40+11, induction looming: what to expect/how to prepare?

[LeeMiller]

I'm a ftm, currently 40+11. Had my second sweep yesterday afternoon. I'm 1cm dilated, cervix soft and partially effaced but still posterior. Baby in position but at -3. Basically no change in the past 3 days. Been gradually losing my mucus plug since the first sweep 2 days ago (prior to that it wasn't possible to sweep as cervix closed). Plenty of fluid left, apparently. No contractions since Braxton Hicks tailed off a couple of weeks ago, just the occasional cramp.

Induction is scheduled for 40+12/13, depending on how the trace/scan/internal examination at 40+12 goes.

I know that you can refuse but I've decided not to. Waiting is just upping my anxiety. I know from my first trimester scan that the baby is a few days ahead. I'm not in the UK and they're really not keen on letting me go past 40+13.

I'm not even sure what my question is, beyond what can I expect from induction? Is it likely to fail if I'm still only 1cm? What can I do to prepare mentally and physically?

Hi, I wanted to write because I was in pretty much exactly the same position as you earlier this week. Was induced last week, FTM, largish baby, 1cm cervix still partly posterior. Like you I considered postponing the induction but I didn't feel happy with that.

I went into hospital and had the pessary induction. I know that this can really vary in effectiveness - for some people has no impact. However it did work for me - 6 hours in was having pretty strong contractions. However personally I found them manageable (just) because they were evenly spaced out and my body had time to adjust.

Unfortunately, everything then went a bit wrong because when my waters broke the pessary came out and contractions weakened. This was just bad luck - I didn't get the impression it happens very often. The midwife was very confused and surprised. However then I had to go on the hormone drip. My advice would be - and I know some would disagree - have an epidural at the same time as the drip, or at the very very least ensure that you will have quick access to an epidural if you find the hormone drip too strong. The contractions are artificial contractions and came thick and fast. I had to have an epidural, I couldn't cope. However some people do manage. I don't want to scare you at all - but my advice is definitely check out pain relief options if you have to go down this route.

Other advice would be to go in with an open mind, and have your birth preferences in mind but be prepared to deviate, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions as you go along. I did and was never made to feel that I was being a pain or difficult.

My baby was born safe and sound (with a bit of assistance - essentially I just got too tired to push effectively). I look back on the whole experience very positively. Yes it would have been nice to go into labour naturally, but I didn't and baby is fine and I am making a quick recovery.

Good luck - the last few days have genuinely been the happiest of my life.

Agree with PP (have had 2 inductions, one with pessary and one with the syntocin drip).

If you need the latter, ask for an epidural at the start. Plus if the contractions are too intense they can turn the drip down. My midwives were fairly useless at monitoring this, so make sure your birth partner keeps on top of it.

After I had the pessary I went for a nice walk outside (although it was December) to help get things moving. Seemed to help and kept me relaxed. Just don't wear yourself out, as you need to save your energy for pushing.

Good luck!

Thanks so much both of you, I've been feeling so teary today and these messages have been reassuring. It is good to hear that induction can work even at 1cm.

I have done Hypnobirthing etc but never had a fixed birth plan in mind, I think what worries me most is it taking days and ending up exhausted before it even starts properly. I will try resting and bear in mind the advice to walk and stay relaxed.

I will brief my DH tonight so he understands the induction process and can advocate for me, especially if I end up needing the drip in which case i'll probably ask for the epidural straight away or at least available as that seems to be almost universal advice from women who have had it.

Congratulations on your little one Cocopops! :-)

Teary is good! My second (far more successful) induction only got going after I had a massive cry. The hormones seemed to help :)

Thanks Finnjuhl, excess hormones don't seem to be an issue today so glad from hear that weeping is a positive sign! Watching some old comedy videos now to get the oxytocin going.

Definitely keep an open mind about it as anything, or nothing, could happen. My induction failed. It took 6 days and ended in a lovely EMCS. I didn't realise at the time that about 10% fail like this. The one thing I wish I'd known was that I didn't have to consent and I could change my mind.

Hopefully yours will be straightforward - good luck!

Thanks Dugeehugs. I will do my best to keep my mind and options open. 6 days is a long time to wait before the c section! I'm hoping that I'll be one of the lucky ones since it's induction for dates not an early one for medical reasons, though my body doesn't seem overly cooperative so far. Did you have to stay in hospital all that time?

I also appreciate you saying that the emcs after the failed induction was a positive thing (I imagine that after so long it was a huge relief), makes the prospect a little less scary.

I get you @Duggeehugs I had 100 fucking hours before they called “time” and I had an EMCS at 42w.

But my CS was as you say “lovely”. Really happy and emotional 😀

OP; just get ready to be quite bored. Take up Candy Crush. Get a crossword or suduko book. Get into an online quiz.

Induction can be long and boring so good luck and please make sure you get the epidural same time as the drip xx

Hi. I had induction. It was a long process for me. 30 hours pessary and 16 hours on hormone drip. My advice is be patient. Take it as it comes. Drip is painful but i got to 9hours of it before opting for epidural so see how you go and dont be afraid to ask for relief when you need it.
Try and rest as much as you can before induction and during it in case it does take a while. Water, lots of water. Rehydration salts too

100 hours PaulHollywood! So should I tell DH to keep working in the daytime and I'll call when I need him or something is happening? He doesn't get much paternity leave and I don't want him to use it up just sitting around.

