To ask for positive induction stories?

[tiredbutstillsmiling]

I am 37+1 an posted last week regarding small growth and had lots of advice which I was grateful for.

Anyway I've been in hospital all weekend as experienced reduced fetal movements. CTGs showed a regular heartbeat but almost flatlined, like baby is asleep all of the time.

Dr yesterday has said I can have an induction as have now had 3 episodes of reduced fetal movement. I had an attempted sweep where dr said cervix is soft but couldn't reach membranes completely. I'm due to have another sweep tomorrow and dr has said they will arrange a date for induction if I want it. I feel I do as the last couple of weeks have been very stressful. Dr has also said as I have had one vaginal birth already they're confident the same will happen again.

So what should I expect in the sweeps don't work? I'm sure I'll be given cautionary tales but would like to hear of positive experiences!!

I was induced at 36+6 with DD following PROM at 36+1 but no sign of labour starting. I went straight to drip. The contractions ramped up incredibly quickly, it was intense and somewhat fast and furious. DD was born about 4 hours after the drip started - DH was mainly miffed that he didn't have time to eat all the little snacks he'd prepared ;)

Despite the intensity, I did get through on gas and air. I had a small bit of grazing and a couple of stitches due to the speed of the birth but it healed very quickly. DD was a tad little due to her gestation - 6lb 4oz - so that was helpful.

I notice this is DC2 for you. I feel duty bound to note that the after pains I had following my DC2 were way more intense than after DD. Is it after pains they are called? When the uterus is contracting back in the days after the birth, that. Most of my friends experienced it too with subsequent DC. Totally unexpected, just hadn't been warned about that so I thought I'd mention it.

Best of luck.

I had an awful induction 1st time round (B2B, 10 hours, episiotemy, mid cav forceps - the works), but 2nd time it worked brilliantly. Pessary didn't do much so went on the drip & opted to get my waters broken. I got an epidural but it seemed to be a fairly low dose so I could feel the whole thing, but there was pretty much no pain.

No complications at all. It was a really great experience.

Good luck.

I was induced with DS2 due to gestational diabetes and hospital policy. Two failed sweeps, failed attempt to be things moving by breaking my waters, I was started on a pitocin drip at 4.30pm and had DS2 at 9pm, no painkillers, no tearing, and all round a very straightforward birth.

First labours are usually much harder than 2nd, and it is more common to be induced with a first baby than subsequent babies - so although lots of people report negative experiences with induction, there is no reason to assume this will be the case for you.

It really sounds like your baby needs to be born doesn't it, so I think you are doing the right thing - honestly it will all be worth it in the end however hard the labour is.

Don't be afraid of asking for an epidural early on if it is looking like progress is slow, if you are keen to have one - take whatever you need.

Please do update here when baby is safely here!

Like BarryScott, I had a horrible induction 1st time (won't tell you about that one as you asked for positive stories!) and a brilliant experience 2nd time.

Second time pessary kick started a slow but steady labour, I felt in control the whole time so I only needed gas and air. Towards the end they broke my waters which really intensified the pain but by that time I was almost there and I ended up with a waterbirth which was amazing.

I left hospital 6 hours later with a healthy baby girl... very lucky.

Hope you have a similarly good experience.

No horror stories about the actual induction....but getting there was hard work. Pessery on day 1.....day 5 DS born. Induction itself was easy!! Waters broken at 9am, Drip set up... period like pains till 11...G&A..lovely stuff. Bit more pain till 2pm....9lb DS born 14.14 after 4mins second stage with the MW pushing him back in!! And I will agree about afterpains with 2nd and subsequent babies....like giving birth again...take your own painkillers and take them regularly!! Good luck OP

I had a wonderful induction experience, much preferred it to my spontaneous labour experience.

You will be fine! Enjoy and congrats on the baby.

My first birth was an induction. Not much to choose between it and my second spontaneous birth in terms of either pain or duration. Very straightforward, one pessary, contractions started within an hour or so, baby girl arrived within the next five hours. Job done! Good luck.

I was induced on my due date and would agree that overall, it was a positive experience. The waiting around was the worst bit. I was admitted at 9pm but not give the pessary til 4am. That did bugger all and 24 hours later, was given the gel. That worked and I went from 0-10 cm pretty quickly, with my DD born at 9:04am. All good. The only thing I would say is that from speaking to friends who were induced with the drip, it's best to ask for an epidural (if not offered) as the contractions are apparently more powerful and quicker.

Another mumsnetter started a similar thread a couple of weeks ago, so it could be worth doing a search and seeing what was said there, as I remember she got a lot of responses. Hope it all goes well for you!

My last baby was induced. I had no issues, labor and delivery were normal.

I was induced at 37 weeks due to OC and consequently my waters breaking.

Nothing happened naturally, so I was put on a drip. To be honest it was intense, but having had a natural birth with my second child it just ramped up to full speed quicker rather than being more painful.

I went for 6 hours with just gas and air, but eventually had an epidural which gave me some respite and gather my strength to push when the time came.

Thanks everyone - such a relief to hear positive experiences as opposed to the horror stories of induction. My friend was induced with her first and had no problems - a "text book" birth according to midwives - but since being offered the induction I've had friends and colleagues telling me that their inductions were horrific and I should just have a c-section instead.

I am hoping the second sweep will work but if it doesn't I no longer feel apprehensive about taking the doctors up on their offer. I hope I have an experience like you all! Will keep everyone updated!

My waters broke at 9pm on the sat (I was 39+5) no labour so I was induced. Had the pessary at 10pm on the Sunday, had dd at 10.20am on monday. Had an epistomy (and subsequent tears thanks to dds inability to not shoulder her way out). It is painful because it was kinda all at once but easy enough. I have nothing to compare it to, but it was a good birth. Gas and Air is awesome.

I was induced 5 days over due to high-blood pressure. I was given a pessary at 10pm, labour started at midnight and DD was born at 5:30am

I'm not going to lie, it was very intense, but barring an episiotomy it was complication free. To be honest, I think the cut helped as I had a local anaesthetic down there so couldn't feel any tearing or anything.

I had a pessary at 10 days over due. Less than 2 hours later contractions started and had dd within 9 hours of induction. No intervention, just gas and air (and some stitches).

I really liked not labouring overnight and having to worry about the right stage in labour to get to hospital.