Induction - how bad is it?

[Blondie89]

Hi everyone.
I'm 40+9 and booked in to be induced on Wednesday.
Was wondering if anyone has any tips or advice on how to deal with being induced? Anything you wish you'd been told?
I'm bricking myself at the thought of it.
Trying (& failing) to keep calm.
Any advice would be wildly appreciated

[feb80andthebump]

I managed 4 hours of intense induced contractions on my TENS machine - you must, must, must buy/hire one if you haven't already. They're fantastic.

[Ladyem]

I was induced last friday at 38+1 as my DD suffered a shoulder dystocia and they wanted me to deliver the baby before it got as big as she was (only 8lbs!). They told me it might take 2 days as it was so early for me, but I had a sweep and pessary at 11.30am, contractions started pretty much an hour later and at 17.36 out shot DS!! So it was really quick despite my dates. It was more painful than with DD, but I think it was more the speed with which it all happened, rather than it all being because of induction.

I think induction is much like any other labour in that you cannot predict how it will go, only that it is a means to an end!! Am now sitting with DS fast asleep over my shoulder, so it's not all bad !

[mooki]

I was induced at 39+something with pre-eclampsia. I had the pessary on friday night and started to have mild contractions enough that they didn't want to give me another pessary. I got to sleep for the night with pethadine and had got to 3 cms by morning.

They broke my waters which was uncomfortable but no worse than a smear test and I laboured just with a tens and an ipod playlist until lunchtime.

I had dilated any more though so they suggested the drip. On the basis of info from mumsnet I asked for the epidural at this point. It took a few hours and attempts to get it working properly but then I got to relax for a few hours.

By about 7 ish pm I was fully dilated and the epi had worn off enough to be able to feel things happening but I didn't reallt seem to 'get' pushing and was at it for quite a long time. Then there was a midwife shift change and the new one got me in stirrups and was all bossy, which pissed me off so much that I gave a few extra big pushes and DD came out with a bit of ventouse help at 10pm.

It wasn't ideal certainly, but I felt in control of the decisions at each stage and well informed enough to be confident that what was happening was ok. This was at the Rosie in Cambridge.

[neversaydie]

I was induced because of high blood pressure a week before my due date. So far as I remember, I had a pessary, then the midwife broke my waters the following morning and then finally I had a syntocin drip. Just to salt the wound, my son was born face to pubes (wrong way up).

They gave me diamorphine, which helped a lot with the pain, and ds was born vaginally without any further intervention (they wanted to put a sensor on his head but were;t able to because he was the wrong way up).

It wouldn't have been my first choice, but I ended up with a healthy baby which was the main thing.

[warthog]

angrywasp, i concur with everything you said.

[idobelieveinfairies]

I had a natural first labour that was fab and then 3 inductions...all more painful and longer. The induction with my 4th was the worst by far..i had to push him out at 8 cms or it was c-section.

I was not allowed to be induced again so went on to have 2 planned c-sections.

Every womans body is different, so you never know what is going to happen.

Just relax, be positive and remember there is always the epidural if you need it.

Good Luck

[varmit]

oh dear, you really are an angry wasp aren't you!

[AngryWasp]

I don't believe in failure to progress, only failure to be patient!

[varmit]

Just thought I'd chuck my opinion in here, to add to the mix! Not wanting to sound negative or to freak Blondie out, but I did have an early induction via drip, due to blood pressure issues, and it was awful! I know very many women do have successful births after induction, but to be fair to Fairymum, very many don't, and I was one who ended up in EMCS, due to FTP (failure to progress). After 15 hours of painful contractions, (I did have an epidural before the drip, but it only worked down half of me!) I'd only dilated to 6cms. Incidentally, I was absolutely parched and begging for a drink, but was told I couldn't in case I was heading for a C Section. Cruel! Also, having your waters broken with that fish hook type thing they use, is so horrible, I ended up in tears after being prodded and poked so much I couldn't take anymore.

