I have been induced... now what?

[babyonitsway]

I'm at the hospital and have been induced as I have a big baby and fluid. I had the induction gel at midnight on Wednesday and at 7am this morning (I'm 1cm dilated).
I started having intense contractions and then gave me some paracetamol and Codeine. Since then, I've not really been checked up on - no CTG check for the baby or internal examination for me. They've implied they will check me at midnight tonight which is when I could have the gel again if I need it.

I feel a bit lost. My contractions have subsided a fair bit and I have no idea if I am more dilated or not. I'm in limbo. I explained this to the student MW who said she'd speak to the main MW, but she's not come to see me. Throughout the day they've said they'll come do a CTG, but haven't.

Is this normal? Tia and sorry for long post!

It is a bit normal, unless you really get going, they will check on you at the allotted times. It took four days for me from first gel to baby and I was very nearly sent home as failed, but if you’re already 1cm dilated I don’t think you’ll be waiting nearly as pong.

If you’re not in pain at the moment, binge some tv, read a good book, get a stack of magazines, go for a long walk along the corridors, try to sleep. Your baby is coming as fast as they can!

*nearly as long 😂

Thank you @bellajay, that makes me feel better :)

Hope things get moving for you soon. When it became clear things weren’t moving for me I just tried to enjoy it. I was lucky to have a side room, meals delivered to your bed, no work, no cleaning or laundry to worry about. I hadn’t told anyone I was in either so not too much harassment for updates. It was like a spa break, but with vaginal examinations instead of treatments.

My induction was for a big baby too

Congratulations! How exciting! This brings back memories of 6 years ago. I was lucky enough to get a side room too with a view of trees. I was able to have a lovely long bath whilst waiting for DS to make an appearance. Good luck

I felt a bit lost and neglected during my induction - wish I had just relaxed and slept!
I was often told the next monitoring/exam would be 'soon' and many, many hours went by. Frustrating stuff!

Ah sadly no side room for me. Currently being monitored and soon examined to see if I need a third round of the gel.

My contractions have all but stopped.. I feel like I'm starting again and I was initially induced 24 hours ago!

Unfortunately being induced can be a long process. I have been induced three times and have long and short labours, it's a mixed bag. Getting checked at night never seems great because it's less busy then.

You can be a bit assertive and ask for the monitor. After my second baby I felt less of a burden asking lots.

Baby will be here soon enough. Try to sleep as much as you can

Also dont worry too much about contractions coming and going. Once your cervix is ready they will start up again. Just make sure baby seems happy enough moving about.

Thanks @Legoandloldolls, I had the third gel at about 1am, went to sleep and woke up at 6.30, not contractions, my tummy just feels a bit tight. Back on CTG scanner and expect to have the fourth gel applied in about an hour (unless I've miraculously dilated)

Good luck I go in tomorrow and I’m sooo nervous haha xx

Any news??

Good luck @Katieh89!!

I had my final round of induction gel today and have moved from 1-2cm dilated. If by the morning there's no change, they will perform a c session... it's been a long old slog!

This was me and I ended up with a c section.

Good luck!

Good luck! My induction process was similarly boring. They decided to induce me because the baby’s growth had slowed down, so to me and my husband it felt really stressful and urgent, but to them it was a more common occurrence so there was no real rush. I had about 48 hours hanging around with the odd check up from midwives.

In my highly limited experience it sounds totally normal. Try and rest up / sleep as much as possible.

Also when my contractions really got going I asked for an epidural, because I presumed they were going to last for hours and hours as everything else had taken so long. But actually it was really quick and then it was time to push so I probably could have done without. I don’t really regret that though - the lack of pain was fabulous - but I know some women prefer not to have intervention so I thought I’d mention it. Do have a good old honk on the gas and air though - that stuff is awesome.

I've just been examined by the doctor and he said I'm dilated enough (2cm) for them to break my waters tomorrow. @Hobbes8 - how dilated were you when you finally went into labour? I would so love it to be quick (and am very keen on an epidural) but am worried it's going to be mega slow and end up with a c sec anyway!!

Oh I’m not sure, sorry - he’s 8 now! They broke my waters and then put me on an oxytocin drip in the end, which moved things along pretty quickly. Having my waters broken wasn’t the funnest - it doesn’t hurt but it’s quite uncomfortable - like a smear test going horribly wrong! Again, a good old honk on the gas and air helped no end.

Now get some sleep! It’ll be months before you get the chance...

Haha thank you, I actually slept very well to feel prepared for what the day brings!!

Epidurals are lovely! It can be very quick once your waters break, fingers crossed for you!

It was another 24 hours for me once waters were broken, that was with the full drip. But once waters are broken the end is in sight - they won’t leave you too long due to risk of infection. So one way or another baby will be along soon!

@babyonitsway really live to hear of baby here xx

Hello all, after the induction drip and a pretty awful forceps delivery we have our baby!
Eloise Harper - weighing in at 7lbs 13 born on Sunday! Not quite the huge baby they were expecting! Thank you for all your advice, we are both a bit bruised/sore but very happy

Awe, congratulations!! I had the same with DS, so I know how sore you must he now, but it does get better, hope you are enjoying your new baby!

I had a forceps delivery and my little boy was 7lbs 13oz too 😊 the forceps though...it's a big shit! But totally worth it congratulations 💐

• a bit shit that should say 😂