induced tomorrow, any tips?

[RayeB]

I will be 11 days over tomorrow. Had unsuccessful sweep so being induced tomorrow. I'm really excited but nervous too. Any tips? My first baby was on time so this is all new, thanks

oh, and good luck of course!

Just wanted to say don't worry! I was induced with one of mine and was told all sorts of horror stories before hand from 'friends' - saying it's basically much worse in every way possible!

But for me it all started off really easily & quickly and turned out to be the most straightforward and pain-free labour I had!

Good luck!

jenny I so agree with you. Why do they induce women simply because the babies aren't keeping to some medical schedule? Mine vabcs were 17, 14,17 18 days late respectively.

Anyway OP hope you have a good birth experience

start the drugs early if you get a choice, my contractions were huge (according to the mw) and I'm just so greatful I had an epidural, more numerous reasons, but that being one of them.

I had a 24 hour induced labour and then an emergency c-section.

Take a good book though as I had to wait 16 hours before they could actually get me a labour ward to start the induction. (I was already 14 days overdue at that stage.)

I was induced with both my two - both very straightforward. What I would say, like others, is make sure you have stuff to do. It can take quite a while to get things going - I was in a small windowless room for many hours, and there's only so much wandering aimlessly round the hospital you can do! Have you got a Nintendo DS or anything like that? Books, puzzles, music, whatever you can find to stave off the boredom. Once you get going though, you'll be fine. Hope you have as good a time as possible

First and for most Good Luck. My tips echo what a lot of others are saying with a couple extra just to be different

• stay mobile as much as possible, but also remember to rest as well. I took the mobile bit too literally and ended up walking the legs off myself. I found myself in a heap in the corridor when my legs gave up on me and lacked much of an energy reserve for when it was needed.
• food and drink, eat whilst you can and you possibly still have some kind of appetite. I stuck to easy eating - creamy yoghurts, rice pudding, slices of pizza (brought in by dh), granola/cereal bars and fruit. Think of what you might fancy and have a few bits on stand by
• something to pass the time. Whatever you like, magazines, books, puzzle books, Nintendo DS, MP3/iPod. You will have periods of time where you have to stay put (when they insert the gel/pessary)so have something within reach.
• set up a phone/text tree. Agree with those that need to know that you will contact them as and when you feel it required. They can then act as a messenger contacting anybody else you feel needs updating. Sounds crazy but if people know that something like that is set up then they are less likely to try and contact you or dp to "see how you are getting on". However, positive and encouraging texts that don't need to be replied to can be encouraging and a bit of a boost.
• if dp is with you make sure they have "entertainment" too. Not easy trying to share your Hello magazine when they aren't interested in the bits you are.

That's the main ones - Good Luck

Was induced at 38wks cos of big baby and spd, took 5days! Well worth it, active labour only 24hrs after waters broke, drip and epidural resulting in forceps delivery and episiotomy, dd worth every minute, not really traumatic, was desperate to meet our dd after previous 4 recurrent mc so didnt care what we went through so long as she was healthy! She is, thank god!

Tips would be, take spare day clothes for potentially lots of walking round the grounds to help things along, had loads of nightwear, and just what i wore in and it was the height of Summer, that inc for ur dh as mine stayed the whole time in our little room! Also money for food, papers, mags, it felt like a little holiday! Remember what comes at the end of it, as ur overdue chances are it will hopefully be quick anyway! Good luck!

"I'd agree with keeping an open mind about pain relief, and speak up if you are in pain, as the nurse on duty wouldn't give me anything 'because i wasn't in enough pain'. What she meant was, i wasn't shouting loud enough"

Yes absolutely - if you're in a lot of pain at any stage, aren't getting any help and can't deal with it, make sure you shout VERY loudly or you risk being ignored or fobbed off.

Some people do go into labour very quickly after induction - don't be fobbed off by midwives saying 'oh nothing will be happening yet, it's just a few grumbles'.

