Overdue/induction advice please :)

[KelaS]

Hi all. Just seen my midwife at 40+5 and she has booked me in for a sweep next Wed (40+10), and induction next Fri (40+12). I really want to get this baby out (sick of being in limbo! ), so am quite happy to have the sweep, and the gel induction, but am worried about what happens if the gel doesn't work.

From what she said, it seems as if they will try the gel 3 times in 24 hrs, then if there is some progression but not much, they will put me on a drip, otherwise straight to cesarean. I obviously want to do what is best for the baby, but I really, really want to avoid a cesarean - if the baby and I are both fine, can/should I refuse a section after getting that far into an induction with no results? I know this is still a way off, and I probably won't get to that point, but I just want to get an idea of what I want to happen if it does get to that stage.

Hi KelaS. I had a c-section after a failed gel induction. I think you'll have to make that decision at the time based on the facts. If you're baby is ok - heart rate is fine, amniotic fluid not reducing - then there is no reason why you can't wait it out a bit longer under expectant management if you want to. I chose the c-section after my induction simply because the pessaries didn't make a bit of difference - I wasn't even slightly dilated or effaced, and my rationale was that I was way over dates and should probably act while there wasn't anything wrong, rather than end up with an emergency section. But that was just my rationale. Think positive - a sweep and 3 doses of gel can do alot to get your baby moving!

Hi.
When 40+7 I had a sweep which did not work. I then had to go in to be induced 40+13. When they examined me they found that I was not dilated at all (if you are 2cm they can break your waters and put syntocin drip in). This meant I had to have the gel. They gave it to me at 11pm and by 3am I was having contractions. Usually, if contractions don't start after they have given the gel a few times, they will leave you for 24 hrs and then try again. I don't see why there is any reason to give you a c-section .. I know people who have refused induction and gone on to be monitored everyday and not give birth until 40+20.
Good luck. You stil have a while left before induction so try not to worry too much.

I was induced with both mine and one lot of gel was enough each time.

DS labour was about 12 hrs and DD was about 6. Did fine on G&A - didn't have any further 'interventions' in either case (drips, epidurals etc).

The gel didn't work for my SIL so she had the drip with her DD2 - the labour was very short, about 2-3 hrs and she reckons it was much more intense than the normal birth she had with her DD1.

I would advise you to take plenty of reading matter to the ante-natal ward as it can get tiresome waiting for something to happen once the gel's in.

HTH and good luck!

I was induced at 40 + 10, had had the sweep a few days before (nothing), then prostaglandin x3 and was having contractions, but not dilating very much (2 or 3cms, I think). They broke my waters and things did start happening. I had an epidural and had her vaginally, but I was very close to having a c section as the chord was around her neck. I ended up having her at 40+13 and I was totally exhausted.

Most people I have spoken to start after the sweep.

Be firm about waiting and not having the c-section if you don't want it.

Good luck

I see your point LoveAngel, my main issue with C-section is the recovery time, but of course if it is necessary for the baby I won't hesitate.

Thanks everyone for your input; it does seem that there are a lot of positive experiences from induction, so hopefully I won't have to make the decision re c-section. Or more to the point, hopefully I won't need to be induced at all!! I really want a natural labour/birth, but with nothing happening at all I am starting to get a bit pessimistic

Hang on in there, KelaS! All is not lost! You still have plenty of time, and sweeps can be really effective in getting things moving. Oh, and I know you're probably feeling tired by now, but keep as active as possible. One of the things I didn't like about being induced was that I was in bed strapped to a monitor for such long periods of time. I couldn't help thinking 'If I was at home, doing normal stuff, walking down to the high street etc, I'm sure I'd have a better chance of getting this baby moving!'. Oh, and if you can bear it...sex

From what the MW said, I think I will only be strapped to the monitor for about an hour after they first put the gel in, to make sure baby doesn't react badly, then after that just intermittent monitoring, so should be able to walk around etc.

To be honest, am not feeling that tired etc at the moment, so am keeping fairly active - think it actually helps that I am a fairly large person and haven't put much weight on, so am not carrying around more than I am used to!!

Oh well, keep you fingers crossed for me, hopefully it won't be much longer!