Will I be allowed epidural before induction pessary?

[Brices]

Waters broke 23.50 Friday night only 37 weeks. Was planning home birth but only a few twinges of contractions since then. Nothing like first birth which was fast 4 hours. I have been asked to phone delivery suite at 8am and they will probably ask me to go in for monitoring. Do you think I stand a chance of requesting analgesia of my choice (epidural) before drug intervention of pessary?

Not so much thought of forthcoming labour but forthcoming battle with healthcare professionals....

Probably not before the pessary - they're usually given on an AN ward, and you're advised to get mobile after it has been in for a bit. Epidurals are done in a birth room. The pessary may not do anything, in which case the epidural will have been given needlessly, or if it does work you might manage perfectly well with other pain relief that has fewer risks.

If you get as far as needing the drip then you can refuse to have that put in unless an epidural is in place.

Thank you that's great advice x

I had 4 days of pessaries before giving birth and at one point they did give me a shot of pethidine as the false labour pains were so bad.

But obv if they give you an epi first it could wear off before the pessary has any effect. Also I found walking round helped after the pessaries.

Well personally I wouldn't but you do know that pretty much every intervention is open to negotiation!?

If you refused to accept the pessary without it you might get one. BUT you equally might get no pessary. It depends what the HCP believe is the best course of action upon ultimatum.

Sounds exactly like my 2nd (none) labour! Fast 1st labour (2hrs), planned homebirth for 2nd, waters broke at 37 weeks and then nothing! I gave it 48hrs, monitored for signs of infection whilst waiting ,saw mw each day, but didn't think things were moving in a timescale I'd be happy with. Went for induction on day 3 ,but as waters had gone it was straight to syntocinon drip.
If it's any consolation, once it started the labour was great. Fast again (2.5 hours) ,but felt just like the first one. I stayed mobile, drip came with me ,had remote telemetry cfm so not attached to a machine. Did a lot of swaying on a birth ball. Actually enjoyed the labour more than I had with my 1st spontaneous one.

Good luck. :)

I agree. I'd have thought it unlikely since a pessary may do nothing, or take many hours to work (unfortunately). I suspect HCPs would prefer to give you no pessary than give you an epidural first.

However, IM(very limited) experience, if they are keen to get you on syntocinon and you refuse that without an epidural, they will be pretty speedy with it.

Best birth experience! Wonderful midwife told me my choice, thought it unusual from home waterbirth to epidural, didnt bother with pessary completely pain free experience (shocked emotion) fantastic staff completely supported my decisions, absolutely smitten with my baby boy :) :)
Watford General Hospital

I had 3 days of induction and had to have the pessary twice (1st one fell out 23hours later and because you have it for 24 hours I had to have a second one, boo).

If you are slightly dilated/cervix pointing forward I think you will find it less uncomfortable - as the pessary goes behind the cervix.

You can ask for gas & air if you need. I found it slightly more uncomfortable than a sweep. I was more uncomfortable with the gel they used afterwards and when they tried to pop my waters. But apparently that is because the hormones make everything a bit sore - again I was offered G&A but was ok without it.

I had an epidural an hour after they started the drip and I hadnt even started to get twinges by then. I was on the drip for 24 hours tho so very glad I said yes to the epidural!

Am sure you will do fine, and try not to worry. Induction is mostly just very boring and lots of waiting around

Whoops, cross post! Congratulations on your birth and brand new baby!

Yeay! Congratulations!