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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Induction experiences/thoughts needed...

5 replies

aamia · 30/08/2012 19:01

I've been warned by my midwife, that at my consultant visit next week, they may press quite strongly to induce. Baby is measuring small, and he'll be 40 weeks at that visit. She advised me to say 'no' and push for a scan to check blood flow through the placenta etc. Obviously if there's a problem showing up there, then agree to the induction, but if not, to leave him to come in his own time. She said it doesn't always work, that they then won't give up, and the whole thing can be rather worse than just leaving nature to take its course!

So - firstly, are inductions always awful? Experiences would be lovely to hear about! Also, if they do need to induce and it doesn't work, what do you do then? Is there a point at which you can say 'no more but I'd agree to a CS if you want him out'? Has anyone done this? What do they do if it's not working...?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
aamia · 30/08/2012 20:55

Oops sorry, just saw the other thread lower down! That'll teach me to check carefully before posting!

OP posts:
ButtonBoo · 30/08/2012 21:00

Can't comment on whether you should or shouldn't go with the mw advice. I'd have hoped they'd be singing from the same hymn sheet so to speak.

I can tell you what happened with my induction though...

I got pre-eclampsia at around 34-35 weeks. I was monitored at the DAU every 2-3 days. At 37 weeks they gave me a sweep. Nothing. Then another a few days later. Nothing and then a third but still nothing. At 37+6 my BP shot right up again and they took me in that day to start induction. That was Monday.

That night I had the propess (pessary). It stung like he'll and I had moderate cramping through the night. The pessary has to stay in for 24 hrs. Tues night they took it out. Nothing had changed.

I was 'rested' for 24 hrs. Stayed in hosp.

Weds night I had the first of 3 gels put in. They do it every 8 hrs. Max of 3. They didn't sting at all but not particularly comfortable having it put in. So that took me to Thurs night.

They said they were waiting for a space in delivery to break my waters but I just kept waiting and waiting. TBH it was pretty soul destroying. Others were coming in, having their babies and leaving and I was still just laying there...waiting! And virtually no sleep as delivery was so full some ladies were going pretty much all the way to 10cm in the ward. It was a pretty busier time of year though. DD was an Oct baby.

On Fri they got me down to delivery. They ARM'd at 8pm and put in epi (advised to by SpR as my cervix was very hard to reach - took 3 of them to do the ARM! - so bang went my 'natural, in the pool' birth plans. Had my syntocin drip on and got some sleep. My syntocin was increased gradually but around mid morning it was turned right up as still nothing happening. My contractions were rocketing right up on the counter and on the odd occasion the epi wore off I got by on gas & air.

At 8pm on Sat night my first ms came back on duty and examined me. Still only 4cm!! Consultant was called and said I was going for cs. By this point, I really didn't care. It still took 4 hours to get me a space in theatre and even then, as I was wheeled through the doors they had to back out as an emergency came.

DD was born at 1:10 on the Sunday. 6 days after I went in. Maybe not what you wanted to hear but that's my story. It wasn't how it was supposed to be and boy, it was really hard but it was what it was and I have a gorgeous 10mo old. Clearly my DD was just too cosy where she was.

I've heard good and bad induction stories. I think it's a bit more diff if they try to induce you early but not sure. I hope all goes well for you. Let us know how you get on...

cantmakecarrotcake · 30/08/2012 21:12

Wow, buttonboo I've not come across anyone whose induction was as long as mine and also failed - I feel quite normal now giving birth by C section having only got to 5 cm in 5 days.

OP, your question about can you say stop and opt for a CS - yes, you definitely can and I wished I had. I nearly did so many times. I even discharged myself for a night, went home, had a curry and a good night's sleep.

You can refuse an induction altogether if you wanted but I'd give it a go. I personally would say stop after 2 doses of prostin as the time you're in hospital getting limited sleep (due to the comings and goings of other labouring women) can make you so tired that by the time baby arrives (how ever they do) you're a complete space cadet.

It's your body and your baby and C sections aren't that bad. I recovered well and only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen once I got home.

Good luck!

ButtonBoo · 31/08/2012 07:35

Think we just have very hospitable wombs Carrotcake!!! Grin

cantmakecarrotcake · 31/08/2012 07:40

She was certainly very comfortable on there Grin

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