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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Gel induction

10 replies

Oreopie · 23/10/2023 09:23

Hi

Looking for stories of those who have been induced with prostaglandin gel.

Started induction process on Saturday at 37+5, I'm on day 3 today at 38 weeks. Little progress albeit some progress in that time, dilated 1cm and cervix is starting to soften but is still far back and not ready to have waters broken.

Has this been successful for anyone, particularly at 37/38 weeks after a slow build up?

If no movement by Thursday it will be a C section due to reduced growth, and will be on a 24 hour break after today.

OP posts:
reabies · 23/10/2023 10:39

Hiya, I had an induction but only the pessary so not sure if this will be helpful. Pessary went in Sunday night and stayed there 24h. After it came out they weren't sure whether to put the gel in, so midwife did a sweep, and thought she broke my waters, so they put me on the list to go down.

It took another day and a half to get a bed for me during which time nothing really progressed. I went down Weds afternoon, started the drip, had my waters properly broken (it had just been a little bit upstairs) and baby was born Thurs afternoon.

So mine took from Sunday to Thursday for a baby to arrive, so if you only started Saturday you've still got a few days for it to take effect and labour to kick in. I heard they can do the gel twice I think, are you on your second round?

Original poster
Oreopie · 23/10/2023 10:42

reabies · 23/10/2023 10:39

Hiya, I had an induction but only the pessary so not sure if this will be helpful. Pessary went in Sunday night and stayed there 24h. After it came out they weren't sure whether to put the gel in, so midwife did a sweep, and thought she broke my waters, so they put me on the list to go down.

It took another day and a half to get a bed for me during which time nothing really progressed. I went down Weds afternoon, started the drip, had my waters properly broken (it had just been a little bit upstairs) and baby was born Thurs afternoon.

So mine took from Sunday to Thursday for a baby to arrive, so if you only started Saturday you've still got a few days for it to take effect and labour to kick in. I heard they can do the gel twice I think, are you on your second round?

Thank you for replying. I am on the last day of the first round so I know I still have time. It's just a bit disheartening when there's not a lot of progress and seeing others in for inductions getting sent to the delivery suite. Really hoping something significant will happen over the next few days

OP posts:
reabies · 23/10/2023 10:46

100% watching others come in after me and go down before me was so depressing! I didn't really appreciate how slow of a process induction can be.

Keeping fingers crossed for you that it all gets going soon, and hope you've got some good books/tv/podcasts to keep you entertained. I had to go down to the hospital WHSmith in the end and get a little sudoku book - the days seemed endless!

curaçao · 23/10/2023 10:51

The gel dud nothing at all for me

Original poster
Oreopie · 23/10/2023 10:58

curaçao · 23/10/2023 10:51

The gel dud nothing at all for me

Was that after a few attempts and no change, or did you see some changes that didn't really go anywhere?

OP posts:
Dyra · 23/10/2023 14:32

I've had two gel inductions. Both at 37 weeks.

My first, it didn't really do much. I had two sets of gel a few hours apart. Absolutely nothing in the way of contractions. As for the cervix, it opened to 1cm, but maybe came forward a bit as I had an ARM early the next morning. I got the feeling it was because they were desperate for labourers that night, rather than I was ready for it though.

My second I was 2cm and ARMable after one gel. Had a couple strong contractions while moving around, but died away not long after that. Then there was nothing until the drip went up. Unfortunately, the ARM didn't happen until 4 days later. The waiting for which sucked.

Best of luck, no matter what happens.

jadey1991 · 23/10/2023 14:39

Never experienced the gel but had pessary. Dilated wayy to quick which was a blessing but all women are different... could I ask why you started at 37 weeks?
Reason I ask.is because I'm.due in 4 weeks time a via c section but have a strong feeling baby is gonna come.before.hand. so I wanted to ask consultant to change c section date for 37 weeks

curaçao · 23/10/2023 15:34

Oreopie · 23/10/2023 10:58

Was that after a few attempts and no change, or did you see some changes that didn't really go anywhere?

Show quote history

I think i had 3 doses and thete were some mild contractions but no dilation.I was then put on a drip and things started getting going

Dyra · 23/10/2023 23:25

jadey1991 · 23/10/2023 14:39

Never experienced the gel but had pessary. Dilated wayy to quick which was a blessing but all women are different... could I ask why you started at 37 weeks?
Reason I ask.is because I'm.due in 4 weeks time a via c section but have a strong feeling baby is gonna come.before.hand. so I wanted to ask consultant to change c section date for 37 weeks

OP was reduced (slowing?) growth, and for me it was pre-eclampsia (both times).

Tbh, unless you have a medical reason to have an elective C-section prior to 39 weeks, it's unlikely they'll change your date no matter how strong your gut feeling is. Sorry.

Ofc, if you go into labour, present at hospital ASAP when you feel contractions (contact them first saying you're scheduled for an elective C-section on X date). If the CTG confirms labour, then they'll do an emergency C-section. Naturally if a medical reason manifests that could necessitate an earlier delivery (i.e. repeat reduced movements, pre-eclampsia) then an emergency C-section could be on the cards too.

blushroses6 · 23/10/2023 23:50

I was 40+1 weeks and induced for reduced movements. I had the pessary inserted late on Sunday evening, that had to stay in for 24 hours but nothing happened. Then first gel inserted early on the Tuesday, left for 6 hours I think? Some cramping but not much else was happening so they gave me another dose of gel maybe around lunchtime? Things started around 9pm that evening, I was moved to delivery suite 6am on Wednesday but contractions slowed again and I needed the hormone drip. Baby came 10pm on Wednesday with forceps. Good luck! A crossword book and lots of netflix kept me busy x

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