ARM or gel for induction? Waterbirth still an option?

[Princesitalinda]

Hi everybody. I am new to the net, and I was reading all your posting for weeks. For the first time though, I need to ask some questions....

I am 41 weeks pregnant today (first baby), feeling (like all the overdue-mums) very tired and anxious. Today I had my second sweep. My midwife said I am 2 cm dilated (same as one week ago when first sweep was done) but babys head has dropped even further, cervix is efaced and thin.

I have an induction date set by the hospital (Frimley Park) on next thursday (if still not labouring). The midwife said that everything looks good for me to have my water broken instead of the prostanglandin gel... I am confused about it.... does it mean that ARM is better than the gel as an induction? is it more "natural"? could someone give me an easy answer? if I have more information, I could feel more empowered to take decisions then....

An other question is about water birth.... As this is still my preferred method of labouring (and if possible giving birth), if induced (either by ARM or gel) could I still have this option?

Any help will be sooooo appreciated!! thanks and good luck to all the overdue-mums in the net!!!

Princesitalinda

Oh my gosh Princesss..... sounds like he was indeed very badly positioned..... he was a first though and that is more common to have "that" sort of birth!
Welcome to your baby... hope you are recovering well!

As to what you could have done differently (i think you went to hospital too early but it's a common thing with 1st time mum).... well the water after 2 hours was useless (why didn't they get you out and walking! get the baby to sit better on cervix and drop into pelvis.... no ned for a long walk but a bit of pelvic movement is very helpful).... so the course of action of MWs was OK if they took hopsital way of doing things!.... I wonder if they made you change position on the bed or were you just "lying there".... that could have made a difference. Also possibly your pushing was made harder with the epidural.... good news - next time MUCH easier!

Princesitalinda - congratulations on your baby's arrival. Sorry it didn't work out as you had planned. Unfortunately labour is not always straightforward and it sounds as though your baby was probably not in an ideal position which can make contractions worse.

Out of interest, were you offered the choice of going back inot the pool once your wtare were boken? Was it the same person who examined you who said you were 8cm? Did you feel as though you had pressure and pushing sensation before getting an epidural? Just interested in what happened before being able to say what could have been different.