3rd baby, 1st induction

[lemongirl1985]

I just found out I need to be induced next week when I'll be 37+2. My two previous labours (12 and 11 years ago!) were spontaneous and natural. Pretty straightforward, too. I wonder how likely it is the induction will be successful? My biggest fear is c-section although I know I might not have a choice if the baby is in distress.

I had induction with my 3rd at 37+5.
Similar age gap as other DC were 10-12 and was convinced that induction will eventually lead to CS.But it was surprisingly pleasant if you can describe childbirth as such .Was checked before pessary,1cm dilated but midwife decided it was enough to try and break my waters to see if this will kick start labour.30 minutes in bed on monitor,after which I was desperate for toilet.Walk back to the room and that's when contractions kicked in,sudden and very strong.DS was born an hour and 33 minutes later.I was standing all the time,pacing or using a ball,I was still standing when pushing (midwife was trying to coax me to bed but I just felt better upright).I tried G&A but after few puffs I felt sick and dizzy.
Good luck,it's not as scary as some people describe it.

Pessary worked looked clock work for me, tampon sized thing, you pull out yourself and I never needed the drip or my waters breaking. But, used awful awful awful time with the balloon. Pessary all the way. (1st baby)

Honestly was just in this situation a few days ago and I had the balloon induction as an outpatient - was happy with it, it came out itself and then went in to supposedly have waters broken. The issue then was that I was told there was no availability on the labour ward so they’d just give me the gel to dilate a wee bit more as I would be just sitting there otherwise. I just accepted this without realising for a moment how the gel might react, I was told I might get some cramping but it should help shorten the cervix a little more. I ended up with continuous extremely painful contractions with no let up, labouring on the induction ward whilst being told it wasn’t real labour, just a reaction to the gel. I had very limited pain relief options until a room on the labour ward became available because they based this solely on whether my waters had broken or not and how dilated I was (in reality I’m sure it was about how busy they were). In the end I got to the labour ward absolutely hysterical with pain and feeling out of control. I have had two spontaneous labours before this and managed on gas and air but this induced labour was on another level. I was in the labour ward for about half an hour before giving birth. Thankfully once they broke my waters my baby was born dramatically within minutes and through one massive contraction, giving me a tear that I hadn’t had in my last back to back labour.

I thought I was going into it prepared and well read up, I thought balloon induction and breaking of waters will be a similar labour to my previous ones (which it should have been). If I knew then what I know now I’d have refused the gel and insisted that they just break my waters when they had availability on the labour ward for me, or send me home to come back in a day or two. However in fairness the other women on the induction ward were chilled out watching stuff on their laptops, going for walks, being able to have conversations etc…so maybe I’m just an unusual case.
My advice would be to make sure you ask lots of questions and be prepared to advocate for yourself at every turn, there
are lots of positive induction stories out there! Good luck!

My 1st was an induction @39 weeks , had the gel 3 days in a row, day off with nothing and then broke my waters on the 5th day. Contractions were very strong and constant, I was stuck on the drip having to be monitored constantly, wasn't allowed out of the bed. She came very suddenly in the end with my husband having to shout for someone as there was no one in the room. Then was stitched without pain relief /numbing after a midwife had to argue with the dr that I needed stitches . My second was spontaneous and was a much easier labour and birth. Currently 24weeks pregnant and 38 years old so am expecting a suggestion of induction at done stage. Wouldn't choose an induction but if I have to, I will.