Painful experience with Propess

[User1978]

Trying to find out if anyone had a similar experience to Propess induction! This was back in 2019, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the experience lately and how it affected me.

I was induced with Propess due to age, long story short I became extremely uncomfortable with swelling after a number of hours-to the point where I was screaming in pain when the midwife was examining me - can only describe it as feeling like I was being examined with a knife! I don’t think the pain was being taken seriously, I was given painkillers and left as very little progress.I stated to get contractions and was suddenly 8cm dilated - contractions were way less painful than the examinations! I was monitored for a while/had epidural and things really slowed down. During this time I developed a really swollen lip on one side and I can’t help thinking this was linked to the other swelling?

All of a sudden there was panic, lots of people in the room and I was rushed to another room where eventually baby was born via forceps- no crying, she was taken away and I was given no information- to be honest all a bit of a blur. Eventually I saw her after a few hour on NICU. We then both developed a strep infection and in hospital for another 4 days.

I found the whole experience very traumatic, and believe I suffered increased post natal anxiety as a result, still suffering from anxiety now.

Just keen to hear if anyone else has any similar experience!

I'm really sorry you and your little one went through this. Have you had a birth debrief or a birth reflection? I had it for both of my labours and it really helped me to understand why things were done. I gave birth in 2020 and had the birth reflection in 2023 so you can still contact your hospital to have one x

Sorry to hear you had a traumatic birth. It’s totally valid to feel like you want to seek closure on this even after some time. It’s a huge event in our lives!
Personally I found the insertion of propess very painful

I had a similar experience during my induction, however I was given the gel on 3 occasions, not the propess. I found the gel insertions and examinations beyond painful, I was offered G&A but that just made me feel worse. I remember crying and writhing around in agony, I didn't want to tell them to stop but also I just couldn't tolerate them. Some of the midwives were lovely, but some I didn't get much empathy from, ie "the doctor tomorrow will be much rougher with you." I was too scared to sleep.

It wasn't until I had a big bleed a few days later that I was informed I had a "damaged cervix," damaged by the numerous examinations.

I also had a super quick labour, no time for an epidural or any pain relief at all, my partner arrived just in time (it was the middle of the night) My entire active labour was just over an hour. The buzzer was also pressed, I was rushed to theatre for a crash section, however ended up with an episiotomy and ventouse delivery due to the babies heartrate dropping, I assume due to how quickly things progressed!

I echo the others, a birth debrief may be useful for you, I'm also contemplating this. I'm sorry this was your experience, it really does stay with you x

when your in labour any examination is excruciating so wouldn’t necessarily be the propess.

@hangingonfordearlife1 A propess (or gel in my case) is to induce labour, so when having these you wouldn't be in labour. I had horrendous examinations for days and didn't go into labour until days later so wasnt connected to labour at all. I had a completely unmedicated labour so not a wimp with pain, but these examinations were beyond agony, so I totally get what the OP is saying x

I found the early examinations during my induction absolute agony but they became more bearable as I progressed. I would absolutely recommend a debrief to understand what happened and why.