To ask for your induction stories

[elm26]

Hello everyone

Some of you probably recognise me from lots of other posts, I'm 36 weeks after 13 miscarriages. Up until last week, I had a low lying placenta and consultant was convinced I'd have a planned C-section which I made peace with.

Last week, scan showed my placenta had moved up and baby head down so was cleared for a vaginal delivery.

We agreed that due to my history of miscarriages and also other gynae problems including 3 operations for endometriosis and a history of depression and anxiety that I would be induced on my due date (29th May).

I've been calm throughout the 3rd trimester about labour and delivery whether it be vaginally or C-section but now my anxiety is ramping up as I see quite a lot of negativity surrounding inductions.

I am open to pain relief and anything I've got to do to get her here safely. That's all I'm sure about right now but I'm getting nervous.

I'm praying I go into natural labour by then but if I don't, then this is what the plan is.

I'm also booked for a final scan and a sweep at 38 weeks.

Can anyone share their stories good or bad so I'm not going into it blind? Thank you 😊

Dc1

Pessary at 12 days overdue - nothing happened.

Next day went on drip and waters eventually broken by midwife. Ds born after 6 hours of labour. Kept waiting for pain to get more constant or more intense because of everything I'd read but it was fine.

Dc2.

Pessary 12 days overdue - got me to 2cm but no further progress.

Waters broken by midwife and on drip. Dd born 6h later - was bit more painful as Dd was back to back but was manageable. Did have a PPH this time but got sorted.

No long term issues or anything.

I had a positive induction experience. Once they had broken my waters, contractions came on really quickly and intensely but meant baby was coming soon so lots and lots of movement on the ball (I refused to lie down!) and wasn't too long before she came.

I remember feeling anxious about being induced at 40 weeks but in the end, surrendered to it and she was ready to come. I did have an epidural which I would get every single time. It meant I could be present for it and no overcome with pain. Good luck OP!

3 days.
Below is rough as it was a while ago...

Day 1, pessaries- nothing happened
Day 2, waters broken. Painful. Labour started properly about 6 hours later.
Day 3, delivered baby, about 14 hours later. All the interventions.

Bring snacks and entertainment for day 1 and your favourite shower gel for your post-birth shower. Everything inbetween is a blur.

Expect your baby to lose weight the first week. I didn't realise how common it was and it broke my heart as I was breastfeeding and felt like I was failing. Apparently there can be a link with epidurals. With proper support I was able to breastfeed for 3 years :) but I was not prepared to be told baby had lost weight.

We had problems during birth but it really is a once in a lifetime experience and one of my fondest memories. Enjoy!

Your list is adorable. I dont meant that patronisingly, it's just giving me fond memories of becoming a mum and how exciting it was :)

Oh my God, me too!

I was induced last year. Pessary on sunday night, went down to labour ward weds afternoon, baby arrived 4pm thursday.

I struggled with the pain and had all the drugs on offer til I got an epidural. Got one of the self control ones as thought it would be nice to feel contractions and push - it wasn't. I had to have max epidural just to be able to breathe through a contraction nevermind push. Downside of that was I forgot how to push. 'Like you're having a poo' she said, and in that moment I felt like I had never had a poo ever in my life and had no idea how to do one.

Only other thing for your bag is earplugs - if you're on the pre labour ward for multiple nights you will need them. The noise on the ward was absolutely wild.