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut I got to 104 hours before having it out with the head of midwives at 5am. It was actually one of my finest moments given the sleep deprivation. Although I still had to go a round with the consultant before 1000. On the plus side it was then an EMCS at 1100!

I also second word games, puzzles and distractions.

Unfortunately @LeeMiller I was indeed in the whole time and it wasn't fun, but much better after the CS That's why I mention saying no - if I'd known I could, I would!

Crikey @Duggeehugs I wonder if you had your DC over the first junior doctors strike too??

@LeeMiller lots of factors to think about re DH still working. It’s tricky. If your cervix is high, and not “effaced” plus you have a Bishops Score if less than 4 (I think) it’ll be a while....just have him there though should they attach you to the drip.

Does he work close to the hospital?

PaulHollywood he works and we live about half an hour away (partners can't stay overnight so he'd be sent home then anyway). They told me they'd start with the prostoglandin (sp?) so I guess I could see how I get on with that as the build up is likely to be slower even if it works? But get him in straight away if I need the drip. Quite worried that I'm 'unfavourable' and the whole thing is unlikely to work but I guess everyone is different.

I'm so sorry you both had to battle with the staff in your exhausted state. Sounds awful

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut not the junior doctors strike, just a very busy, understaffed, failing maternity unit during a heatwave and, apparently, baby boom!

@LeeMiller we lived half an hour away too and it was exhausting for DH. A couple of nights he was allowed to stay with me when they thought things might be progressing, but nothing came of it and so I sent him home to a proper bed. When it mattered he got there in time though

Although it was a stressful and difficult time, it is the reason I come on here and answer posts like yours - it taught me that a lot of crucial information and support isn't given to women and I'd like to do whatever I can to see that changed. Also, and most importantly, DS is amazing and I've since had a lovely ELCS for the equally amazing DDs birth.

No advice but wanted to wish you good luck. DD came at 41+6, labour started spontaneously but was then induced as my body is rubbish at childbirth.

Had an epidural and drip with both of mine, not what I'd planned but managed to stay mobile, walking around at least. Either way it won't be long now

I tried for a vbac at 41+6 but ended up with a emcs

Contractions started on the Friday. Was booked for a cooks balloon on the sunday evening- turns out i was 3cm dialated so was given a stretch and sweep and told to come back in the morning

1am contractions were horrible and painful- couldnt sleep so off to hospital and put on gas and air that was fun. Given an epidural at maybe 3am and was 4cm displayed 8am. Went up to 6cm at 10am but back down at 12. Think my waters were broken around 10am? But dont remember too much as was napping/ gas and air as i could still feel some of the contractions

Got to 3pm and hadnt progressed so booked in for a emcs and had my lg at 6pm

Closely monitored all the time

Thanks all for your honest and informative answers. They've made me feel a bit better and realistic about what could happen, though obviously I'm hoping it won't take 100 hours!

I'm getting so tired and emotional waiting, just want to meet my baby now however it happens.

DS2 was induced. I was 0cm dilated and had the gel. I had two lots of gel. The birth was fast under 2 hours including the placenta.

I’m pregnant again and am doing hypnobirthing as I’m expecting to do an induction again because of GD. I’m hoping that the hypnobirthing birthing will help in day or two before the induction to help me feel calm.

Thanks ICJump. Did you have an epidural? Fast sounds good. I am hoping the gel works so i can avoid the drip.

I've been using the breathing techniques and meditation from Hypnobirthing and I think that's helping me relax. Some of the Hypnobirthing stuff feels very negative about induction though so have found Mumsnet more helpful and reassuring in that regard. 😊

No I didn’t have an epidural. I had a shower in the room and used that until I was 4cms then got into the birth pool and used gas and air.

Yes I think they are negative about induction but I think it’s becsuse it’s very based on the Americans system. Which is much more intervention based then UK.

I've been using the breathing techniques and meditation from Hypnobirthing and I think that's helping me relax

Mix this with the reality of induction and I think you’d have it nailed @LeeMiller

Sounds a bit hippy but I think induction can end up being intervention heavy as the body is sort of being made to act when it doesn’t want to.

Maybe hypnobirthing techniques during the process may help matters along x

Thanks to everyone who replied! In case anyone else has the same fears and stumbles across this thread later, my induction went as smoothly as I could have hoped. A sweep followed by a single dose of prostaglandin and our baby was born 6 hours later. No pain relief and no interventions, no constant monitoring as the baby was doing well so I could be active and move around lots. I didn't get to labour in my relaxing home environment or a birth pool due to the induction but my Hypnobirthing breathing and visualization techniques were invaluable for the first stage especially.

Ahhhh brillzers!!! What an update! Congrats x

Fabulous! Congratulations! I had two inductions at term for an existing condition and both were fine and I’m always pleased to hear other positive induction stories.