Anyone been induced with Propess ?

[hannahsherlock]

Hi everyone. I'm gathering feedback for the Brighton and Hove Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC) from women about their experiences of being induced with a Propess pessary. We'd love to know how it was for you, how 'overdue' you were, whether you had the birth you wanted and if you'd use it again. All responses will be passed on anonymously to the midwives at the hospital - and it doesn't matter if you don't live in the area. This is just to get a feel of womens' experiences, with a view to improving services if necessary. Thanks so much for your help ! Hannah x

Is Propess the tape one? I've had two inductions, but for PET rather than being over due.

I had Propess (if I have the right one!) for my second baby, it worked very quickly and I had a very intense pushing stage of labour with just gas and air - no other interventions necessary. It was definitely better than the pessary first time around, but that may just have been a different set of circs.

I had the propess pessary.

I was 39 weeks and 5 days due to restricted growth and low fluid. Sadly it did not go to plan. I suffered violent contractions and ended up with my baby being in distress, me losing 3 pints of blood due to a placenta abruption, suffering a uterine tear and needing an EMCS!!! I was in high dependency for 17 hours and needed a chest x-ray as they suspected a clot because my oxygen SATs were not going above 91%!

Never again do I want to be induced! ELCS for me next time - IF it ever happens!

I was induced on the antenatal ward overnight with my third baby on the due date for suspected obstetric cholestasis. Was 1-2 cm, long cervix, dilated before pessary. Felt low down niggles within 30 mins, and contracting well and strong within 2-3 hours, really struggling, to the point where I was convinced labour was well up and going. To my disappointment I was found to be only 2cms. Left on my own as I was classed as not being in established labour, continuing to really struggle but thinking I was making a meal of it all until I could manage no longer and begged for a paracetamol. I was examined again, only 1 hour and 15 mins from previous check and found to be 9 cms. There was then a mad rush to call my partner in from home who hadn't been allowed with me, and to get me transferred to the delivery suite as I was pushing uncontrollably. Baby born 6 minutes later. Partner missed birth. I was gutted to have done it all on my own in a side room.
Postnatally found there was no need to be induced as I didn't actually have obstetric cholestasis. The propess obviously did it's job, but I found it a fierce labour. I've since heard it's not used in some units because of this.

I had a successful induction using propess at 40 + 13 with my little lady. CXN started at 1 coming every 5 mins or so and by 4pm every 3 mins and a lot more intense. By 8 it was v. sore and and cxn every 1-2 mins very intense. Hooked up to machine (I suspect midwife did not believe me about intensity and frequency) and she then gave me an internal about 9pm. 4cm dilated and off to labour ward. Delighted I was allowed a water birth! Did not deliver till 8.30 am though but managed with just gas and air.

Things I wish I had been told!

1. That contractions might start so soon! (propess in just before 10am)
2. That contractions might start fairly frequently apart (no slow build up really!)
3. That contractions might be closer together than usual as I approach active labour.

And what I would have loved was someone to check on me more regularly to see how I was doing, for my partner to be allowed to stay with me (he was sent home at 8pm after visiting - I needed him) And also I would have really liked to have been moved to a room instead of labouring on a ward with other women eyeballing me and me trying to act like it wasn;t so bad because I didn't want to scare them!

Overall I had a great birth experience though and was glad the propess gave my little one a nudge in the right direction!