To actually expect an induction

[Pregnantthenfkd]

I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant.

It's been a complicated and confusing pregnancy with no continuity of care.

Was told we should book an induction for 39 weeks, this was then changed to 37 but first slot on induction ward was for 37+5.

Admitted 4 days ago to the induction ward and told that we were dilated enough to go straight to breaking the waters and all we needed was a room available on the delivery suite.

That was 4 days ago with little chance of it being tomorrow, we've been told we're at risk enough to be induced/inpatient stay but not so much of an emergency to be at the top of the list. So everyday more people come in and move to delivery suite before us. Effectively the only way we are moving out of here is to go into spontaneous labour or if one of my issues worsens to make us an emergency and "top of the list". Or we can have an elective c-section....

Surely this can't be normal? I'm sitting in total limbo, husbands paternity leave is disappearing by the day, our childcare is running out. I know inductions can take forever but that's with waiting for pessaries/balloons etc to work!

err I would seriously question this with the hospital! Having just been induced with #3 (both previous inductions too) I have never had the same experience you have described!

my son is 2 weeks old, I turned up for my induction at lunch time, they started it at 5pm ish (they then had to remove the pessary at 7pm because I hyper stimulated) delivery room at 12, waters broken early hours and he was born at 6am. No waiting. The only queue was whos induction progressed quickest and when a room was available.

sounds like you’re having a really shit time. Are they monitoring baby?

I had my baby 3 weeks ago with induction and was at the point of bulging waters which could be broken but was told there was a 5 day waiting list so the best bet was to continue dilating and go into spontaneous labour, it's shocking.

Christ I'd be doing my nut. I'd be asking for a section. X

Unfortunately this does happen, midwifery staffing is a major issue at the moment, and so many more women are being induced than ever before. As awful as it is for you to have to keep waiting, if there isn't the staffing to go ahead with your IOL safely then they simply can't. I'm sorry you are in this situation, and hope a slot comes up asap.

This was similar to when I have birth - admittedly it was just after Christmas and covid sickness was high within the NHS. Women on my ward had been there 5+ days waiting for a bed on delivery suite, getting trumped by emergencies. I was actually brought in for an induction then told I couldn't be induced because not enough staff to deliver the baby. (But wasn't allowed home!) Was another 24hr before they even started.

Jesus that's shit. Fat chance of spontaneous labour in that situation, how the hell are you supposed to muster the oxytocin? You must be so fed up and anxious. Hope you get some answers and decent care soon OP.

Yes this happens a lot in my area also. Unfortunately midwives are in very short supply and if women come in in active labour or with any fetal distress they will be made priority which is understandable but rubbish for you. It is hard when you feel you have been told to be induced at a certain time and those days are just passing. Presumably they are monitoring you and baby to ensure you are both safe- if not then you need to request this.

Your husband's paternity leave should not be disappearing though as it technically starts on the baby's date of birth. Unless you mean annual leave that he has booked to be with you and baby- again very frustrating.

Really hope you get the induction soon, and you can keep rested and calm in the run up to it all x

This has become normal in my trust.

Often when a labour ward bed/midwife becomes available, there's an unexpected admission of a lady in labour or an emergency.

Staffing levels are appalling and this isn't helping.

We can now contact other trusts to see if they can accept any ladies like yourselves if it's likely to be even longer. Obviously, safety aspects and womens choice permitting.

So sorry op. I hope you get sorted asap.

I had this, they scared me into being induced at 39 weeks because they thought my baby was going to be very large and could get stuck.

Induction took 6 days to work and then they had no space on delivery for 2 days.
Waste of time.
Won't bother with induction next time. I was called in at 2am when they had space so therefore started my whole birthing experience absolutely drained and exhausted which impacted my experience of early mother hood.

Sorry you're dealing with this

It does seem that doctors have to cover their backs so suggest induction to avoid blame if something were to go wrong.

Next time I'll trust my intuition and body and wait to deliver spontaneously unless there is a clear cut reason why it would be best.

I would not be going for an induction at all. If I do not go into labour naturally, a section it is.

Not same situation as yours but I was almost 2 weeks overdue so booked induction, called in the morning to find out when to go in to be told someone would call back. I called again a few hours later, told I'd be called back as they're busy, I called again in the evening and they said yes I could then go in. Went in, no sorry we have no space but sit here and we will do some monitoring (fortunately they did as it turned out baby wasn't very happy). They said I can go home, come back tomorrow or I can stay overnight so I opted to stay. I did go in for induction the next day but I honestly think if I'd gone home to sleep that I'd have been pushed back again.

As we can expect, emergencies and spontaneous labour will take the beds as they need dealing with immediately. It's frustrating though not knowing if you're coming or going. Can your partner not return to work and actually take paternity once you're moved to delivery?

Sounds really rubbish. Hospitals are awful for just waiting around in. How come you are in for induction? If it’s something serious how can they just leave you there?