Is it possible to still have a relatively intervention-free labour in spite of induction?

[JBrd]

I'm booked in for induction this Saturday and am trying to get my head around it... All of the people I know who were induced ended up having an epidural, and while I am determined to stay open and flexible, I am just wondering if it is actually possible to have an induced labour without one? Has anyone been induced and continued to have a relatively 'normal' labour, i.e. without of the big pain relief guns?
The thing I'm most gutted about is that I really wanted to use the pool for labour and possibly even for giving birth, but that I won't be able to when I get induced - or will I? I've heard that they might let you use the pool if you get going with the pessary/gel, any truth in that rumour?
There is surprisingly little information about labour induction in all of my pregnancy books, so any information and positive birth experience would be appreciated.

I'm seeing my midwife tomorrow for another sweep and intend to fire the same questions at her. I know they can't make me have an induction, but she strongly advised it when I saw her on Monday... I just want to make sure I know and understand all the implications.

I was induced at 40 weeks and had no drip, no epidural, no nothing. Three lots of pessaries and some pethidine. That was it.

I was induced with a syntocin drip at 40+5 as my waters broke with meconium in them. I had gas + air but no other pain relief. No instrumental intervention either. It was painful towards the end (I'd say getting from 7-10cm) but manageable. The whole labour was 14 hours (from waters breaking) but I was probably only in pain for about 10 of those.

Good luck tomorrow, just try to stay as calm as possible.

Just wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow.
I have had 3 inductions and each time was started off with the pessary and then moved onto the drip - with ds1 and 2 I had an epidural and this last time with ds4 i used gas and air. Ds1 ended up as a high forceps delivery but the others needed no other help.

I was induced (on a drip) and delivered 4 hours after first pain with only gas and air. Stayed upright which I think was helpful. Good luck!

PS was on drip for 12 hours but it took 8 hours for things to get going (they manually broke my waters)

I used the pool for DD (2nd baby) and she was induced. All they did was break my waters (ARM) and she was born in the water about 4 hours later with no complications and lots of gas and air (and power screaming). Good luck for tomorrow.

1st baby, 40 weeks, nothing happening at all.
2 pessaries, 12 hours after the first DD1 was born with no interventions.
was only monitored for about 20mins after each pessary, otherwise it was as though it was a spontaneos labour.

I've had 4 inductions, 3 I did have epidurals with but apart from that no other intervention - no instrumental delivery, no drip etc.

I'm sure my last one was a million times better because I was relaxed and accepting of my induction and hospital birth.

Even with my last one 6 hours after the first pessary my bishops score was still one 1 - she was born a few hours later though x