Induction??

[Winnie87]

I had an appointment with my consultant this week and have been offered induction next week. I asked if he could perform a sweep first as I've heard so many horror stories about induction and how long they can take.

He couldn't perform sweep wasn't favourable. I chose to try for another sweep next week before I decide on induction. My main concern is I have a 2 year old who is very clingy so don't want to be away from her any longer than I have to.
Wondering what peoples experience are with induction? Do I go for it? Or try and ride this out?

I should say reason for induction is previous big baby 9lb12oz and spd

Thank you in advance

I had an induction with both.

First: pessary and gel didn’t work so went to the drip. My waters had gone so they couldn’t leave it too long. Took 19 hours and I was in hospital for two nights as I laboured over night. Ended is forceps and episiotomy.

Second time 2 nights again, pessary made me a bit more ready but not enough so after 24 hours had the gel which kick started things. Once waters were broke I had DS2 in 2 hours. Labour was 6 hours overall. Just gas and air as it wasn’t too painful in the end.

First time was not great but second time was a v positive experience. As this isn’t your first I’d be hopeful it would be an easier birth like my second was.

Following as I'm being induced this weekend (first time mum!)

I’ve had two - for different reasons. Both great and 4 hours from first administering of the pessary to delivery. I’d recommend d.

Can I ask how many weeks you were when you were induced?

I know everyone experience is different but hearing others stories might help me come to a decision.

With the first internal examination basically saying I'm not ready at the minute makes me think it would be a long, then again midwife tried to do a sweep with my daughter and said I wasn't ready and would have to be induced, actually went into labour that night. So things can change very quick

First was 36 weeks - waters went but no contractions.

Second was 39 weeks - giant baby and I begged for induction as I was very fed up with the pain.

Induced at 37+6, one pessary - labour started 18hrs later and lasted 5.5hrs. No instruments required. A couple of stitches though. Very painful but I ended up with a beautiful healthy baby so totally worth it

Induced at 39 weeks, less than 10 hours from pessary to birth, waters artificially broken about 6/7 hours in, no drip required. Very positive experience.

I had sweeps attempted at 40 weeks and 41 weeks. They weren't possible.

Induced at 41+5, first two attempts were pessary then the gel. Nothing.

C section at 42+1.

I just never reacted to the induction attempts. Nothing was going to get him out.

Another one here who had great induction experiences. My first one was straight onto the drip as my waters broke the day before with no natural labour, had an epidural quite early into it, fell asleep, woke up and pushed, only had a minor tear. With 2nd induced as overdue - pessary and having my waters broken got me going and then it was how I imagine a normal labour going, had an epidural after an hour or so. With my third I was induced at 38 weeks, pessary did nothing really so onto drip, easy quick labour with only gas and air. Don't listen to the induction scare stories. (Also, as a by-the-by I was induced early with 3rd as she measured off-the-scale big on scans and my previous 2 had been big so I was told to expect at least 9-10lbs - she ended up being 7lb!)

I had 3x sweeps with the third setting off contractions that then faded and then had my waters broken at 40+1. That didnt work so had IV drip induction. They increased the dose at pretty swift intervals so it went from ho hum to aargh very swiftly with 2x tears. But they were stitched healed well, as cliched as it sounds the pain memory faded as soon as I had my baby in my arms.

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories it's really helping.

I had a horrible first birth, 36 hour labour which ended in episiotomy and forceps. The healing took months. I'm 37 weeks will be 38 when I have next sweep.

I think I'm full of anxiety with all the what if's and no body knows how it will go anyway ha

Was induced with my first and had first unsuccessful sweep with DD2. A second sweep got things going, so worth holding out for another.

TBH you've birthed a big baby and it doesn't sound like that's why he was a bit stuck and needed forceps - possibly more exhaustion, pushing much harder with the first, poor position due to labour not progressing.

I would be asking for feedback on your first labour and birth and what they think happened etc.

I have had 4 inductions. They later they were the shorter they were - only needed a pessary or 2 rather than ARM.

I also had big babies 10lb6oz and I'm teeny tiny in height and hips and SPD. I wouldn't want to be induced before 41 weeks without medical need.

Pushing with the 2nd (my biggest after a 7lb first) was easy, the next two I didn't push my womb did it, I couldn't have stopped it.

I was induced at 40+2 because my baby was predicted to be massive. They wanted him out at 37 weeks but I said no.

Had the pessary at 3.30pm, started contracting at midnight, pushing at 9.30am and he was out at 10.47am.

I absolutely loved my birth and will always argue against anyone who says inductions are terrible. He ended up being 9lb 9oz and I did it all on gas and air too. So glad I had the induction and waited until 40 weeks as he was clearly ready, just needed a bit of help.

Induced with my second at 38 weeks and 3 days. From pessary to actual birth it took 36 hours. Nothing happened the first 24 hours after the pessary and then they broke my waters and a few hours later had the induction drip and then a few hours after that had my baby. Had an epidural at the point of the drip and it was overall a very positive experience. With my first I wasn't induced and from my waters breaking to giving birth was 28 hours but it was a horrible back to back labour and I needed an episiotomy and forceps delivery, so second time around (being induced) was by far a better experience, although took a bit longer. Good luck!

Thank you for al your stories I appreciate it. I think going for a sweep or attempt to have a sweep next week and see how favourable I am then..
Seems most people have a positive experience with it though.