Positive stories about induction?

[AlfieBear87]

Hi all, I'm currently 38+3 and am being monitored twice weekly because the baby's growth rate dropped dramatically at 36 weeks. They gave me a sweep today but said that although my cervix is slightly open its still very long so I've not got much hope of anything happening naturally at this point. They have said they won't let me go any longer than 39 weeks.

Does anybody have any positive induction stories? The only ones I've heard have been horrendous and ended in assisted deliveries and tears/cuts.

With DS1 I had a water birth with G&A and no other intervention at all. I'm really worried about bring stuck on a bed with the drip in my arm and monitor around my belly - the only way I know how to cope with pain is to move as much as I can.

TIA

I was induced a week early and it was all a rather serene, lovely experience.
Went in to hospital on the Wednesday evening and had my first pessary (I think I had three in total, but can't quite remember now).
Waters broke when I got up on Friday morning.
Contractions kicked in Saturday night, managed with paracetamol.
Contractions has tailed off by mid morning Sunday, but by then I was 3cm dilated so I was taken down to labour ward.
Had a syntocin drip and, after a while, an epidural as the contractions ramped up fast under the syntocin. I was on the monitor and struggled to get readings (I'm fat and fidgetty) so they put a clip on baby's head.
Gave birth vaginally at about 8pm, with only a small tear, and was fine to wander off for my shower within about 45 mins.

Now, I know that sounds like an awful lot going on and far from an 'idealised' birth, but it was a very lovely time for me. I spent 3 days, pottering around the ward (it's good to keep walking) and chatting to the people I met. I made a long term friend, who I'm still in touch with 9 years later. I was very relaxed and in a serene little bubble of my own, the baby was going to come and there was nothing more I could do to influence things. Those few days really helped me focus on my transition to motherhood.

Hi all, thanks for the many replies. Thought I'd let you all know - I was induced on wednesday (at 39+1) and it was fine!

Pessary went in at 0930, contractions kicked in at 1400, waters were broken at 2045 and DS2 was born at 2121 weighing 6lb13oz. No tears, no stitches :)

Congratulations Alfie to you and your little son.

That's fab news! Enjoy your lovely new son x x x

Congratulations Alfie! I'm booked in next Monday so I hope it goes as well for me!

My good friend has had 2 inductions of three pregnancies, all delivered with gas and air only, and she said she felt pain but it was manageable and not that different. She had a graze with #1 (induced at 4.1), a 2nd degree tear with #2 (not induced, but 4.3kg), and a 6 hour labour with not even a graze with the third (also induced).

Her experience has been so positive that until I got pregnant myself I was so clueless that I thought inductions sounded convenient and a great option!