41 + 2 planned induction but desperately scared

[scaredveryscared]

Advice welcome please.

2 weeks ago had signs of labour starting (bit of a show, cramping period pains and cervix twinges) since that nothing!

Midwife tried to sweep membranes but my cervix was closed at top and it was VERY uncomfortable.
Booked me in for induction 19th dec...

1. fears over fast onset of labour with induction

2. scared about pain

3. desperate for my body to do it's thing (feel confident I will cope if my body starts itself)

4. fears over problems for my baby being overdue (doing a poo inside .... etc)

5. have tried sex (daily) pineapple (ate a whole one in one go (no tongue lining left) walking every day, thinking about acupuncture

Help please.

Rasp leaf tea def helped me.

DC1 - 6hr labour, 20min of pushin
DC2 - waters ruptured, syntcoin drip for hours no progress, then realised some waters intact, broke and 40min established labour with 2mins pushing (2nd push out).

Rasp leaf tea, up to 5 a day... go for it!

Check whether your hospital has a policy of no men on the antenatal ward overnight, have a plan for a female relative/friend who can come and sit with you if your partner is sent away.

My induction started at 2pm but by 9pm I wasn't labouring enough for Labour Ward, and the hospital I was in has a policy of no men on the ward between 9pm and 9am. So my husband was sent home and I was left alone. I am hoping the hospitals in your neck of the woods don't have this ridiculous policy.

I went in at 8.30pm for my first pessary and overnight stay on the maternity ward - DH was sent home. I got some sleep but not much, but that was because of activity on the ward, nothing else. DH came back next morning - I had 2 further pessaries, and it was only after the 3rd one that I really started to have contractions that were uncomfortable.

Ladies.... A really big THANK YOU.

Thank you for taking the time to reassure me and comfort me. I truly believe in the 'doula' approach..... women who have had children empathise and can give strength to those who are new to all this. Yes it's my first child (I'm 36 and been trying for a few years so was overjoyed when it happened naturally - one week before fertility treatment started!!)

I feel I am very lucky to be pregnant and sooooooooo excited to meet my little one (sex unknown!) I just let my fears get the better of me I guess.

I have had an amazing pregnancy and loved it.... eaten healthier than I ever have and walked and swam most days. Very excited about the first moment I see my baby and cuddle it.

I have been shopping today and booked for some acupuncture tmw. If anything I hope it will relax me and allow energy to flow to the right places.

Baby is still active and this gives me great pleasure.

Your advice is really appreciated - it's hard to convey just how much on here but it really is. If induction goes ahead and I need the drip I will opt for the epidural as I am conscious I do not want to be put off.... would love a little sister/brother for me baby.

Going to the hospital tonight to have a tour of the labour ward and I now have some excellent questions to ask - thanks!

I will let you all know how the acupuncture goes tmw..... and send my best wishes to you wonderful ladies for your genuine care.

Clare (not as scared )

@ "not as scared".

Good luck! It will be fine.

Just feel compelled to add I had DS1 4 weeks before my 37th birthday... and am expecting DS4 at the mo' . So, also good luck with the next one

I know someone who went into labour during her 'induction acucpuncture' session - good luck

Dont be scared. They will take good care of you. You'll be in the hospital so no travelling trauma. Once you get the pessary you may go naturally - a bath helps with this. I've been induced twice. First time drip and epidural (totally fine), second time, pessary only and gas and air (v quick). In the mean time, birthing ball to ensure baby gets in best position for easiest birth, walks and acupuncture if you can. Good luck.

hello! i too was induced with my first after going over - and was also sooo very scared!
however, as all the sensible ladies have already said, you're "guaranteed" your baby before xmas - ace! after all the waiting (and it does feel like forever when you get to where you are!), try to just feel positively about the thought that - finally! - your little one will be in your arms very soon!

i think the epidural sounds like good advice (for some reason this was only mentioned to me when it was already too late to have it - thanks midwife!) but gas and air (and my own music) really helped. it wasn't especially rapid for me either (on the drip too) - this didn't feel good at the time but may be better than especially quick onset i believe.

i also had a "lovely water birth" planned, but the blessing of my induced labour was that my baby was born with complications (not the fault of the induction btw!) and a congenital disorder that meant had i NOT been where i was (we live in a rural location and the water birth centre is a looong way from the labour ward/scbu proper)things might have been so much worse. i now really think this happened for a reason and would not hesitate to be induced again, fwiw.

i remember another "new" mother telling me how she'd had the "best" birth she knew of ie.water/easy etc (whatever!)and feeling quite disappointed when i contemplated my experience...then i thought screw you! my baby is the "best" i could've ever imagined and i don't care how he arrived now.

good luck, though, you have all my sympathy for your fears but i'm mostly excited for you - your first baby will be here any day now!! am v interested to hear about the acupuncture though - wish i'd thought of that!! all the best though, and stay positive and proud of your baby and body.

