Preparing for IOL

[passthemustard]

Ok so I'm being induced at 39 weeks. In 2 weeks time. This is my 5th baby but I've not been induced before. (All 4 previous births spontaneous labour at or near 40 weeks, vaginal deliveries, no interventions)

What can I do to prepare my body for induction? I'm not talking about my hospital bag or anything just what I can do for body.

Did anyone take laxatives? Shave? Raspberry leaf tea? Any supplements or weird food stuff I should take/eat? 😂

I'm having a sweep 2 days before but I really want to optimise my body for a smooth induction to lower the chance of interventions etc so I can come home as quickly as possible.

Sleep?!

@olderthanyouthink 😂😂 haven't slept in weeks 😂😂

😭

@passthemustard I was induced with my baby girl last week at 39+1 due to being diabetic. I previously had my 2 older children (teens now) naturally at 39+4 and 38+0. I was terrified of being induced and was hoping and hoping labour would begin before induction but it didn’t.

The worst part of being induced was being alone as partner had to leave me at main door and was only allowed back when I was in established labour but I was lucky enough that my induction worked very fast.

I had stretch and sweep at 38+2 but cervix was high. Dilated 1cm but I was told might never have fully closed after previous births. I did lose mucus over few days after but it didn’t bring on dilation as when examined for induction cervix was still high.

Since finishing work at 34weeks i did try to have a walk every day and ate a lot of fresh pineapple. Had a curry the night before my induction but not hot it was just a lamb bhuna lol

I would say try and walk every day even just a short walk but rest so body not too tired for the actual process. My baby girl is fab but terrible sleeper so I’m glad I cooked meals for freezer and got big online delivery of cupboard food too. I did shave a few days before but just a quick tidy up with electric shaver just so I would feel cleaner and I had bath and washed my hair on morning so again I felt clean and fresh ready for the process. Ended up literally a bloody sweaty mess and the shower after felt so good but I felt bit more relaxed with the examinations knowing that I had started off as clean as could be.

I hope you’ve had your baby by now but if not just try not to fear the induction and just think of it as an opportunity to meet your baby that little bit earlier.