Hormone drip...

[alicelake]

So this afternoon my waters went. Had mild contractions that seem to be slowing down, so they said in a few hours if nothing happens they'll put me on a hormone drip, and being a previous section they won't give me a pessary. What is people's experience with this? I was induced with my DD and ended up being emergency section, wanted a vbac this time but haven't heard good things about the hormone drip...

I agreed to the hormone drip with my 5th baby. I had 4 normal births before but the 5th had to be induced at 38 weeks. I had the pessary but it only got me to 3 cm. I insisted that the epidural was in place before they put the drip in.

My baby was born 2 hours later without a single push, stitch or ounce of pain.

I have two 'best births'. The home birth with no pain relief (11lb baby) and the induced, epidural to the eyeballs one!

It was important to me to avoid a CS if possible because of recovery times with other young children to look after.

Good luck.

I had a failed induction years ago had pessaries and then drip, waters broken and never got more than 2cm dilated
Had more children after that and was told my cervix just won't respond how it's meant to, doesn't seem to be anything that can get it to open so I had all the children by cs

icepop
How many children do you have?
(waits with pen and paper)

I thought the drip was the most wonderful thing in the world! Pre-drip, my contractions felt as though my stomach was being ripped apart in the middle but they were doing nothing in a downward motion and nothing eased the agony. Post drip, the felt like they were doing something useful and pushing eased the pain.

Just wanted to say good luck! I've no advice as am currently 40+5 and crossing everything (but my legs!!) that it doesn't come to induction. So following with interest.

A friend also suggested asking for epidural at the same time.

Hope everything works out well for you and you get to meet your baby soon! X

Thanks all! Currently power walking the hospital to get her moving and then being monitored again at 1030 to see if there's any progression. I think not as contractions have almost stopped. But I'm bouncing up and down all the stairs I can find!!

4, all by cs. Induction failed with 1 and 2 (they had also made a mistake and shouldn't have attempted vbac with 2 as I I'd at that point an undiagnosed placenta issue but they moved fast when they realised !)
I've had other procedures done too and my cervix does NOT like to open it apparently always very difficult

I get cervical shock too, not sure it's relevant or connected but I seem to have cervical issues !

Good luck OP! I had the drip. My labour started very suddenly after a pessary with contractions every 2 mins from the start but DD was getting really tired and her heart rate was dropping so they put the drip up. The difference in the contractions was insane. I don't know how I would have coped if I hadn't got an epidural really quickly.
I ended up with high forceps, an episiotomy and a third degree tear. Nothing to do with the induction just my crappy old placenta failing and a distressed baby.
I had a section next time. Much better!
(Although my friend was induced in the same hospital on the same day and had a really straightforward non-traumatic time with the drip )
Good luck OP. It'll all be over soon and your baby will be here

Still hanging tight. Been here over night for monitoring. Contractions totally stopped. Doctor is coming in around 9 to help decide the best course of action. Of which I am still totally unsure!

Good luck alice xx

I had two inductions. The first was a pessery and it ended up with forceps. The second time the pessery failed so it went to the drip. The drip was quick and yes the contractions were painful, are they ever not? But I managed it with just gas and air. I preferred the drip to be honest. Because for the whole time I was on the delivery ward and so in my own room. With the pessery induction I was in the maternity ward in a room with 3 other women for ages while I was painfully contracting and being sick.

I was induced with dd1. My waters broke early and I didn't progress so they wanted to put me on the drip and asked if I had thought about pain relief - I said yes I had (had heard several nightmare stories about the drip - being put on without an epidural, anaesthetist not around to site epidural when pain became unbearable etc. etc.) and asked for an epidural. Midwives said knowingly "very sensible".

After that was a total dream! Get the epidural!

Two drip inductions here at 37 and 38. Weeks...pretty positive experiences...luckily no additional interventions required for either and managed on gas and air for both (although not going to lie...once in active Labour, contractions were full on and very painful...but active Labour was only about 2 hours so quite quick. I have nothing to compare it to though but would believe natural contractions are not as painful.) Regardless, for me, the speed was a bonus and I had one 2nd degree tear but very small and healing well. I was nervous of the drip, but for me the reality was nothing as bad as the anticipation! I know not everyone's experience but thought it useful to share a positive one.
Good luck OP whatever you decide.

I hope you're getting on ok now OP x

After being on the hormone drip all day, didn't even dilate 1cm just had contractions. They wanted me to do another 4 hours on it but I've said no. So she's gonna be a section, here in the next couple of hours! I'll keep you all updated :)

Dude I am SO EXCITED FOR YOU, you're going to meet your baby so soon.

You will be fine. Just try not to be as "woo!! at last!!" about it as I was where the midwives basically thought I was probably about to get out party streamers, inflatable flamingos and sombreros on my way to theatre, such was the relief the end was in sight

"The drip" (oxytocin, syntocinon, "synt" for short) is recommended if you haven't started contracting within about 24 hours of your waters breaking, because spending days with your waters gone waiting for labour increases the chance of you and your baby getting badly infected.

However, it does increase the chance of the scar on your womb opening up, requiring a quick emergency section and potentially being risky for you and baby. The pessary is worse for this risk as it can't be switched off, so they won't use this at all.

As has been said, it's your choice. It's very reasonable to decline the drip because of the increased risk and go straight for a caesarean. But, it's also very reasonable to give the drip a go (you might only need a sniff of it!) to see if, when you're contracting, things happen nice and quickly. What they'll be less keen for you to do (although some women choose it) is to have neither and go for days with broken waters.

OK - too late . You'll have your baby really soon - congratulations!

Well done I really won't tell you my stories of the hormone drip but I've three healthy children that's the main thing

Exciting times OP, good luck!

She's here! Arrived at 840 weighing 8lb1oz. She's beautiful and very hungry. So glad I pushed for a section towards the end. So stress free!

Thank you all for your lovely words

Fabulous. Enjoy these magical first few moments with your new baby

Ahh congrats & well done x