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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Anxiety about induction/birth

12 replies

shas19 · 11/01/2022 20:14

This is our 3rd baby, first 2 ended in emc's one at 42 weeks and the other 37. I'm now 39+3 and no sign of labour and will probably be induced next week. I dont have concern about actually being induced, just the method. So far all that's been mentioned is a cooks ballon, which sounds like a torture device! I've had 3 sweeps so far, 1st she couldn't perform one as was completely closed, 2nd just a finger tip and today she said she managed to do one but was quite difficult and uncomfortable. My consultant and midwife are very supportive for vbac and I've also had a good gap since my last section but the thought of ending up in that theatre is frightening. Im rambling now but if anyone has any experience with the balloon or dilapan rods, v2bac it would be appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
shas19 · 11/01/2022 20:55

Bump

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 11/01/2022 20:57

I was induced with the pessary so cannot comment directly on those methods you’ve asked for, but in your position I’d think very carefully if I wanted to definitely go for a VBAC. Given it would be your first vaginal delivery and your body doesn’t seem to be close to labour it will likely take a while for it to get going.

Honestly in your position I’d opt for an ELCS but appreciate it’s different for everyone

Original poster
shas19 · 11/01/2022 22:06

@ShirleyPhallus

I was induced with the pessary so cannot comment directly on those methods you’ve asked for, but in your position I’d think very carefully if I wanted to definitely go for a VBAC. Given it would be your first vaginal delivery and your body doesn’t seem to be close to labour it will likely take a while for it to get going.

Honestly in your position I’d opt for an ELCS but appreciate it’s different for everyone

Definitely won't be opting for a section. I've been induced with a propess before which got stuff moving quickly before and my body was the same, I may ask to see if that's an option
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Littlepaws18 · 11/01/2022 22:23

I had an induction in July this year. I don't as already 1cm dis later when they did the sweep, so gave me the drip drugs straight away. The sweeps were unpleasant as was breaking my waters but manageable. The contractions for the first hour again were manageable but after that it was too painful. Unfortunately There was no one available to give me a epidural (I did eventually have one at the end). So my advice is an induction is ok, but twice now my contractions came to a point I couldn't handle and on both occasions the drugs weren't available until it was almost too late. So If I had my time again I would ask for an epidural almost immediately and then the whole process would be fine. Saying that your mind can do wonderful tricks and I have almost forgotten the pain 5 months on!

Flutterby8 · 11/01/2022 23:44

I had an iduction a few weeks ago using the pessary.
I was given information on the different options but was told the first choice would be the rods.
They sounded barbaric but are used as they are supposed to start things quicker.
I opted for the pessary though knowing it had to stay in place for 24hours.
It wasnt horrendous.
The midwife that inserted it caused me alot of pain and bleeding but once it was in place i was ok.
I cant comment really on how long things took as I had pre-eclampsia, hence the induction, and generally labour is much quicker in these circumstances. In my case, less than 2 hours from the first contraction.

I would recommend asking for pain relief early on though. My contractions literally became back to back within 30mins of first feeling them and i went immediately to 5cms dilated.
They didnt have time to give me anything and it was pretty damn painful.
If you want an epidural, ask for one at the first opportunity so they can get it organised for you.

Fleur405 · 12/01/2022 14:26

I had the balloon. It’s really not so bad! Getting it fitted isn’t exactly a joyful experience but along the lines of a longer smear test ( bearing in mind my cervix is tilted so they always find it difficult to do). It took about 5 minutes and I think they let me use gas and air. Once it’s in it’s fine - I went home and went back 24 hours later.

Willthewashingeverend · 12/01/2022 14:36

Im a midwife... the pessary wouldn't be suitable as you have had 2 C/S. I've no experience with the rods but the balloons can be great. Uncomfortable to be inserted but doesn't take too long. Then you just wait. Keep yourself distracted, go for walks, bounce on balls etc and it should fall out at some point in the next 24 hours! I'm glad you have a supportive consultant. I once helped one of my clients achieve a VBA3C! Good luck OP!

Original poster
shas19 · 12/01/2022 14:56

@Willthewashingeverend

Im a midwife... the pessary wouldn't be suitable as you have had 2 C/S. I've no experience with the rods but the balloons can be great. Uncomfortable to be inserted but doesn't take too long. Then you just wait. Keep yourself distracted, go for walks, bounce on balls etc and it should fall out at some point in the next 24 hours! I'm glad you have a supportive consultant. I once helped one of my clients achieve a VBA3C! Good luck OP!
@willthewashingeverend I had a propess to start with my dd which was a vbac, would they try that again perhaps? Does the balloon causes contractions? I really want a natural birth, I will try anything at this point😆
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Original poster
shas19 · 12/01/2022 14:58

@Fleur405

I had the balloon. It’s really not so bad! Getting it fitted isn’t exactly a joyful experience but along the lines of a longer smear test ( bearing in mind my cervix is tilted so they always find it difficult to do). It took about 5 minutes and I think they let me use gas and air. Once it’s in it’s fine - I went home and went back 24 hours later.
@fleur405 did it work for you? Did it cause labor to start? I'm so nervous, I didn't find my smear painful at all just strange so hopefully that's the case. The sweep yesterday was uncomfortable but she said it was difficult to do so maybe that's why
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Willthewashingeverend · 12/01/2022 15:05

@shas19, I'm suprised they used the propess before, a previous caesarean is a contraindication to it. Balloons usually cause cramping but not full contractions. Its a more gentle way to get you to 3cm or so when they can break your waters. In your shoes I would opt for the balloon as the first choice. If it doesn't work, you could always see if they would give a propess. Please let us know how you get on.

Original poster
shas19 · 12/01/2022 18:33

[quote Willthewashingeverend]@shas19, I'm suprised they used the propess before, a previous caesarean is a contraindication to it. Balloons usually cause cramping but not full contractions. Its a more gentle way to get you to 3cm or so when they can break your waters. In your shoes I would opt for the balloon as the first choice. If it doesn't work, you could always see if they would give a propess. Please let us know how you get on. [/quote]
@willthewashingeverend yea I thought the same when that's what they said they was going with. I was only 37 weeks at the time so nowhere near ready so didn't do much but with my first induction it really kicked things off at 42 weeks. Will do, hopefully not much longer now

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Fleur405 · 13/01/2022 12:40

It worked enough for them to be able to break my waters. Honestly I didn’t think it was too bad. Like the sweep it’s not very nice but it’s definitely not torture.

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