chance!!

[Missdusk]

Thanks for the tip. We were talking about what to do for breakfast Thursday morning so will be sure to get something decent in and try to fill up! The contractions from induction have worried me a little, i've read they tend to be much ore intense than natural labour.

[BringBackBagpuss]

Induced both times for being overdue. Both times just took the pessary, gave birth 18 hours later the first time, 15 hours later the second. I think (actual medical citation needed!) that the intense contractions tend to come if you need to be put on a drip, if you're being induced for overdue rather than other medical needs, hopefully you'll just need the pessary to get things going. Good luck!

[Shadow1986]

it's just like a ridiculously strong period pain..was just a shock to me as there was no build up. I just tried to zone out and go as long as I could by myself, I think I did about 3 hours before I asked for gas and air, that gave me a new focus and I'm glad I held off asking for it straight away.

My labour was very long, but I was only 37 weeks...I can imagine if you are overdue that baby will be more ready to come out and you should have a much quicker experience!

[OliviaDunham]

I had pessary then then broke my waters - contractions started almost immediately and strong. I was mobile and sent to walk to corridors to keep it going. My waters were broke at 7.30am and DS1 was born at 8pm

[Missdusk]

I guess I have to wait and see which route the induction midwives decide to go down. I know with a pessary they like you to then be up and about as much as possible while it works its magic, thats something that concerns me since at this point just standing is agony, walking is awful. I dont want to waste anybody's time if I cant do my bit. The pain has started the past couple of days so im hoping if I take it easy tomorrow I might not be in as much pain Thursday.
Ive not had any issues during pregnancy and havnt really put on any weight but because of my pre-pregnancy BMI they want to give me an early epidural so im ready if they need to do a c-section. If i had gone around due date I might have declined but now hes had nearly another two weeks of growth his size is gonna be an issue too I think. He was estimated at just shy of 9lb at 39+6 :S

[Highlove]

I want straight to waters being broken at 2cm - no pessary. And was first baby.

It's a good tip about eating first. I'd planned myself a cup of tea and a galaxy bar once the drip was in as I'd was told it takes an hour or so to kick in. It did take that long but the midwife still wouldn't permit me the chocolate. Cow.

[Luckygirlcharlie]

You poor thing. I was induced at 41+4. DS was 10.5lbs when he came out. Was more eventful than id have liked overall but that wasn't because he was induced. I managed about 8 hours of contractions before I had epidural and it was bliss! Don't be a hero would be my advice. If you need it have it! You can sleep a bit too if you have one. This time I'm being induced st 39 weeks to avoid having another whopper! I'm surprised they've let you go quite so far when the baby's measuring so big but seems to be standard procedure in NHS. Anyway - you'll be fine! Enjoy it. Despite all our drama I wanted to do it all again pretty much straight away - it's really amazing experience. Best of luck X

[Missdusk]

I'm really hoping they do go straight to breaking waters. Sounds stupid but I feel like by then I'll have waited 12 days another 6 hours waiting for a pessary to possibly work when my midwife has said she could brake them now if she had the tools seems unbearable!
They've said they aren't concerned by his size because he's been following his curve. I asked my midwife today if he was going to be too big now and she just said we can't know until you try and reminded me the scans can be off by about 25% so there is hope he's not quite as big as I'm picturing!
So lots of food beforehand, don't be a hero is what I'm getting here? Big breakfast, I'm not sure how early they class as an "early epidural" so will see with that, I've been pretty laid back about the whole birth experience up until now, I think I'm getting some last minute jitters now I know for sure its so close! My belly measured 44 weeks today though so I'm no hero, I'll take that epidural when they can get to me! I think he's certainly going to be a big boy!

[zannyminxoxox]

Expect a long drawn out wait unless they can break your waters. For me the pessery was absolutely pointless. Take plenty of snacks and things to do magazines/books. Are you sure you don't have to ring at 7.30 as I was given that time only to be told they were too full and had to wait 2 days more before I actually went in, so be prepared for the worst, as I was gutted when I kept ringing and they had no beds. When they finally let me go in I had pessery, walked around alot couldn't sleep in the hosptal. Next day took it out went down to labour suit. Couldn't break my waters so was going to get a doctor. I waited nearly 3 hours no pants on as was waiting for waters to be broken. I ended up gettimg dressed and going to the desk asking what was happening I got laughed at and told there is no chance my waters will be broken as the beds are guess what all full. Yet alot of the staff was just chatting around the desk. I said why did no one come and tell me you just left me in there, was you going to do that until tomorrow. I then discharged myself and the next day my midwife got me into another hospital were they broke my waters after an hour of being there baby was born 8 hours later :)

[Missdusk]

Omg that sounds awful!
It's definitely be there for 7:30. I know the induction suite has 4beds and do they tend to allow 3bookings and leave one for emergencies each day. My midwife did say I may have to wait a bit for my waters to go as they prefer to move me onto the actual labour ward to do that so I'm all set up and they have to make sure there is a midwife and bed available for me. I'm hoping they communicate a lot better than the staff at your hospital! Sounds so disorganised, I've had good experiences with them so far so let's just hope that continues.

