Getting induced and in need of a handhold

[Induced22]

I'm currently in the hospital getting induced. I arrived at 3pm.

I'm being induced for reduced movements (40w today) and part of me is happy as I didn't want another 2 weeks of panicking about his movements.

Honestly I have been dreading labour because I'm not good with pain and decided months ago that my plan was to get an epidural as soon as possible.

The problem is I wasn't prepared for getting induced and how much it would hurt. For starters, I thought that I would go into labour normally, be having contractions and in between I would be pain free and able to rest.

A student midwife examined me which was extremely painful and rough - she then said she couldn't reach. The midwife put the gel in and must have examined me at the same time as she was able to tell the state of my cervix but when she did it it barely hurt at all. She said it was very thick as they would expect but that the outside of my cervix had started to open slightly.

I've read horror stories about inductions and I know that often the first gel doesn't do anything. Unfortunately, I assumed when people said it didn't do anything they meant it literally did nothing and didn't cause them any pain.

The pain started immediately, like bad period pains along with backache and difficulty lifting my legs up. I also have a really strong pressure and constantly feel like I need to poo but nothing comes out.

The pain has been pretty much constant for six hours but I told myself it was probably a good sign that it was working. I've just been examined and had my second gel put in and have been told that the first gel has done nothing and my cervix is exactly the same.

I honestly want to cry that all this pain hasn't even been useful pain. I kept being told by people that during labour I should think of every pain as being a step closer to meeting my baby but now this pain seems pointless.

It just hurts in every single position. I asked for painkillers and they have given me what I think is paracetamol but it hasn't helped. I honestly don't know what to do. I've been trying to keep active but walking becomes extremely painful quickly too.

The examination for the second gel wasn't pleasant either and honestly I expected to be able to deal fine with examinations. I'm always okay with smear tests and have had a lot of vaginal examinations but I think them going right into my cervix is just so much worse.

I'm honestly really worried about how I'm going to cope when the pain gets worse. After all this it seems like what I'm having aren't even contractions. How will I cope when the actual contractions start? How will I cope with a babies head coming down if I can't cope with an exam?

I'm just so exhausted already and I've not even really started - I barely slept last night and I am rapidly losing hope of sleeping tonight.

I know the baby has to come out and I just have to deal with it, but as much as I've been trying to prepare myself for the worst pain I've ever felt, I don't think I am really prepared and I'm really disappointed in how hard I'm finding the first bit.

Please help with any encouraging words or positive stories. It's late, I'm alone and I feel like I'm losing my mind a bit.

I brought some puzzle books to distract me but I can't even think and so I just can't do them.

I’ve no experience of induction but with my first child I had similar sounding pains for a while and my cervix was staying the same. Very dispiriting.Then I went into hospital as I had bled a bit and found out I was 5cm. It hadn’t felt any different from 1cm. So it might not for you, and then you can have your epidural. Fingers crossed for you.

Ah @Induced22 that must be scary and frustrating! I have no experience with birth, so can't contribute in any meaningful way, but I didn't want to read and run 💐

Try to be assertive about the epidural and don't let the midwifes fob you off. Be as firm and insistent as needed!

I had an induction. It was fine. Honestly fine.

Who's with you?

You will cope I promise. Your body will do what it has to do so just trust it. For me when it came to the baby actually being born it was absolutely fine and that animal instinct just kicks in. Please don’t despair and talk to your midwife. Good luck and keep us posted

Thank you all. As soon as I'm able to have an epidural (I think it would be when they do the drip) then I will be as firm as I can about wanting one - I've been worrying they might try and fob me off but I have a feeling I will be being quite insistent at that point.

My husband has been with me but he had to leave at 9pm as visitors aren't allowed on the ward overnight.

Yeah definitely make it known what you want, don’t be fobbed off

Inductions can be exhausting. By the time I was dilated enough to go to the delivery suite I’d not slept in 48 hours because of the never ending but unproductive contractions, and yes - it’s likely you got paracetamol which is fucking useless.

Ask for an epidural as soon as you’re able to. I tried pethidine first but it was pointless. Sleep deprivation before labour is torture. You’re shattered before things have even gotten going properly.

2 of my inductions were like that, after 3 doses they were able to break my waters, got an epidural and delivered unassisted.

Yes to having the epidural in situ before they start the drip!

Hi OP, @Induced22 im in the same boat. Came in for induction at 3pm, had the first pessary at 5 when I was told I was 1cm. Just had the second and still 1cm. It’s the CTG monitoring that’s getting me. It’s so uncomfortable staying in the one position so they don’t lose baby’s heart rate, and I’ve been on it for double the amount of time it should normally take before and after both pessaries as baby’s heart rate was too high.

