experiences of induction, first dc?

[yuletopian99]

Hi all,
I'm currently 40+8 and have gone through the anxious, pissed off, and guilty stages and am now more or less accepting induction is looking likely after Christmas.

Sweep tomorrow and no induction date booked yet, but not miserable about it if it comes to that as it would end the waiting. HOWEVER what is it likely to be like? Have heard positive and negative stories so just looking for people's experiences really so I can mentally prepare...

The midwife I saw today was very open about it not being compulsory or always necessary, but tbh I do want him out and healthy asap rather than the agonizing wait! (plus the immense nagging from all sides..)

I am glad you've all been told by your MWs :)

Indeed, Ushy, you are right hence my note about making an informed decision. Unfortunately, many women are presented with induction as a fait accompli, without any real discussion of the risks/benefits of expectant management or induction. So many times I've read on here that women have been bullied into induction or told 'your baby will die if you go over 41 weeks' when there is no medical evidence to back it up.

Anyway, yule fingers crossed that you go into spontaneous labour before 27th anyway (far less fuss!) If not, fingers crossed for just the tiniest dot of prostaglandin being needed before a sneeze birth and home in time for tea!

I was induced at 41+5, he would still be there now i think! I'd been having mild contractions for 12 hours previous, pessary at 3pm, contractions got stronger, got offered paracetamol, had a hot whirlpool bath, got out to have a wee and lost the pessary down the bog, waters broke then contractions slowed down so ended up having drip. DS was born at lunchtime so about 22 hours later. I ended up with a 3b tear. Very knackering and I will be having an epidural or c-section next time!

Am hoping it won't take much. Have been in this morning for a check as hindwaters went in the night and contracting every 6-7mins but only 1-2cm dilated still..

One way or another will have him in the next day or so! Exciting and scary at the same time..

Didn't take anything in the end! Sitting on induction ward waiting for drugs and being monitored for initial readings when my waters broke and an hour later confirmed in active labour. Oscar Blake born 6 hours later, g&a and a diamorphine jab as the early stage was quite fierce. 8lb 7oz and a small cut as his head was a bit big but got home today so everyone happy and let the sleepless nights commence!

Just saw thus thread and was about to add my experience but I see it's not necessary

Congratulations! And what a lovely name :)

I haven't read all the responses but just skimmed a few saying they had to be on their back because of monitoring - not the case. I stood up all the way through my active labour (until pushing) despite monitoring. I obviously couldn't walk far due to being hooked up to drip and monitor but felt that the standing up moved things along quickly - 0 to pushing in 4.5 hours!

No complaints about being induced at all. Didn't have epidural and last bit was horrendously painful but that's childbirth for ya . If I could do things differently I'd make sure I stayed standing up or go on all fours to push to reduce tearing. Although DS was a big baby so not sure how much it would have helped.

Congratulations

Congratulations! Enjoy your gorgeous baby boy

congratulations, glad you had a good experience. Enjoy the sleepless nights and lots of cuddles.

Personal experience;
sweep was very uncomfortable/painful and started strong period type pains that went on for about 12 hours, but no labour,
gel started off my first three births, but did need several attempts, one of them over several days,
fourth time my waters broke but only period type pain still after 15 hours so was given a drip to induce contractions, intense pain and ended up with an epidural and very long labour (38 hours).

Didn't put me off though because expecting my fifth child in Feb. Hope I don't need to be induced again, but am expecting I will.