Anxious about induction. First time parents

[TinyDancer91]

We are first time parents, currently 39+1 and have been booked in for induction on Tuesday (today is Sunday) due to baby measuring in 95th centile! They estimated at 36 weeks she was measuring at 7lb 7oz already, so booked me in to be induced at 39(ish) weeks to reduce risks of me having a 3rd degree tear and of he getting stuck/other complications.

Starting to feel anxious about the whole thing as I don't know what to expect, so I guess I'm looking for a bit of reassurance or stories from anyone who has been through induction.

Baby is our IVF miracle baby too, so guess that's not helping with the anxiety of just wanting her here safe! I was given the option of induction or elective c-section, but ideally want to avoid c-section if I can.

I've not had induction, but I believe the likelihood of one being 'successful' is indicated by your bishops score, which shows if your body is ready. If that is not favourable then I would not go ahead with induction. Especially not based on an expected big baby - scans are notoriously poor at predicting birth weight.

FWIW, I've had two really wonderful elective c-sections and would choose one again, no regrets.

I was induced for my first (although slightly different scenario as my waters had broken so needed to get baby out fairly quickly). Had both pessary (fine, slow but effective) and drip (intense!)

The anethestist who put my drip in said "see you later on" as he left, referencing most women who gave the drip go on to have an epidural in his experience. And I did 😂. But it was a fab experience overall, retained all feeling in my legs, could push fine and in any position I wanted and baby was born with zero additional interventions. 2nd degree tear but no need for an episiotomy.

After being scared about induction from NCT class, it was actually a great birthing experience and I have overwhelmingly fond memories. Good luck!!

Eeesh I would really reconsider induction in your situation. There doesn’t really seem to be a clinical rationale for you to be having one. Scans are notoriously inaccurate for measuring size. An induction is far far more likely to set you off along the cascade of interventions (epidural, forceps etc). That’s more likely to result in birth injury than having a non induced labour with a baby who will be only very slightly bigger being born of their own accord than they would be on the date of your induction

I had inductions for both my children. I'll be honest, I did not enjoy the experience at all for my first but a lot of that was down to me! For some reason, my body refused to go with my wannabe-holistic earth-mother attempts and just refused to engage. After more than 24hrs of extreme contractions (my body didn't react well to the stimulants, but again, my body is renowned for this nonsense), I was quite bruised and it was a long and unpleasant experience until it became clear it was heading towards c-section and I went for the epidural. Then it just rocketed along and I had my baby within hours.

For my second, I was determined to learn from the first, take any help offered and just get the job done without extra bruising or strain. I asked for help and accepted pethidine, the labour was half as long and the delivery was safe again - despite both my babies having flipping enormous heads and being two weeks over and huge.

As much as I didn't enjoy the inductions.. I would do it all over again for my now 13 and 10 year old. I remember asking my mum what to expect and her answer is still the best I've heard - you will have your own story because no birth is ever the same. It may be unexpected or traumatic or easy or even joyful - but trust yourself and believe in the process and allow yourself time to recover and process because it's just astonishing. I wish you the most wonderful cuddle with your miracle baby once it's all done. Not long now - try to turn the anxiety into anticipation and take good care of yourself!

Take a look at Dr Sara Wickham's website - she has written a book about induction and birth choices (probably not enough time to read it now but she has lots of related blog posts).

P.s good luck in whatever you choose! I just had an elective c section as baby was measuring 105th centile! He came out almost 11lbs at 39 weeks. I had anxieties regarding childbirth after a long previous labour (not induced). If you can try to have a conversation with a consultant who can talk you through all the pros and cons of both options and go from there. You can change your mind at any point - not saying you will but just to let you know that there's the option to. I read Sara Wickham's book and it gave me the confidence to ask to speak to a consultant to really talk through my options in advance.
My consultant was great and explained how everything works, what would happen, risks and benefits of induction and c section etc. I felt more in control of the situation and that I was fully informed.

I second that. Wish I’d read her blogs.
I’ve had a completely natural birth and an induced second one on a drip. I’m pretty tough but The one on the drip was horrible. You really need an epidural as the contractions are very different from normal labour contractions. Akin to being electrocuted continuously. I didn’t get an epidural or anything and was pretty traumatised by the sheer level of pain. My advice would be to get an epidural in place and working before you allow them to hook you up to a drip. You’re likely to need the drip if you’re before 40 weeks

Firstly I would say having a 95th percentile baby doesn’t necessarily mean big. Mine was 98th percentile and just very long - he’s 6’3 at 15 so again it’s not unheard of.

