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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Anyone induced at 37 weeks?

17 replies

ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 13:06

Hi all..
I am being induced next week due to preeclampsia, I will be 37+1 weeks.

Looking for anyone with similar experiences. Will only being 37 weeks make the process harder? This is my 3rd baby, and I've laboured quickly both previous times but have been full term. Will the preeclampsia have an impact on anything? I'm currently on bed rest so does that mean I won't be able to move around? Are the contractions likely to increase my blood pressure? How likely is it I will end up having a c section. I don't mind whatever has to happen but would like to be prepared.

Thank you ♥️

OP posts:
CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 01/12/2023 13:32

I was induced at 37 weeks with DD2 because my waters leaked at 34 weeks.
When they examined me I wasn't dilated at all, but one dose of the internal gel started contractions within minutes, a few hours later they broke the rest of my waters that were in front of DD, and she was born in about half the time of DD1's labour.

Meezer · 01/12/2023 13:45

I was induced at 37 weeks for one due to pre eclampsia too.
The baby got distressed so I had an emergency C section- after which the baby was fine but I wasn't (I don't remember exactly what happened as I was so ill and out of it, sorry). However, by the next day I was well enough to be transferred back onto the maternity ward, and had no further problems.

The only thing is, the hospital tried so hard not to panic my husband about what was happening when they rang him that he took his time getting to the hospital and I was already in theatre. So you may need to warn your partner to act promptly if they contact him!

Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 13:52

Meezer · 01/12/2023 13:45

I was induced at 37 weeks for one due to pre eclampsia too.
The baby got distressed so I had an emergency C section- after which the baby was fine but I wasn't (I don't remember exactly what happened as I was so ill and out of it, sorry). However, by the next day I was well enough to be transferred back onto the maternity ward, and had no further problems.

The only thing is, the hospital tried so hard not to panic my husband about what was happening when they rang him that he took his time getting to the hospital and I was already in theatre. So you may need to warn your partner to act promptly if they contact him!

Thank you! Will definitely keep partner close by.. Sorry to hear you had a rough time, I am very scared of becoming more unwell during/after labour 😞 I'm such a wimp

OP posts:
Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 13:53

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 01/12/2023 13:32

I was induced at 37 weeks with DD2 because my waters leaked at 34 weeks.
When they examined me I wasn't dilated at all, but one dose of the internal gel started contractions within minutes, a few hours later they broke the rest of my waters that were in front of DD, and she was born in about half the time of DD1's labour.

Thank you! That sounds positive, glad all went well for you

OP posts:
Colinswheels · 01/12/2023 14:06

I was induced at 37 weeks too. Contractions started with the internal pessary but weren't unbearable, I was given painkillers and a heatpad to help with them. I had to wait a bit longer than necessary at this stage as there were no rooms available in the labour ward. Once I finally made it to the ward my waters were broken and they started the drip. I asked for an epidural if possible and was told yes but lets wait and see how things progress. Lets just say they progressed extremely fast and by the time the anaesthetist was woken it was too late and DD was already here. My experience was the contractions were much more intense than natural labour, be forceful about asking for an epidural quickly if that's what you want as it likely things will progress fast in my experience.

Post birth was all fine although DD was readmitted to hospital with jaundice at a few days old - no idea if that is more likely with early babies but might be worth keeping an eye out. Hope all goes well for you.

Meezer · 01/12/2023 14:17

I was really surprised- I thought once the baby was out safely everything would be fine! However as the hospital know you have pre ec they monitor you so carefully and will be right on it if problems develop- please try not to worry!

elliejjtiny · 01/12/2023 14:23

I was induced at 36+5, baby born at 36+6 due to waters having broken and I had an infection. My main problem was that inductions at that early stage tend to be slow and my baby needed to come out quickly. But because I'd had 3 fairly quick vaginal births already they thought they would give it a go. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough so I had a c-section 4 hours after the induction started.

ElevenSeven · 01/12/2023 14:25

Yes, first pessary didn’t work, second thing (gel?) worked very quickly - 4 hours from contractions to baby at 37+3

Dyra · 01/12/2023 14:55

I've been induced at 37 weeks in both my pregnancies due to pre-eclampsia.

I can't remember what my blood pressure was like during labour. But as there was no fuss about it, I assume it was holding steady and/or normal. If you have an epidural it will likely lower it too.

I can't see why you won't have the option to move around, but you will need continuous monitoring, so you might be encumbered by wires (if there's no wireless option), and the drip (if you need it).

Supposedly having pre-eclampsia speeds up labour. My first was born in under 12 hours on the drip (only had contractions with it), so it could be true. My second was a C-section as he got himself stuck, resulting in failure to progress, and eventually fetal distress.

