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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

How painful is induction drip?

46 replies

Pinkglittery · 08/04/2023 09:09

I'm 36 weeks and currently in hospital as my waters have been leaking since yesterday. Slightly pink this morning so I've been put on induction list for today. I mentioned to the midwife that I've heard the contractions while on the induction drip are really brutal and she said that they are 'very different' I'm taking this to mean that I'm in for an incredibly painful day.

For people who have had this, is it worse? Any tips to help? I'm trying not to be a massive wuss but I'm a bit nervous!

OP posts:

Original poster

Pinkglittery · 08/04/2023 09:33

Dr said neck of womb is open so no need for pessary. I've been having odd twinges this morning but won't settle in to anything regular which is frustrating.

OP posts:

Original poster

Pinkglittery · 08/04/2023 09:36

As I'm a bit early and baby has been measuring on the small side anyway, they should be less than 6lbs too. Im trying to stack things up on the positive side!

OP posts:

SummerHouse · 08/04/2023 09:54

Trust your body. It knows what to do. This will be a walk in the park and you will be enjoying your new baby in no time. I think you just need patience and positivity at the moment. Can you go out for a walk? I would be itching to to get out, clear my mind and get into a peaceful mindset.

Good luck OP!! You can do this.

Passmethecrisps · 08/04/2023 10:00

I had two induced labours so have no “normal” first was pessary and second was the drip. Both were gas and air only. The big thing I felt with my second - which may or may not be related to the drip - was that I went from 3 cm and nothing more than mild cramps to 10cm and the most intense pain in probably 10 minutes. It happened incredibly quickly and the midwives had left the room. Once I got over the shock I actually enjoyed the birth. Sadly I ended up with 3rd degree tears so needed a bloody epidural for that anyway!

whatever happens best of luck!

elliejjtiny · 08/04/2023 10:04

I had the drip with my 5th. Pain was worse than most of my labours but about the same as my back to back labour. Worst bit was when I had to have a section and they took the has and air off me!

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 08/04/2023 10:15

I don't have normal contractions to compare it with as when I was induced it was over 3 days and I had what they kept calling 'practice' contractions as I wasn't dilating but they came every few minutes.
Then they artificially ruptured my membranes and the pain ramped up, then they started me on the drip, 2 hours later she was here. I asked for pain relief but it was too late.

incitethismeetingtorebellion · 08/04/2023 10:24

I don't have anything to compare it to because both mine were induced (pessary and drip with first, just drip with second) but I didn't think it was as bad as I thought it would be. I don't know if that's because I'd built it up so much in my head beforehand. I had gas and air and pethidine for both. Was offered an epidural both times but didn't need/want one.

Dyra · 08/04/2023 11:45

I haven't had a single contraction that wasn't caused by the drip, so nothing to compare to.

Tbh I found it ok. I was offered the epidural before the drip was put up both times, but I wasn't interested. An elective C-section wasn't offered, but I would have definitely rejected it if it had.

Contractions started slowly, and ramped up in intensity as the drip was turned up. I also need a lot of syntocin to get into established labour apparently, as didn't hit the magic 3 in 10 until the penultimate dose with my first, and maximum dose with my second.

I coped ok with just gas+air to start with, but seemingly need more pain relief around 5cm dilatation. With my first, that was after 6 hours, and had diamorphine. With my second, 12 hours, and had an epidural.

After that, another 5.5 hours on the drip and DC1 arrived vaginally with no assistance. DC2 unfortunately remained at 5cm after another 3 hours on the drip and was starting to get distressed. So had a C-section. He was back to back and was trying to look up, so I think it would have happened even if I'd laboured naturally.

Best of luck to you. Hopefully it won't take too much to get into labour, and baby will be here before you know it.

Original poster

Pinkglittery · 08/04/2023 12:09

Thanks everyone. It's really helped to see the different experiences. Still waiting to be taken to delivery. Hoping it's soon.

OP posts:

shivawn · 08/04/2023 12:12

I found it very painful, once the drip started the contractions came very hard and fast. I got an epidural very quickly after I asked them for one and that was a massive relief, things were okay from then on.

DollyTots · 08/04/2023 12:27

The drip was far more intense than my natural contractions. Could cope with gas and air + oramorph through the first 10 hours then begged for something. Was given pethidine, which I slept through then pushed baby out a five hours later. It’s completely manageable if you and the midwifes manage pain relief well. It’s the exhaustion more than anything so have someone who can advocate for you if need be.

Heath2330 · 09/04/2023 11:06

I had in both mine never had a normal contraction first baby had just gas and air and meptid and managed the pain fine
Second Labour was on max dose of drip for 19hours never had a pain never dilated and had emcs

Netcam · 09/04/2023 11:07

QuertyGirl · 08/04/2023 09:11

It doesn't always work anyway.

Mine didn't and I ended up with an emergency section.

I'd skip the induction and go for an elective

Same for me. Twice.

Original poster

Pinkglittery · 09/04/2023 12:44

Thanks again all. It was really painful to be fair but was getting through it with gas and air. Went a bit tits up during the pushing and turns out she had the cord round her neck. They got her out with the suction cap thing.

It was brutal and excruciating painful but tiny 5lb DD is here and we're both ok and that's all that matters. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, it really helped me feel a bit more prepared.

OP posts:

7Worfs · 09/04/2023 12:46

Congrats OP, and welcome to the world, new baby daughter! 😊

Cornettoninja · 09/04/2023 13:08

Congratulations OP!

my drip induction ended with a ventouse too. Tbh I wish I’d just insisted on a cs as I found the drip far too intense but on the plus side the healing including stitches was a breeze.

Akite · 09/04/2023 16:32

Congratulations on your baby daughter! Enjoy those newborn cuddles

caringcarer · 09/04/2023 17:24

I had a drip for my first. It was ok but when they switched it up the contractions got very strong quite quickly.

Thedogscollar · 09/04/2023 22:56

gamerchick · 08/04/2023 09:18

They nip a bit, they try to force an epidural on you like. I managed fine without one. Can stick their epidural up their bums. Sure it's because they just want to waft in and out knowing you're stuck on your back and can't go anywhere

I found it controlled and nearly enjoyed that labour compared to the other 2 natural ones.

What a ridiculous and offensive post. We do not waft in and out making sure you are stuck on your back and can't go anywhere.
Looking after a lady with an epidural involves many midwifery skills that you obviously have zero knowledge of.

Anyway huge congratulations OP on the arrival of your baby.

gamerchick · 10/04/2023 07:01

Dunno, the one time I had one I was just left on my own for large chunks of time and ignored when things changed. That doesn't really take a lot of skill.

What's ridiculous and offensive is having to say no to an epidural over and over again when 2 people are trying to force one on you. Take no for an answer 🙄

Thedogscollar · 10/04/2023 15:59

Sad to hear you had that experience. I would never force an epidural or any human of analgesia on anyone. I discuss the pros and cons with the woman and let them make their own mind up.
Midwife means with woman and epidural or no epidural and uf sge is happy I tend to stay in the room with my lady. If she falls asleep with epidural in situ I can then quietly come and go whilst checking observations ctg and urine output and any vaginal loss.
Each midwife is different I guess but we are keeping an eye on a lot of things to ensure that they don't deviate from the norm and that is when we will escalate.

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