to ask for first time mum's experience of induction?

[Matiaana]

I'm due to be induced at 36+6 due to high bp in the umbilical cord. I've heard that first time mums are likely to need a c section? Would love for the induction to go smoothly but slightly worried I'm going to end up disappointed and with an emergency section.

Is it possible realistically to be induced this early with your first? AIBU to be super anxious about it?!

I had quite a protracted induction, baby just wasn’t ready to come out really but they suspected he was on the larger side. He was 10lb 2oz and tbh I wouldn’t fancy pushing out anything bigger so I’m glad I was induced.

I spent three days in the maternity assessment centre with the pessaries, gels etc but to be honest that wasn’t so bad as I’m quite good at entertaining myself. I read books, watched films on a tablet, went for walks round the hospital grounds. Basically enjoyed some quiet time, the calm before the storm! My husband went off to work as nothing much was happening and we wanted to have more time together with the baby afterwards.

Eventually I was moved over to the delivery suite and my waters broken, and given the drip. Contractions came thick and fast, I managed a couple of hours without pain relief, a couple of hours on gas and air and then I needed the epidural. I had made my peace with that in advance. It was the right choice as it was still another 12 hours before I fully dilated so I was able to rest and even get a little sleep before the pushing stage.

We ended up in theatre and I had forceps and an episiotomy. This was all really down to the size of the baby, after an hour or so of pushing, it didn’t look like he was moving and they wanted to be ready to do a section if needed. Presumably this is less likely to apply in your case.

All in all, it was a long way from what I had envisaged but I feel positive about my birth now and happy that all the decisions made were the right ones for me and the baby.

For me, research and preparation were the key to feeling in control and positive.

I was induced at 36+5- it was slow but successful. No further interventions were needed after the second lot of the gel and DS was born at 37+1. I too was convinced I would have to get a section and was very pleasantly surprised by how the experience actually went. Good luck.

I was induced at 38 weeks with my first and it was a lot less painful than the contractions with my second. I spent the day reading the paper and listening to the radio whilst they cranked up the drip then eventually I had an epidural when it started to hurt. It was really a dream labour and so much easier than doing it myself! Good luck.

First time mum, induced after heart beat abnormalities detected. Stress levels through the roof I was so worried I was like a zombie.

Process horrific, went on for days, c section avoided although it came close as I got so worn down,

in the end baby came out absolutely Fantastically, beautifully perfect. Hope that bit is the same for you too!

Induced at 39 weeks. Labour took just under 10 hours. Vaginal delivery.

The pessary was inserted and went for a walk. Started to have numb legs when leaving the department. By the time I got back which was about 20 minutes later started to have frequent contractions.The pessary was removed 90 minutes later due to having too many contractions.

My main problem was being made to lie on my back when I was being monitored until just before the anaesthesist came in and they put the monitor on the baby's head. I could cope with the pain of contractions when I was mobile and not on my back using TENS and gas and air. The baby arrived too fast for an epidural and I eventually delivered lying on my side.

I was induced at 12 days overdue with my first but ended up with emergency c-section. Requesting an epidural before the drip is good advice which I took myself though unfortunately my epidural didn't work!

I had a spinal before the surgery which was brilliant as it was the only thing that had an effect. I was far from disappointed by the time the c-section was happening... I thought I would be scared but it was probably the most relief I have ever felt in my life and was totally fine.

I requested a c-section for my second baby which was a very positive experience. I would have refused induction if it had been suggested at any point.

I know induction is totally fine for many women but for me it was hideous and didn't work. I think I was particularly unlucky though and I was overdue with a big baby which is not the case for you. I hope you have a positive experience. Good luck!

I wouldn't think of it as a success or a failure in terms of the induction. It's a needs must for your baby's health.

Success is a healthy baby and a safe mum delivered whatever way needs be.

I was induced due to pre eclampsia and ended up with an emergency c section on my due date. I was delighted when I first saw and held my baby and I cried with joy at the happiest moment in my life. Nothing else mattered.

Second time I had a planned section and felt exactly the same.

Be kind to yourself. Don't be so fixated on the route out for the baby. Honestly it doesn't matter. Focus on the baby and it's health and of course your own.

Good luck you are about to embark on the most amazing adventure xxx

induced at 37 weeks after a scan following reduced movement showed almost no fluid left.

one pessary and contractions were every 10-15 minutes straight away. horribly painful but needs must. natural birth with some pethadine (which does fuck all for the pain by the way, but you're asleep for the 10 seconds between contractions 😂😂)

I was induced at 41 weeks with my first for reduced movement. It was fine and I had a natural birth.
They did most of the inductions on the ward but I insisted on a private room as I didn’t feel comfortable labouring in a room with random men. It really helped me feel more relaxed.
I had to have continuous monitoring as her heart rate kept dropping and they offered me the cap thing but my husband declined it. It meant I had to stay on the bed but I sat and knelt upright.
I didn’t need an epidural but I did have some meptid which was great.
From waters going to baby out was only about 7 hours.
It wasn’t the home water birth I’d hoped for but it was still a positive experience.

I had an augmentation, which is basically an induction (?) when your labour isn't progressing - same chemicals I believe. After about 45 hours of labour.
I ended up unfortunately with a lot of damage following episiotomy and forceps after 52 hrs of labour. But not everyone experiences that. One thing I would say, is don't be a hero, take the drugs! Because induction contractions were a new level of pain even after 45hrs of "natural" ones!

