Induction advice please!

[HopefulBeth]

Hi! I'm being induced next Tuesday at 37 weeks for pre eclampsia and reduced growth and I've read all the info and asked the midwives about how the induction works and everything bit I'm hoping for some advice in how to prepare for induction and labour! Mainly physical things, like is it worth getting a ball to bounce on in this last week at home, people talk about raspberry leaf tea and dates...what are they for?? I was planning to start perineal massage this week (36 weeks), will it make any difference now? I feel so clueless...help! 😅

[Fredthefish]

Hi @HopefulBeth
Im in the same situation! Being induced at 37 weeks due to blood pressure and pre eclampsia (my first stopped growing and I was really poorly).
I’m 35+5, so I’m looking at a week after you. However depending on how the next week goes it may be earlier 😬
Is this your first? Prepare for it to take a few days! Make sure you have some things to do 😊 I’m trying to keep active and practice hypnobirthinh. I’m using my ball loads - if you can get one I would. I’ve used mine in both pregnancies and after my first when chairs were a little uncomfortable 🤦🏼‍♀️I’m also hoping to be at home for some of the induction so will continue to use it then. I’ve not done any of the other things - but I assume something is better than nothing!

[HopefulBeth]

Thanks @Dyra! The first thing I did was book a pedicure for next week haha and just seeing if the hairdresser can squeeze me in too, relaxing is definitely top priority! I was still at work yesterday morning and have only had high blood pressure for the last week so it seems to have come about so quickly! You're right about dates being delicious and I think I would regret not doing perineal massage if I did tear...seems like it can't hurt so why not 😊 thank you!

[Dyra]

I've had two 37 week inductions due to pre-eclampsia. Truthfully, I did nothing to prepare for labour either time, other than (try to) rest. But then I was in hospital, so there wasn't much else to do.

Bouncing on a ball helps position baby in your pelvis, but I wouldn't buy one just for this last week. If you can borrow one, I would.

Raspberry leaf tea is said to strengthen your uterine muscles. It needs time to build up, and isn't recommended if you have any pregnancy complications. I wouldn't take it now.

Dates are supposed to help soften your cervix. As with the tea, it needs time to build up (recommended start 4 weeks before your due date), so is probably a bit late to start. But then dates are delicious, so if you want to, go for it!

Same for perineal massage. It needs time to take effect. However, if it was something you were planning on doing anyway, you should do it. Every little helps after all. Would you regret not having done it if you did tear?

With my first, I really wanted one last meal out with DH, and a haircut, before having a baby. I was really upset when I couldn't get either before birth. So if there's anything fun you wanted to do pre-birth, do it!

Definitely rest as much as you can!

Best of luck for next Tuesday!