2nd induction at 41 weeks

[Annie456]

Hi, I've elected to be induced at 41 weeks (for lots of reasons) last baby was induced at 40+13 so I know a little of what to expect. I'm just starting to worry that by doing it "early" I'm going to cause myself to have a more difficult labour (also by my own dates I'll only be 40+1.

MW said they'll start by breaking waters...but they didn't do this last time and I want to give the propess a try first.

I just want to hear other peoples experience of being induced with second babies at 40-41 weeks. I desperately don't want an epidural; if I end up with them breaking waters / me going on drip is it unkikely I will cope with the pain without one? Sorry for long post....

The propess is only to soften your cervix making them able to break your waters. If the cervix is already very soft and favourable they will skip this step. Also if they are able to skip this step, your body has already released hormones to make your body ready for labour,

It does not always go that water breaking is painful or a drip follows. I have had my waters broken and it was a very easy 3 hours from breaking them until baby was born - no drip needed.

If babies head is down being second baby you might not need any other intervention and ARM should see you on your way.

As said above, the point of the gel/pessary is to open your cervix enough to break your waters.

I recently had an induction where they broke my waters and then went on the syntocinon drip. I didn't have an epidural. Took 7 h to get to 3 cm then DD was born one hour later. It did get quite painful but the worst bit was when DD turned round, she was back to back to start with. I used gas and air, but did have a shot of pethidine too, about 30 mins before the birth, I only took it as I thought I was still 3 cm and had hours to go, in fact I was 10 cm and ready to push, but they didn't check. If id known I wouldn't have taken it.

You can do it!

Just got home with new baby having been induced yesterday at 41/40 in my second pregnancy (managed to persuade them to let me go a little longer, induced due to my age - 41). Like you I really didn't want syntocinon or epidural. Bishop score of 9 so had ARM. Persuaded obstetrician to wait 4 hours before considering syntocinon. Midwives encouraged me to walk so paced the hospital corridors for an hour by which time I was contracting every 3 minutes. Baby born within 4.5 hours of ARM, used TENS and gas and air at the end. I think the walking did the trick. Really hope you have a positive experience too.