Induction worries

[EvenMoney]

Hi I am new here although I have been searching and reading posts for a while. Apologies if this is a long post but just looking for some reassurance.

I am a FTM and today had a 2nd sweep at 41+2 where we booked induction for Thursday this was with community midewives. Then mentioned slight change in movements and was advised to go to triage at hospital where I am due to give birth in the attached MLU. So far everything has been very low risk, no scans since 20 weeks, measurements all spot on. Both sweeps have said baby is very low down and 2cm dilated. At triage they did a CTG which all looked normal but were then saying to book in for induction sooner ie. Tomorrow if they could fit me in. This seems to only be as I said about the change in movements which I think has been set off by the start of period type cramping.

I am now going back for a ctg tomorrow and Wednesday unless there is a cancellation as they couldn't get me in sooner anyway.

I now feel that suddenly things are being pushed out of my hands/control. I am worried that this is going to lead to a spiral of intervention and them pushing for things to get moving at their pace and not my body. Ultimately I want us both to come out alive and well but I am worried about ending up with a c section.

My DM thinks that it would be good to get going as they could be short staffed over the Easter weekend, but her saying this has just reinforced my worries that if induction is slow then they will keep pushing for the next step.

I’d see if you can discuss it properly with them to get some clarification and reassurance. But I’d absolutely take the induction if they recommend it, especially as you are overdue. Nobody wants more intervention that necessary but you are doing it to get your baby out safely ultimately, not just to have a more natural birth experience. Hopefully induction will be quick

2cm dilated is really good, things are happening, the cramps are contractions!

A change in movements is significant and always needs checking out, it's often the only indicator that things aren't ok. Often it's nothing but it's advisable to err on the side of caution.

I've had 4 inductions and was never already dilated at start

Even though I had an epidural I alway delivered unassisted, without stitches so there are plenty of "good" inductions you just tend not to hear about them.

How old are you? An older first time mother is at increased risk of complications with an induction. I wish I'd known this and requested a c section.

I couldn’t read and run!

I was induced with my son from the very start of labour, so the fact you are already 2cm is good. My cervix was still quite far back although soft and it worked for me. The pessary started off the contractions and I laboured like that for most of the day (managing with breathing and bit of gas) and once they broke my waters he was born under 2 hours. I only used gas and air, did tear a little but overall had a positive experience, it was absolutely nothing like I had envisaged and the awful stories people tell you! Don’t listen to them because I am proof inductions can be good! Try not to think into things too much or too far ahead and take things one step at a time, that’s what I did and it helped me stay in the moment and focus. The outcome is for you and baby to be safe and healthy and that is what will happen! Lots of love and luck to you 💗

Thanks both of you. I think I'm worried about being stuck in the hospital for days too as they have said that when they start they will be monitoring so I can't go home.

I also keep coming back to a statistic that a midwife said to me which was if you start in the MLU then you are 70% likely to have a normal straightforward birth but going into the main hospital consultant led it drops to 40%.

Hi there, no words of advice just support. I have a 10 day old after being induced. Like you I was really anxious to avoid the spiral of intervention. I managed to dogde a c section though we did have a kiwi and episiotomy so there was definitely an element of that. Though I just wanted to say that for me the worst bit was the hanging around and overthinking it, the drip is really not that bad! My midwife was gentle and took it slowly.
The Positive Induction Podcast was great for helping me go in to it positively, plus I did lots of research into why I needed an induction so I could steer things.
Best of luck, you will be brilliant. Xx

Those stats are daft though, because those who are likely to need intervention won’t be in the MLU. Ultimately if you need intervention or a few extra days in hospital to get your baby here safely, it’s worth it, right? If your movements have changed the placenta could be deteriorating, try and reassure yourself that you are doing the best by your baby. Your worries are totally valid though, make sure you ask every question you need to.

