How long did your induction take at 38 weeks

[Fourleafclover93]

My consultant phoned me today to offer me an induction next week for medical reasons which I have agreed to.

She said it differs from each person but because its 2 weeks before my due date it is unlikely my cervix will be open and could be a long process.

She said it could take 2-3 days and to pack extra stuff and things to do.

I'm very impatient and hate sitting about waiting for stuff. I know I'll just need to get on with it. Hoping she is preparing me for worst case scenario.

Just wondered how long your induction took? I'll be 38+1

It took me 3 days.

@itstheyearzero how did you find it?

Another one that was three days, had a pessary that didn’t work, then a hormone drip.

Balloon induction so had that in place for 12 hours. Went to drip after and had DS2 about two hours later 🙂

I went into hospital in the afternoon and was induced the following morning via oxytocin drip. Baby was born via EMCS at 5:14pm xx

2.5 hours at 36 weeks. 2 hours at 37 weeks.
Although it could take days, it's not inevitable.

Thanks for the replies, not what I was hoping to hear but at least I can be realistic about what to expect.

@stillnofuckingeyedeer yours both sound great

3 days

I was 37w and had the balloon, that didn’t work so had a cycle of pessaries, they didn’t work and I had a section at 37+5.

Started Thursday night. Allowed out the hospital Saturday pm (went for a walk and a curry, waters went Sunday morning gave birth Monday morning. So 3.5 days in total.

I had the pessary inserted at 2pm, contractions started that evening and baby born midday the next day.
I was 38+4 when induced but was already favourable (2cm dilated, softened, shortened etc). Midwife expected the pessary would work quickly on that basis.
I had a great experience and wouldn't change anything.
Good luck x

I had the pessary and I was experiencing regular mild contractions within about 20 minutes. It was about 8 hrs before they became full on contractions though. I was in labour for 28 hours then had a c-section as my cervix failed to dilate past 6cm despite back to back contractions.

The second time around I just had a sweep and contractions started about 6 hours later. That time though, contractions were nack to back straight away with no cervical dilation. Ended in another c-section.

5 hours and 6 hours @38 weeks

Took 12 with DS1 @42 weeks

Thanks for the replies. Everyone's experience is so different. Guess I'll just need to wait and see how things go next week

Induced at 11pm on the Friday, he came at 2:07am the sunday morning. So just over 26 hours xx he came at exactly 38 weeks

3 days. Was awful. I had an elective c section the next time.

I'd like to add my cervix was completely closed when they started the induction, that they couldn't even perform a sweep.

First pessaries on Sunday, another try on Monday, finally managed to break my waters on Tuesday afternoon, drip started Tuesday evening. DS born 6.31 Wednesday morning so about 2.5 days but actually only 7.5 hours of active labour which wasn’t bad for my first baby

About 40 hours with DD1 @ 39+1

Less than 12 hours with DD2 @ 37+1

Had the drip at 36+5. 4.5 hours later it hadn't worked and ds2 was born by emergency c-section.

I was induced 38 weeks. Pessary started 20:45 Wednesday evening, 9cm dilated by 22:00 and baby was born 04:47 Thursday morning. Very quick labour and delivery. I hope its quick for you too so you dont spend too long in hospital.

I had the rods inserted at 16:00, contractions started within 15 minutes, waters went at 04:00 the following morning. Unfortunately my soon poo'd inside me so the birth went a bit pear shaped after that but I didn't expect the induction to happen so quickly. I was a week overdue at this point BTW.

It took 2 hours.

37 weeks it took all in 13 hours from sweep and gel to birth
38 weeks it took 18 hours from sweep and gel to birth (EMCS though so not sure how long it would have taken had contractions not stopped).
A friend was induced at 39 weeks and it took 4 days for anything to happen but my SIL was 8 hours- 4 for contractions to start and 4 more to birth.

It varies so much, I'd take your consultants advice and pack things to do- I had a tablet with shows and movies, my e-reader, plenty of music and podcasts (wireless headphones are handy!), knitting and snacks just in case I ended up there for a few days.

Went in at 10:30 am, had my LG at 11:30pm same day. I'd had a sweep at 37+3 that had started things and they could break my waters without the pessary part of the induction so went straight to delivery suite. I had packed for days being in! Hope all goes well!