Induction at 37 weeks

[Lunardreams]

Hey! Im booked to have an induction this week as babys growth has been restricted/movements reduced. Looking for anyone elses experiences for reassurance

Hi OP :)

I don't have experiences of induction at 37 weeks but I have had two inductions around my due date and they were both very positive experiences :)

I would say be prepared for a slightly long haul - bring a couple of pairs of pajamas, nice bubble bath and toiletries etc.

If you can send your birthing partner home easily during the early stages for rest then do so. Although apologies I gave birth just before lockdown so I don't know what the rules are regarding birthing partners on the ward.

Don't be shy about asking for pain relief of you need it - you can have pethidine on the shared ward and I had this both times as tended to get very frequent contractions from the pessaries even if they didn't do much.

Rest, eat and drink as much as you can while you're waiting. And of course remember it isn't always a long affair so be prepared for any eventuality! Good luck:)

I had an induction at 38+3 for the same reason. After 16 hours of awful contractions I had only dilated 3cm which ended in an emergency c section 😩 hope yours goes better than mine did!!

*26 hours

Hello I was induced at 37+4 for the same reasons as you. I was given two pessaries six hours apart it's got me to 3 cm dilated with no regular pains. They then broke my waters and my daughter was born two hours later it was extremely fast and furious but I'd rather that over a long time for labour any day!

I was induced a few months ago at 37+4. Unfortunately after 2 inductions they both failed! I had 6 pessaries in total which did nothing, however a doctor managed to squeeze me to 2cm and break my water using the little clip they put on baby's head. My legs had to be up in stirrups for it though! Then my body remembered what to do and she was born 6 hours later. She just wasn't ready to come out!

While I was on the induction ward (for 4 days!) I saw lots of ladies come and go after just one or two pessaries. Good luck!

Induced last year at 37 weeks exactly due to pre-eclampsia.

Gel pessaries didn't do much. Would have had a second round the following day if there hadn't been space on the delivery suite. ARM equally failed to start labour, so it was on with the drip. Which definitely worked!

32 hours from pessary to baby. 11 hours on the drip. 1 shot of diamorphine (highly recommend!), and zero interventions.

Good luck OP. You're going to do great!

Hey,
I have not been through it yet. 2 days to go but I'm in exactly the same position as you and just wanted to wish you the best of luck

I was induced at 36+2 put straight on the drip. It was awful ended up with forceps delivery.

Both my DDs were induced (2017 and 2019) - at 39+1 and 37+1 respectively.

Two completely different experiences - first time I had the pessary in about 11am, my waters went at 5am and there was meconium, so I was put on the drip, epidural in, ended up having forceps in theatre as DD moved into an awkward position for labour at the last minute. Not a fun experience at all, but the forceps were more due to positioning than induction.

Second time - pessary in about 11am, by 9pm contractions begin, moved to labour ward at 10:30pm, baby born v v quickly at just after 11pm on gas and air. So all done and dusted in 24 hours on just the pessary, despite only being 37 weeks, and a really lovely positive experience.

I think it makes a difference generally if it's your first baby or a second, third etc baby as your body has been primed, so to speak.

Sorry - all done and dusted in 12 hours I meant! Doh!

Best of luck with it all!

Induced at 36+6 and it didn't work for me.

Induced at 38 weeks and had DS at 38+3.
I had a positive experience of induction. They're not all bad.