questions about induction

[NAR4]

I have been booked for induction next Wednesday (40+14) which I have accepted. My questions are;

With my last baby my waters broke only 2 days past my due date and they let me go 12 hours before putting me on the drip (I think the time was reduced as I had strep b). But I have been told that this time they will break my waters and then give me 1 hour to go into labour before putting up the drip. Why won't they leave me 24 hours like they would if my waters had gone on their own? (no strep b this time).

I requested that they start my induction with the gel first because I feel it is an easier labour than with the drip. Midwife has said they wouldn't do this because it is my 5th child. She said they will go straight to breaking my waters. Why does it matter that it is my 5th child?

Historically my labours are very long and don't progress well. I have been told if I do go into labour naturally but don't progress well, they again will put me on the drip. Is there a medical reason this is better?

Also is there any possibility at all of using the birthing pool if I am on the drip? I so wanted to try it at least once.

They seem to just want me to have a text book quick labour, otherwise they are determined to put me on the drip. I want to arm myself in advance with all the facts, so can refuse if I don't think it is the right thing for me and my baby.

No answers to most of your questions I'm afraid but you won't be able to use the birthing pool with a drip in.

For the other questions, the best thing to do would be to call your midwifery team and set up an appointment as soon as possible with the birth options consultant midwife (if there is one in your area) or your midwife's supervisor of midwives. That will give you a chance to get your questions answered properly by someone who knows the local policies.

I'll second that. After a discussion with the consultant midwife explaining the various risks and policies you can then decide whether or not to refuse the drip - which you are within your rights to do. I refused induction after a similar meeting and it was very empowering and made me feel so much more in control of the process.

the gel softens the cervix for labour so you start dialating, sometimes this works for women but sometimes it does nothing. Unless you have dialated alot previously in this method they will be reluctant to try this again. The drip is the most effective form of inducing drugs, it means you will hopefully progress quicker. They will only continue to use the drip if you are progressing. If you dont progress you go for an EMCS. The main aim is to get you dialating quicker and this is most likely using the drip method. It is believed the longer you are in labour the more risks there are to baby. This is what my midwife told me during my induction, hope it helps xx

Do I just phone up the hospital and ask for an appointment to speak with the supervisor of midwifes?

My midwife made the appointment for me, but I assume there's nothing stopping you doing it yourself.

I won't be seeing my midwife now until she tries another sweep on Friday. Its prob too late then because the induction is booked for Wednesday.

If there's a landline number for your midwife then call that, if not then call the hospital directly to set up the appointment.

Only a mobile for my midwife, which is switched off when she isn't on duty. Will give the hospital a ring, they can only say no.

Good luck!

Just spoke to head of midwifes who was happy to answer all my questions straight away on the phone. She was really lovely.

I was told that the gel was only to open my cervix enough for them to be able to break my waters. She said as it is my 5th child it is likely that my cervix will be open enough for this without the need for the gel.

She assured me that if I discuss it with the midwife who is dealing with my induction (when I go into hospital), then I can negotiate how long they leave me after my waters have been broken to see if I go into labour myself or need the drip. She said they don't normally like to leave it for more than 4 hours. This is because I am being induced due to being over term and so they want to get the baby out and not let the induction linger on for days. This is also the reason for the drip if I am not progressing well.

I was told that nobody would do anything I didn't want though and at any point I had the right to say no.

Thankyou everyone.

That's great NAR4 Being put at ease is priceless.

:) I'm glad you got that sorted so quickly. Hopefully your baby will arrive all by themselves but if not then good luck for next week!