Induction your stories please

[missyhols]

Pref good!

My view re birth plans is that it takes an awful lot of knowledge and experience to arrive at a workable plan for all concerned.

Sadly today, there is not usually the time for a midwife to explain in depth the problems which may arise and the measures which may be needed to achieve a good outcome.

That's where continuity of care has its main impact, if you have a good relationship with your midwife and trust is built up on both sides, you have a far better chance of feeling good after the event, even if the outcome is not the straightforward SVD that everyone hopes for.

I was induced at 41 weeks, tried the gel, broke my waters, injected me with something (and popped my vein in the process). Went from having no contractions to really intense ones really quickly. Had gas and air but vomited straight after so was given an epi.
Finally got the urge to push but nurses did not believe me as last time they checked I was only 3cm dilated. When they looked they realised I was 10cm. Pushed for far too long before they realised baby was not budging so they were going to try ventouse but decided to rush me into theatre for emergency C in the early hours of the morning. Beautiful baby girl arrived. Whole process took 5 days. Daughter is now 5 and I am pregnant with a boy. Have elected for C section as I am not going through that again. It took a lot of soul searching to decide whether to have another baby. Very distressing

All that said. Her head was just too big to fit through my pelvis - this is quite rare so this horror story is unlikely to occur. Just annoying as it could have been prevented for me.

Gosh what a shame. Surely it should have been picked up that your pelvis would be to small. Good luck with your c sec x

I had to have an examination by specialist and he said I may have problems but as the NHS are so keen for people to have vaginal deliveries he said I should give it a try. I was only 20 at the time but know ing then what I know now I would have argued til the death!!!

Missyhols, don't know if you'll see this in time, but my induction was a lovely experience and I would go for the same again without hesitation if I have another child.

I went 13 days overdue and was terrified at the prospect of induction - forceps, ventouse, horrible pain etc.

Had three sweeps to no effect, even tho 3cm dilated naturally with no pain. The waters breaking did nothing apart from give me 3 hours of painful cramps so was told it would have to be a syntocinon drip. I got a bit upset, but the wonderful midwife suggested I have an epidural before beginning the drip.

Drip started at 2pm, I spent most of the afternoon reading and chatting with DH and the midwife who was looking after us, and by 6pm was fully dilated - and totally pain-free.

Pushed out DS in 40 minutes with support from the original midwife and my community midwife, who were so calm and encouraging. Had a 2nd degree tear so small that I didn't need stitches, and although DS needed oxygen when he popped out (cord round his neck) he's perfect.

Despite being very medicalised, the birth was actually a lovely, calm experience (and this is coming from a childbirth-phobic). I went home the next day.

I know I was very lucky, but it can happen -good luck and let us know how you got on!

i have just had my baby girl by induction. had gel on first day (fri) got sent home, went back the next morning waited 3 hours for a room got 2 more lots of gel sun morning had my waters broken started having contractions irregularly. then got put on a syntocinon drip to regulate contractions. after hours was still only 2 cm i was told id get a section if i didnt dilate by next check, dilated to 6cm. contractions got too painful so had epidural, at 6am was 10 cm but couldnt feel con at all so didnt know when to push. ended up getting forceps and a lovely 3rd degree tear lost nearly 3ltr of blood. but baby was fine at least apart from bruising over her head. she weighed 8lb 9oz and measured 53 cm