Is induction right for me

[Amelia910]

Hi all

I am 41 +1 so midwife attempted a membrane sweep at my appointment this morning

She said only the bottom of my cervix was open so she couldn't perform it and has booked me in for an induction on Saturday

If my cervix isn't favourable should I be having an induction?

My vaginal examination info is on the attached if that helps at all?

@Amelia910 I am glad my post was helpful. I really do feel for you - I remember being so overdue and so so fed up. I had this irrational thought that I would be pregnant forever!
Even though I didn't have the most straightforward induction, I would do it all over again without a second thought.
You will be well looked after, make sure you ask lots of questions so you feel involved in the process, don't be afraid to question why they want to do something (you will probably end up agreeing with what they suggest, but its reassuring to fully understand what's happening and why). I would research inductions and pain relief options etc in case you need them.
As I said above, I really feel that antenatal classes etc put so much emphasis on something you really have very little control over - the birth! Just go in with an open mind and looking forward to meeting your baby and you will be fine. Good luck and soon you will be holding your baby!

After they broke my waters on my induction they wanted me to walk around the hospital wheeling the drip. So actually they want you to be active. I could think of nothing worse than walking about when it came to it, as much I thought active I would be all about active labour. So I didn't . You just don't know until you are there, so yes open mind and everybody and every birth is different.

I had a big baby after being 2 weeks over . Baby was 11 lbs, I wouldn't have wanted to just refuse induction as it might have never happened naturally.

There is zero evidence of a cascade of interventions at all, let alone one caused by bright lights. Seriously, how could bright lights affect labour? How? I’ve seen this claim made lots that things like lights or a doorbell ringing or even speaking can slow down labour and it’s all such nonsense. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they did - then we could massively reduce premature births by flicking a switch on. Please apply some level of logic or critical thinking

Your post is lacking in critical thinking! No one is suggesting that bright lights alone can slow labour, but it's obvious that the way you feel has a huge effect - both on the way labour progresses, but more importantly, on how you feel about it afterwards. Even women who've had very traumatic deliveries can feel positive about it if they felt in control and cared for. People need to think about what makes them relaxed and confident. For some people, the hospital environment with bright lights /smell of disinfectant can be intimidating, causing fear and therefore slow labour. Other women may not care about these things. Personally, feeling informed and listened to is a priority - not so bothered about the lights.
The cascade of intervention is a logical thing - otherwise what explanation is there for home births being safer?

Are home births safer?

At best of times, I go around the house each evening, turning off the main lights and turning on lamps, making it all cosy. During labour, I would have happily delivered my children by candle light

Update: worst experience of my life.

Failed induction ended up in a csection after three days of labouring/contractions, I didn't even get to 4cm. I haemorrhaged half hour after the section and had to go back into theatre and was in hospital for a week. Couldn't even look after my baby, ended up not being able to breastfeed because of everything that happened.

So of course I am VERY happy that both baby and I are safe and the medical teams were amazing but think I was right to be anxious about the process beforehand.

I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope you are kind to yourself and just take each day as it comes. There should be a way to follow this up for discussion with the hospital. Birth trauma is real and can have long lasting effects

Awful to hear you suffered so much, Amelia910.
How do you feel now? How’s the baby doing? I hope you are at home and able to start enjoying squishy cuddles now. Please don’t worry about not being able to breastfeed. The main thing is that you’ve both pulled through

Hi @lozengeoflove yes me and baby are doing really well now-god bless the nhs. I did struggle with pain a lot the first week but very thankful and lucky that it has mostly gone now :)

I am trying to focus on how lucky we are to be doing so well and can do so during the day but honestly not properly slept since the birth as thoughts of different parts of the birth seem to take over my thoughts every time I drop off so can't seem to get into deep sleep. Hoping it will pass soon, it was two weeks ago now.

OP I had a very intervention heavy, 3 day induction. It wasn't great. I wouldn't sugar coat it, it was a tough recovery and not the most fun 3 days I've ever had. But - in hindsight - it was fine, it wasn't all bad, the drugs were amazing and my son is the light of my life. Once it's done, it's done, even if it is a tough one. And chances are it won't be - I had a back to back baby born with his hands by his head, super unlucky!!

Aaaaand I've just seen the update. Haemorrhage here too. How are you feeling? Congratulations and hope you've been able to take it easy a little.

OP when you feel ready you can try writing down an account of what happened to you. See if you can get as many details from the hospital and your birth partner as you can to flesh out what happened and why. Include all the emotions you felt at different times. Don't force yourself to feel ok about what happened or unduly push away the memories. Acknowledge that it was shit and allow yourself to feel that as well as being grateful for your baby. If you still have flashbacks after a few months seek a referral for some extra help.

@Amelia910, I had a bad experience with induction and I'm so sorry it's happened to you. In terms of the thoughts, that will be your brain still processing what has happened. But definitely seek advice if it's still happening in a few weeks as you may need some help.

The Birth Trauma Association may also be of interest to you - they have a closed Facebook group too. Worth thinking about if you'd like peer support from women who've had similar experiences further down the line.

Hope my experience evens up the statistics for you a little.I was induced for four out of five babies (second was ELCS due to breech) I had non assisted vaginal deliveries for them all. Dd was induced a couple of months ago because of pre eclampsia and she had a non assisted vaginal delivery and needed only gas and air. Induction doesn't have to mean lots of intervention.

Sorry OP only read your first post. Sorry you had an awful experience but congratulations on the baby. Have to say I felt awful after the ELCS as well and that pain post delivery was far worse than labour. I hope you have plenty of support.