I've not had a natural labour to compare them too, but I found it all ok. The wait for a delivery suite bed with my second (4 days) was extremely tedious and the worst part of the whole ordeal. Gels just got me to the minimum dilatation. ARM didn't trigger any contractions. Which meant I was pain free until the drip went up. I found it manageable on gas + air, then I need to have something more at 5cm. Diamorphine with my first (5 hours in), epidural with my second (11 hours in).

Hope all goes well for you next week.

Dyra · 01/12/2023 15:04

Forgot to mention, both mine had mild jaundice at birth (37+1 and 37+6). I wouldn't be surprised if that was far more likely due to them being early. They were very sleepy at first, but feeding (by bottle if necessary) and warm sun baths by the window soon washed it out.

Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 16:45

Dyra · 01/12/2023 14:55

I've been induced at 37 weeks in both my pregnancies due to pre-eclampsia.

I can't remember what my blood pressure was like during labour. But as there was no fuss about it, I assume it was holding steady and/or normal. If you have an epidural it will likely lower it too.

I can't see why you won't have the option to move around, but you will need continuous monitoring, so you might be encumbered by wires (if there's no wireless option), and the drip (if you need it).

Supposedly having pre-eclampsia speeds up labour. My first was born in under 12 hours on the drip (only had contractions with it), so it could be true. My second was a C-section as he got himself stuck, resulting in failure to progress, and eventually fetal distress.

I've not had a natural labour to compare them too, but I found it all ok. The wait for a delivery suite bed with my second (4 days) was extremely tedious and the worst part of the whole ordeal. Gels just got me to the minimum dilatation. ARM didn't trigger any contractions. Which meant I was pain free until the drip went up. I found it manageable on gas + air, then I need to have something more at 5cm. Diamorphine with my first (5 hours in), epidural with my second (11 hours in).

Hope all goes well for you next week.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 16:45

ElevenSeven · 01/12/2023 14:25

Yes, first pessary didn’t work, second thing (gel?) worked very quickly - 4 hours from contractions to baby at 37+3

Edited

Sounds perfect 👌🏼 Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 16:46

elliejjtiny · 01/12/2023 14:23

I was induced at 36+5, baby born at 36+6 due to waters having broken and I had an infection. My main problem was that inductions at that early stage tend to be slow and my baby needed to come out quickly. But because I'd had 3 fairly quick vaginal births already they thought they would give it a go. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough so I had a c-section 4 hours after the induction started.

Bless you! Was the c section all okay? Recover well?

OP posts:
Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 16:47

Meezer · 01/12/2023 14:17

I was really surprised- I thought once the baby was out safely everything would be fine! However as the hospital know you have pre ec they monitor you so carefully and will be right on it if problems develop- please try not to worry!

Yeah absolutely! The consultant said giving birth will cure the preeclampsia, I guess you can still have other problems though

OP posts:
Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 16:49

Colinswheels · 01/12/2023 14:06

I was induced at 37 weeks too. Contractions started with the internal pessary but weren't unbearable, I was given painkillers and a heatpad to help with them. I had to wait a bit longer than necessary at this stage as there were no rooms available in the labour ward. Once I finally made it to the ward my waters were broken and they started the drip. I asked for an epidural if possible and was told yes but lets wait and see how things progress. Lets just say they progressed extremely fast and by the time the anaesthetist was woken it was too late and DD was already here. My experience was the contractions were much more intense than natural labour, be forceful about asking for an epidural quickly if that's what you want as it likely things will progress fast in my experience.

Post birth was all fine although DD was readmitted to hospital with jaundice at a few days old - no idea if that is more likely with early babies but might be worth keeping an eye out. Hope all goes well for you.

Yes I plan on asking for an epidural before I have the drip. I think otherwise the pain will only increase my blood pressure 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
MuchTooTired · 01/12/2023 16:55

I wasn’t induced, I had a surprise elcs at 36+5 due to severe pe with my DTs so can’t give any help on being induced. My babies were born at normal singleton weights for a smaller full term baby, and it was like magic the way I started feeling so much better at the end of the day after they’d been born! Although I’d originally wanted to be induced, for various reason I’m glad I wasn’t - with the benefit of hindsight I think I was too exhausted to have been able to have a vaginal delivery.

Original poster
ThirdTimeLucky27 · 01/12/2023 17:58

MuchTooTired · 01/12/2023 16:55

I wasn’t induced, I had a surprise elcs at 36+5 due to severe pe with my DTs so can’t give any help on being induced. My babies were born at normal singleton weights for a smaller full term baby, and it was like magic the way I started feeling so much better at the end of the day after they’d been born! Although I’d originally wanted to be induced, for various reason I’m glad I wasn’t - with the benefit of hindsight I think I was too exhausted to have been able to have a vaginal delivery.

Thank you. Yes this does worry me, I've been in and out of hospital for the past week and feel beyond exhausted. Glad to hear you felt better afterwards, just want to feel like myself again

OP posts:
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