induction-how long til things are kickstarted?

[clairejs]

Booked in for induction on wednesday, was wondering after pessary/gel etc how long did it take for things to kick off, if they did at all? And what were you're overall experiences, as although i can't wait no longer for baby im tempted to put off the whole process and let baby come naturally as the thought of being stuck in hospital for entire process is too 'clinical' for me...

ta x

I was booked for induction but never had the pessary/gel as my contractions had started when I got to the hospital. However, I was then hooked up to the drip for 2 days and ended up with an emcs. Personally, having been through one, I'd never do it again. A friend of mine recently persevered for a natural start to her labour and it all went very well for her.

For me ctx started about an hour after the prostin gel (like a pessary) was inserted. It was manageable period type pains at first but they ramped up considerably over the next hour or two.

I am actually hyper sensitive to prostin (ha - we now know!) and it ended up hyperstimulating me so my experience may be unusual.

I got the gel at 8pm and was VERY crampy (like period pains) straight away and all through the night. Was 3cm by my morning examination so went down to labour ward, but ended up getting epidural & drip in late afternoon to move things along. Gave birth at 10.30pm in just a few pushes and without any assistance.

I had an experience similar to maxpower and would in all honesty avoid it if at all possible.