Oxytocin drip in an induction

[nicola7865]

I am due to be induced in just over a weeks time.

I've come to terms with the induction after previously hoping for a home birth.

I've been reading up in the protocols and I'm happy to accept all the initial interventions, including the rupture of my membranes.

However one thing I really wanted to avoid is the oxytocin drip (due to a bad experience with it last time) I am aware I can accept or decline at any stage of the induction.
What I would like to write in my birth plan is a period of time after my waters being broken to have the lights low, music etc to try and start my oxytocin and contractions naturally. However what I can't quite decide is how long would be a reasonable length of time to ask for?

I'm not totally against the drip and will have it should I need to, I would just like to give myself the best opportunity of not having to have it.
Has anyone done something like this before? Or any midwives that would be able to provide me with more information?
Thanks

Why are you being induced? I was induced at 37 weeks recently because my waters leaked slightly at 35 weeks. I still had quite a bit of waters left so they did end up breaking them during the induction. But I believe there was a limit to how long they'd have happily let me go without the drip, due to the waters breaking early. So I guess the reason for the induction may have an impact on how long they can leave you after various stages, due to whatever risk factors you specifically have.
It turned out I didn't need the drip anyway. My contractions started after the gel, and then they broke my waters I guess to just speed things up.

Im a midwife. We usually give women 4 hours or so post rupture of membranes before commencing the drip if not in labour (24 hours if a VBAC). I think that's reasonable point to reassess what's happening. I don't really think it should be a problem if you want to ask for longer though but that would depend on your individual circumstances. As this is not your first labour then you are more likely to go in to labour than someone having their first baby. Keep active, do some hand expressing, use some aromatherapy to get things going too. Good luck :)

Post ARM, I was given 2 hours with my first baby, and only 1 hour with my second to see if contractions started before the drip.

Your best bet would be to ask your midwife as different health boards will have different protocol.

I had the drip with my first and hated it, Im pregnant with my 3rd and I think if I needed to be induced my stance would be the same, happy for the pessary etc but would want a working epidural put in prior to going on the drip. Despite wanting to go all natural if I'm not induced, I found the drip torture first time around x

I refused a drip and in the bed had a c section. That was because id had a section previously (20 yrs ago) and then 7 vbac where I had been induced by ARM and I hadn't needed a drip - I was unhappy about the increased risk of rupture with the drip. Tbh I'd actually wanted a section but the hospital had been really pushy about having another induction and vaginal delivery. My body clearly decided for them!

End not bed!