So it looks like I'm being induced...

[Shhhdonttell]

So after over 2 weeks of pre-labour and a so far unsuccessful sweep on Friday it looks I will be going into hospital tomorrow evening to be induced. I have tried all the natural methods of bringing this baby out from acupuncture and reflexology to sex and curry (have had more sex this week than throughout the whole of my pregnancy!) so just wondered if anybody had some nice induction stories to share with me? Please, please no horror stories, I was all ready for the dream birth (naturally progressing labour using G&A and Hypnobirthing and a water birth) which is obviously not going to happen for me now so just want to hear positive stories of birth following induction. Thanks in advance you lovely ladies :)

Dilly- having an epidural doesn't mean you have to lie on your back like a piece of meat. You can be supported in an upright position/ lean over pillows piled up on your bed etc. all whilst being monitored. You could also ask if they can let the epidural wear off a bit for the pushing stage so you can feel what you're doing.

I've been seeing a chiropractor for SPD btw, it's been really helpful. Expensive but I avoided crutches so worth it in the end.

Thanks loads, it sounds like there is a lot more to it than this consultant was implying.

thesecondcmoing I am really trying to fast forward to the 'accept my fate and chill out' bit, I agree that that just has to help!

Hairy thanks I didn't know they could reduce the epidural a bit so I could feel to push - I didn't really know anything about epidurals at all so this is fab. I did loads of physio for SPD and then have had acupuncture which has helped, and I'll be off to the chiropractor as soon as I can once bub is born to try to get order restored

Thanks again!
xx

I quite enjoyed my induction and just wanted to get DS out by that point as I was exhausted 46 hours after my waters breaking and labour starting but not establishing properly (DS was back to back). I was already contracting (sort of) and slightly dilated (1.5 cm) so needed the drip and constant monitoring to keep the contractions going and make sure DS and I were both coping with the labour.

Even though I was all wired up the midwives supported me in having as active a labour as possible and helped me to keep moving and change position as needed.

Early on DH used aromatherapy oils to massage my back and when it got too much I moved on to the gas and air.

There was a midwife with us all the time because of the induction and monitoring which I found very reassuring and my Mum joined us after a few hours.

I did find the end stage quite difficult as I was having trouble pushing DS (back to back, very tired, very little water left) out so had to have a ventouse delivery and no gas and air (as I was finding it hard to focus when using it) but that was mainly an odd sensation more than anything.

DS was delivered onto my tummy. Due to the intervention he was taken to be checked by the paediatrician while the placenta was being delivered and I was being stiched but I could see him at all times. He was then given back to me after just a couple of minutes and I was able to feed him straight away.

I waited as long as possible before being induced because I hoped that labour would start naturally. In hindsight I wish that I had taken the induction option earlier in the day as I think I would have been less tired.

Try to get as much rest as you can today, have a lovely big pasta meal to keep your energy levels up and all the best for this evening.

Consultants can be scary, they're so matter of fact. I was told once that they would have to 'whip the baby out' by c section if DS1 was breech. I was petrified and cried about it for weeks, not that he would have any idea!

Let your midwife in hosp know you want to keep active during epidural to help reduce further intervention etc. Most are really happy to help with positions etc.

Good luck :)

I have had 3 births, and my induced birth was the best of the three. I was induced at 40+1 for medical reasons, and went straight onto the drip as it was my second VBAC. I had an epidural (through choice!) and went to sleep through the contractions . The epi wasn't quite working on one side so i could feel the contractions enough to know when I was ready to push. No VEs from the start of the drip till I said I was ready to push - lovely mw checked and said yes, let's go.

DD3 born 29 minutes later, 2 stitches only because the scar tissue from DD2's forceps birth wouldn't quite stretch enough. I did wait for some minutes with DD3's head crowning to see if the tissue would stretch enough, something I would not have been able to do without the epi in place!

DillyDora, I was sat upright with my epi, and DH and the mw held my legs so I could push against them, IYSWIM. MW was fab, she bossed DH round something dreadful which made me smile - DD3 is the only baby whose cord DH cut, mainly because she didn't really give him the choice. Still makes me to remember it.

Good luck to all of you! I'm a little of all these lovely new babies you'll have.

Wonder how shhhdon'ttell is getting on? Do come back and tell us :)

Hi All! Wow take your eye off a thread for a day and it runs away! Had MW round yesterday for a sweep nothing happened so this evening (I managed to get her to give me one more night!) I will be going into hospital to get this induction process started... Hopefully by dinner time tomorrow I will be writing up my birth story for you all! Thank you again for all the great stories and experiences you have posted, I am very much liking hearing about lots of short, intervention free labours although I can see more now that no matter what happens the end result is going to be very, very worth it

good luck

Hope it's going well for shhdonttell feeling a million times better myself, off to hosp tonight but not freaking out anymore. I'll be back to let you know how it goes, thanks to everyone for the fab support.

Ooh good luck!

Good luck to you too, Dilly. Can't wait to hear :)

Any news?

Sorry to have kept everyone waiting!! I finally have news for you!

My gorgeous daughter arrived safe and sound (after some drama - more on that later!) on Thursday 14th October at 11.06am weighing in at a very healthy 8lbs 15oz!! She is absolutely the most beautiful little thing I have ever seen and I feel like I could stay in my little baby bubble forever!

For those of you who want to know, I have decided to post my birth story in a new thread as although it was in no way horrific, it is not exactly inkeeping with the 'upbeat' tone of this thread !.

I will come back and post a link to it once I have finished writing it, hopefully it will be up later today!

Hope Dilly is getting on ok and hairymelons how are you doing?!

back soon!

xx

Ooh Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl!!!

Sorry its late, please find my birth story here

Hello! My epic birth story to follow - 5 days! Yes, 5 days to induce this bubba! A lovely baby boy called Toby, 3.178kg (I think that's around 7lb) born by EMCS at the end of the 5 days! He is utterly fabulous, just reluctant to be told when to be born!

Birth story to follow... promise!

Congratulations shhhdonttell