Midwife said at sweep…

Oh, saw your update. Congratulations! X

I had one "natural" labour (long a brutal) which was a precipitate labour where I tore badly. Big blood loss.
My two induced labours were far more positive for me. I was looked after and felt safe.

I was just writing a reply and saw your update! Congrats!! X

@Sleepdeprivedmamma and @muddlingthrou Congratulations to you both!

@Sleepdeprivedmamma that's a pity you ended up with a c-section. Sorry the induction didn't go as smoothly as you'd have liked but the important bit is you and baby are both safe and well.

@Sleepdeprivedmamma @muddlingthrou congratulations to you both on your new additions! I hope you’re both doing well and getting as much rest as you can!

Our gorgeous DD was born this morning 😍 I didn't get the induction until late on Sunday night as the hospital was understaffed and backed up. They gave me a 24h pessary and we were convinced it had failed as I was only having random mild contractions throughout most of the day.

But then I spent a few hours trying everything I could think of to kickstart things properly - sat on ball, took walks, massaged my boobs etc. I tried to encourage oxytocin too. No idea of any of that had any effect, but the upshot is that I went to bed for a snooze at 9pm, got up at 10:30 for a wee and felt my waters pop. Contractions started not long after and I spent the night pushing a very big baby almost completely out... then had forceps at the end.

How about you @Sleepdeprivedmamma?

Please don't stress about your bishop score especially as you are going to be induced tomorrow. It is only valid for that time you are having a vaginal.examination, and we use it to decide what route to take in terms of whether to give you a prostaglandin, amniotomy etc. Would be better to ask tomorrow as they will offer an examination prior to giving you a prostin or whatever they use at your trust. Cervix's can change quickly.

When I was induced with my third, I had a low Bishop score and sod all contractions, he was born 6-7 hours later (I did go straight on the drip though as I was a SROM)

Take snacks, your own pillow and things that will take your mind away from being in hospital. Take walks when you can, ask for a birthing ball etc. Hope all goes ok and that baby will be here soon.

I was already 2cm dilated when I went in for induction and so nothing required except breaking my waters. Contraction started immediately and baby was born 2 hours later. A really positive experience!

Yes. Induced at 41+ weeks. Two pessaries did nothing and they wanted to start the oxytocin drip. I said fine on condition an epidural was done first. In the half hour wait for the anaesthetist, my waters broke. Once the epidural was in labour was underway and within about 90 minutes dd was born. 8lb 13oz and no stitches. It was a very wonderful birth and very cathartic. It allowed emotional healing to start after two traumatic natural births.

People worry because they hear tons of horror stories and a cascade of interventions, nothing happening for hours, then contractions being very intense and agony, and potentially ended up with C-Section.

You don't hear much about the folks that gave birth after pessary worked a bit too well. My friend and I have very similar stories, pessary, backache, stood up, and baby born minutes later.

@Sleepdeprivedmamma - I'm waiting for them to call me with my slot. I wish they could've told me in advance as I didn't sleep very well and on pins and needles waiting this morning! Have you got a time?

I'm having another girl ☺️ how about you?

@Sleepdeprivedmamma Id definitely ask the midwife at your induction about your bishop score. I was in a similar position, induced because of a placenta problem, and although it was my first I’m from
a family where everyone’s baby is born at 42 weeks, so was sure DD wouldn’t come easily at 39. But my bishops score was 6 and she came really quickly, didn’t even need the inductions drip

I was induced with both..and both very different births.
My second I reckon I would of gone into labour anyway..I started cramping within an hour. No one believed I was in labour and it was so quick, he shot out in his waters onto the bed with a midwife the other side of the room 😂

I was like you with previous children both arriving a week late . Due to rising blood pressure I was induced . I had 5 failed attempts at induction. I felt baby wasn’t “ready” . In the end I had a c section as they wanted baby out. Recovery was fine though.

Although I was not dilated or anything (induced due to GDM) so you might get a faster route ❤️ xx

I was at Leeds - these:

Let us know how you get on xx

OP, I am also getting induced today! Best of luck to us both ☺️

I had a positive induction experience with my first, but that was after my waters broke spontaneously. So I share your worries about my body not being ready. But I'm going to think positive thoughts and can't wait to meet my baby!

I was induced with all 3- first time because I was overdue, other 2 for medical reasons at 39 weeks. They were all good, positive experiences- 1st took 9 hours, 2nd took 36 hours in total for pessary.to work and to give birth (only 3 hours in actual labour) and 3rd took 24 hours (4 hours labour). In each case I was home within about 12 hours of the birth. Fingers crossed yours is nice and quick,.you'll be home.with baby before you know it, it's such a short amount of time in the grand scheme of things.

Good luck OP. You will be absolutely fine. I’ve had two inductions. Beautifully managed, quick and with no issues. First at 42 weeks and second at 37 weeks. Definitely ask for epidural though before they put you on the drip. It’s recommended by nhs/NICE now.

I was induced and it was fine. Very easy. I’ve never understood why people are worried about it?

Good luck @Sleepdeprivedmamma

I had a fairly quick first birth after just pessary at 41+6. Second time I needed much earlier induction around 39 weeks and it didn't work at all - tried gels, drip, manual water breaking, ended up c section 4 days later. BUT I still found it a really positive experience- it was all very calm, everything well explained, I had lots of input to decisions & lovely midwives. I watched lots of TV & listened to audiobooks in peace & went for lots of walks, including to park next door. I enjoyed lots of time listening to baby's heartbeat when being monitored.

And section was absolutely fine, really nice, happy atmosphere & they played stevie wonder happy birthday for the moment of birth 🤣. Recovery was also nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated at all. Overall it was still my favourite birth of the two, I felt much more in control despite it being nothing like the desired water birth.

I will keep everything crossed that you have a birth you feel good about. I was really resistant to & nervous of early induction but I really do feel very positive about it despite it sounding rubbish on paper!