Positive induction experiences please

[Nix99]

I'm currently 38+3 with 2nd baby. I was due to be induced at 38 weeks with DD (1st lo) but she came on her own accord at 37+5. I'm booked in to be induced at 39 weeks with DS due to a second bout of cholestasis and was sort of hoping he'd also decide to come early but no signs at all so far. I'm nervous about being induced as most of the stories I've heard have been either failed inductions or have been horrendous so just looking for a bit of reassurance from people who have been induced and things have gone OK. 😊

Very positive induction story for you here at 38 week 😊 although I know all births are different but I agree, all I ever read where horrid stories about it and was really worried about going in for one, assuming I would definitely end up needing a c-section! So although my story might end up very different to yours I hope it’s a bit of positivity in the sea of doom and gloom that seems to surround inductions.

So at my growth scan where the induction was booked 37 ish weeks, I had a sweep. At this point I was lucky enough my cervix was favourable and soft. Prior to this I walked a lot and used a medicine ball any given chance I had (gravity is your friend!) after the sweep I pretty much lived on my birthing hall and continued walking and staying active. I have two dogs so I didn’t have much choice and went on a 4 mile walk the day before I went in for my induction. The day itself was lovely and laid back, very calm. The midwives were absolutely lovely and explained the whole process very clearly and I felt very informed and comfortable with it all.

The consultant then came to examine me and as I was already 2cm dilated at this point she gave me another sweep that started my contractions and sent me down to labour and delivery ward to have my waters broken. Waters were broke around 2:30pm and contractions continued and got much stronger. I was examined at 5:30 and was 4cm so given gas and air. Things were really ramping up so I asked for an epidural but then felt the urge to push. After being checked at 6:30 ish and being 9cm I started pushing not long after and 20 mins later baby was here with no assistance required😊 so my whole labour was around an hour and a half! All the ladies in the room couldn't believe it was my first 😂My midwife had said she was only going to be checking me at half six to see if I needed to go on the petocine drip but instead was delivering my baby. The birth somehow was classed and spontaneous as no medicine was used to start contractions but I did have to have waters broken to get things going.

As I say staying as active as you are able will really helping moving the baby down to where they need to be. You just need to remember hospitals carry out inductions for all sorts of reasons all the time and know exactly what they are doing, I’m sure you will be in good hands and baby will be with you soon. Good Luck 😊

I was induced with the drip and although it was different to what I was hoping for I'd still say it was positive. Firstly what was left of my waters were broken (at 0-1cm) so I did find that painful, I felt cramps coming in waves then put on the drip and had it turned up throughout the day. When contractions did start I was shocked as no real build up, and soon they were 3-4 every 10 mins so not much break in-between. I had gas and air and after 6 hours of it I was disappointed to be only 3-4cm! I was struggling and consultants said c section or epidural to relax me, went for epidural despite hoping to avoid, and it worked well I was still able to move my legs and move position but also slept. Woke up to lots of pressure and midwife checked I was 10,cm but she says give baby another hour to move down and she'll be back then. I waited just under 20 mins but was panicking at the pressure and found myself making noises I couldn't control and pushing, partner pressed buzzer and midwife came back surprised she could see babies head! Baby born 20 mins pushing stage, just under 4 hours after epidural, internal grazes only which required stitches and a fast recovery. Best of luck x

Thank you both for the reassuring stories 😊 I was induced yesterday afternoon and DS was born this morning after just one insertion of the gel, I then had my waters broken and my body took over and did the rest with DS being born in under an hour of active labour with no pain relief at all so absolutely another positive induction

Awww congratulations 🥰