If your contractions start off painfully / feel like the real thing and you you are being fobbed off, insist on being examined to see how dilated you are (if that's what you want of course). If you want an epidural, make that very clear from the start.

Hopefully none of this advice will be necessary though - good luck!

MAKE THEM PUT IN an epidural BEFORE the amniotomy. You often have to wait for an epidural, sometimes two hours or more, and the contraction immediately after the amniotomy (breaking the waters by force) was - erm - memorable.

People can be slightly odd about this, but my advice is DON'T just go on and on trying to make nature take its course. Nobody in my immediate family has ever given birth without an induction, and my first was THREE WEEKS overdue; the placenta was failing and there was virtually no amniotic fluid left.

TBH, I'd prepare myself mentally for some serious pain. You get a baby at the end, that's the main thing.

I was induced at 40+13 with my first DS, as an ultra sound showed that there was pretty much no amniotic fluid left. I was induced at 10pm, and DH was then sent home - i think this is usual practice. My advice would be don't let them send your birth partner home. My contractions started after about 2 hours and were frequent and very strong from the get go - i would have preferred to have had DH with me from the start as I was pretty scared.

Top Tips:

1. ask why you have to be induced - i had a scan and chat with consultant before going ahead
2. hang on to your birth partner
3. definitely have strongly consider an epidural! 4)as with any birth, be prepared to throw birth plan out the window

good luck!

Bamboo - I remember my midwife telling me exactly the same 'not in enough pain' - I don't think she was being mean, just trying to warn me that things were going to get tougher.

RayeB - I was induced 1st pregnancy (now on no. 3) and the only thing I wasn't prepared for was a c-section, which I ended up having. My advice, as in all labours, is to be open minded and go with what your body is telling you. In some ways it is less stressful because it is medically managed and you are prepared for each stage (I'm going to turn the drip up now so the contractions will get stronger!). Unfortunately it takes away other options such as water birth and moving around a lot as you are monitored throughout and hooked up to an IV. No two people are the same, no two labours are the same (I'm testament to that - one induction with epidural and emergency c-section, one VBAC with gas and air and pethidine and upcoming elective c-section due to breech baby).

Best of luck x

and remember that "post-dates" is not a reason to be induced if its not what you want. you have the right to request daily monitoring to keep tabs on health of your baby, rather than be induced.

its not a walk in the park, but tbh i don't think labour is much fun under any circumstances. You'll get through it.

I was induced as waters broke but no contractions.
Advice is to have someone visit so they can take you out and about for a walk (unless they are going straight to IV syntocinon in which case you are pretty much wired up full time).
It was fine! They offered me an epidural as soon as syntocin drip was started as contractions are especially painful. I held off as it was my first and I wanted the experience... After a few hours it did get pretty excruciating and I had an epidural which worked extremely well, and wore off just at the right time so I could feel to push.

Took about 6 hours I think (from when the drip went up) and I really quite enjoyed it so don't go into it thinking it'll be hidious..

Try to stay calm in the lead up to it - I know it's scary doing anything for the first time, but induction isn't always more painful or more complicated. As others have said, sometimes it goes swimmingly. You might need an epidural, but you might not - you'll know nearer the time. Good luck, you'll be fine

p.s. sideways walking up and down stairs is supposed to help

If you are planning on an epidural, don;t have it too soon. I had mine as soon as I started getting uncomfy on the advice of the MW. I didn't know any better. It slowed everything right down and it took so long I ended up totally exhausted and then it started wearing off and the top ups stopped working, but I still could not move, ended up with forceps.

I had two inductions, both absolutely fine. First one took a little longer and I agree with others, if they want to give you a drip to speed up contractions, ask for an epidural first! Second one was 3 hours from waters breaking to baby born with just gas and air.
Oh and don't let them tell you it's just 'tightenings' ... They tried that with me and made me sit in the waiting room with my file about 5th in line. When after about half an hour of very frequent 'tightenings' I insisted on being examined I was 8cm. They were contractions alright but I have a high pain threshold and the mw refused to believe I was in labour because I wasn't shouting the place down...

