Induction tomorrow - terrified

[halloumi1]

Hi all,

I’m just 41 weeks tomorrow with second baby (delivered first spontaneously at 41+1). Had a beautiful pregnancy and birth with first with no pain relief/medical intervention, just a few stitches after for a tear.

This pregnancy I’ve been MW led but had to have additional growth scans as according to new charts, my DS was small for his gestation/my height (7lbs 6). DD has been measuring lovely and we’ve never had any concerns from any scans, she’s grown along her line and within ranges. Scan this week estimated her to be 7lbs 12.

So just as I’ve reached 41, they’ve booked the induction (balloon). I was threatened with this with DS but thankfully the morning I went into labour was the induction day. I’m the biggest wimp going where hospitals and needles are concerned and they’ve asked me to go in for 8.30am tomorrow. I’m terrified having the induction (despite balloon being a non hormone method) will escalate the need for further interventions or running to timescales (e.g. this hasn’t happened by this time so now we need to do this). I feel I haven’t had chance to ‘go’ naturally from what is my ‘normal’ from last time.

From what I understand I would go in tomorrow, have the balloon fitted, go home and go back the next day to have waters broken.

I discussed my worries with the consultant but it’s been put across as if there is no other option. They wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t needed. I’ve spent today crying - panicking I’ll end up with an awful labour, be trapped in hospital for days after and have no choices.

I know I sound pathetic (!) but I developed PND last time and as well as my medical fears, worry an ‘out of control’ birth will make it happen again. Does anyone have any reassurance or advice to help this absolute mess (me!) please?

I was induced for DC3 (at 41+2) and it was really, really positive. I really appreciated being in hospital right from the start, rather than the stress of having to decide when was the right time to go in with a spontaneous labour (which I had for DC1, Elcs for breech DC2). You have much more 1:1 midwife care during induction compared to a spontaneous labour which I found really reassuring and made me feel things were much more in control. DC3 was just under 10lb (compared to under 7 for DC1) and definitely the best of my 3 births.

I hope everything goes well for you - good luck!

I was induced at 37w 5days with the pessary and it was all good. There was a fair amount of boredom and waiting around so take snacks and entertainment.

No cannula, several periods of laying down for an hour with a belly band and BP cuff on so they could monitor me and baby but that was it.

After 24 hrs with the pessary in the MW was able to break my waters which started contractions. 5 and a half hrs later DD was born with the help of a bit of gas n air.

Bless you, I've been induced 4 times and it was ok even the 2 that went in for days as baby wasn't overdue enough.

You can't be forced to agree to induction if you want to wait an extra couple of days?

It doesn't sound like an induction is medically necessary at all? I would say no thank you and wait.

The last thing you want when going in to labour is to be scared.

You may wait a few more days and feel that you want to go ahead with the induction and then at least it will be on your terms, or you won't and baby will come when they're good and ready.

Power to you x

Thank you all so much for sharing your stories, I really appreciate it and glad you had positives to come out of induction!

I had pains in the night which didn’t turn into anything and based on how stressed I was feeling about it and my feeling she will come soon, I came into hospital today to just be monitored and not induced.
I did accept a sweep though - last had one on Wednesday and was 1cm. Today I’m 2-3 and MW thinks I don’t even need the balloon now based on that. She’s given me a very thorough sweep (!) and I’m booked to have waters broken on Wednesday.

I was induced with my first child at 42 weeks. Had a pessary and he arrived 12 hours later. No issues at all. Second child was born 10 days late but didn’t need to be induced. Both births were practically identical. I think you often just hear horror stories with inductions and not the many, many drama free births. Wishing you all the best x

Ahh that sounds far more preferable!! If it helps.. For my last 2 babies (baking #4 atm), my waters go and then my body does nothing lol. So I've had the pit drip and honestly it wasn't that much different to me than my natural labour. I did write in my birth plan that I wanted the drip turned up very gradually though.

Plus when they start the drip you get gas and air straight away, I couldn't get enough of the stuff. 😂

Hopefully you will have delivered your baby before Wednesday you are definitely heading that way!

Well done OP! Read up on the pros and cons of artificial rupture of membranes too. You may decide you don't want that either since things are moving along 🙂🙂🙂🙂 or you might! Your choice! good luck!!

Thank you all again.
The midwife at hospital was lovely with me and just said it’s my own journey and she’s not here to force anything. A big intimidating group of around 5/6 Dr/consultants/senior MW came to try and discuss it with me but I just stayed firm that I wanted to try a few more days.

Lost some of what I’d say was bloody show yesterday and had absolutely loads more today so just hoping this means she’s getting herself ready to leave before they try and evict her! I only delivered my DS at this equivalent point today anyway.

The drip is what horrifies me - I’m such a needle wimp 😂. I had a cannula in my first labour for dehydration which fell out mid labour and I can still remember it vividly.

@Sublimeursula Yes my first was. When it came to my first NHS hospital scan, they plotted my first’s birth weight onto their new charts and told me although there were no concerns with the measurements from this baby, his weight of 7lbs 6, they’d generically expect him to be bigger for being born at 41+1 so they’d have to trigger growth scans for this baby. No maternal risk factors and none highlighted throughout this pregnancy either.