Induction- How long does it usually take for the prostin (sp?) to work?

[BaggyBick]

Hi,
This is my first time on MN but have been reading a few threads over last couple of weeks.

I am booked in for an induction tonite , had a sweep on tuesday. just wondering how long it usually takes for the prostin tablets to work, and if they don't work, when do they put you on the drip?

I'm a bit nervous about the drip (really wanted a water birth) and want to get myself mentally prepared for all eventualities, just in case.

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated!!

Thank you, Peta xx

Mine took about 6 hours before I felt anything. My induction wasn't great so I won't share with you, unless you really want to know.

mine was an early one and i had 4 that didn't work. what worked for me was the drip and an ARM -that was 7hrs.

if you're late better chance of it working

I think its a 'how long is a piece of string?' question i.e it will be different for everyone. When they checked me immediately before inserting the prostin, my cervix tilted so far back that they could bearly reach it to put it in!! Although they told me I was nowhere near delivering (despite being late)I started contractions about an hour after the first pessary was inserted (11pm) and gave birth at 2pm the next day. I stayed up all night walking around the ward with a tens machine attached to try and make sure that I continued to dilate, and by 7am was transferred down to the delivery suite because I wanted some gas and air...and was 6cm dilated; hurray!! Try and fight your corner about not being put on your back and not moving just so they can monitor you; when my dh arrived he made them bring in bean bags etc and turn me over so I was able to lean over them on my knees, which is a much better position, and they were still able to have the monitoring equipment attached.

HTH. Good luck.

I had all the doses it's possible to have and none of them worked. I was induced early (well, 39 weeks) so my body probably wasn't anywhere close to being ready which may explain it. However, I went in expecting to be in hospital 3 days or so, have a rough labour but give birth naturally. I ended up have a c-section (which was a good experience) but it would have helped to have that possibility in my mindset before I went it, because it was long, tough decision to make.
We're all different but go in prepared mentally for all eventualities!!

Thanks guys i really appreciate your feedback. I am 10 days overdue and have had pretty bad SPD so am quite relieved but a bit nervous too.
When i went for the sweep the MW said i was 2cm dilated (first baby) so i'm hoping the gel/tablet will do the trick and i won't have go on the drip.
Going thru some of the older posts, it sounds like everyone has had different experiences with inductions but at least I know I'll def. be leaving the hospital with the baby by the end of the weekend! YAY!
Thanks again!
Peta xx

2cm dilated already is great so hopefully you will get going quite quickly. I've had 4 inductions all quite different experiences but my bishops score was only ever 1 at the most which is really useless and far from being ready!

Hi BB -

I was induced with dd3 earlier this year, and she arrived 12h 04m after the first dose of prostin. This meant that I didn't end up on the drip but I think that it may have become a possibility if my second lot of prostin hadn't had much effect.

Wishing you a happy and uncomplicated delivery and looking forward to hearing details as and when you (finally) make it back online

they usually give you 3 lots of prostin tablets each 6 hours apart before they look at giving the drip so that's about a day (after giving the last lot a chance to work) believe me by that time you just want it over with any old way (alomst)

Hi Baggypick, I am going to be nosey, why are you being induced?

If it is purely because you are overdue and not because of a medical problem, you can refuse induction and ask for expectant management and try and go for your waterbirth! Induction can lead to a lot of extra intervention which if you are planning a waterbirth I imagine is not your ideal scenario.

As others have said, time from prostin being inserted to delivery varies for everyone.

Due to raised BP I was induced with a single prostin pessary each time (have a DS and a DD) but I didn't have a drip or epidural in either case. Started labouring and the rest was fairly 'normal'.

HTH and good luck.

Hi everyone,
just to let you know i went in on the thurs nite, had the prostin @ 22:00 and within half an hour things were starting so they let hubbie stay in case i went into established labour. got in the bath @2cm and when we got out about 1.5 hours later i was 8cms which they really weren't expecting!
moved to delivery suite, had a very low dose epidural just to take edge off and was fully able to feel everything when it came to push! 2nd stage was 50mins and my lovely little boy was born! 9/10 on the apgar, weighing in @ 8lb13oz.
really thrilled & he's doing well, just had a feed and now we're back to bed.
thank you all for your advice & support, hope to catch up soon on the post-natal boards,
luv peta xxx

Congratulations on your beautiful boy Petaxxxxx

wonderful news, congratulations x