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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Shaking with fear of induction

174 replies

peachandplum · 12/09/2017 03:27

I'm about to be induced at 37+4 due to medicinal needs and I am terrified.
My DH is making everything worse fannying about and being a nervous wreck. Someone please help me stay calm.

OP posts:
EEandEmakes3 · 12/09/2017 10:31

Is your DH with you now? Can you try to get a little rest, not necessarily sleeping but just try to give yourself a little time?

DeadGood · 12/09/2017 10:36

Ok, something has to change here.
Either PALS or check yourself out, and head straight for a different hospital.
Who was your midwife in pregnancy? Was she independent of the hospital? Can you call her?
You are not being cared for in the current facility, and as time goes on they are treating you more and more poorly, based on "history". So I would be very tempted to simply walk out and go to another hospital.

gamerpigeon · 12/09/2017 10:37

My labour took 3 days, there were problems with the baby's heartbeat and I lost a lot (5 pints!) of blood at delivery - and both the baby and I are 100% fine. Yes it wasn't very nice (although all a blur now) but in an emergency the NHS is fantastic. They will look after you. You will be ok.

Likeindie · 12/09/2017 10:39

Dont panic, (easier said than done I know) I have been induced twice, and all went well, managed it on gas and air and my first induction was a 6 hour labour and my second was 1hr and 40 mins. I to was nervous when I was induced as you here all these stories of women in labour for days, but my experience says inductions are not all nightmare births. Take it easy and good luck!

Likeindie · 12/09/2017 10:40

Sorry-hear

HPandBaconSandwiches · 12/09/2017 10:42

And if you do leave for another hospital, make sure you get a copy of your notes (via PALS), before they "lose" them.

JackietheBackie · 12/09/2017 10:53

I am so sorry to read about this. You are being really brave. Have you been able to speak to the Matron? If not, please ask the call the switchboard and ask to be put through to the Midwifery Manager On Call. It would be helpful to have a senior midwife come and meet you and advocate for you. Be honest with them about the impact this is having on your mental health. Best of luck.

Lunde · 12/09/2017 10:57

I understand how frightened you are - of course the baby's heartbeat is high when you are so stressed and frightened. Take a little time to have a little rest. Although the pain of SPD is awful to you - the consultant will be seeing it as not dangerous to the baby so the induction is not considered urgent for medical reasons. I know this as I have been in a similar situation.

I have severe SPD with dd2 from 31 weeks (in a wheelchair) and developed mild pre-eclampsia from week 36 - but they would not induce before week 38. I was induced on the dot of week 38 - the induction process was drawn out but pretty painless:
day 1 - 9am induction tampon. No pain nothing happened - a bit boring really. They took it out at night so I could get proper rest.
day 2 - 8am induction tampon. No pain until 6pm when there were period-like pains - not too bad. Again they took it out at night.
day 3 - cervix was considered OK for labour and 2-3cm dilated. Taken to labour ward for waters broken. Again nothing happened. 1pm a drip was ordered. 2 pm first contraction. at 7.15 the pain was getting unbearable so I demanded an epidural. The midwife said that she would have a little look before calling the doctor and as she did the baby tumbled out into her arms.

Try not to get angry with the staff but get your husband to contact pals so that someone can listen to you

Original poster
peachandplum · 12/09/2017 10:59

Consultant got me to go ahead with the induction- I've just had the hormone tampon.
I'm going to try to rest now. Thank you all so much. I've been so afraid, i still am.

OP posts:
Merida83 · 12/09/2017 11:06

If you are still there send your husband over to the PALS office now and make sure he gets someone involved straight away. The way you are being treated is so far beyond acceptable. It makes no sense to me that if you had a section planned for later in month why they suddenly feel you don't need one. I'm due elective section but if go into early Labour they will do it there and then - that's the more normal standard course if action unless you refuse it which clearly you are not.

I'm so sorry you are having such an awful time. Can't offer much help sadly but sending hugs and support.

purpledonkey · 12/09/2017 12:15

I had the tampon. Please try and relax. Everything is going to be great because you will meet your lovely baby soon. I was also terrified of the unknown but with an induction you will get an epidural so everything will be calm and less painful.

The most important thing is to rest, and stay calm. Deep breathing helped me a lot, especially when the contractions started.

OP you are having a baby!! Congratulations and there is genuinely nothing to panic about. Flowers

ButtMuncher · 12/09/2017 12:28

I don't see why they are pushing you for an induction but refusing a c section when at this early stage (37+5) they know full well inductions take longer. This was the entirety of my reason for asking for a c section on MH grounds and they agreed without so much as a terse word.

A section can be performed as safely as an induction at this stage because they do it all the time for a variety of reasons. I had my section at 38w so hardly a days difference.

I would be speaking to PALS urgently. I wish you all the best OP, I know how you're feeling x

RatRolyPoly · 12/09/2017 12:29

Peach remember that this cunting consultant WILL be going off shift at some point. A sympathetic midwife will be able to tell you when the doctors change.

I had an induction for premature rupture of membranes at 37 weeks with my first. Baby's heart rate kept dropping and they kept pressing the emergency alarm but the doctors insisted this was what we were doing and refused to section, despite me now being hysterical. One of the midwives took pity on me and told me the doctors changed shift in an hour, and that if I refused to carry on with the induction they would have no choice but to section me. I was so out of it it hadn't occurred to me that I could stop it at any time.

Just something for you to bear in mind. Hopefully everything will go smoothly from here and you won't need to know it! Good luck x

flumpybear · 12/09/2017 13:52

Good luck I hope the pessary works for you

Lunde · 12/09/2017 18:31

Good luck - hope that everything is underway

BigFatGoalie · 12/09/2017 18:35

THinking of you and praying all will be fine.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 12/09/2017 19:51

You'll be okay Sweet, thinking of you, and sending you strength.
Hope it won't be long, until you're holding your little baby. 💐

ButtMuncher · 12/09/2017 19:58

Hope you're okay OP - been thinking of you all day Flowers

Marley45 · 12/09/2017 20:03

Hope you're ok op x

DO3271 · 12/09/2017 20:10

I totally understand that fear from exhaustion and hunger. My induction was dragged out over 3 days and I hadn't slept for 5. The doctor was a nasty fucker who tutted and didn't speak to me as he tried to get a cannula in.

Scream at DH, he needs to fight your corner. The confusion of not knowing is the worst.

I am so hoping you have your baby with you now. I would still complain after all this is done. Mums frequently get bullied and treated as baby carriers only when in labour wards.

Jamhandprints · 12/09/2017 20:15

Send DH home if he's not helping, or at least away for a break. Inductions take ages so he's not going to miss anything. Tell a midwife you would like to speak to a consultant because you aren't coping. Tell the consultant you are unable to cope with the sleep deprivation. Ask for a C-Section if you want one, but make sure they know you aren't joking. If you go ahead with the induction do some relaxing breathing exercises and stay as active as possible. I had a wonderful induction so it is possible. Xx

smellybeanpole · 12/09/2017 20:16

Have a good rest and hope to see baby very soon. Flowers

Handsoffmysweets · 12/09/2017 20:54

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request

WineIsMyMainVice · 12/09/2017 21:01

I've had two inductions also. Like you I was scared by that prospect but it was fine. Good luck hon.

TheLegendOfBeans · 12/09/2017 21:08

I really hope you are ok, OP. Some threads get under my skin and I think about them all day and this was one of them.

I really hope you're having snuggly baby cuddles right now xx