Induction Options

[SassehMonsta]

Hello ladies,

I have drug controlled gestational diabetes so will 95% likely to be induced mid-May. I have a consultant appointment next week and would like to know more so I can ask them questions.

Please talk to me about options for being induced. All I know is there is a pessary option and a drip (which I have heard can be painful).... so hit me up with any other info!

If I opt for the pessary, what are the chances of asking them to pop it in and then let me go home for 8 hours?

My understanding is the pessary is needed if there are no contractions /your cervix is not soft ready. I don't think you will have a choice of this vs the drip. If the pessary works, this might be all you need. Otherwise you may need the drip too.

My understanding is there are 3 stages of induction... dilating the cervix so waters can be broken (May trigger labour to get going on its own) using pessary or gel (both hormonal). I had 3 hourly monitoring with the gel.

Then they take you up to delivery to break waters which can speed things up.

Then if not enough progress on a drip.

I only know about the gel bit because that was enough to get me going - labour was actually very similar to my 1st spontaneous labour once it going- similar length, pattern of dilation - ie nothing then all at once, and needed a ventouse for both.

I had an induction for the same reason with my third dc.
I arrived at the hospital at 8 am at 38 weeks for induction. I obviously wasn't in labour I had a pessary inserted I was told they would review me in 24hrs with a view to break my waters if my cervix had dilated enough for them to be able to do it (around 2-3cms) if they hadn't they would insert another pessary and what another 24hrs.

They did say that the pessary may be enough to get me into established labour but as I was only 38 weeks and had no symptoms of labour although it was possible it was unlikely.
I was free to wander round the hospital go for a coffee etc.. and was encouraged to stay mobile.
I did have a few mild cramps and a few through that night. Dh left around ten that night but in fairness I didn't need him as such it was nice to have company though.
I had to return to ward every few hours for monitoring.
The next morning I was examined and I was dilated enough for them to break my waters so was transferred to delivery suite.
The doctor broke my waters and I was left for a couple of hours to see what happened I was having regular contractions but they still put me on the drip.
At this point If was recommendEd I had an epidural, I decided to see how I went. The drip was tuned up every half and hour after an hour I decided to have an epidural as it was very intense.
After about five hours I was fully dilated but the suggested I rest for an hour and let the baby's come down a bit.
Started pushing and midwife told me she was back to back, I pushed for about 30 mins and she was born no stitches or intervention and a very calm delivery.
It really was a lovely birth

Sorry that was a bit of an essay