[Luckygirlcharlie]

Yes you will most likely have a wait and be told to walk around after the first lot of stuff they give you....or.... you may be like me and have a hyper reaction to it and start contracting straight away! DH had gone to park the car when I texted him saying fuuuuuuuck this hurts!! Not meant to happen so I had injections to slow it down! Turns out they gave me 2mgs instead of 1mg (think that's the right unit of measurement but don't quote me!) Still took 22 hours overall! Prepare for a bit of a marathon if its your first but like I said before I really liked it and wanted to do it again! Getting a bit nervous now tho!

[frangipani13]

My advice is also don't be a hero- there are no prizes for a drug free birth! I went 17 hours without pain relief which was a bit stupid. Take the epidural as soon as possible as it might take a few hours for them to find an anaesthetist. You never know the pessary might kick everything off for you as your cervix is already dialated. I was induced at 39 weeks for a medical condition and my baby was definitely not ready to be born!

[Mummymidwife87]

Induction is different for everyone.
It's not necessarily going to be more painful but it does increase your risk of various things like instrumental birth, Caesarean section, fetal distress, 3rd/4th degree tears. Some people find it okay others hate it. Some are quick and some are long.


Just because your cervix is 2-3cm dilated does not mean going straight to break your waters is the right thing to do. The pessary favours your cervix for labour. If you cervix is long, posterior and hard still then a pessary would be the way forward. Breaking waters too early can lead to more intervention, more need for hormone drip. Also one persons 2-3cm is someone else's 1cm.

Normal process can be pessary in for 24hours, reassess after 24hrs if. It favourable, break for 12hours and then go for another pessary. Some units use gel some use a different pessary which works over 6hours. Some people go into labour with the pessary but that is not the aim of it. The aim is to favour your cervix, so making it soft, thin, bring it from posterior to central/anterior.

I had an induction. Pessary went in and within 30mins I was having back ache. By 2hrs contracting well. Waters broke naturally after 14hours of,contractions, pessary came out on its own. Contracted on my own for another 9hours until I had hormone drip started as I was no longer progressing with my irregular contractions. Then delivered at 9cm another 12hours later by Caesarean section.
I would say that was a quick induction. Like I said, some are uber quick, sometimes pessaries don't work and inductions fail. Although if your cervix is open you should at least be able to get into labour.

Important things, eat, drink, mobilise, pass urine regularly. Do squats, avoid lying on your back as baby will become poorly positioned.

Don't worry about baby's size. National guidelines now are not to induce early or do c sections for large babies. My boy was 10lb 5 and estimated on scans to be large...not why he was born by c section though

Also expect to not get asked to come in straight away for induction. Units do get busy and they will only invite you in and induce you when it is safe to do so

[TheDisillusionedAnarchist]

I had the pessary, contractions kicked in straight away but on and off all day. 24 hours later cervix less favourable than when we started. Plan to sleep all night, had coffee and cake, went in bath, all kicked off, 30 minutes later she was born. First baby. Inductions can be easy.

[Hufflepuffin]

I was induced at 13 days - my cervix was clamped shut and very firm. I'd had three sweeps without even a twinge! I had the pessary at lunch time, spent the afternoon wandering about the hospital, my waters broke on their own at 8, they had a lot of meconium in them though so I was moved onto drip plus epidural - had a very peaceful night contracting painlessly and dozing while dh snored next to me. Dd born lunchtime the next day, so 24 hours later.

[Missdusk]

My midwife has described my cervix as favorable its just going very slowly on its own. It started dilating ages ago and hasnt budged from my 40 week appointment as far as dilation. On Tuesday it was 2-3cm still but she said closer to 3 than 2 now, very soft as it has been for a while and had moved central from posterior. Its been fully effaced since 38 weeks as I as checked at the hospital then for suspected waters breaking and they said I was in a good position for labour. I think thats why shes said I may be able to skip the pessary since its quite favorable and dilated enough. Will see what they say tomorrow though I guess! Getting both nervous and excited! I know it can be a lengthy process. I didnt realise my SIL had been induced with her little 4 weeks old and when we visited today she told me a bit about how our local hospital run them.
Apparently everyone booked in arrives for 7:30am, we get assigned one of the four beds in the induction suite and hooked up for them to monitor baby for an hour. Then they examine everyone and choose best cause of action from there.

[Luckygirlcharlie]

Best of luck

[HappyInL0nd0n]

Good luck!

[frangipani13]

Good luck! No matter what happens you will get to meet your lovely baby very soon which is the most important thing!

[zannyminxoxox]

Good luck hope its just a water pop for you 😊