Induction - Is it that awful ? Worried......

[myersthecat]

I'm now 8 days late. I never even expected to go full term with my families history of premature births. Hadn't even contemplated being induced. From what I've read, sounds like most people have a less than positive experience of induction. Also the increased risk of c-section worries me too. That is one of the last things that I wanted.

My midwife is coming today to assess whether she can do a membrane sweep. Even that doesn't sound pleasant. Does it work ?

Bit stressed today....

Hi myersthecat - both my dds were overdue (by 9 days and 7 days) and both times the midwife performed a sweep to kick things off. It was just like an internal with extra rummaging, so a little uncomfortable but not painful. Both times I went into labour the following morning. Good luck and try to relax... this may be your last day of tranquillity for a long time!

Hi, I was inducec with ds (9 days overdue) the membrane sweep had no effect, neither did 2 lots of vaginal pessaries. In the end they broke my waters at 12.15pm and by 1.15pm I was in established labour. Ds was born at 1.15pm and I remember the whole process fondly! Once my waters had broken everything happened v quickly!
Don't worry, I'm sure all will be fine!

Good Luck

I was induced with DS as was 3 days over and had high BP etc The internal pessary thing was not nice but waters broke naturally and things happened pretty quickly and was all over in hours. It wasnt too bad and speaking to people who were in labour for a really long time i think it is better to get it over and done with! Well done for getting this far as is better to be overdue than have prem baby.

Good luck!

Hi Myersthecat, my labour was induced as DD was 2 weeks overdue. I think some people would have waited up to three weeks but that was our hospital's policy and to be honest, we were impatient to see our baby! She did end up being born Caesarian as her head wouldn't turn the right was but I didn't mind. I think if you do mind, I would talk to an NCT person who can put you in touch with people who are less inclined to induce than hospital types IYKWIM. Some people believe you can try lots of things instead of such an invasive procedure and could perhaps support you and therefore lessen the risk of Caesarian or other invasive stuff even if you do have to be induced. Hope I am being clear here. Good luck anyway, I hung on to the gas and air for dear life and my DH was an absolute star throughout so that helped for me even though, many hours and a 10cm open cervix later I still had to have the CS, I was just delighted to see my little baby! who, as she was 2 weeks overdue was a wonderful size and didn't feel too "fragile"!

Thanks guys, I think I'm feeling a little less worried about it. Had the sweep now, which although not pleasant wasn't too bad. Fingers crossed it encourages it along. Apparently I am about 1cm dilated at one end...which sounds much better than being closed.

They've booked the induction for next Tuesday (what a time for a bank holiday to fall!).

Hopefully if I do have to keep the appointment, something will happen with the first set of intervention. Sounds like a very long drawn out process otherwise.

I echo everyone's advice. I went overdue by a week and was booked for an induction on the Saturday and a sweep on the Wednesday. Went into labour on Wednesday morning. I had a very long labour, mind you, with no gentle build-up. No two experiences are the same so try not to worry about it and go with the flow.

Hi Myersthecat - we are in a very similar position. I had a sweep yesterday as 1 week overdue. Didn't hurt at all. MW kept offering to stop if it was hurting which made me laugh as I kept thinking "You are doing this to put me into LABOUR and you are worried about it hurting now!". Anyway I had period like pains all afternoon and irregular contractions during the night. This morning I had a proper show. I asked the MW to check me again this morning and she did another sweep (while she was in there!). I'm still having irregular contractions although they are coming a bit closer together now. This morning she could get 2 fingers in so definielty progressing. Like you I never expected to be at this point given that my other two were both early but all babes are different.

Race you......

BTW they can't force you to have an induction if you don't want to. Even though you are overdue if you voice your concerns then they should let you carry on a bit longer with regular monitoring. My MW has said if babies not out by Friday they will do a scan to check everything is working with some monitoring and then daily monitoring after that. So you may have some time yet. My problem is now my BP is up and I've got protein in my urine although both me and MW think thats from the show, but I've just had to go in for bloodtests. Waiting for results now but if its eclampsia then bang goes my homebirth etc.

Ds was induced - it was ok, did hurt more than dd's birth which was natural, but wasn't the horror stories that you sometimes hear. I just had one lot of gel, and then labour really flew along! Ended up having an epidural, because it took me by surprise - I went from 0 to 6 cm in 3 hours!

If you don't want to be induced, then do ask about monitoring, but if you end up going in for induction, then don't worry - it doesn't necessarily mean a nightmare experience, or a caesarean.

