induction of a big baby wit head not engaged

[Tanni]

Induction booked for 42+1 (5th Dec), DD was 9lb, a good spontaneous labour in a birtihng centre with lots of movement, no drugs. D#2 was an estimated 10 lb at 41 weeks, OP and 4/5 palpable. I've tried pretty much everything to get D#2 moving (sex, raspberry leaf tea, clary sage baths, accupuncture, birhing ball, pineapple, more sex, hot curries and membrane sweep [I'm 2 cm dilated] - nothing). Am now offically freaking out at prospect of being chained to a hospital bed and the 1 in 5 chance of a CS is not helping!!! (stress up = chances of sponateous labour down). Any advice on the following. Do inductions work if the babys head is not engaged when they start it off? Any tips on persuading MW to let me stay mobile. In fact any advice (except delay / refuse the induction - DH would divorce me!)greatly received.

hi tanni, firstly my sympathies - i am 40+4 and still waiting too. my first DS was an induction and looks like this one might well be too....but enough of my whinging!

just wanted to say that my MW keeps telling me that with a second baby the head often doesn't engage until labour is in full swing - she said "it often takes a few good contractions to get baby fully engaged" so i wouldn't let it worry you unduly going in for an induction without being engaged. and FWIW, my induction was a very positive experience - don't think about the CS rates with induction - you've already given birth vaginally so it is more than likely that you will again.

good luck!

Thanks Expatmamma, my MW has said the same thing.

Good to hear that your DS's induction was a good one. I still haven't got my head around the idea of it, monitors scare rather than reasure me!

good luck with D#2

depends on how you are induced....if you have ARM & syntocinon,,,, will wnat to monitor you ...but you could ask for intermittent monitoring after the first 20 - 30 minutes....then if they have monitoring that can be done without being stuck in bed...telemetry??? not sure...

also, the leads on the CTG are long enough to enable you to get out of bed and walk a little way.......just not out of the room...

express your wishes for an active a birth as possible before anything is done !!!

as has already been said, second babies often don;t engage until labour underway....

try some natural induction tips to help you along

natural induction advice

also,, you have birthed one big baby..so no reason to think you can;t do the same again!!

have faith in your body !

hope all goes well ! X

Hi Tanni
Like you, I reluctantly was induced and panicked about not being able to move. They did put me on a drip and monitored me for hours, but I had spoken to the midwives (ad nauseum) about how much I didn't want to be in hospital and how I so desperately wanted a natural birth. Before I went down to the labour ward, one of the midwifes went down and spoke to the MW who would be looking after me about how much I didn't want to be there and the first thing she told me was that she knew this and would do whatever she could to meet me half way. I said pretty early on that movement was very important to me, so she arranged for me to be monitored standing up. EVERY MW that came in tried to get me to lie on the bed and be monitored (the monitors slipped every now and then) but I was quite happy standing and walking, dragging the drip. It was a small thing, but helped me....best of luck

i too was induced at 41 weeks with my ds he was 9lb 40z. my induction was a positive experience and never once was i asked to stay in the bed. they monitered me regularly but they came to me.(against window sil, over sink, against bed.)

i hope that your induction goes well and you get the positive birth experience you want

Thanks for your messages. Just wanted to let you know - Turned out as you predicted - a postive experience . ARM and no other interventions required (walked up and down the five level staircase in the maternity unit a couple of times).DS delived 2hrs later, home four hours later. Midwife was v supportive of my wishes.

Thanks again

wonderful , wonderful news, tanni! happy to hear of the safe arrival and your positive birth experience...lulu xx

Congratulations Tanni- how much did he weigh?