None of it matters in the end though, once you've got your baby, who cares whether it was natural, induced, vaginal or c section, the only thing that matters is your baby being born safe and well. It's nice to have good memories of the birth, but that's rare, and some women are a little superior about having 'good' birth experiences.

My next one is set to be a planned c section, which I'm very happy about!

[AngryWasp]

Bollocks, what happens if someone has a car accident and needs urgent surgery? DO they say 'sorry luv, but you haven't had nil by mouth for the last 24 hours'. Nope. There are procedures and strategies for dealing with people who have food in their tummies, - it just requires a bit more skill.

If they say this to you, then, with your mouth full simply say 'in that case let's manage this labour in an optimal way, with a mobile or no epi and good positions that will best avoid c-section, including not following abritary timescales'

[cheerfulvicky]

Yeah, that's what I heard before I went into labour. They don't like you to eat in case you have an emergency c section under GA and choke, which is very unlikely. Again, I agree - if I had my time again I would do differently. But medical stuff have a way of making you think you have no other option, that it is law.
Be strong!

[AngryWasp]

at the not being allowed to eat.

Eat. How can your body do so much work without energy. What are they going to do arrest you? There are no good medical reasons not to eat, and plenty good medical reasons to do so.

[cheerfulvicky]

Hullo,
I was induced with my first baby almost exactly a year ago at 40+10. Was for medical reasons so opting for expectant monitoring instead wasn't really an option.

So: If I had to be induced again, I personally would ask for an epidural before the drip goes in. Many woman will have a pessary or gel and be off and running, and that's great! But if (like me) your body isn't ready to labour, and everything is closed, pessaries don't always hack it and then they will usually move onto the drip. For me, the drip was fine for an hour or two, then wham, it got really bad. The contractions were very painful, but I could have coped for a while longer if there had been a break between them to rest. It was just constant, which can happen with the syntocinon drip. If you think you MIGHT want an epi, mention it. When I had mine I found it hard to keep still as there was no break in the pain. I was only 3cm dilated when I had it, but I was glad I had it at 7pm, because I didn't give birth until 5am the next morning.

Also, if you end up having the drip, they like to monitor you and the baby, so you will be 'tethered' to something right by the bed. Preparing for this can be helpful, mentally I mean, as you won't be able to move about much. Sometimes even turning on your side can make the stretchy belts slip and the babys heartbeat isn't tracked for a bit, which can seem worrying even though everything is actually fine. Try not to watch the heart monitor constantly as it will drive you bonkers quite quickly. Having a birth partner or midwife who tells you that you are doing wonderfully can help! Some hospitals won't let you eat during labour (mine didn't) once the drip goes in, so eat and rest tonight to keep your strength up. Having your own pillow is good because hospital pillows are horrible, just make sure you get it back when you are moved after giving birth.

Prepare yourself for the possibility of a c-section, I narrowly avoided one. It's just good to think about what MIGHT happen, and what you will do. Tell your birth partner what you do and don't want so they are aware and can argue your case when you are off in your own little world

And most important of all, remember that soon you will meet your baby, and how amazing that will be! Have people remind you of that - because seriously, you will forget
Let us know how you got on. Peaceful birth wishes for you.
x

[AngryWasp]

Blondie89 There is quite a bit of research that shows outcomes for induction can be related to attitude and expectations.

Giving birth is scary, and doing it for the known there will be a fear of the unknown, however going into the experience with a positive frame of mind cannot be underestimated.

Be confident, be excited, remember why you are there (sometimes you can forget - honest), ensure you have good support, ask questions, regain as much control as you can and you have every reason to believe it will be a good experience.

Things you might want to consider:

They have timelines for the process, but they cannot do anything without your consent. So if you want to leave it a bit longer than their timescales suggest for the pessary to work, or to have some sleep, or go out for a meal - whatever, then know you can insist on this.

