induction..does the gel bring on an otherwise natural labour?

[beansontoast]

im obsessing a bit over 'inductions' today.
(hi malory )

i was wondering if anyone knows whether the prostaglandin gel pessary wotsit given in isolation (ie no drip to follow up)is simply a catalyst?

Think and hope so - am booked for an induction on Monday. The info i have says that the pessary is inserted and then checked 4-6hours lated. another pessary may be inserted or a drip attached... Would rather not think about the whole thing!

the pessary softens and ripens the cervix, and can start it dilating without the need for any further intervention

often though the pessary is followed by another pessary, once the cervix is sufficiently dilated, the membranes are ruptured, if labour is not deemed strong enough then syntocinon is given via a drip to augment the labour

lots of sex and nipple stim produces the hormones naturally, that are given artifically via the pessary and drip!

the gel alone worked for me with ds1 - induced 3 weeks early. Gel applied at 9pm. Water broke at 2am. Normal straight forward delivery immediatley and born at 5:45am

Good lukc

Only difference is that your contractions come fast and hard if you have an induction rather than slowly with normal labour.

Good luck, and enjoy.

I thought the contractions from gel were like normal - aren't they only hard & fast from the drip? I'm sure it varies from area to area but at my induction 4 years ago they said they gave the gel 3 times and then if nothing happened they moved onto other options; not sure if that's still the case.

I had a gel pessary, which didn't do too much, so another was inserted 12 hours later. The midwife said, "this will work like dynamite" She was right. 6 hours later I had a "fast and furious" labour, lasting under 2 hours.

Pessary popped in and contractions started within minutes. Was DD2 and she flew out!!!
Was very worried but worked a dream. Did lots of bouncing on ball as well after pessary. Very mild contractions from pessary but then hurt like hell when waters broke!!