I went into hospital yesterday (Sat 12th) at 40 weeks to be induced. I'm age 40 and the risk of stillbirth increases post due date. No other problems. This will be my second delivery. My first baby was an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. According to my records I'm due at the earliest on 16th Oct because we only had sex once on 23rd January. I'm no expert, but I don't think implantation could have happened before we had sex!
The midwife couldn't get the Propress induction pessary in yesterday because my cervix is closed and because I was distressed. The pain made me black out. It was traumatic even with gas and air and it went on for several minutes as she wrestled with my cervix! This all happened after the induction was postoned several times so I was already exhausted and anxious. I'm re-booked in for an induction on Monday 14th Oct at 6pm and terrified of this proceedure because it was so traumatic. I'm not afraid of pain and I don't mind smear tests but this pain was in a different league.
Does anyone know if there are any alternative pain relief options for inserting Propess? I took paracetamol and took gas and air but this wasn't enough.
If there's no other pain relief available, am I allowed to ask to meet a consultant tomorrow during the day to talk about my delivery options? I might rather have an elective c-section or expectant management than go through more painful attempts to get the Propess inserted over the course of many hours during the night which seems likely to happen again unless my cervix softens today and tomorrow. I feel like I need a plan!
Can anyone help me to be brave and avoid a potentially traumatic birth?