Currently feeling very uncomfortable and having trapped wind type pains in my bum but don’t seem to be amounting to anything 😢

Good luck, hope all goes well

My first child was induced and I was clueless. That sort of helped me because I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know they would struggle to put the needle in my hand. I didn't know I wouldn't cope with the pain. It's pretty bad I'm sorry I can't be more reassuring. What I will say is, you will surprise yourself. Honestly you'll be fine. Ask for the epidural if you need it. I had one that wore off for the pushing bit. I needed to feel the final contractions otherwise I wouldn't have got through (second child's birth scenario, ended up being epidural that didn't wear off and a scary forceps birth). Get that gas and air going in at the very start of those contractions and ride it out on the peak and get straight ready with the gas and air for the next contraction. Watch for the line rising on the monitor as your marker for when to expect the pain to build and get going on the entonox. Induced versus natural labour was more painful but the body is an amazing thing. Tell yourself I can do this! Get some lucozade type drinks to keep yourself energised. Positive self talk. Say to yourself, I'm absolutely smashing this.

@PinkFizz1 I'm sorry you are in the same boat. A trapped wind feeling is very accurate: I keep thinking that maybe I just need a good fart/poo and I would feel so much better. but I don't think I actually do.

I am struggling with the monitoring too as it's so uncomfortable to stay in one position.

How are you doing now? I hope things are improving for you.

Thank you all who replied to this thread. My second dose was not nearly as bad and I managed to find a position where I could have very short periods of relief in between the pain and I managed to get a little bit of sleep. Despite not feeling as much pain, apparently the second gel has helped more and my cervix is now softer but I don't think I have dilated any further. I've just had the third gel put in.

All of these responses really helped when I was freaking out so thank you!

Just to say that if you still aren't dilated by the end of all the gels/pessaries then they will likely suggest breaking your waters anyway then putting you on the drip. Breaking your waters when not dilated is unfortunately extremely painful- make sure you demand to have the epidural before they do this.

They also most likely won't openly offer you a c section, will just suggest the forcibly breaking the waters route. But be assured that you CAN request a section at that point, and they can't say no.

Not trying to alarm you, but best you know your options as they might not make them fully clear to you.

I've had two induced labours, both smooth. As I've had two labours I can't really say the pain was worse, but I wasn't put on the hormone drip I laboured naturally.
Second labour was painful but baby was back to back so that's why.

The pains you are experiencing now, are doing things they will be working at your cervix in some way or another 🙂

Hope you are ok and things progress soon xx

It's as if I wrote this post 11 weeks ago. I was in the exact same position OP.

Three failed painful inductions which ended in a C-Section.
If I was you I would do some research into c-section. It was honestly the best thing for me as I found the whole induction process exhausting and unbearable.

I have no advice on how to stay comfy and pain free during your induction but keep pushing for pain meds and try and drink loads of water.

Best of luck

@Induced22 I’m glad you’ve managed to have a bit of sleep OP! Induction can be long and exhausting. I had a pessary induction and ended up needing 3 pessaries. After the 3rd I was only about 1.5cm dilated but it was enough that they could move me to the delivery suite and break my waters. Personally, as soon as my waters went, things really ramped up and hit moving.
I don’t know if all hospitals are the same but once I was in the delivery suite they could offer me all different types of pain relief.
If you want an epidural then just be clear and firm that is what you want - it’s absolutely your right to have one if that’s your preference!
I actually had a complete bitch of a midwife when I moved to the delivery suite - she was about to put me on the hormone drip and refused to do it until I had an epidural (which I’d already said I didn’t want) 🤣 so we had a 30 min long stand off over it. She kept telling me I would never cope and how horrendous it was going to be 😬 I ended up having to ask to see the midwife in charge of the ward and requesting a change of midwife 😬
My new midwife was a genuine angel and could not have been more positive and encouraging and she listened to my preferences 100%!
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and what you want 😊 I hope the process isn’t as long for you as it was for me (mine was taking so long that I was convinced it was going to fail and I’d end up with forceps/theatre etc) but just to hopefully reassure you, mine went really smoothly. No interventions, no stitches needed, baby born at 3am (after being induced at 10am, 2 days before 😅) and I was home cuddling him on my couch at 3pm ❤️

Keep us updated, not long to go now 😊👶🏻 Same to you @PinkFizz1 😊

@Induced22 sorry you're finding it so difficult. I was induced with baby number 2 5 weeks ago. I was really worried about it as I had a lovely water birth with my first and had been planning a home birth but had to be induced due to high BP and slowed growth of baby.