Had induction with my DD as I was 40+12. We were warned that it often takes two attempts at induction before anything happens. Of the 4 of us being induced at the same time it worked first time around for 2 and myself and another lady both had a second attempt several hours later which didn't work either. We were kept in overnight as you can't have more than 2 attempts in 24 hours but due to staffing issues they didn't manage to get us down to the induction ward before that day's ladies arrived for their inductions so we had to wait until late afternoon for our 3rd attempts. The other lady had her baby on day 3 and I had mine on day 4.

Tips: be prepared for it not to happen at the first attempt, make sure you have plenty to keep you (and birth partner) occupied, keep moving around, don't be a martyr when it comes to pain.

Good luck - hope it all goes well.

Hi! I was induced at 41+3 with DS by drip. After a couple of hours I had an epidural and then he was born with ventous. From start to finish it took around 6 hours, so pretty quick. I must admit that before the epidural it was pretty awful and I pannicked due to how quickly things took off. After the epi I was fine though! (I had a natural, drug free brith planned BTW!! )

My top tips:

• if you get induced by drip and would like an epidural at some point (I'd recommend it!!), think about getting the line put in before the drip as getting it in during contractions is very hard and painful.
• keep upright and move around if you can (I ended up lying down a lot, which I sort of regret).
• Try to keep calm if things start to happen quickly. It's not always the case that inductions lead to slow births.
• Avoid getting induced unless you really have to!

I have just had a lovely induction for DC2 at St Thomas's, for the same reason as you - post dates. I did request (and was given) expectant management and monitoring from 41+5 to 42+3 so if you're not ready to be induced you could do this first?

42+3 was the date I'd given myself at which I would agree to be induced so I felt in control, which was very important.

I had one dose of prostin gel, went into early/pre-labour almost immediately, was monitored for 30 mins then went out for sushi and a walk down the South Bank. Had CTG monitoring every 4hrs through the night for 30 mins but otherwise was allowed to rest/sleep/rock on ball/bath etc.

By morning they were happy I was progressing so no need for more gel, they left me until midday before breaking my waters. This was quite a gentle process and while I went into established labour soon afterwards, it didn't feel sudden or out of control. 4hr established labour during which I had no CTG, just normal sonic aid, used the bath, my ball, stayed mobile and enjoyed some gas and air . At 8cm it got a bit rushed as the baby's heart rate was decelerating so we were moved to theatre to deliver quickly. Thankfully he was right there, I was fully dilated in minutes and he arrived kicking and screaming. No drugs and no tears, just a 1cm cut as apparently I have an abnormally short perineum and tore incredibly badly last time.

Top tips:

• ask them to talk you through the whole process before they start so you can ask questions, mentally prepare yourself and deal with anything you're not comfortable with
• rest as much as you can during early labour, it's easy to get excited when you can see contractions on the CTG monitor
• eat and drink during early labour
• if you had planned to use water, ask what the hospital's policy is on using the pool when you are post dates and being induced. I wasn't allowed to, which was frustrating as the bath wasn't big enough to move around in
• you will probably not need the syntocinon drip (they should do two gels and then ARM first if they can), but if you do, remember that they can start with very low dose and then take you off it once your body takes over. You don't need to stay on the drip.
• they will probably want to put a canula in as soon as the induction process starts so it's easier to administer drugs later if needed. If you don't want it don't have it. I find canulas incredibly uncomfortable so I declined it.

