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Original poster

Freaking out about induction tomorrow - tell me it's not so bad...!

43 replies

BettyButterknife · 28/07/2010 14:53

I will be 40+14 tomorrow and have been observed a couple of times (trace, scan etc) over the past week, and had 2 sweeps.

I'm booked in for an induction tomorrow but I'm starting to get cold feet about it. I know I don't have to go through with it but at the same time I'm so tired of being pregnant - this bump is so big and heavy.

I suppose I'm worried about how quick and intense it might be, at the same time as worrying it might not work and I could go on for days but in the hospital rather than at home with my DS (who I am also worried about - I know he will be absolutely fine at his GPs but I feel sad for him!).

I've already been told an epidural is less likely to be effective as I have a curvature of the spine, and I know that often women who have the induction drip are more likely to request an epidural because of decreased mobility options during labour. I managed the pain really well using TENS and G&A with my first labour, and I'd so hoped to do the same this time.

And I just don't think I'll be able to sleep a wink all night tonight thinking about it!

Am I being ridiculous? Tell me it's not that bad, please! I just want to fast forward to the weekend and to be holding my baby in my arms with all this behind me

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Tootingbec · 28/07/2010 15:01

Sorry can't help about the induction thing BUT I too have a curvature in the spine (not pronounced but there) and I had an epidural - ok, it took a few attempts, but it didn't phase them.......

Hope it all goes well for you - I am sure it will!

daxibaby · 28/07/2010 16:35

hi honey
do think seriously about going tomorrow. you are not being ridiculous. why not wait for your baby to come by yourself? your bishops score needs to be above 7 for an induction to work otherwise you might as well go for a c-section.
go tomorrow and see what they say, but remember the choice is yours.

strawberrycake · 28/07/2010 17:17

I had an induction at 40+14 and it was FINE. I was so far over the gel alone kick started a very natural labour which progressed as normal, well until he got stuck in an unrelated way. Even then it was ok and he popped out unassisted as being prepared for c-section.

Personally it was the right thing for me, but just make sure whatever you decide to do it's your choice and you're not pushed. The only thing I regret is being pushed into a sweep which didn't work and probably caused infection.

suzikettles · 28/07/2010 17:25

I had an induction at 10 days over and like strawberrycake it was fine.

I just needed the pessary which kickstarted contractions (wasn't painful at that point) and then my waters broke naturally about 5 hours later. Ds was born about 5 hours after that.

I was told that I'd probably want an epidural but I don't think my pain was any more intense than it would have been if I'd gone into labour naturally. It didn't really start hurting until my waters broke, and then of course it hurt like buggery but hey, it's childbirth . I was ok on gas & air anyway. It may be different if you're hooked up to the syntocin (sp?) drip - I have heard that it's much more intense that way.

Good luck!

strawberrycake · 28/07/2010 17:42

I'll second the pain thing. After the gel it was very normal, was managing fine. Only had an epidural after 12 hours at 9cm and over 30 hours of labour. Even then it was because I needed a bloody rest rather than agonising pain.

muslimah28 · 28/07/2010 17:56

hi there

the induction is only quick and intense if you are on a drip, the pessaries work differently by stimulating a natural labour to start.

i would definitely have an epidural if you're on a drip though and maybe you could speak to the anaesthetist about taking into account your spine like Tootingbec did.

cece · 28/07/2010 18:01

I was induced twice. First time was definitely not quick! The second time I had an 8 hour labour which was fine. Didn't have an epidural either. Oh and with the first one I had a drip too but without pain relief. It'll be fine - try to keep relaxed, it will help.

MarsLady · 28/07/2010 18:06

I don't think it's necessary to have an epidural if you're induced with the syntometrin drip. I think that that's a decision that you make at the time. I've had some ladies induced with the drip who haven't used an epidural. It's not about pain thresholds... it's about how you and your body are working and doing at the time.

If you do decide to go through with the induction, then it is important that you let yourself relax about your decision. Relaxation really is key in labour. If you worry and are tense you will (without meaning to) close your body which will make it more difficult. So... practise some of your relaxation techniques and when you go hoepfully you'll only need the pessary. Do stay mobile where you can. That will give space for the baby to move down. Don't get all hyperactive and up and down stairs. Rest where you can and then be mobile as your labour starts to build.

Wishing you a lovely birth.

MajorPettigrew · 28/07/2010 18:49

I was induced with a drip with DS (1st baby, so nothing else to complare it to at the time).
I'll be honest - it was fairly intense. Went from being fine to full on contractions within about 15 mins. Wasn't great..... but on the plus side - I didn't have an epidural (G+A + 1 dose of morphine) and it was all over in under 4 hours.

My main feeling was the lack of control - I couldn't move around due to all the cables/ wires, and I desperately wanted to get off my back, but was stuck in that position.

Anything that will increase your mobility will help.
Don't be scared though - lets face it no way of getting the baby out is great!

ruddynorah · 28/07/2010 18:53

i had one and it was fine. much better than my long drawn out first labour. i had the pessary. baby born 4 hours after first contraction. no issues. gas and air only.

i had syn drip to augment my first labour and didn't have epidural for that, just gas and air again.

TeenyTinyToria · 28/07/2010 18:55

Pessaries are fine, but I'd advise to you avoid the drip if at all possible. Walk like crazy! Good luck

Baileysismyfriend · 28/07/2010 18:56

I went in for an induction at 40+10 and they couldnt give me the gel as I was already 3cms gone, I hadnt felt a thing! So you never know it may be that you dont actually end up with an induction afterall.

