Induction tomorrow- MW didn't tell me anything... Help

[GreenGiant3]

Hi,

I'm due for an induction tomorrow 40+10, when it was booked last Wednesday my MW literally told me minimal information and shoved me out of the door! She was late and I was her last patient

Anyway all she said was "Scan booked for x time then you will go up stair have the pessery inserted then be sent home" I didn't have a clue what to say and didn't get a chance to think and adjust I was basically told then booted out the door

So can someone elaborate? Will I be monitored before I'm sent home?
If before they give me the pessary I'm somewhat dilated will they skip that and just break my waters?
How long will it take for the pessary to work?
I have read some women get kept in when they're being induced, why am I allowed to go home?
If the pessary doesn't work what will they do next? More pessary or CSection?

Help please lovely ladies!!? I wasn't given so much as a leaflet I'm very nervous and just want to know what to expect.

Ps this is my second child, first born spontaneously at 40+8 50+ hour labour...

Thanks in advance!!!

normally a couple of pessaries, then onto a syntocinon drip.

I got to the drip stage, so will tell you about that. While you can go home with the pessary, once the drip is in, you're in hospital until the baby turns up.

It gives you very strong contractions from the beginning, so they often offer an epidural at the same time. From when the drip is hooked up there's no more food or water for you in case of EMCS, so you'll also get a second drip to keep you hydrated.

If you're unlucky, the midwife will try to get you lying down on your back. If you haven't gone for the epidural, say no, make them hook the drips up so you can move around, it really helps with the pain (I expect you know that from last time!).

After 8 hours of full on contractions and no dilation at all, I told them that I withdrew my permission for the drip, and made them take it out and do a cesarian instead. If it all gets a bit much, bear in mind that this is an option.

I have promised myself that if I end up being induced again I will have pessaries but refuse the drip, as it just didn't work for me, and the pain of the contractions with no food or water was more than I could deal with.

Sorry to sound scary, but I wanted to make you aware of the choices (i.e. if you have a bad time, you don't have to plough on regardless).

Hopefully the pessaries will work for you, and you'll have a nice easy labour! Best of luck.

There is Nice guidance on this. Read the quick reference guide rather than the full document!

But basically, yes, one pessary. Some places send you home, some don't. You'll need to go in if it all kicks in, or if not, you'll have to go back for a second one. I've been induced twice, and the second one did the trick for me both times. If that doesn't work, they may try and break your waters or set up a syntocinon drip. Both can really make it kick off, so ask for an epidural!

Remember that induced labour can be quite painful, also that every intervention increases the risk of more intervention (I needed ventouse deliveries both times). But also remember that it is a means to an end - getting the baby out so s/he and you are both safe and healthy.

Good luck!

Bump xx

You don't have to be induced you know.

I went to 40+13 with ds, induction booked for 40+14 which is the routine in our hospital. With DD they said it would have to be 40+12 as they didn't have space after that. I politely declined and said I'd be happy to come in anytime from 40+14 but wasn't coming early just to suit logistics. I got an appt for 40+14. DD arrived on 40+13.

My point is that i clearly just gestate a bit longer. I wanted that time and desperately wanted to avoid being induced due to the high intervention and complication rates.

Nothing wrong with asking for a few more days.

If you're happy to go ahead then have a look at your hospitals website, there is usually info about induction in the obstetrics section.

Good luck.

Sorry! Just realised you'll be in (and hopefully out) by now. Hope all went/is going well.

I've had two inductions, one at 40+14, one at 37 weeks (waters broke then nothing).

40+14 was with 2 pessaries - after 2nd, I had a gradual and straightforward labour. Baby born about 10 hours after 2nd pessary. All fine, didn't even bother with gas and air.

37 weeks, pessaries did nothing, went on drip. Having read horror stories on here, I refused to consent to having drip turned up hourly - I could feel my labour progressing, even though the monitoring wasn't showing much, nor was I dilated. They weren't impressed with me, but then I suddenly went from 1cm dilated to holding my baby in less than an hour, so I'm glad I held my ground. Whole thing took a couple of days.

Oops, hadn't seen this was from yesterday either! Hope it is all going / gone well!

Just in hospital now waiting to be sent home, pessary was inserted just an hour ago! Will come back in once I being regular contractions thanks for your stories ladies! Always good to compare notes etc x

I only needed one pessary. Niggly pains after about 4 hours, made more regular by a stretch and sweep but very bearable. Broke my waters in the afternoon and baby born 3 hours later. Was a lovely birth. Hope all goes well for you.