Induction question

[Teddypom]

Due to a couple of pregnancy complications my consultant has requested that I have my baby by its due date.
I have my 36 week midwife check next week so will ask her how we go about this.
I don't mind having a membrane sweep, or two, to get things going. I don't even mind the idea of the pessary's but I really want to avoid the drip if I can.
If I 'have to' have the drip can I request an epidural at the same time?! Does anyone know?!
Thank you. x

[icklekid]

I had drip and epidural just before. Only issue was because of epidural I struggled to push properly so ended up with episiotomy and ventouse delivery.

[hotchilipepper]

I had the drip due to meconium in the water and not progressing as fast as they'd have liked. I was offered the epidural at the same time and the midwife said I'd recommend it alongside the drip as they make contractions come on much faster and painful. Had the epi then drip went in.

[Sorebigtoes]

I've had 2 inductions, and 2 very different experiences. I had the drip once and was fine without any pain relief, you may be too. Just had the pessary the other time and again no pain relief. I would read up on good positions, breathing and how to manage these whilst being attached to a monitor (which happens if you have a drip) if you want to avoid an epidural. But if you want an epidural then do ask /insist. Good luck!

[totty12mum]

I asked for an epidural before they broke membranes and pre drip on my second induction and they were fine about it, I also declined the pessary stage as it didn't work in my first delivery and I couldn't be doing with all the hanging around

[Iwillorderthefood]

If you are worried insist on an epidural before the drip is started. They were not happy with me, but what followed was my best birth out of three, 1 hour and 51 minutes of pain free contractions and delivery. I was favourable though, 3 cm dilated before the drip was in, so no pessary. It was a relief as I was so worried third time around, I'd not planned the pregnancy and my brain had filed birth away as something I'd never need to do again, so I was irrationally certain something awful was going to happen.

Good luck.

[hufflebottom]

I had pessary.....was useless for me and ended up on the drip. I did have an epidural too, but being 6 years ago I can't remember when I had it done. I think I was on the drip at the time as I had to wait for the anesthetist.

Take something to do though, I was sooooo bored on the drip. I was constantly on a monitor too so couldn't wander off anywhere.

[SparklyTinselTits]

I had the pessary and the drip. My birth plan said no epidural and the horrible midwife said "well you might want to rethink that one luvvy"
It was fine. It hurt a lot more, and there was barely any break between contractions, but manageable. Gas and air helped at the beginning, but then that starting making me throw up
I would say don't jump the gun and get the epidural straight away, as you don't know yet how you will get on with the pain once the drip is in there. You might be fine

[Teddypom]

That's really interesting- thanks ladies.
It seems as though everyone has a horror story the second you mention the drip!
Perhaps I'll just see how it goes and what happens.
My first baby came naturally on her due date so I am really hoping that I won't need too much intervention. x

[Junosmum]

I wasn't induced but due to my contractions stopping I was placed on the drip - BEST THING EVER. My 'natural contractions were really really painful and appeared to do sod all and nothing eased them. Contractions on the drip were much much stronger but pushing really eased the pain, I had no pain relief with them and could feel them doing their job. So don't worry too much about having the drip it may no be as bad as you think.

[outputgap]

Hi, I guess access to an epidural is always constrained (somewhat medievally) by the availability of the anaesthetist, but I guess as they will know that the drip is coming they have ample opportunity to get you the epidural beforehand. In my case, they were very much suggesting and in fact encouraging me to have an epidural before the drip. I turned it down, and that labour was less painful than my subsequent 'normal' one.