Just had pessary put in for induction- it hurts already?!

[SenoraSurf]

Currently 40+12 with DC1 and in for induction. Had the first pessary put in 50 mins ago. Cervix is still posterior and closed.

Crampiness started within 5 mins and currently feels like horrendous period pain... I'm genuinely scared about the pain now as this is probably a 7 on the pain scale for me (out of 10).

I'm genuinely scared. Any body got any experiences they can share :( I'm so scared right now.

Adrenalin caused by pain could affect the contractions. No shame in asking for an epidural or other pain relief. The midwives will confirm when it can be taken

You poor thing. I had an induction too, it took four days before baby finally arrived. It’s not easy but try to relax, walk around if you can and distract yourself. If you are offered pain relief and feel you need it, you should take it. I was dead set against having an epidural but I am so grateful I went for it in the end. There are no prizes for declining it!

Try to keep mobile, when I had my induction, pessary was inserted then there was a period of monitoring of my BP and baby. After that I wandered, walked, paced and generally moved about.

The initial tightening gave up after an hour or so and I was then left waiting and pacing, stayed over night, got checked the next day and they were able to break my waters around 1pm.

More monitoring then more wandering and pacing (waters kept gushing as i walked so that was fun, glad I took several changes of nightclothes)

Contractions were strong and regular by 4pm, baby was born at 6pm.

Walking took my mind off the discomfort, people in the little shop must of been sick of seeing me by the end though :D

I wouldn't suggest pacing the halls and surrounding grounds all night like I did, I just could not stand the heat in the ward so wandered all night instead looking for air con vents and a breeze.

I felt similar after my peasant was inserted but it was not contractions, the doctor called them “prostin pains”.

Try and relax as much as you can. I know it’s hard. Maybe google mindfulness apps and listen to ones centred on pain. Bounce on a birthing ball or walk to keep active but stop every now and then to do the mindfulness. That’s why got me through.

Good luck.

This happened with me (I was 37 weeks though) - contracted straight away and kept getting worse. It’s a long story I won’t bore you with but in the end my cervix didn’t open more than 1cm even after 12hours and the drip so I ended with an EMCS.
Anyway please keep the midwives informed of the pain as the contractions may increase and if the same things happen as with me baby could become distressed. I am not saying this to scare you but when the cramps start that fast you need a close eye kept on you.
Best of luck!

Also don’t be scared of asking for pain relief! There are no medals for not having any! Keep relaxed (as relaxed as you can be anyway)

Mention it. I had a reaction to the pessary & had hyperstimulated contractions.

Yes please do mention, and as above ask for pain relief. It can all happen really quickly when you're induced - it doesn't always take ages.

Speak to the staff, you can have a reaction to the pessary like an allergic reaction - I speak from experience and I am sending you much sympathy! Get some painkillers!

Taken a gram of paracetamol as advised by midwife, she said it's all totally normal and gave me a tens machine. This is agony.

My pessary kicked in within The hour with my DC2.
I got started off at 7:30 felt contractions by 8:30. By 10pm I was transferred to labour ward. 12 waters went had him 12:10
Goodluck OP

The same happened to me except the propess did cause actual contractions not ‘crampy pains’ and I went from 1 to 10cm in 3 hours. Do you have anyone who can advocate for you and demand adequate pain relief.

Sounds familiar. I had pessary at 19.45. By 21.00 I was cramping, by 23.00 I was in agony. Asked midwife if it was normal and she said yes. By 03.00 I was terrified that if this was how painful it was early on then I'd never cope. Was examined and told I was 1cm.

At 05.30 I had pethidin and it was great, managed to doze a bit. At 07.00 they had the shift change. Doctor introduced himself and said, "So I hear you've had a bit of a hard time. We're going to examine you but you were only 1cm a few hours ago so don't be too disheartened if you're not much further so let's have a look oh my god you're 10cm you can start pushing. Oh you have been pushing ok".

Walked me to a different room. DS was born at 09.20.

So the night was awful bit it was only 13.5 hours from start to finish and it all worked out well! I would ask to be examined regularly so you know of you are progressing. That woumd definitely have made me panic less. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing experiences ladies!
Turns out I was hypersensitive to the pessary and having contractions every 2 mins with no extra pain reclined for 4 hours till I was fully dilated (the midwives didn't believe me till they examined me).
Baby was born at 8.22pm this evening, 8.5 hours after being given the pessary. Pushing for 2 hours and managed a second degree tear.
Afterbirth was magical, we had delayed chord cutting and passed the placenta naturally.

Thanks again xx

Huge congratulations to you!

Congratulations @SenoraSurf I Hope you & Baby are both doing well

Well done! Enjoy those cuddles!

Congratulations! Enjoy the baby snuggles 💐