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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Can anyone help? Induction agony

64 replies

lavenderchocolate · 15/12/2020 18:37

Hi, I came to be induced yesterday at 40 + 1 as I am 40, and advice is not to go over due date. I had a sweep at 38 + 5 but it didn’t work.

It’s no ones fault but it just seems to me baby wasn’t ready. I was 1cm at 38 + 5 and I was still 1cm yesterday. I had the pessary put in and it’s just all been a bit of a nightmare, everything I was terrified of has happened.

I think the baby must have moved and what started out as discomfort moved to really unbearable pain (I was crying!) but the ward is so busy and there was no pain relief for four hours. Then I got some contractions but these stopped.

I feel absolutely bursting full of fluid, and I have this near constant pain to empty my bladder but barely anything comes out. And now I have pains in my bottom. They are struggling to find the baby on the monitor and having to be strapped to the bed is horrendous, I honestly feel as though someone is pushing knives up my bum (sorry)

They want to break my waters later but I just don’t think I can. I can’t take it. Can I say no, I want them to go naturally? Or insist on a c section? I wanted an elective because I had a feeling my back wouldn’t stand the pressure and I think I was right.

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 15/12/2020 18:43

I’m really sorry you’re going through this

I had almost exactly the same experience, and I’m sorry to say that I had a looooong labour where I never dilated beyond you. I was having a contraction every minute pretty much and thought they’d surprise me by saying I was at 9cm and I was still stuck at 1.

I ended up with an EMCS and honestly I’d do it again if I had the choice.

Have you had any pain relief? I’d be getting an epidural ASAP, THEN getting them to break waters to move things on and also request a catheter (which they’d give you anyway if you have an epidural). Your baby might be pressing on your urethra which is why you feel the pressure but can’t be going.

You certainly can request a c-section and they cannot turn it down - you are able to have whatever sort of birth you want.

Unless there is a medical reason why not - I know you said you were induced as couldn’t go over 40 weeks, the standard advice in the UK is 42 weeks so perhaps other factors at play

I will also say this: in a few hours, whatever happens, you’ll have your baby in your arms, and that will absolutely be worth it for all the pain and effort you’re going through now

Good luck!! Flowers

Original poster
lavenderchocolate · 15/12/2020 18:59

Thank you for this. I was going to try for just gas and air but after about five minutes last night I was thinking I couldn’t! I am scared of the epidural too though. To be honest I am terrified to let anyone touch me now! I know that sounds really precious but everywhere is SO sore and tender and after two sweeps yesterday and today I’m exhausted and worn out.

So they want to try to break my waters at around 10 - can I just say no leave it?

OP posts:
rottiemum88 · 15/12/2020 19:01

Yes, they can't force you.

Onekidnoclue · 15/12/2020 19:03

You can demand or refuse whatever card you wish OP. X

Missmonkeypenny · 15/12/2020 19:05

It's up to you what you do but I think them breaking your waters will relieve a lot of the pressure you're surrently feeling, I know I felt an instant relief when mine were broken during my induction. Could you have them broken on the condition that if things haven't progressed a few hours afterwards that you go for a section? Sorry you're having such a rough time Flowers

Findahouse21 · 15/12/2020 19:08

I kept really needing to pee but couldn't and turned out baby had turned back to back. It was a long labour but i did manage in the end with tnes first and then gas and air in the pool. Honestly if it's not bearable now then I would go epidural or section especially if you're already feeling tired as well. It is your choice don't let them do anything you don't want.

Original poster
lavenderchocolate · 15/12/2020 19:10

Thank you. I just don’t want to let anyone near me, I don’t know if anyone is old enough to remember when racquel screams at del ‘don’t you come near me again trotter!’ on OFAH, but I feel like that (I haven’t said that, I wouldn’t be so rude to nhs staff obviously!)

They are all lovely but I think it’s just this baby isn’t ready and I desperately need some time where I’m not being prodded or having fingers inserted into me. This is disgusting but I’m sure my mucus plug came out before so i just want to give my waters a chance to break on their own now.

OP posts:
Blerg · 15/12/2020 19:10

I had a long induction and it was hard. All my sympathies.

Not sure if relevant but I found sweeps and checks really painful and invasive (and had loads so got quite upset). In the end they said I could have gas and air for them and that really helped me manage the pain and panic.

Hang on in there and push for help of some sort - they shouldn’t be leaving you in pain for hours.

