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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Do you have an induction birth ‘plan’?

7 replies

Wouldloveanother · 02/09/2022 09:55

I know you can’t plan for these things Wink

Last induction was ok, relatively speedy labour but forceps as she wouldn’t budge at the end.

Will be induced again and feel like I have a few more options now I know it’s likely to be successful. Just wondering what others are doing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wouldloveanother · 02/09/2022 12:10

Bumping…

OP posts:
Dyra · 02/09/2022 12:32

Had two inductions.

My birth plan was at best a list of preferences where possible. So it was things like:

  • I will request pain killers when I want them, don't ask me.
  • It would be nice to have some aromatherapy. And my music. Not fussed about lighting.
  • I would love to try to move around where possible.
  • I would like to cut the cord.
  • Active management of the placenta.

But then also preferences if things go wonky. Like:

  • I would prefer to try forceps before a C-section.
  • I would love the drapes dropped so I can see my baby being born and to announce the sex.
  • If it looks like I'm going to tear badly, I would have an episiotomy to avoid tearing.
  • All the blood products are allowed.

Things like that. No absolutes. No real detail. But covering the main points.

Original poster
Wouldloveanother · 02/09/2022 13:23

Thank you Dyra, I’m not ruling anything out and keeping an open mind, but would like to put a few preferences in place because I didn’t last time and wish I had! Bizarrely my biggest regret is not seeing the placenta Confused I wanted to see it but they’d whisked it away before I could!

OP posts:
BurningBenches · 02/09/2022 15:01

I've had 4 inductions so for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th I definitely did! My first was a surprise (as they often are) because every MW said oh you'll be early and of course there I was at 42wks.

Dc2 was spontaneous (but overdue)

Dc3 was 42wks again, and 4 and 5 also induced.

My plan was based on my first birth experiences.

  1. I wanted to be examined to see if my cervix was favourable prior to induction. Thankfully it always was dilated enough to only require waters breaking.
  1. No drip without epidural up and running. I only needed one again with dc4. It took hours to get one though, longer than my actual labour.
  1. Be proactive. I would have rather had a CS than another instrumental delivery like DC1 (ventouse, 3rd degree tear, episiotomy, minor pph)
  1. I wanted to go home as soon as possible rather than stay overnight.
  1. Wanted them to be honest with me about how things were progressing. Sadly this happened in precisely zero of my labours. They were all incredibly hands off about internal checks and as my 3, 4 and 5 were quick I had no idea what stage I was at. And I suspect they didn't either!
  1. Want to be as mobile as possible. This was massively supported with birth 3 (2011) not possible for 4, and ignored for 5.

Happy to have students, observers, whatever.

Skin to skin with me or failing that with the husband. Intend to breastfeed.

Thankfully all 3 were quick and straightforward 2, 4 and 2hrs.

Weathergirl1 · 02/09/2022 22:06

@Wouldloveanother no experience of induction but I requested to see the placenta before I went into theatre for plan ed caesarean and they threw it away. This time I am going to tell the. I want to keep it to encapsulate it or whatnot - I don't really, but I figured it was more likely they wouldn't throw it out before I've seen it if it told them that!

Original poster
Wouldloveanother · 02/09/2022 22:08

Weathergirl1 · 02/09/2022 22:06

@Wouldloveanother no experience of induction but I requested to see the placenta before I went into theatre for plan ed caesarean and they threw it away. This time I am going to tell the. I want to keep it to encapsulate it or whatnot - I don't really, but I figured it was more likely they wouldn't throw it out before I've seen it if it told them that!

Oooh good thinking! For some reason, that really annoyed me. Like, it’s my property isn’t it? 😂 at least check before throwing it away!

OP posts:
Dyra · 03/09/2022 01:06

Wouldloveanother · 02/09/2022 13:23

Thank you Dyra, I’m not ruling anything out and keeping an open mind, but would like to put a few preferences in place because I didn’t last time and wish I had! Bizarrely my biggest regret is not seeing the placenta Confused I wanted to see it but they’d whisked it away before I could!

Not seeing the placenta is a regret of mine too.

First baby it was offered, but I foolishly declined. Made a stupid quip about once having seen one you've seen them all. Well I might have seen hundreds, but none of them ever came out of me. I really wish I had now. It's the first thing DC1 and I made together after all. I insisted on seeing it with DC2, but midwife couldn't get close enough for me to see it properly, so all I saw was a kidney dish (a clear plastic one at least) with it in. 🙁

I love midwifery students. I had a couple present at antenatal appointments, and while on the antenatal ward. But never got one in labour. While in labour I wouldn't have tolerated observers. You're either in and hands on, or you're out. I wouldn't have minded for the C-section though.

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