Induction at 14 days over due. Moral support needed

[Ninjacat]

I'm due to be induced on Sunday at which point I will be 14 days over due.

The hospital wanted to induce me at 12 days od but as DS was born 14 days od (12 years ago) and my cervix is still high, posterior and long I feel the later the better really.

This baby is very big. My last was 9lb 12oz and this one they say is bigger.

I'm really scared of induction and that it will be painful. I'm also scared about my partner being sent home whilst I wait to go into labour. The dr told me today that it can take 2 days to get labour established.

Basically I think I just wanted to hear what some of you lovely ladies might have experienced and what I should prepare myself for. Please would you share with me?

TIA

I was in this position with a baby that was posterior (but nobody figured this out until she was near crowning). We went into our third week and had to sign forms saying it was my responsibility if anything went wrong, etc. Not much fun I must say.

The worst thing about the labour for me, emotionally was not being allowed up to delivery suite until I was well dilated, but of course this didn't happen due to postioning and a sweep was impossible due to cervix being high and unfavouravle, etc. So, I opted to saty in Day Assessment with birth partner so I wouldn't be left on my own.

This worked ok but was a bit crap being in quite strong labour, pain wise with limted space, privacy and resources for coping such as Entonox.

As for the induction, mine was not good so I won't detail it but you obviosuly need to prepare yourself for high levels of escalating intervention if you can, mentally. Beyond that there's not a whole lot you can do except relax about it and try and accept the situation.

Best of Luck.

By the way, though my birth was pretty bad (was 4th labour) it did not in any way affect my bonding. If anyhting it helped as having DD here finally was such a joyful relief!

Thanks for that hobbgoblin. I did ask if I could go home between pessaries (I live five mins away) but that is not an option apparently.

I have to be monitored Friday and Saturday as I have chosen to go over 12 days. It's all feeling very medical now. Not really what I had hoped for but I suppose as long as he gets here safely that's what counts.

I was scheduled to be induced at 14 days od (14 days not seen as a problem at my hospital). When I went in at 14 days I found out I was already 4cm dilated and induction at that point consisted solely of breaking my waters. Labour started and I gave birth the next morning.

I don't know anything about full-on induction, but Sunday's a long time away, so who knows if you'll need to be induced?

I was induced with dd1 3 years ago and also with dd2 6 weeks ago. Like you I was nervous about it and didn't really want to be induced 2nd time. I suggest the following: explain to the next midwife you see what your worries are and ask for it to be written in your notes so that every midwife ordoctor who deals with you understands your feelings; ask what your options are for accomodation whilst they start the induction process - you may be able to get a private room. I went straight onto the labour ward and was induced in my own room because they knew how nervous I was about dh not being there. Also induction can be managed to make it less intrusive - I asked to be given as much opportunity as possible to labour as naturally as was possible and so I had plenty of time after the first dose of prostin to walk around the hospital grounds, have a bath and a nap, etc which made it more relaxing. They were able to break my waters after this which then got labour started and dd2 was born 6 hours later with no further intervention. It was really a very positive experience this time and I managed on just gas and air. So try to take control as much as you can and ask the midwives to help you make the birth as natural as it can be under the circumstances.

Thanks poguemahone and Beanstalk.

I'm really hoping things do kick off naturally which is why I pushed for the full 14 days.

Beanstalk your experience sounds very positive. I've been really gearing myself up to not having an epidural because baby is so big and I feel I need gravity on my side (DS1 got stuck after epidural and required forceps, episiotomy etc).

I was in your position 2 years ago. I was induced at 14 days over (on a sunday actually!) it was my second child. For me it was a great experience. Had one dose of the prostin gel at 1 pm, could feel it working straight away, by 4pm I was 6cm dialated, he was born at 7.30pm, weighing 10lb6oz. I had one small tear, no stitches. It was a far better experience than my first birth (8lb4oz, natural onset). I had heard how awful being induced was but can honestly say that for me it was no more painful than my first birth, I just used tens and G and A for pain relief. I was just soooo relieved that her was finally out, I think that because I was so far over my body was alot more ready for it, which is why it worked so well for me.

im in exactly the same position as you, being induced sunday 2 full weeks over. trying one more sweep n stretch tomorrow but my cervix was far back on the first one so it was difficult for the midwife and painful for me. not feeling hopeful it will work 2nd time. cant offer any advice just know how u must feel im really not looking forward to it.

ninjacat........
just felt i had to respond to you, I may be in a similar position if I dont start labour naturally.
I was induced with my ds 22months ago. I did not feel as if I had a horrendous time due to the induction process and succeeded in giving birth "naturally" in the end. This was despite 2 lots of prostin, artificially breaking my waters, syntocinon drip, constant monitoring and epidural (!)
But my son arrived safely, no forceps/episiostimy/other "manual" intervention, and I didnt need stitches as I had what was described as "Grazing" to my labia that couldnt be stitched. Very painful though iirc!
But as soon as I fell pregnant this time i have been certain i do not want to go through this process again. I am slightly wiser and a lot less naive and feel this time i have confidence to say what i would prefer to happen. Last time I agreed to everything suggested to me immediatly.
You will be fine honey. You will be ok. The more intervention you have, I believe the more you will need, or the more you will end up with, because the induction sort of ends up in a downward spiral of more intervention. But it doesnt have to be like this. Use your voice and make yourself heard. You have already done very well to get hosp to agree to term + 14 induction, mine is set on term + 10 but ive already said im not up for that.
Have you tried acupuncture? Ive had 2 sessions this week and will be having another 2 next week in the hope of inducing my labour naturally. In my area this is available through nhs, so ask, it may well be a service that isnt widely talked about.
(could not afford it otherwise!!) I also had a sweep on monday, which obviously did not bring on my labour as im still here (!) BUT i believe everything you can do to help is a good thing. Having another on monday if no baby before then.
Stick to your guns . Do what is right for you and your baby but talk to the midwives and consultants as much as you can. Ask everything. Question everything.
Good luck!!! Cant wait to hear of a happy healthy outcome. xxxxx

I'm sorry I can't respond very well, I am in labour!

Despite being no where ready yesterday, over the past few hours I have been having very painful contractions and having a large bloody show - tmi apologies.

Thank you all for your kind words.

I will respond soon.

N x

Glad you didnt have to be induced!
My DD was 13 days overdue and I was due for induction then I went into labour. She was 9lb 12 as well!

FANTASTIC!!!!!!
Good luck hun, cant wait to hear how you get on. Thats brill!!! am very though!
xxxxxxxxx

Yay, - now don't you dare go anywhere, - stay and talk to us!

How exciting!

About to go to delivery suite. Think waters have begun to go (leaking pink fluid) and contractions pretty close together. will report back if i get sent home again

Fabulous! Good luck!

Lovely new baby very soon

was just about to post to tell you my positive stories about being induced (been induced 3 times) but you blatently done need it! maybe it was the force of writing it down that set you off!

hope it all goes well - will keep popping back to see how you get on!

good luck!

Alfred Zukie Fox born 7.30am 01/12/09 weighing in at 10lb 15oz.
15 hours of drug free labour followed by EMCS at the last moment.

Thank you for your support.

Thinking of you Pussycat

Congratulations!!Wow what a whopper too.Hope you're recovering well and thanks for the update.