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Original poster

Going into be induced, any words of wisdom for a first time Mum?

19 replies

Melittlebee · 15/01/2019 11:16

After 20 years of trying for a baby & numerous ivf cycles, I can hardly believe that I'm now only a few days away from meeting my baby!

I'm highly emotional, excited, nervous & scared!!

Any words of wisdom or advice for a first time Mum?

OP posts:
LeSquigh · 15/01/2019 12:28

Prepare yourself for a long wait and stay. My induction took six days. Take lots to keep yourself amused and prepare to stand up for yourself if it doesn’t go as you hope or expect. Good luck 🍀

MsLucyLastic · 15/01/2019 12:31

Don't hesitate to ask for any pain relief you need. Epidurals are also wonderful things. You don't get awards for bravery if you do it without medication. So give yourself permission to accept help if you feel it is right for you.

Good luck Flowers

AwkwardAsAllGetout · 15/01/2019 12:34

Congratulations! My advice would be to stay as upright and active as you can. I was induced with my first 15 years ago and I was young and scared, and I didn’t really know my opinion mattered. I was laid down on the bed and didn’t get up as I didn’t know I was allowed to. It was a long, hard slog. I’ve had two more dc since, one was spontaneous, the other was induced again and both times staying active made the birth much quicker, less painful, and I felt more in control. Good luck, I’m due again in 11 weeks and really looking forward to the birth, which I never thought I’d say after my first experience Flowers

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MsLucyLastic · 15/01/2019 12:35

Oh, and if I was doing it again, even though I planned to breast feed, I would have taken some of those disposable, mini formula bottles, with the pre sterilized teats that attach to them. I would up finding it hard to get DD to latch on, having had an emergency C section. I had no formula with me and the hospital didn't provide it. I so wish I had taken some with me.

Dontcarewhatimdoing · 15/01/2019 12:47

To give the other side of it though, I was induced, and it all happened very quickly. It took me two hours to go from 2cm to 10cm and pushing, so just be aware anything could happen, and try not to have too many preconceived ideas of what to expect.

My one piece of advice for when the baby is born is don't expect too much from yourself. You may get that sudden rush of love, you may not. You may breast feed easily, if that is what you are planning, or you may find it really hard. These things, and others will feel like a really big deal, but they really aren't. Your baby will be fine either way. Babies are a lot tougher than they look!

Those were the things I wish someone had told me, so hope it is of some help, and congratulations!

strawberrypenguin · 15/01/2019 12:50

Take a book/something to do. My first induction took a while to get going! I've had two and they are fine honestly. A lot of horror stories out there but I was well looked after.

Bigonesmallone3 · 15/01/2019 12:55

Don't head in thinking u will have ur baby on they day or even the next (as I did) obviously some people do but me I went in 8am on a Saturday and had baby 8pm Monday!

Dinnaehinksae · 15/01/2019 12:59

Congratulations. As a new mum I think the most important thing you can do is be kind to yourself. Sometimes you might just need a minute so take it. Try not to be too hard on yourself. It's a wonderful thing but it's also hard at times. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

CloudPop · 15/01/2019 13:04

Take a nice comfortable pillow or 2 with you. That was the best advice I received. Induction can be a lengthy process so make sure you have something to do - some music is always nice. Very best wishes

fortifiedwithtea · 15/01/2019 13:20

Induction is not instant. I went over due with both my babies but this story is about the first time.

We were told we had to be at the hospital for 8.00am and we believed we had to be there on the dot. However it was Summer and husband had left the drivers window down over night and it had rained. The drivers seat was soaked. Had we have thought it through we would have covered the seat with bin bags, towels and taken a spare set of clothes for Dh but we didn’t in our frantic attempt to get to the hospital on time.

So we arrived with hubby looking like he had wet himself. Staff were very relaxed , they got round to doing the induction in their own time ( not 8.00am on the dot) Grin

Ante natal ward very hot and the moisture from DH trousers evaporated. He was literally standing in his own cloud of mist 😂

After a day of walks and soothing baths Dh was sent home as it was declared nothing is going to happen tonight, we’ll try again tomorrow. Or course as soon he left I went off like a train. Midwives didn’t call hime back immediately as they thought it kinder for him to have a couple of hours sleep. He arrived back with me well in the throws of labour and our daughter was born at 4.00 am

Congratulations to you OP it will be fine Flowers

Scotinoz · 15/01/2019 13:25

Congrats! I was induced with both kids, and like @Dontcarewhatimdoing, it happen really quickly with the first.

My advice, honesty? Go with the flow and do what works for your and your family.

It doesn't matter too much how a baby arrives, as long as everyone is healthy and happy. It doesn't matter if you breastfeed or formula feed, as long as the baby is fed. It doesn't matter if you have a routine, as long as it works for you. Etc etc etc.

BuggyWanker · 15/01/2019 14:19

If they put you on a drip - have alllll the pain relief they'll give you actually maybe do that anyway

princesseggo · 15/01/2019 14:22

get an epidural. ASAP.

Tinyteatime · 15/01/2019 14:29

If they put you on a drip - have alllll the pain relief they'll give you

This. If you have the drip get an epidural in before hand. My consultant was quite honest and said they’d advise it and my midwife said that most women who have the drip end up with an epidural. It can be very painful (having said that I know women who have slept through the whole labour on the drip!). I had a very positive birth though with the drip once I had an epidural in, despite being terrified beforehand, which was completely unnecessary! Try to stay as relaxed as possible, you will be in good hands.

Omzlas · 15/01/2019 15:07

Take a book - my first induction took 36+ hours!
Comfy pillow, snacks and try to walk as much as possible (I discovered this with my second induction)

sar302 · 15/01/2019 15:20

Don't try and be a hero - have the painkillers!

Froglette16 · 15/01/2019 16:27

Take your tablet if you have one and download some podcasts or soothing music. Can be hard to concentrate on reading once you’re in labour! Also be aware that even though you’re booked for an induction, the baby may decide not to wait! My DC2 was born 5 days before his booked induction so be prepared and get your bag ready ASAP! Good luck 🌷👍🌷

Lifeofsmiley · 15/01/2019 16:48
  1. Get an epidural
  2. Don’t get weird about people wanting to visit. Only on mn have I ever seen this
  3. Buy more pads than you think you’ll need
HereBeFuckery · 16/01/2019 05:30

Don't think they will ask you stuff like 'are you in pain?' 'are you hungry?' etc - ASK! I didn't, and ended up in agony, crouched in a corner, before the one nice midwife gave me pain relief. I assumed it would be offered if appropriate - nope, you were meant to ask. Be a bother. Be loud and insistent (polite as well!) and don't let them steamroller you. Walk around. Tell them you are doing X (going for a walk, to canteen, outside), don't wait to have it suggested.

Once I got into the care of the nice midwife, things got better.

Tonnes of luck!

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