I would echo other comments. I was induced because my waters broke and I didn't go into labour. I was really worried because everyone had told me awful stories. The gel thing was the worst part and I went on to have a natural labour with only gas and air. I found it less painful than others I know who had proper natural labours. I know others have had different experiences but then you can't predict what would happen during labour anyway. Good luck.

I was induced recently and it was fine,one gel pessary and I went from 2-10cm in 2 and abit hours with no pain relief.. as the epidural failed. I would say it was a really positive experience, dd's labour was only 5 and abit hours from start to finish and only ended up being particularly medical because of her position, which would of happened if I had gone into labour naturally anyway I think. Don't worry! Try accupuncture, I tried it but it didn't work but the lady said I was too overdue and that I needed 2 sessions but only had time for the one. IMO pineapple doesn't do the trick, or any of the other things people recommend lol! Thinking of you and Katherine, best wishes.

Hi myersthcat, you may be interested to see this website below for stories from women who have carried their babies for 10 months if you decide to hold out and let nature to take its course.
link

My ds1 was was induced at 42 weeks (ending in an emergency cs for various reasons), and with ds2 I was persuaded by the hospital and dh to go for an elective CS at 42 weeks again. (With hindsight this was so right for this wuss as ds2 weighed over 11lb eeek)

I since found out that my Mum carried me to 43 weeks so I maybe some of us may just have a hereditory longer gestational period!

Good luck - Tuesday is a few days away and induction may not even be an issue for you

hi Katherine.

Are you still hanging in there, or have you been whisked off to the labour ward ?

I wasn't aware that I could ask for a repeat sweep. Maybe it's worthwhile as she said that the cervix was only open at one end. Reading up a bit more on what the purpose of the sweep is, wondering if it's worth getting her to have another go, maybe tomorrow, to see if both ends are open.
Have had stomach ache since it was done, and my bishops score was only 2 (better than 0). Having read up on that, its still classified as unfavourable below 4 (Are there any experts out there that can confirm this ?).

Decided to go to aquaaerobics after the sweep hoping that irritated uterus coupled with bouncing around might help!

Going in search of RLT today. Becoming impatient. Luckily I'm in good health, just a touch of SPD and backache so not suffering like some of you guys.

Good luck

No I'm still here. After over 24 hours of intermittent contractions and period pains all has gone quiet. Very fed up. MW will be along later to check my BP again so will see what she says.

I am on my last days worth of RLT! Can't beleive it. Gone through the entire bottle now and still no proper contractions. This one really doesn't want to come out. I can see myself being whisked away for induction at this rate although I reckon I can get them to give me another week as long as my BP behaves itself.

DH has gone in to work today - over an hour away - so maybe that is enough to guarentee things will happen. Maybe this is the quiet before the storm!

Good luck Myersthecat - you can always ask her to just check your cervix for any changes and she may offer to sweep you as part of the process. Thats what mine did. It was reassuring to know it had stretched a little although now I have visions of it clamping back up again "Nope, changed my mind!"

Whats a bishops score?

I am in the same position, except they won't induce me as I had a c-section first time around. I have also had 2 attempted sweeps, but cervix closed and posterior. Anyone know how long it takes, on average, for the cervix to move forward? Can labour start even though cervix is posterior? I have been taking long walks and trapsing up and down lots of stairs AND taking Raspberry leaf capsules. Besides sex what else can I do??

Oh Eva I know the feeling. Everyone keeps suggesting fresh pineapple to me but can't stand the stuff myself. I've been for long walks too, and the sex plus 2 sweeps but nothing yet. I think basically baby will come when its ready. Thats what I keep telling myself anyway!

I love pineapple, must try that. Tonight is my wedding anniversary and am going to have spicy Asian food....fingers crossed that might do the trick. Good luck to you!

Bishops score is the marking system (out of ten I think) that they give your bits and pieces when they check them. Something to do with dilation, consistency, length and position. Apparently the closer you are to labour the higher the number.

I think I've tried all the recommended options for inducement, curry; sex; nipples; orgasm; pineapple; rlt; walks; exercise; rest; kitchen floor; still not budging.
Went for my own trial today and had a big bag of chocolate raisins. Felt I deserved a treat as I was thoroughly fed up (can't you tell....I've been online 3 times today!!!)

On the sex front - they told me at least 3 times in 24 hours - something to do with the hormones in the semen - but I couldn't quit manage that i'm afraid at 9 months so don't know if it really works