Induction advice please

[tiffs]

Hi ladies

I was due to be induced yesterday but it was cancelled and so am due to go back today if there is a free bed.

I would really appreciate some advice from those who have been through an induction. So far all I have heard are bad stories about them being very painful, husbands not being aloud to stay with you, nasty midwives and midwives not being very good with pain relief options. I was very lucky with my dd and went into labour on my own and had a very positive experience and now I'm worried this induction is going to be horrible.

Any advice and stories are welcome, I just want to get an idea of other peoples experiences.

Thanks

I have had two inductions and a spotaneous natural delivery.

I am going to be totally honest and say neither of the inductions were much fun. They started things off very abruptly and as a result I had absolutely no time to get used to the pain so they hurt like hell - depsite using far more drugs and being shorter than with the spontaneous delivery.

That being said they are a means to an end and as such I have decided to be induced again (I am currently 30 weeks)

The positives that I am going to be focussing on are:

1. I know it will hurt more than a non induced delivery therefore I intend to ask for the pain relief I want immediately (and not let up until it is provided )

1. I have delivered babies before therefore the chances of requiring intervention are actually very low.

1. I will be monitored closely and this will provide me with reassurance.

Why are you being induced? I think the best way forward would be to think that given this isn't your first baby the chances of it being over and done with and you having your gorgeous baby safely in you arms well within 24 hours are high. It is a means to an end an end, so try not to worry

Problem is that everyone's induction experiences are going to be different and you can't really predict how you will respond.

I know 6 people who have had an induction (myself included). 3 ended up with EMCS (including me) but 3 had quick labours with just gas and air.

They are not necessarily bad but they can lead to more intervention so it's best to go into the experience with an open mind. I would also second taking pain relief immediately I tried to tough it out because I thought if I had gas and air too soon I would have to have an epidural as well which I didn't want, if I could do it again I would have the gas and air earlier.

Re: husbands having to leave, as long as you are in active labour and the labour is progressing then they will be able to stay. They'll only be sent home if you stop labouring for whatever reason.

Thank you so much for you resonse. I am being induced (today at 38 weeks) as my baby does not have much fluid round it and they do not know why.

I am trying to think positive and am not ruling out using all the pain relief available as well as hoping that as this is my second baby that it may be a little quicker than some. I agree with you in that it is a means to an end and I can't wait for cuddles with baby and to have it on the outside.

I am going to try and remain positive and focused. That is my aim for this whole process

Xxx

I have been induced with all 3 of my dc. DD I was induced at 34+4 due to pre-eclampsia, she was born a day later at 34+5. I had pethidine and G&A. DS1 was induced at 39+4, wasn't born until dead on 40 weeks! He was my most awful labour, but TBH I think that was much much more to do with his position than with having been induced, as he was B2B with his hand on his head, and was presenting with the wrong part of his head??

DS2 however - was induced at 40+2, was my largest baby (so far) at 8lb2oz, yet only took 5 hrs from my very first contraction to holding him in my arms, and I was fine with just G&A.

I'm more concerned about going into natural labour than being induced, as I'm 37+3 now. Natural labour scares me more than being induced!

I guess what I'm saying is that despite having been induced 3 times, each labour was still different, and that I think position of the baby is what causes the 'extra' pain IYSWIM, rather than being induced. Good Luck!

mousema were the three that had EMCS all first timers. Statistically I believe you are no more likely to have a CS when induced with a second or subsequent child than someone who is not induced.

tiffs good luck - all you need to focus on is that there is a medical reason why you are being induced and that it is considered to be safer for you and the baby if you are indiced rather than wait. Concentrate on that and all will be well

Actually all 6 were first timers but my examples are anecdotal so your stats are much more valid.

Hope all is going well, meant to post earlier, just wanted to say I have a really positive induction story. Was induced with dd2, pessaries inserted, no drip, no further interventions, was able to keep mobile the whole time. Went into labour at 4pm, had dd2 at 6.45pm, kneeling at side of bed.