You can request that they get your permission each time they feel they should turn up the drip.

You can insist on an epidural before the insert the drip if you wish (coz you can simply refuse the drip until the epi is in - simple)

hth

[Blondie89]

Thank you all for your help I'm a totally clueless first time mum & it's fabulous to get some advice from people who have been there & done it (unfortunatly can't even ask my lovely mum as me & my sister are adopted so she's as clueless about childbirth as me.)

Skybright- it's my dads birthday as well so am secretly a bit chuffed at the timing as first grandchild is so much better a pressie than aftershave.

It's d day tomorrow morning at 9 so I'm crapping myself really excited. Will come back & let you all know how it goes.

[shell96]

I did have an emergency c-section after induction at 40+10 but not sure that it was because of the induction, might have happened that way if i had gone naturally anyway

I didnt find it as bad as i had expected but have no other birth to compare it to as was my first.

[drosophila]

Do you want to be induced? Why are they inducing you? Ask lots of questions before agreeing. Discuss your Bishops score.

I was induced first time and I didn't like it at all. I would do it again if I had to but I would want persuading.

[skybright]

Oh Blondie,if you have your baby on Wednesday he or she will have the same birthday as my induced DD that i posted about

[readyfornumber2and3]

I was induced at 36+6 with my twins (after a natural labour with DS1) and it was great!

I had my waters broke but nothing happened so they started the drip and it took nearly 2 hours for the contractions to start, but once they finally started it took 47 minutes to have both babies with just gas and air

The contractions were actually less intense than with DS1 and I never felt out of control.

Just make sure that they explain everything and let them know (and your birth partner) know what you will and wont except (I was very anti epidural for example) and enjoy meeting your little one

[hatcam]

I was induced at 40 + 14 just by having my waters broken, which is common practice as a first step if the cervix is ready. I was told that they would break my waters and I would need no extra monitoring, but if I wasn't having regular contractions or if there was any meconium in the waters then I would have to go to the labour ward for constant monitoring and/or pessaries/gels.

It didn't hurt, and 56 mins later I had a son! It was a very intense labour but it's never going to be a barrel of laughs let's face it. I was encouraged to move around the whole time (spent the first 15 mins walking up and down the stairs) and gave birth in a midwife led unit.

Be calm, be calm, be calm - by Wednesday it'll all be done and dusted!

[hf128219]

I was induced at exactly 41 weeks for social reasons. Dh was back from Afghnistan.

It was fine! Although I have nothing to compate it to as it was first baby! Good luck.

[NumptyMum]

I think if your body is nearly ready for birth, induction can just set it off. Ask for a sweep beforehand, and also ask them to examine you before induction. There is something called a 'bishops score', which I struggled to understand last time but which gives an indication of likely success of induction. I think EARLY induction, for medical reasons, is perhaps more problematic, the only person I know who had this did have a C Section.

But induction doesn't have to lead to a C Section. I didn't have one, neither did the couple who came in at the same time - she just required a couple of pessaries. I only went onto the drip because my waters had already broken, it may be that I would have been OK with pessaries too. And I wouldn't say that my experience was bad - natural labour can be just as problematic, or not.

Also, you don't have to be induced. You can ask for monitoring - this is what I did. In my case, the scan showed that I had low amniotic fluid, hence the induction. But you can hold off! You can call the NCT helpline for advice re this. 0300 33 00 772 from 10am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

[warthog]

well, no-one else on this thread had a cs after being induced. and no-one i know in rl either.

OP - keep moving around even though they hook you up to the machines. it speeds things along.

[FairyMum]

I don't know anyone who has had a good experience after an induction Warthdog. Helpful? Well, my advice is to go for an elective c-section. It is very likely to end up being a c-section anyway, so why not save yourself the agony. feel free to ignore my opinion!

[warthog]

FairyMum, i really don't think that's true, and neither do i think that's helpful for the op!!