I feel a bit guilty for adding this because I don't want to add to your issues, but I was told by the anaesthetist that they preferred not to give me an epidural because epidurals in inductions quite often lead to further intervention being required, i.e. ventouse, forceps, em CS, that kind of thing. But I have no idea how common that is - t'was enough for me not to ask again for the epidural though.

Morning,

Thanks for the new posts ladies....

made the mistake of watching "out of my depth" last night on TV.... anyone see it?

Excellent program but tipped me over the edge almost!! The final birth and the woman was screaming in agony... gulp my husband had to talk me off the ceiling!

Feeling calmer today, thanks to a good sleep!.... acupuncture at 2pm. Going for big walk now.

I heard that epidurals lead to further intervention.... will have to go with the flow and see if I can manage without it.... REALLY hope I can.

Will post back later and update on the acupuncture.... even if it just relaxs me it will be worth it.

Clare xx

If you end up being induced and they start you off with pessaries, keepactive. Don't let them confine you to bed and treat you like you're ill. Walk around, get dressed and go out if they'll let you. Just don't lie on your back waiting for something to happen- give yourself the best chance of things starting up.

I was induced and ended up with emergency C-Sec 6 weeks ago. Each step of the way i felt like things were moving further from the natural water birth i had planned. This is also my first baby and i felt very worried about medical intervention. However, the medical staff were amazing and the very second i heard my beautiful boy's healthy cry and saw his little face rooting for my milk, all i felt was happiness and great relief. Please try and keep an open mind about the birth. It's nice to plan the perfect relaxed natural birth, but it is just not something you have control over at the end of the day. Really and truly the safe delivery of your baby is the main thing and we are very lucky to live in a country where C-secs are available. As for the pain - just remember it's not bad for you and it will end. wishing you the best of luck

agree with Mrs Mattie - walk, walk, walk!

Also if they try to rush any stage of the induction process, don't let them - they seemed desparate to give me the drip but I insisted on giving the other stages a chance to work first (in particular walking round for a full 2 hours after having my waters broken). The consultant apparently said "if we're going to induce her we might as well get on with it" and wanted to just give me the drip straight away. (wasn't even necessary in the end)

good luck with the acupuncture!

SVS - I wouldn't take too much notice of the drama of tv/film births - they wouldn't get good screen time out of a woman doing it relatively easily!

FWIW - I didn't have any of the screaming pushpushpush thing, nor the full on dripping with sweat etc needing face mopped - none of that (although I was wailing like an air-raid siren during the actual contractions, admittedly).

Also - although I wanted to walk around, I was physically incapable of doing so, even had to be wheelchaired to the loo (About 5 times in the last few hours!) so I spent most of my labour lying on my left side - this helped, apparently, with me only having a slight graze when DS was born (the MW who cleaned up said that was the best position to avoid tearing). I think I was lucky that my consultants etc. were happy to let things progress "naturally", although they had threatened me with the drip if I didn't start doing something after 4 hours post-cervix check (1cm dilated) - so I delivered DS after 2.5 . First pessary was 28 hrs previous.

please please do take the raspberry leaf tea, though - so many people have said it was brilliant at helping with second stage, it has to be worth it.

Clary Sage rubbed into bump with a little carrier oil.

Scared, Hope the acupuncture was good and has had the desired effect

Just to add: it is of course true that "interventions lead to interventions" ie epidural increases chances of needing syntocinon drip because it quite often slows/weakens contractions right down (as it did with me).
Personally I think a positive birth experience is a really important outcome (not most importants: that's obviously a well baby and mum) and IMO having an open mind about how things might develop helps.
A high rate of instrumental and Caesarean deliveries after induction for past dates is a sad reality in this and many Western European countries (don't get me started on the US) but does not have to be true for individuals.
Personally, I am happy to go 2 weeks over dates, as long as everything including placental function is ok.
If the pessaries "set you off" your labour should really be comparable to a "normal" labour. Synto is a different kettle of fish, as is artificial rupture of membranes...