Good luck, hope it goes smoothly for you.

all mine dc x 4 have been induced after 14 days{i dont get the babys ready hormone}and its been fine and not over painful .
make sure you stay upright gravity does help and keep busy and occupied,you are constantly monitored so it might be a bit awkward but even walking around the bed helps ,crosswords and music help loads.
be prepared for pessary not to work ,and it could take a few days to actually get you in proper labour.2 days of pessarys never worked for me,nor breaking my waters,last resort hormone drip worked eventually...but even then you are on a time limit ,last baby i was very close to them saying sorry you need cs-it was christmas eve eve and i had to beg for a little longer ,luckily he came out without to much drama

sorry, not very pleasant story coming up...

i was induced at 40+4 as the baby's heart rate was all over the place. they monitored the heart rate all day, then they decided to give me a pessary at 5pm. By 8pm I was feeling uncomfortable (along lines of v. mild period cramps), by midnight I was having v. severe period cramps, went to speak to the duty MW and she said 'could you be in labour dear?' I felt like a right tool for not having thought the cramps could have been contractions! by 4am I was in agony, having had 2-minutely contractions since midnight, but they would only give me paracetamol as I wasn't on labour ward, and there was no G&A available on pre-natal. I had a lovely hot soak in a warm bath for an hour which helped, but contractions eventually got too painful and I got out.

I couldn't sit or lie down at all as was too painful. By 10am I had totally had enough, was exhausted and still hadn't been taken through to labour ward. by 12.30 my waters finally broke, and the contractions then came every minute so they finally took me through to labour ward. I asked immediately for an epidural or pethidine 'GIVE ME DRUGS' was my constant request, but they kept refusing as I was 'too far dilated' apparently. I was told to push from 3pm until 8pm despite baby not having descended down the birth canal, and me being in excruciating pain. kept asking to see a consultant, but it was only when I pretty much passed out, that the MW finally got the consultant who said I shouldn't have been pushing (no sh!t Sherlock) as baby wasn't in position. Whipped me straight to theatre to have forceps delivery as baby and me in distress. 10 mins later I was given an epidural and 10 mins after that DD born.

lessons to take away from my experience:

*only have an induction if medically necessary. Baby will come out when they are ready (even if you think you cannot possibly last another day!)

• contractions tend to come on v. quickly and strongly once had pessary/gel
• ask to have a bath if you can - helped to ease aching muscles
• Make sure you have an advocate with you who can demand a second opinion if needed
• demand pain relief if you want/need it and keep demanding
• ask to see ward sister/duty MW if needed.

Most important of all - GOOD LUCK!

The second pessary did work for me, with both babies, and people saying an epidural slowed them are in a minority; my dc2 had a 1.5 minute second stage (2 contractions, and all done). But I was 4 cm before they even called the guy, and probably 5-6 cm by the time he got to me. My epidural also only ever worked for three quadrants out of four. Made it - erm - easy to tell when there was a contraction.

I had a wonderful experience with an induced labour for DS 3.
I was surprised to be late, my first and second babies were within a day of my due date. Baby 3 did NOT want to come out! I was induced at 40 +13 and I was ready for it! Take I pod, I listened to Ricky gervais and was laughing out loud, portable DVD player, hot water bottle for (hopefully) early labour. Keep mobile and upright, although I managed to sleep through the first 5 hours and woke up 4 cm dilated!
I then spent a long time on the birthing ball, then a portable comode as convinced I was constipated. Was in fact 10 cm dilated!
I did have my waters broken as well which I was happy for.
It was the loveliest of all my births.
Good luck x x

I've had 3 inductions, all straightforward. Nothing to add (aside from huge best wishes) except I went from having a closed cervix to 5cm within an hour with dc3 by walking up and down stairs sidewards.

Also gets you out of the room for a bit if you're getting cabin fevered.

Another positive story. I had to be induced at 40 +6 because my waters had broken and nothing else had happened for 48 hours. I had been planning a home birth and was very very reluctatnt to go into hospital and petrified cos of all the bad stories.

Anyhow, I shuffled in about ten o clock and was checked over and finally given a pessiary. I had a bath, went for a walk in grassy bits of the car park and was given a birthing ball to play on. I was grateful for my i pod (and of course my lovely dp) throughout this bit. Then, I just remember that I went from 4cm to birth in under an hour and a half. All gas and air, no interventions. The only thing i would do differently is refuse to lie down at end for the monitoring but even that wasn't the end of the world.
Good luck, i hope it all goes well for you.