Positive induction stories please!

[Yunni13]

I’m currently 38+5 weeks pregnant with my first and baby is currently in the 79th percentile. My midwife has brought up the suggestion of getting induced next week.

I’ve spoken to my husband about it and he thinks it’s a good idea for several reasons — his work only allows him a week paternity leave, so he’s booked 5 weeks annual leave from the 21st of this month but if baby comes early he can pad it out with special leave so more time with baby and me.
Also, because she’s on the bigger side, we’re both worried about how that will affect giving birth to her, would it be more difficult?
And I’ve suffered with HG my full pregnancy so he thinks it’s better to be induced earlier to relieve the sickness I’m still experiencing.

I agree logically it makes sense to get induced, but can’t help but feel selfish forcing her to come out before she is ready. I’m also a bit anxious about the induction procedure and the probability of it ending in an emergency c-section. Would love to hear some positive induction stories to help me decide on what is best for baby and myself!

I have been induced with all 3 of my children, due to medical reasons. I have had 3 positive experiences.
All 3 labors were quick, uncomplicated and drug free. All 3 babies were born happy and healthy.
With dc1 and dc2 I left the hospital within 24 hours ( actually more like 12 hours with my dc2) dc3 we had to stay for a few days but that was nothing to do with the birth.

I was induced at 39+3 due to growth concerns and had a very fast but good labour, with just a small amount of gas and air. I had a 3rd degree tear but don't believe that was related to the induction, and healed well. I had the option to take a wait and see approach instead, but no regrets at all about choosing the induction.

I'm sorry you've experienced HG.

I was induced at term 39+3, waters broke but no contractions started and group b strep positive. Induced with the drip, I did struggle as it brought contractions on with very little break in-between, 3-4 contractions within every 10 minutes. This went on for hours with very little progress. I had gas & air but due to no progress a c section was mentioned but I was keen to avoid although I was really struggling with the pain, and lack of movement as I was often being told to lie on the bed for the monitor and had ivs in both hands. So I had an epidural which worked well as I was still able to move my legs, I felt the urge to push (an immense pressure which did make me panic) after only 2.5 hours with the epidural and I found myself just pushing as the midwife was buzzed back in to babies head almost born. Very quick pushing stage where my body just took over and did it, no problems after at all. Wouldn't have had any stitches but I lost quite a lot of blood and was bleeding from internal grazes so they decided to stitch to prevent further blood loss.
Home the next day and very smooth recovery so although I was upset at induction as I wanted to be on the midwife led unit and water birth, overall it was very positive.

Honestly those estimates for size can be way out. I wouldn’t rush to be induced because if your body isn’t ready it could be a long drawn out affair.

I’ve had 4 inductions, how well they went correlated to the more overdue I was.

I was induced at 40 weeks, it took me 6 days to go into labour (I was waiting on a section in the end because all of the induction methods failed, however I went into spontaneous labour) My labour was just over an hour, I didn't have any pain relief at all. I did have an episiotomy and ventouse delivery but I genuinely wouldn't have known at the time if they didn't tell me, and I was stitched back up with my baby in my arms. Good luck, whatever you decide x

I was induced with my 2nd at 39+6 in the evening. Progressed well the next day and was in full blown labour by 8pm, gave birth at 4am the next morning, so 40+1. Had an epidural this time round as had a horrifically frantic labour with my first. Loved my labour the 2nd time round, remember everything and felt more ‘present’. Would recommend an induction if you are far enough along e.g near enough at your due date

I was induced with just the pessary at 38+6
Midday - inserted was 2cm already but couldn't break waters as babies head wasn't engaged
7:30pm - first contractions
9:00pm - had to reverse the induction as was having too many contractions
9:36pm - waters broke naturally, at 4cm, started sorting out taking me down to the labour ward
10:06pm - arrived as i was being wheeled down to the labour room with her head arriving in my trousers. oops.

So was a quick induction. i did get hyper contractions which weren't pleasant but it was all over fairly quickly with no further interventions needed and other than a pair of leggings needing to be thrown it was fine.

Birth is never great but it could have been a lot worse.

I had a positive induction experience, labour started quickly and it was relatively short, I had a second degree tear but that’s not that big a deal in the scheme of things and healed well.

Having said that, I’m not sure I’d have agreed to it in your position. As others have said, the growth estimates can be significantly out and 79th centile isn’t alarmingly big. In any case, based on the experiences of people I knew at the time, the size of the baby doesn’t necessarily correlate with how easy the birth will be.

Two inductions at 42 weeks. First labour was 11 hrs, second labour was extremely fast, under an hour.

Most of the negative stories I’ve heard has been from inductions prior to 41 weeks.

Two Inductions at 41 weeks, just a pessary. 6 hrs first time, 4 hours second.Very intense with strong, fast contractions within an hour of pessary. Gas and air, bit of pethidine and a few stitches. Babies fine. Suited me as I’m not patient.

I was induced at 40 weeks, very positive experience. Midwife popped my waters and within a couple of hours my contractions started naturally, I then had the pitocin drip to help move things along and baby was born a few hours later. I found the contractions were more intense than my first birth, probably due to the pitocin, but still manageable with gas and air. Wouldn't hesitate to opt for induction again if needed.

I've had 3 different inductions and all went well.

1st was just breaking my waters laboured for 6 hours had to stay in for group b strep for baby to get antibiotics. No tears or interventions. 7lb 7oz.
2nd was pessary inserted waited about 3 hours labour started and baby was born after an hour. Again no tears or interventions
8lb 2oz.
3rd was the drip as waters had gone but no contractions for over 3 days and was overdue anyways. Had epidural then started the drip. Felt nothing. laboured for 5 hours. No interventions small tear. 9lb

Getting booked in for my elective induction next week for my 4th 😊

All in all positive with all of them. Scans have been pretty accurate with all mine

All inductions was around 39 weeks bar the one I mentioned being overdue