If you do have on though then three friends of mine have had inductions and they all found it fine - well as fine as labor could be anyway!

ruddynorah · 28/07/2010 19:01

yes walk walk walk. after pessary was in, i was on monitor for 15 mins then midwife sent me and dh off out of the ward and said not to come back until i was tired of walking and to do all the staircases.

LilyBolero · 28/07/2010 19:06

I had an induction with my first at T+12. It was ok - and don't worry too much about bishops score etc, mine was 3 at 11am, and was 7cm dilated by 1:30!

What I would say is, make sure your partner knows your preferences and is prepared to represent you to the medics - if you don't want to be strapped to the bed throughout, then make sure they know that, and your partner makes sure that happens. If they want to do anything you are not happy about, then make sure it is fully explained and remember it is your decision. But the good thing is, you'll have a baby very soon!!!

mememe30 · 28/07/2010 19:18

HI, I was showing no signs of labour at all. I had the pessary, it started a very natural labour which I managed fine on gas and air. You'll be fine.

HotSprocket · 28/07/2010 19:19

I was induced at 40+4 because baby was struggiling a bit.

Had a pessary, nothing happened, walked up and down stairs a few times.

Had 2nd pessary, started to get pains which got steadily worse and 2.5 hours later dd was born. I went from 4cm to 10cm dialated in 10 minutes. I didn't have time to get any pain relief and honestly it was okay!

You'll be fine

wigglesrock · 28/07/2010 19:51

I was induced with dd2- got gel packs at 4am, slept for a while had another gel pack at 12ish - was monitored for 15 mins, walked all day, listened to ipod etc, didn't get drip. At 4pm contractions started, baby was born at 6.45pm, I was moving the whole time, had baby kneeling by the side of bed, tbh much easier that dd1 labour!!!

I too was really nervous about being induced but no need, way too many horror stories out there.

Original poster
BettyButterknife · 29/07/2010 09:32

Thank you so much everyone, I feel much reassured by your replies. There are so many scare stories out there and it's good to hear not everyone has bad experiences.

We've had the call so we're off to the ward in a minute, and I'm quite relaxed apart from every so often having a bit of a jolt. I had some contractions in the night so hopefully my body is on its way anyway, and I'm hoping I'll just need the gel. At any rate, I do feel informed about what's available and what choices I have, so thank you again.

Fingers crossed... here I go!

OP posts:
zipzap456 · 29/07/2010 10:08

Please dont worry about being induced. I was induced at 40+6 with my third baby. I had gel inserted which didnt work so had further gel later. The midvives were excellent and I spent ages walking round the hospital. When the gel worked, I couldnt of asked for a better birth, it was quick and ended up taking just paracetamol and having gas and air. Compared to long painful labours with my previous 2.

Good Luck :0)

bamboobutton · 29/07/2010 10:22

i was induced at 40+10 with ds with gel/pessary/something put inside.

went for a walk to the nearby tesco and started contracting in aisle 2. being a bit divvy it never occured to me it was contractions so carried on shopping the walk back to hospital was amusing though.

labour was about 6 hours until i was ready to push but ds was back to back and was stuck so had an emcs after two hours pushing and failed forceps.

harverina · 30/07/2010 01:14

I had the same fears as you prior to being induced. I was induced at 40+3 weeks.

I did not want an epidural prior to being induced and did not have one. I used a tens machine, gas and air and diamorphine. Midwifes did offer me an epidural but I was determined not to have one and feel that the pain was manageable, even when I was on the drip.

The whole process can be quite long, but only because the induction can take a while to work, you will not necessarily be in active labour any longer than an unassisted labour.

In the end I had to have an emergency c-section so had to have a spinal.

Overall, I found the induction process to be a very positive experience. I am glad that I did not have an epidural as I was able to stay on my birthing ball and on an upright chair.

SolidGoldBrass · 30/07/2010 01:28

I was induced and had DS with only gas & air. I had to have two lots of prostin pessary and spent a fair few hours strapped down with a monitor and growling, but that was partly due to the one bitch midwife who didn;t tell me that it was OK to stand up and walk/pace up and down as long as I kept the monitor pads on (I was hypertensive as well as late, you may not have this problem). I also have scoliosis (curved spine) and had no problems with that.
The only note of caution I would offer is: if you are planning to BF you might need a bit of extra support as apparently the induction drugs can interfere with milk production (doesn't mean you can;t BF, just that you might need a little more help and support to make it happen. I didn;t manage it but there were other factors working against it in our case as well).

Original poster
BettyButterknife · 31/07/2010 15:26

Thanks everyone. Well, my baby boy is here - arrived yesterday at 1.43am. Induction didn't go that well, unfortunately, and I ended up with the full shebang, although didn't opt for epidural, just G&A. That drip is a mofo

My notes say that I went from 3cm to fully dilated in 1 hour 40 minutes, and that the pushing stage was 4 minutes - DS's heartrate dropped with every contraction and it turned out he had the cord round his neck, so when it came to pushing 4 midwives had to hold me down in stirrups to get him out fast. 2nd degree tear. Was all pretty terrifying.

But he's here now and I AM NEVER HAVING ANY MORE CHILDREN ;)

Thanks again for sharing all your experiences, glad they were mainly more positive than mine! Will bear what you say about BF in mind, thanks SGB

OP posts:
MajorPettigrew · 31/07/2010 18:45

Congratulations BB.

That's wonderful news

Jenny95 · 31/07/2010 23:38

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
i'm getting induced on thursday at 2pm, so scared
is it painful when they insert the prostaglandin gel in your vagina? and is it painful when they check t see how dilated you are?

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