Induction doom

[Lyns22]

Hi girls
Just looking for some hope really!!
I am now 1 week overdue. Ive taken rasp leaf tea for 3 weeks, having regular nookie, walking dogs twice a day and eating all the pineapple and curry my poor stomach can take. Had my show 3 days ago and contractions every 15 mins last night for about 8 hours which have totally gone now. Had 2 attempts at a sweep (one this mornjng) but both failed as my cervix is long and posterior and only 1cm dilated.
I'm now being told ill likely need induced on Saturday which I'm gutted about. Obviously I just want a healthy baby but this is the biggest anticlimax to a pretty brilliant pregnancy.
Just wondering if anyone else was told they needed induced but laboured themselves?? Is there anything i can do to help my cervix 'present'?? Currently bouncing on my ball in sheer desperation to do something! Aaaa the stress!!!

Don't have any advice for bringing on labor, but wanted to let you know that I had an induction with DS1 at 1 week overdue and it was a fairly easy(ish) delivery. Honestly, the induction wasn't bad at all. Good luck if you make it to Saturday!

Did you manage to labour without an epidural? It's just I'm anxious as inductions and epidurals seem to go hand in hand as they can drag on and the thought of not being mobile fills me with dread.
X

Is this your first baby? You have a good chance of going into labour before Saturday so fingers crossed. I had an induction for dc3 but it was my third labour so I didn't need the dreaded syntocinon drip.

Yeah it's my first baby. I'm just irrationally devastated at that fact the birth is going to be bad. I was offered a section 3 weeks ago when baby was breech but since it turned I was feeling so pleased and smug with my decision only to be told ill need induced. So want to manage myself :(

Much sympathy - I was in the same situation 4years ago, with particular reference to the epidural; the induction was fine, used gas&air &pethidine so stayed mobile throughout, you can do that. however my baby became distressed after 17hours so ended up having a spinal block in theater anyway and since then I have changed my mind re;epidural (I am 4weeks of number 2 delivery date) but that is no reason for you to change your plan! Regardless, don't let this cast a shadow over the end of what sounds like a great pregnancy! It will all be fine! Stay calm and focus on the outcome - fear and stress really won't help.

Induction doesn't have to mean epidural - I was induced and had syntocin drip so had to have continuous monitoring. It's a PITA moving about attached to so much stuff, but it isn't impossible. The good thing about continuous monitoring is that the midwife is in with you all the time so can help you move about lots if that's what you want to do.
I didn't have an epidural and it was fine - I don't think the drip actually makes contractions any worse than with natural labour, they just get stronger faster. I did however end up with an emcs - which was also fine.

I was induced and had synto drip, but managed with tens, morphine and gas and air. 2nd time induced needed just pessary and things got going on their own. It doesn't have to mean epidural and the most important thing for you is to try to stay relaxed as this will help in labour. Do some serious chilling between now and Saturday and things might even start on their own. Good luck

I know it's really stressful having induction looming over you. You still have a good few days before Saturday, although I know it doesn't feel like it. It actually gets more and more likely you'll go into labour as time goes on. I had DD at 40+13 after a sweep

I had no epi but it did end up with a section at about 9cm due to failure to progress (I found this out by looking at my notes, I was informed at the time that my baby was struggling and needed out).

Crummy care aside, I can say that induction was no tougher than normal labour in and of itself, but stroppy nurses who wouldn't let me off bed and being permanently strapped to machines did nothing to help me deal with it!

A show is good news, but realistically, you need to be relaxed to labour! Hard when an induction date is looming, I know!

However, your choice. Your baby. Your body. All the very best, whether you accept or decline the induction.

I have heard that reflexology can be good for bringing on labour - perhaps look into that?

Thanks for the kind words girls, think I just need to get over it and suck it up! I will remain hopeful to go myself though eeek xx

Like others I had an induction (at 42+2) and it was fine.

I tried EVERYTHING and eventually my fourth sweep started things off but contractions were never regular enough.

I has a long old labour and ended up having a mobile epidural as I was tired and needed sleep.

All was brilliant, although not what I would have chosen at all.

I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat BUT we only want one DC!

Fuckwittery, yeah need induced on day as baby has only grown 4 ounces in 2 weeks so they said it wouldn't help holding off as baby is only approx 6lbs 10.
Feeling totally hard done by! X

Am 40+3. Sorry to hear of your fears OP.

I found lots of comfort from the stories on here. My 'sense' was that inductions rarely end well (as in emsc) so good to hear of positive stories.

I am going to try reflexology on Fri. Have an appt at hosp tomorrow so guess they'll give me a sweep.

However, want I really wanted to say is that with DS I went straight to the delivery suite as there was marconium in the waters. And basically I just lay there and he came out fairly quickly (8 hours from water to birth for first baby). I did have an epi, but I needed it and I am not sure I could have done without it even if I did move about.

I know you don't want an epi but I guess I just wanted to share a positive story about it, should it be decided you need one. Not moving about didn't seem to cause any issues for me either.

Have everything crossed for you that labour starts soon and it is what you were expecting.

Thought I'd just give an update. Went into labour myself at 11pm last night and had my beautiful daughter 11 hours later. I was 8cm by the time we got to hospital and was refused pain relief as apparently there wasn't enough time. Unfortunately i needed 18 stitches, that was harder thab the birth. As proud as I am that I managed I will not be to too proud to have an epidural next time!!! Good luck to all the other mums to be xxxx

and

Congratulations! (and ouch for your poor bottom!)

Birthweight?

Congratulations!!

Hooray, congratulations! We need name and weight

My sympathy on the stitches. Make sure they give you some pain relief and when you get home cold compresses are great.

Beth, 6lbs 14!! Bigger than they thought!
My poor front bum haha! So worth it though. Would do it a hundred times over x

Awh Beth is lovely and good she's a nice healthy weight.

The stitches are really sore at first. They will be much better within a couple of weeks once the bruising goes down.

Yeah I'm feeling like I've had a battering in the foof! Just glad she's ok and out now. Got my maternity pads in the freezer hehe x

Good plan Have a lovely newborn snuggle for me, I miss that already and mine is only 20 weeks!