I was induced (due to water breaking) and it was pretty horrific. I had a epidural and didn’t progress so it was turned off and it felt like I was constantly slammed with pain.

So, then an emerg c. That was fine but I would never elect to have major surgery if not needed with too many risks (I’m still suffering from that).

Breastfeeding was harder but I managed as my body wasn’t ready for birth but I persevered and it was fine.

if it was me I wouldn’t be induced and you don’t have to be. I would really think about it and consider letting your body do its thing naturally (unless there is a medical risk to you or baby).

Fellow IVF-er and FTM here too!!!

I was induced 4 weeks ago as baby was measuring big (97th percentile). I went in at 39+4 expecting to have dilation rods. When they examined me I was 3cm dilated (which meant the rods would have fallen out). They broke my waters instead and gave me 2 hours for contractions to start which they did, very quickly (and painfully). Once getting to 4cm they were soo painful I opted for a mobile epidural, which was lovely!!! However, it slowed my contractions. 4 hours later, I was still 4cm and 1 contraction in about 10 minutes. Baby had passed meconium and was becoming slightly distressed. They said they could give me the drip to kick start my contractions but given baby's condition, it would be a low threshold for forceps, ventouse or possibly emergency -section. I was tired so requested to go straight for section (as a semi emergency as no rush to get baby out). 2 hours later baby was in my arms!

Although my birth plan didn't go as I planned, Am pleased with every decision I made along the way and actually would opt to have a section again in the future. The recovery has been better than expected too.

Wishing you the best of luck x

Fellow big baby first time mum to be here!

Baby was measuring 7lb8 at my 36w growth scan. Also offered induction or section at 39 weeks to eliminate the risk of tears and shoulder dystocia etc. I did plenty of threads on here and loads of research and it seems the section was the best option for me. Hoping to go into labour before the section though!

Good luck with whatever you choose☺️

I would go for the c section. I've had both induction and c section and understand the fear but not going for c section after long induction is my biggest regret.

FTM, induction and big baby are mentioned in countless threads on here about birth injuries and long recoveries, incontinence etc. elective planned c section would be calmer, known and manageable recovery.

If you go ahead with induction I would advise to be open to change to a c section if there is no quick progress and movement in first 12 hours.

My friend was coerced into induction due to measuring big! Her baby was 8.8 in the end so not even too huge!! She was induced and it took four days as her body wasn’t ready, her due date wasn’t for another week. And had a difficult labour. I was induced but I was two weeks late, and my labour was quick and the pushing was fine. I wouldn’t have an induction again though- I had pph and wonder if it was due to induction. Your body doesn’t grow something it’s unable to birth!

Inductions always seem to end up needing loads of intervention. I would go with waiting and get monitoring if there are any concerns about the baby.

I had a 3rd degree tear and recovered from it faster than the non tearing birth. They sewed it up and no lasting issues. And I think I only tore because the birth was a bit slow so they broke my waters. Less interference is better.

Here to follow as due to be induced tomorrow 12th febuary
Thankfully my midwife did give me a good run down of what to expect. However, I am still super nervous.

I hope your induction has gone well today.

I had an induction at 39+3 and would say in the end it was all very positive
I did struggle with the drip, it brought contractions on straight away at 3-4 every 10 minutes and lasting almost a minute so I didn't get any build up and little break in-between which did shock me
I tried paracetamol at first, then gas & air then after 6 hours of the same and only at 2-3cm I asked for epidural, at this point the midwives were saying epidural or c section
Epidural was in place 2 hours later and I was still able to feel and move my legs, but almost immediately I fell asleep
Woke 2 hours later with a huge pressure feeling and midwife said it would take at least an hour for baby to move down, but once she left my body was pushing anyway I couldn't stop it, partner rang buzzer and midwife came back to her head already born. Very quick pushing phase, no interventions, speedy recovery and home the next day
Best of luck, I had done research beforehand and had read induction means more pain and intervention but everyone is different and I was able to refuse initially then accepted