I had a similar experience after my first pessary but dont be too disheartened as i was checked 12 hours later and they said I was 2 cm dilated despite having very regular contractions for hours. However; baby arrived less than an hour later as I went from 2cm to 10 very quickly. So I think all of that pain was getting me body ready respite not necessarily seeming that way from a dilation point of view.

Also I don't know if you've tried any hypnobirthing but I really recommend downloading the Freya app (it costs a few pounds). I listened to that for hours and it really helped me maintain focus, not panic and focus on my breathing. Try to remind yourself that you are strong, you can do hard things and each contraction will be one closer to meeting baby (even if it doesn't feel that way).

Also make sure your partner can speak up for your needs/preferences if you feel like you can't regarding the epidural.

Sending lots of luck, hope it all goes ok x

How are you doing OP? Induction can be physically and mentally challenging. I’ve not had the gel but have had the synto drip and I’m glad that you’re already considering epidural. Honestly the best decision I made, just a shame I had been bloody minded and already done 7 hours without.

FWIW, I have also had a natural spontaneous labour (my second). It wasn’t actually any less painful in terms of the contractions, especially around transition, but it felt more productive as I was going with my body and not fighting a drip (my own learning is that psychology of labour is hugely important).

I hope today goes smoothly for you, remember, you can do this.

How will I cope with a babies head coming down if I can't cope with an exam?

You can do it! Your body was designed to birth a baby. But it was not designed to accommodate a midwife’s hand!

You said you’re struggling with the continuous monitoring - you are not obliged to have this. Intermittent monitoring gives the same outcomes. Moving around and being upward and mobile will help you.

Nor are you obligated to have any more vaginal exams - they are not evidence based practice. There have been 2 Cochrane reviews to show this.

Hopefully you have someone there to advocate for you.

There are some good positive north affirmations on Yotube. Every painful contraction brings you a step closer to meeting your baby. Try to get yourself in a state where oxytocin can flow. Thinking of you.

Hope you’re getting on okay OP. X

I have been wondering the same also. Hope all is ok xx

Good luck, sounds like you are hanging in there. I felt the same way as you about an epidural, and so anytime anyone medical came near me I said dont forget I want an epidural as soon as I can or if they were new, Hello my name is Ski and I want an epidural. It made me seem a bit crazy but they laughed and did remember as when I was getting close to 5 cm the midwife went to get the epidural person as they were about to go into a c section and she didnt know how long it would take and knew I wanted one asap.

Sorry for the delay in updating. It's all a bit of a blur to be honest at the moment.

After my second gel my cervix was still unfavourable and the doctor came to talk to me about either getting the balloon put in or having a c section and I said I would prefer section.

However when they examined me six hours after the third gel, the doctor said they would be able to break my waters after all and that they just needed to wait for a bed to open up in the labour ward and that they wouldn't break them until then. During the examination, my waters broke but they were very blood stained.

I was told that someone from the labour ward would bring me down in an hour. That was at 3pm yesterday and I'm still waiting because there have been a load of emergencies. I've been having some discomfort/pain but still don't think they are really contractions as such and don't seem to be increasing in intensity which makes me think that I will probably need the drip once I get down there (I am going to insist on epidural before the drip).

At the moment im just feeling anxious. The bleeding stopped early this morning and I also requested an extra monitoring last night. I hadn't been feeling baby all day but last night and this morning I am feeling some movements.

I just feel a bit overwhelmed - the staff are really nice but the lack of space/beds/staff mean I am getting left much longer than I was "supposed" to be left. Everyone is nice and there is nothing they can do but I just want to have my baby now.

Aww OP, just read your entire thread in full and just wanted you to know there are lots of us thinking of you and rooting for you!! I was induced with my second, it was a lot of waiting around and I wasn’t the most patient person. It sucked! But all is forgiven when baby arrives right? Do insist on epidural, keep mentioning it and say very clearly “This is a non negotiable for me, I have to have it. Please respect my wishes”. Be ridiculously direct about this- you won’t see these people again after this is over and they’re used to much more colourful language.

My niece was terrified of giving birth the first time and has since done it again. :) Sometimes the unknown is the scariest thing of all. It sounds like you are finally on the right track to meeting your beautiful baby and any pain & discomfort will be totally worth it! Focus on the end goal, you can and will get there. I know it’s easier said than done, but try your hardest to stay calm. Is your husband coming back shortly? This will help.
Thinking of you 🥰

Gosh that's tough.

I hope you are on labour ward very soon.