CantSleepWontsleep is being induced tomorrow. She's disappointed that she won't get a live birth thread. Come and console her here.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

And whilst you're here, feel free to answer any of the following...

What does one wear for induction - nightie ready for it all kicking off, or normal clothes for wandering around hospital in?

Anything else I should add to my hospital bag that I'm more likely to want with an induction?

If the prostoglandin stuff doesn't work, can I decide at that point to leave it, as I don't want my waters broken or the drip?

Would they be able to tell from a scan whether my placenta was still functioning just fine, whereby a few more days wouldn't hurt?

I'll be 40+5, and the induction is because I have gestational diabetes. It's standard practice to induce between 38 and 40 weeks for this, but I've been 'allowed' to go over because my control of it has been good.

I wore a nightie once I was induced, so they had easy access for the numerous examinations. Had to go into a hospital gown once in the delivery room.

You may well want something to do in hospital - I was sitting around knitting for a full day before anything started to happen.

At my hospital they gave you several doses of prostaglandin, and then you had to be put on the drip, because they didn't want to leave you. I had my waters broken as well. It was horrible, so if you can avoid the drip, then do!

Not sure about the scan of the placenta. Good luck!

A whole day of knitting - might as well stick pins in my eyes . Did your dh get to stay with you all the time? Mine wants to take a book for himself in case he gets bored - such support!

CSWS I think you need to ask them BEFORE they do anything, what happens if it doesn't work, given that YOU WILL NOT agree to ARM or the drip.

Will they send you home, keep you in hospital until spontaneous labour, begin an emotional blackmailing campaign - what?

I like to keep the same initials lapin, so it will have to be CanShoveWillShove!

I wore normal clothes and went for walks. The gel turns very messy and black after a couple of hours so wear a pad and old clothes..

Take earplugs... you'll be induced on the ward along with other mums who will go into labour at different times. It can get very noisy and you'll appreciate the earplugs when you are trying to sleep

They refused to let me go home when the gel didn't work and I was there 5 days so do make sure that you know what they will do in the event of a failed induction.

I was given the choice of ARM or CS, not to go home.

CSWS, I was induced with all mine bar DD1's, and in someways I have to say I found it preferable.

especially as all I needed each time was just the gel stuff, and only once for all bar DD3. AND, it worked within 4hrs..........in fact, with each bar DD3 I had the gel stuff put in, and then baby was born within 7hrs!!!

fark - how did it get to be time for this already! Hope everything goes well.

Reckon there's approx zero chance of me getting any sleep anyway, but will stick some earplugs in, thanks.

Didn't know that about the gel turning black, so glad for the heads up.

SM - you're right, it would make sense to ask first. I do veer between being happy to agree to stuff and not though.

can you not set up your mobile to be able to MN from the hospital tho.......you can then have a live induction thread

Psycho - did they tell you your Bishop's Score first each time?

you might find that is will all go well and easy seeing as you have had a baby before.

was your DD a 'normal' birth or CS??

I did ask dh whether we had any phones/contraptions that would let me MN from hospital! Will make sure I find out if there's a public machine anywhere for patients' use.

Normal at 40+6 - 12 hour labour start to finish. No drugs.

yes they did, and each time they figured I would need the gel and then they would need to break my waters in the morning. they failed to belive that I was in labour with DD2 () for quite a while. I recall begging them to take me for a look-see on the labour ward before they listened, and I literally got in the room and had her within 30mins.

they took me down and checked me out at 3.50am, DD2 was born at 418am!!!

they still did not listen to me with the others after that when I told them that the bishops score on me was a lie!!!

the fact then that you had a normal birth before then will hold you in good stead. you body knows what to do, and how to dilate.

I really think that if you have the gel, let it take hold by sitting for as long as poss (I think they say a minimum of 30mins, but that might be different now), and then walk as much as poss, it should kick-start labour pretty quickly.

it did for me, and the only reason it did not work with DD3 was becuase I had done the splits 5days pre-birth and damaged my pelvis, which meant I could not walk about.

with her it took 3 lots of gel and they started with the first lot at 6am, DD3 was born 00.29am (so it took 18hrs with her from first gel to birth).

I've been induced twice.

I wore normal clothes until I was ready to move to the delivery suite. I had my own room until postnatal ward.

Induction #1: First application of prostoglandin 9.30am Monday; baby born 6.30pm Tuesday.

Induction #2: First application of prostoglandin 11.30am Sunday; baby born 5.00pm Monday.

Take something to do!! And stuff to eat. My do popped in and out - even when home to sleep for the night for the second one, but we were a bit blazé about it that time around! (Is that how you spell blazé?)

Both times I was given prosto and told that they'd leave me 6 hours before re-examining and then if things weren't moving they'd prost me again and leave for a further 6 hours, so you won't arrive for induction and be whisked off for manual water breaking 20 minutes later.

Did you know that the prostoglandin is made of pig semen? I thrilled and delighted the midwives on duty with that little gem.

I wish you very very very best of luck. You're going to meet your baby soon! I think most people have a much much speedier time than me, and I wish you that.

"My 'do' popped in and out"? How alarming! My dh popped in and out.

Of the hospital.

Message withdrawn

"prostoglandin is made of pig semen"

seriously???

Well it's probaby not a squirt of unadulterated pig jism, but yes it is derived from it. Same reason you're advised to get jiggy with your dh to get things moving. Same stuff.

ewww.

why can they just not use stuff donated by real deal men???

or better yet, not use any at all and make someting up!!!

Ah - was at the farm yesterday - should have asked the pigs to oblige .

Hoping I have a quicker time of it than you too BS! I have to stay in at least 6 hours after the birth for ds' blood sugars to be tested, so want to minimise any pre-birth absence from dd.