TheMostHappy · 15/12/2020 19:12

I had a long induction (it failed in the end and ended up c-sec after 3 days). I think they can only break your waters if you're dilated 2cm, that's what they said to me, and i never got to that point, so as I said ended up c-section. Sorry to hear you are in so much discomfort.

Csx99 · 15/12/2020 19:12

They definitely can't force you but in my experience - I literally didn't even feel them break my waters and it most cases it speeds things up it might help but it's your choice!

letsmakethetea · 15/12/2020 19:13

You can ask for a CS and they should support you in that decision. It's a valid choice.

Original poster
lavenderchocolate · 15/12/2020 19:14

Find I think a lot of problems are stemming from this, the back to back, it’s really uncomfortable. I think I’m going for epidural but I won’t have it when they break my waters and how I feel now is I just can’t bear it.

OP posts:
randomsabreuse · 15/12/2020 19:15

I'd certainly flag the not peeing/uncomfortable bladder issue asap. They can do an in out catheter and empty things out - full bladder gets in the way and is risky for you.

I struggled with the exams with my 2nd as my scar tissue was tight and sore. Gas and air helped a lot!

OverTheRainbow88 · 15/12/2020 19:17

Can you ask about an EC if that is what you would like?

I would follow their lead though as they are medical professionals so if they don’t want you to go too far overdue because if your age there is a reason for this.

God Labour is awful; but it will be over and you’ll have a cute snuggly baby to cuddle.
Focus on the end game.

Original poster
lavenderchocolate · 15/12/2020 19:20

Oh I’ve asked loads but they won’t - should probably be pushier pardon the pun.

The reason for the age associated risks are that there’s a higher chance with increased maternal age of the placenta not working. But the baby is on the move.

I do understand once I have the baby none of this will be important but getting to that stage seems an insurmountable mountain right now. The midwives also keep saying this and they are lovely but it does make me feel a bit as if my pain and fear and discomfort aren’t important.

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 15/12/2020 19:21

A catheter will empty your bladder - tell the midwife.

Original poster
lavenderchocolate · 15/12/2020 19:23

I have but I can’t get one until I have an epidural which I can’t have until my waters break so it’s difficult really.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 15/12/2020 19:25

Ask to speak to a consultant. You need a plan and you need to feel supported. It's your right to do this. The only issue might be if they are busy with other patients, you may have to wait. But this is what I'd recommend to ask for.

FATEdestiny · 15/12/2020 19:32

You don't need any pain relief for a catheter- it is largely painless.

SpamIAm · 15/12/2020 19:34

You don't need an epidural to have a catheter. Have they said that?

I'm not sure if it wasn't explained properly to you or if it's just that you've changed your mind about things now you've started, but the whole point of the pessaries etc in an induction is to get your cervix open enough to break your waters. Of course you can refuse any intervention you want, but that is the next step in an induction.

I'd insist on the epidural before they break your waters. Or at least some pethidine? Honestly epidurals are like magic, and if you carry on like this without pain relief you're going to be too exhausted to push anyway. Also there should be pain relief available to you on the induction ward, usually codeine and pethidine, but in my experience you have to remind them you need it frequently or they'll forget.

Europilgrim · 15/12/2020 19:34

I was induced without pain relief (not even gas and air) and it was agony. I really suggest you get some pain relief if possible.

Europilgrim · 15/12/2020 19:36

Also tell your midwife about the bladder problem- can be really serious if unresolved. As others have said, a catheter doesn't hurt.

GymMat · 15/12/2020 19:38

When I was induced I had the pessary and was doing OK for while then it was agony. Then they popped my waters and it was like all the pressure went for a bit. The contractions started getting stronger though.

NeurologicallySpeaking · 15/12/2020 19:40

So sorry OP. I had the exact same pains when I was induced. I genuinely took leave of my senses and was rolling round like a tortured animal. Just hold out for the epidural- it takes a moment and then the pain will be over and you can sleep and gather some energy for giving birth.

ShirleyPhallus · 15/12/2020 19:43

Yep, second everyone else: be more firm with what you want. Have you got anyone there with you yet or is it still too early?

I found the sweeps, the VA, the insertion of the pessary and them trying to get a clip on the baby’s head way more painful than anything else at any point. I was SO sore, I know that feeling exactly.

An epidural will solve all of that though, they apply freeze spray to your back so you don’t even feel it going in, and the epidurals now mean that you can move more than I had thought - I could wiggle my toes at least and I could feel contractions but it got rid of all the pain.