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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

ARM or gel for induction? Waterbirth still an option?

28 replies

Princesitalinda · 31/01/2005 14:35

Hi everybody. I am new to the net, and I was reading all your posting for weeks. For the first time though, I need to ask some questions....

I am 41 weeks pregnant today (first baby), feeling (like all the overdue-mums) very tired and anxious. Today I had my second sweep. My midwife said I am 2 cm dilated (same as one week ago when first sweep was done) but babys head has dropped even further, cervix is efaced and thin.

I have an induction date set by the hospital (Frimley Park) on next thursday (if still not labouring). The midwife said that everything looks good for me to have my water broken instead of the prostanglandin gel... I am confused about it.... does it mean that ARM is better than the gel as an induction? is it more "natural"? could someone give me an easy answer? if I have more information, I could feel more empowered to take decisions then....

An other question is about water birth.... As this is still my preferred method of labouring (and if possible giving birth), if induced (either by ARM or gel) could I still have this option?

Any help will be sooooo appreciated!! thanks and good luck to all the overdue-mums in the net!!!

Princesitalinda

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galaxy · 31/01/2005 14:43

I have to say I didn't know about the gel and the more I learn about other possibilities, the more angry I am about my birth experience. Almost makes me want to get pregnant again to have it the way I wanted to 1st time

Slinky · 31/01/2005 14:41

I was induced with my 2nd child at 39 weeks. They used the gel and resulted in a waterbirth which was fabulous.

I had no intention prior to the birth of having a waterbirth - it was actually the lovely midwife who suggested it - and I'm so glad she did

Wanted a WB with No 3 but I was almost on the point of delivering on arrival at hospital, so no time.

galaxy · 31/01/2005 14:38

I had my waters broken by the midwife at Royal Surrey and was booked in for a water birth but the contractions came on so fiercely after, I ended up screaming for pain relief and had an epidural. Regret it to this day.

You must be local to me - am in Farnham.