I was induced 6pm with the pessery on the Wednesday evening and my daughter was born at 4:31 on the Thursday afternoon. Too far into labour by the time I wanted the epidural and I couldn’t stand the gas and air. Hope this helps & Good luck x

I was induced at 40+8. The drip did nothing for me - trace showed 6 contractions in ten minutes all night but I hardly felt them and slept all night with the drip turned up to the max. Emergency section (emergency as unplanned, but no feeling of urgency and indeed I was bumped for an elective case that was more urgent), which was wonderful.

Wholly positive experience and straight forward recovery. I'm hoping for ELCS if I ever have another. I've had a small filling since and spent the whole time thinking the section was so much less unpleasant.

I was induced at 41 weeks with my first. It didn't go well. I needed an emergency c-section.

Have you spoken with the midwife and consultant about your induction? Have they explained the process to you and the chances of needing a c-section? Having the conversation with a medical professional might give you better information about your options.

Ftm, induced at 38 weeks. Mine went great, i had the 24 hour pessary inserted and didn't even make it to the 24 hour mark before my water broke. My LG was born 6 hours later with just gas and air, minor tearing internally. However 2 of my friends, both ftms, ended with csections due to failure to progress 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

The whole "more likely to need a section" shit is just that.. a load of shit.

Try and get your body as ready as possible before hand. I drank raspberry leaf tea (maybe ask your MW just in case), bounced on my birthing ball and even convinced DH to get jiggy.

During the actual induction try not to have any pain killers as it slows it down, and keep moving! I had SPD so walking was killer, so i spent most of my time on the ball. Also lots of cuddles and kisses, sounds weird but your body needs the love hormone to help labour (i forget the name...)

Good luck!

No section. Pessary at 8am, in labour by 12. Forceps but that was because he was a stubborn one with a big head!

I was induced, normal delivery. I'd definitely be prepared for it to take longer than they estimate to jumpstart labour and take the epidural once it starts.

I was induced by the oxytocin drop at 40weeks (my waters broke but no contractions so they had to get things going)

Very intense, close together contractions. Unable to talk in-between them right from the very first one.

I dilated to 10cm within 18hours... But Baby was back to back and I couldn't push him out so I had to go for c section a few hours later.

I think if he was facing the right way, I might have been able to push him.

Oh and make sure the midwives etc listen to you - mine didn’t check me after the initial checks once the pessary was in and told me I couldn’t be in labour as it was too soon and that it was ‘just because induction makes pain much worse.’ I was 10cm when my waters broke over her hands when I demanded someone check me. So in my case expect it to take a lot less than expected to establish labour! Just goes to show anything can happen. Good luck and congratulations!

Wow so many experiences! Thank you all so much! This has really been eye opening and so, so helpful. I have a very open mind an would never turn down a section if it is necessary.

I do however think women have more choice than is made out sometimes. I'm being monitored and so is baby. Midwife said it is absolutely text book and baby looks healthy. The monitoring has shown good movements, good heartbeat, baby is in 30th centile, so I really don't see a need for a section right now. I have however had advice from a friend who is an experienced midwife so I'm a little scared re putting my foot down and asking for an induction...

If they said 'you must have a section for the safety of your baby' then obviously it'll be no questions asked.

I was induced with a pessary (or 3?) It didn't work so I had ARM and a drip. It hurt like hell so I had a nice epidural which ended in a vaginal delivery. No forceps or tears but this was down to good luck/physiology. I'm only mentioning that because its not always traumatic or an emergency .

I was induced with my first as he was a week late. Went straight onto the syntocinon drip, contractions strong and regular soon afterwards. Chose to have an epidural after a couple of hours. Had a blissful few hours pain free, listening to music, chatting to DH. Then told I could start pushing. Chose to top up the epidural to deliver. Classic delivery, not a scratch or tear.
I was terrified of being induced but in the end it worked brilliantly for me and our son was delivered safely plus I have such happy memories of a very calm, stress-free delivery which left me with lots of energy to push.
Good luck!

I was induced with my first child at 42 weeks. 5 days later I was still only 1cm dilated!!! Emergency caesarean finally.

My 2nd was a planned caesarean because of this.

Wishing you all the best, and hoping you get a straight forward natural birth.

Two inductions 18 months apart for high BP both times. No pessary and waters broken at 39 weeks with first, pessary which stimulated Braxton Hicks with second at 37+5. Waters broken in labour suite the next day and given Synto after an hour. It was fine and I asked them to switch it off once labour was underway. Both babies six hours from waters broken and fwiw, second was basically an elective induction. Although I had a medical need for it, I didn't want the uncertainty of going into labour at home. Consultant was fine with it.

If I was to have another, I'd be asking for induction again.

I was induced with my first child as 14 days overdue. It was a long boring day of waiting and it was the days before iPads so little to do but sit and wait. It was fine though and I went into labour about 24 hours after the induction began. Having had a c section with a later baby, the recovery is so much harder.
But don't worry, it will be fine. Trust your instincts and do what feels right for you. Speak up if you need to and know that you will hear a million birth stories but many women do it again so it can't be that bad!

Just as an extra comment, BP issues can cause your labour to be faster. Lots of women who have precipitous labours find out afterwards that their BP was through the roof.

Also, diamorphine is wonderful stuff. Doesn't remove the pain entirely- labour hurts, but it's totally doable, productive pain.