Induction question (long and dull)

[Booboobedoo]

I'm 41+4 (and going quietly mad), with no real signs of imminent labour. I was supposed to have a post-dates appointment last Friday, but on Thursday night I had all-night vomiting session and was kept in hospital with protein in my urine and raised BP.

I'm ok now, but am going for my post-dates appointment today instead.

My question is:

Has anyone ever been given a prostaglandin pessary and then been allowed to go home?

A midwife gave me a sweep on Saturday night and said my cervix was still long, hard and posterior, but I've had a few mild contractions since then and am hoping it's effaced a little.

The thing is, I really want a homebirth.

Has anyone ever been given an induction pessary and then been allowed to go home?

TIA.

I didn't have a pessary, but when I went for my induction, I was told they would give me one, wait for 6 hours, then give me another one, wait for a further 6 hours, possibly let me go home and come back in the morning.

But with an induction, they need to monitor you (and the baby I think) so a home birth would not be possible.

Thanks Mumpbump: I thought that was probably the case. Was having a chat with a doc friend earlier who suggested I ask them.

Do they have to monitor you with a pessary induction, or only with a syntocinon drip? Do you know?

Is this your first baby? There was some discussion on here a while ago about some areas giving women on their first baby the first pessary, monitoring them for an hour or so and then discharging them to return either the next morning or when in labour.

TBH it isn't really a question of 'allowing' you to go home - you're not a prisoner, so if you want to go home then that is your choice!
You also don't have to be induced just because you're postdates - the absolute risk of stillbirth at 42 weeks is still very small - 1 in 1000 iirc and 1 in 500 at 43 weeks. Many areas don't offer induction until 42 weeks anyway because it increases the likelihood of c-section.

Anyway, just a few thoughts Hope you go into labour soon so it doesn't matter!

Oh, and wanted to add, that as far as I know it isn't usual to do continous monitoring if you go into labour with the pessaries/having your waters broken. They may do a 20 minute session to check everything's OK, but you shouldn't have to be on the monitor after that.

you will not be allowed home, but you can ask for intermittent monitoring, and every opportunity for labour to start without synto..

eg, if you have started dilating, then ARM and the chance to walk around to help get things going

if you want a homebirth you need to go into labour spontaneously

can you ask to wait until 42 weeks? if your cervix is still long, hard and posterior, then induction is not likely to be a raging success, and it might take a long time !!

have another sweep as an interim measure, and ask if you can have monitoring of baby and placenta if you do want to go to 42 weeks to ensure all is well

pregnancy can last anywhere between 37 - 42 weeks....

hopefully the contractions will have helped and another sweep might get you going !

Thanks DaisyMOO.

I do want a homebirth, and I'm aware they can't exactly force me to stay in, but I'm going absolutely mad this end.

It's not that I can't wait for my baby - I'm a grown-up: of course I can wait. It's more that the longer this labour is delayed the more fearful I become. Going to be nervous wreck if it carries on much longer. (It is my first baby).

Fear of the unknown I suppose.

Part of me just wants to say 'sod it: stick me on a drip, give me an epidural and tell me when it's over'.

Boo - this link has the NICE guidelines for induction

this

I don't think you'd be allowed home but it's worth asking!

I suspect the monitoring will depend on your health authority. I had my waters broken and was on a monitor continuously after the first couple of hours. I had wanted a water birth and that ruled that out completely! But always worth asking, if you ask me!!

I desperately wanted a homebirth with dd3, I was told the answer was definately no as I had to be monitored closely after it was given. I did however put it off as long as the doctors would let me. Its worth asking how long they will let you go over your due date, I had to go in for monitoring every day until I finally had to admit defeat!

Thanks Lulumama.

So no homebirth even if it's just a pessary?

Better have a good long think before I go this afternoon.

The Docs at Kings are very good, but I find they can sweep you along somewhat if you don't have a clear idea what it is you want.

some women need to be pregnant for 42 weeks, the EDD is based on a 28 day cycle and it does not mean if you go over 40 weeks , there is anything wrong

sure there are a couple of mnetters who go to 43 weeks...

best to hang on for a spontaneous labour IMO, best chance of all going smoothly, as your body is ready !

pessary is induction and not compatible with homebirth !! so, if you can take someone with to make sure you are not swept along, then so much the better...and remember 42 weeks is within normal range...

Boo - they are unlikely to induce you this afternoon provided the baby and you are fine

With DS I had a post dates appt - it was the usual BP, wee test, stuck on a monitor for 30mins to record baby heartbeat etc, quick scan to look at fluid/placenta, offered a sweep (I declined)
They then gave me a date for induction

Thanks everyone.

I've just got to look at the bigger picture really.

So many women give birth every day, and come out (relatively) unscathed. I just want what's best for my baby, and that does seem to be 'hanging on'.

Good leaflet link btw TheBlonde - thanks.

DH is coming to the hospital with me and is pretty clued up, so I'll have some back-up.

Really thought this baby'd be here by Mothers Day.

It might still put in an appearance before then!!

yep ! could well be here by then !

think positive birthy thoughts ! and if that fails, lots of sex and nipple stim!

natural induction tips on here !