Reassurance please! Chances of induction second time!

[Beccaroll]

Hi

I know really that every pregnancy is different but was just wondering if anyone has any positive stories to share with me to make me feel better!

I was 2 weeks late with DD and induced using prostglandin gel x 3, water broken, syntocin drip, episiotomy, ventouse etc you get the picture.

Im due on Saturday with number 2 and would like to hear from people who were very late and induced first time round but subsequantly went on to have natural onset labour second time round!?

Thanks for humouring a worried very pregnant gal!

Becca
xxx

Hi Beccaroll - I was induced at term +12 with ds, and wanted a home birth for dd, which obviously would not be possible with induction. I got to 12 days over due date, and saw a consultant at the hospital, who was happy for me to go over a bit more - was due to see him on day 15, but went into labour on day 14 spontaneously, and had my home birth.

Would recommend sex to get it going - semen contains prostaglandin, so if you can persuade your dh/dp, and then lie with your legs up for half an hour or so, it might do the trick!

It's worth knowing, that if I hadn't gone into labour that day, and had kept the appointment, they still wouldn't necessarily have induced, but would have started daily monitoring, just to check on the baby. If you're anxious to avoid induction, do ask about monitoring. Good luck!

Hi Becca
Would love to be able to give you the story you want to hear, but unfortunately I can't personally.
Both my DSs were born 42+ weeks, both after 'induction' (Prostaglandin etc first time) and waters broken second.

I remember one midwife telling me that although, of course, no two labours in the same woman are the same, they are more likely to be similar than very different - sorry

There was a lot written on one of the boards not too long ago about the fact that some women just seem to have naturally longer gestation periods, perhaps even 43 weeks, but the fairly arbitrary 'cut off' point that the medical profession imposes simply doesn't recognise this.
When both my two came out they very covered in Vernix, which is often a sign that they are not finally 'ready' !

The only thing I would suggest is that if it looks as if you are going to go 'overdue' then don't feel forced into an induction - you have the right to wait longer than 42 weeks if you wish. However the reason the 42 wk induction date is often proposed is because there is some suggestion that after this time the placenta may become less effective in supporting the baby. However the risk between 42 weeks and 43 weeks gets gradually greater, but then rapidly greater after 43 weeks.
You could elect to wait for an extra few days, but ask for extra monitoring to check the baby during this time?

Hope you don't need to worry about all this though and your baby surprises you !!

Hi Becs
I can give some encouragement. Went to 42 weeks with ds and after induction drip and everything under the sun finally had emergency c section. With dd it was agreed I could have a trial of labour...but all very pessimistic about chances of it working. Much to my delight I went into labour 3 days b4 due date and had a nice simple vaginal delivery. I did have an epidural - cos they were telling me it was so likely I would have another c section and I thought I might as well be ready - but it was a really lovely birth experience - and so different from the first one.
With my ds I did feel like I was waiting for his birth and it just did not happen. I had so much intervention that it was almost bound to end in a section. With the second one I was so busy looking after my ds I was not 'waiting' for the birth and so it just happened. My advice is keep busy! Good luck - I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

i was induced with dd1 after my waters broke and nothing happened. had to have a syntocin drip, had an epidural, tore badly, was very long and drawn out (36 hours).
but with my dd2, i had a very quick natural delivery. had time for gas and air, slight tear, and was very very happy with the experience.
hope that makes u feel a slighty bit more better.

btw, i know someone who was actually 4-5 weeks late giving birth. she refused an induction, had regular scans and check ups, and gave birth naturally with no problems.
maybe now we focus too much on due dates.

becca, my second birth twins were induced at 39 + 2 , I had an epidural (really 'just in case' being twins). I had 2 x gel, and once in surgery the midwife broke the waters. Labour was quick 2hr 45 min (first birth was 6 hours) and 2 stitches - one for each baby. Will keep fingers crossed for saturday.