I was over due with my second and had to be induced as of lack of movement. Went in and was told I was 3cm. Every time they put me on the monitor the rate for contractions was going up to off the screens but I couldn't feel anything. Midwives all kept asking if I was feeling anything 😂 Not a thing... Anyway, long story short, it happened all very fast once I had the drug and was out within 24hrs. Oh and if you worried about tearing, as them to hold a warm towel to your skin as the head births (as it helps reduce risk of tearing) My midwife called it stomp??

I'm another positive induction story, went on the drip at 2cm dilated as my waters had broken early but nothing else was happening.

I was so worried about it kicking off this cascade of interventions but it didn't - I had gas and air and tore a little but healed really quickly.

If you're already dilated your body is starting to do its thing anyway so it should be more of a nudge in the right direction than trying to start from cold.

You can refuse an induction and ask for close monitoring. I'd ask for a meeting to discuss your concerns and their concerns and then you can weigh up your options. If you feel they have genuine reasons for offering it then hopefully you'll feel better about it. And for what it's worth, I had a wonderful csection experience. And majority of my friends describe their births as very empowering and positive even though they were induced and a few needed intervention. I also have friends who refused induction and needed intervention anyways. I think a lot depends on your mindset, how calm you are, and how in control you feel in the moment. And how good the staff are at communicating with you and your birth partner. Ask if there is a birth preferences consultant in your area you could speak to and they can help with your birth plan so you feel your wishes will be heard no matter what happens. Your birth is your birth and your body will know what is right for it in the moment. The stats you're worrying about aren't worth concerning yourself with. A midwife led unit wasn't an option for me as my birth was high risk so I had an elected section and was consultant led due to the same risks that made me decide on a section. So those concerns don't really apply to you in the same way if you're having a low risk pregnancy. Similarly I found that in my area anyway they don't divide the number of elected vs emergency sections so you maybe don't know how many of those eg 40% were actually elected sections?

From what she said the MLU stat included those who had to be moved up to consultant led.

And yes, ultimately I want a good outcome for us both. I just don't want to come away wondering if it was all actually necessary, which I understand is something no one will ever know.

Thank you to everyone with their positive stories hopefully things will either kick off naturally or only need a little nudge in the right direction. And some of you are hopefully right in that the waiting and time to over think is the worst thing.

From what she said the MLU stat included those who had to be moved up to consultant led.

@EvenMoney I think what the PP meant is that those more likely to need assistance (i.e. high risk) will never have started in the MLU to begin with. Plus if someone is being moved off MLU, then they are much more likely to need assistance anyway. E.g. long pushing phase, wanting epidural, bleeding, concerns for baby.

Besides, 2cm already is great! You should be able to go straight to having your waters broken. Which means you go directly to delivery suite. None of the faffing around in hospital waiting for the next step of the cervical ripening process or for a bed to become available. Plus, you're overdue, and had an episode of reduced movements (if I'm understanding your first post correctly). It's time to serve eviction notice and get that baby out of there! Being overdue will hopefully work in your favour and it won't take much to tip you into labour.

I've only had early inductions (with very different amounts of the aforementioned faff), so everything involved was needed. I consider them both positive experiences, though one resulted in a vaginal birth, and the other a C-section (back to back stuck baby - would have happened; induction or no). If I have a third, I would have an induction any time.

Definitely ask to meet a consultant or other senior person to discuss the risks/benefits and options properly. I didn’t for my first and although the induction worked out ok I would have felt a lot happier if I’d had that conversation first and felt like I had been given a choice.

For my second I had had a sweep and was 2cm and overdue. Sex triggered labour and she was born 4 hours later. Just in case you want to give that a try!

How are you doing OP? X

Thank you everyone, I went into spontaneous labour 5am of the 4th, I went in and they had booked an induction for that day around 12pm so admitted me but decided not to continue with the induction as I was 4cm so to let me progress. Later that day they broke my waters as things were slowing down, a bit stop start and eventually needed a little bit of help with the drip we had a baby girl born just after 7am on the 5th.

Both home and doing well now. Thank you to everyone for your reassurances it definitely helped me keep my head and not go into panic and then when we were being advised with options I was able to listen and not get over emotional.