My son was 15 days overdue and as it got nearer the time for an induction I got more and more freaked out. Everything I read said it was pretty harsh and not the birth that I wanted at all. In the last fortnight I tried EVERYTHING (except what got me in the mess in the first place.. I just coudn't face that) from pineapple, to accuptuncture, walking, bouncing, the list goes on...
As it was the induciton was totally fine and I wanted to write on here that if anyone was in a similar position to me, to try not to worry.
An induction can be quite lengthy (I didn't react to the pessary or the gel or having my waters broken), mine actually took 4 days. It can be painful because you have about a million internal examinations, but the midwives can give you local painkillers before an exam (which I didn't realise until the second day!) and labour (when it finally starts) can be rather intense (I ripped off my tens machine and asked for an epidural within about an hour).
However, there are many many benefits:
you finally aren't pregnant any more. and have a little baby
you don't have to wait around at home during early labour when you'd like to be in hospital
you don't have to worry everytime your dh leaves you that you won't be able to reach him when labour starts
you are watched like a hawk because once they start you off you could drop at any point.. this was really reassuring for me.
so if you are considering old wives tales to try to bring on labour naturally.. don't get too desperate, induction really isn't that bad!!
katy