What are inductions like?

[justanotheryoungmother]

Been booked for an induction in two days time due to low detail movement (38+9) and I want to know what to expect as I'm so scared; if you've had one can you let me know what happens and if it was bad/good? First baby and really worried

Don't be worried or scared. Childbirth is an amazing experience.
I had an induction with my first child as I went to 42 weeks. (Now pregnant with number 3, so didn't put me off) I went in for the pessary and ended up having 3 over a 2 days and some gel but absolutely nothing. Waters were then broken and then onto the synthetic hormone drip. The hormone drip is intense as it is forcing your body into labour. But on the positive side you know it's coming and can mentally prepare before hand.....and can be controlled with pain relief. (You don't get a prize for enduring the most pain) the prize is delivering your baby and getting the best experience. I built up some relief with paracetamol for a few hours before the drip started, then gas and air and pethadine. I found counting how many deep breaths I could do during my contraction just helped me to be distracted. Also the more relaxed you are the more you relax the muscles (down below) and they stretch easier to get baby out.
All labour is painful however it happens, I have had an induction and also gone into labour naturally with baby #2 to be honest it's not that much different. The pain is the same it's just with natural labour it can be slower to build up but mine was a quick second birth so just as intense!!
My advise would be to try and make the best out of what your facing, the best thing is to be induced as you have reduced movement. And it's amazing you will be meeting your baby in two days that's so exciting.
Honestly it's not that bad and if it is too much for you and it's just pain you are scared off then ask for an epidural and you won't feel a thing. That way you will enjoy the experience a lot more.

Good luck

Inductions are as variable as any VB which begins naturally. Sometimes they go smoothly and quickly, sometimes they don't.

I was induced at 39+2 and gave birth at 40+0 via EMCS. The induction was not 'planned' in the sense that my BP was found to be far too high during clinic and so they took me straight to labour ward HDU to get me ready.

I had three pessaries during the 5 days. The first two had no discernable effect. The third started latent labour and I reached 4cm, but by the time someone was available to break my waters my cervix was no longer dilated. It was decided the induction had failed and I had a lovely EMCS an hour later.

For me the process was worrying, tiring (because I had obs and monitoring every 2 hours during my stay so no proper rest), frustrating and painful. The things I learned are:

1. There are no guarantees
2. You can say no at any time
3. For me, a CS turned out to be a great birth - this flies in the face of the expectations I went in with
4. Distraction is essential - books, puzzles, electronic devices - whatever it takes
5. If it takes a while you can feel very detached and disoriented because maternity ward is a whole other world
6. Think about what you want - what is acceptable to you and what isn't? The lines you thought you wanted to keep may not apply in this scenario so go through options with your midwife or birth partner beforehand
7. At the end of this you get to meet your baby

Good luck

I had an induction with dd1 at 38 weeks. I had the pessary at midday on Monday, was cramping by 4pm (walked around the hospital lots) waters went on their own at 5am. Pain then ramped up, had pethedine but was violently sick, had bath and then was taken to labour ward. Had gas and air but contractions were very strong, consultant offered epi and I agreed and had it in by 3pm (it was great - couldn't feel a thing). Progress was slow and in the end, at 8pm I was checked and told if at midnight I wasn't fully dilated they'd do a EMCS as dd's heart rate was dipping a bit, but at midnight I was dilated and I had her a couple of hours later - no intervention/forceps etc.
It was a very positive experience for me, which is good as I'm about to do it again with dd2 in a couple of weeks.
Good luck

Echo what others have said, no induction is the same and affects everyone differently.

I was induced with a pessary with my first DS. I was 1cm when I had the pessary at 39+6 - due to waters breaking two days before with no contractions.
First contraction started 15 mins after pessary. 4 hours later I had my son.
I did have pethadine (didn't like as made me feel very drunk and dizzy) and epidural (which I loved!) only had the epidural as I needed forceps and episiotomy as the cord was around his neck. Loved my experience so much I went and had another 20 months later!

Forgot to say, my friend and midwife told me inductions are worse in your mind than the actual thing. Stay as relaxed as you can with your own music etc and you'll be fine :)

Two bits of advice for any induction:

Expect a lot of waiting around. It happens quickly for some people, but not for others! I had the pessary, my remaining waters broken (they'd started going two days previously, thus the induction) and the syntocin drip. Whole thing lasted 22 hours (plus the 2 days of waiting with my drippy waters) and I got to the grand total of 3cm dilated! I wasn't too bored since I was having contractions throughout (ineffective ones of course!) but I suspect my other half must have been bored out of his mind - he didn't let on though.

Which brings me to my next point. If you need an induction and it doesn't work, the next step is a c-section. Hopefully it doesn't come to that, but it's a possibility. Frankly if you've been trying for days, it'll probably come as a relief!

That being said, my EMCS was very calm and a good experience.

Some people say it hurts more than spontaneous vb. I don't know since I've only had an induction, but I never had an epidural until I required a full spinal for the CS. If you do feel the need for it, don't be shy about asking. I found diamorphine to be a very effective painkiller, but unfortunately it made me puke a lot (not great during/after a CS!) but not everyone gets that.

Good luck!