In summary: make sure you have all the information you need, that you understand the reasoning behind management decisions suggested to you, remember you do not have to agree to any intervention (but make sure you understand the postential downsides of declining) - and then, try and relax. Your body and your baby know what to do.

I cannot wait to hear this birth announcement...

Hi Ladies,

Well acupuncture has left me feeling VERY calm....

Had pulses taken and pins put down spine, after twenty mins the acupuncturist said that I had two meridian blockages.... both to do with energy being blocked towards my abdomen/uterus.

I had some pins then put in my face (!) did not hurt.... then some in hands... and I felt little surges of electricity instantly.

When she took my pulses again she asked if I felt different.... I did, it was a subtle difference but things felt different psychologically.

I spent the afternoon in a calm relaxed state and relaxed into the idea of an induction. Felt like I had tuned back into the baby and I think the baby benefited from the energy as it was active all afternoon and evening.... kicks and squirms and responding to my talking to it.... really made me feel peaceful.

Think I might book for a facial tomorrow and a massage. Love this calmer feeling. Don't get me wrong I still have worries but feel like I am not putting myself first but the baby now... think I was slipping into a selfish state... embarrased.

Really feel touched by the kindness you have shown sharing your experiences and being positive and excited for me, thank you so much.

Keep looking at my 3d scan picture and getting excited rushes

Went shopping before and had a few interesting twinges.... not getting my hopes up and feel prepared for this birth be it natural or induced.

Will keep you posted

Good wishes to all.

Clare xxx

Hi 'not so' scared,
Have been wondering about you today. So glad you are calm and happy and hope the twinges lead to something exciting

Awww, that sounds like you had a really worthwhile session - whether it directly leads to labour or not.

Hurrah! Sounds like it was a great experience and good luck with the birth! Let us know how it goes

Scared - have you had a baby? You've disappeared suspiciously...

Fingers crossed!
x

Hi Ladies sorry took so long to get back on here.... been recovering

Sat 8am had first prostin insert (the twinges were sporadic and did not lead onto anything)

That insert didnt work. 4pm had second one. (not a pleasant exp... some midwives were not at all gentle..)

Within one hour I had contractions (4 - 5 in ten minutes!) Sent me to Delivery suite as the contractions were thick and fast. Did my cervix dilate like it is supposed to? No.

I am gonna skip now to Sat 2.15am..... still strong contractions had waters broken.... cervix only 2cm.

I was in so much pain.... babay was getting moved down but no where to go.

I asked for an epidural as I was shattered and the gas and air wasn't enough (had pethidene but it only made me feel weird)

There were emergencies so no one available to give me epi till 8am sunday. I was in quite alot of pain and feeling lost.

Had to do epi during two min contractions and it took them 3 seperate goes as theere was blood in it and they couldnt have that.

That worked and I was able to cope..... (mobile epi) cervix only 5 cm.

They put me on the synto drip.... and oddly there developed a 'gap' with the epi.... right over my uterus... the contractions were back and I could now feel great pressure in my back passage. They upped the delivery and it seemed to work for a while

Sunday 8pm now.... I was losing control.... why after two (on thrid bag) of synto was I not prgressing... cervix 7cm.
BEGGED the registrar to please do something and get the baby out I was not coping and they couldn't do anything more.

Felt like a baby but I was drained and hopeless.

She came back one hour later and promised me I would progress... I didn;t but now baby in distress... emeergency c section followed.

They had to yank my poor baby out as he was stuck and compacted in pelvis... horrendous.

I was beside myself with fear/guilt and desperation.

Eventually I heard a cry.... but not after some oxygen was given... that was the best noise I have heard in my life.

Ethan James was born 8lb 10oz

I couldn;t hold him cos I was shaking with so much anaesthetic in my body. My husband got first cuddles.

Got home two days before xmas day.

I am not thinking about the ordeal anymore I need to put it out my mind. Wanted to explain to you all tho so you knew why I had disappeared.

My son is adorable and melts my heart completely. I have never felt love like this.

I am doing my best to breast feed (that is a job in itself) recover, banish feelings of guilt over my body not working to bring him naturally. He is suffering with lots of mucus and has little bruises where he was tugged out. He has had a traumatic exp too and we are both having lots of cuddles. He does cry alot but I am putting it down to all of the above.

Night times are hard and sleep is a thing of the past but I love him so much.

Ladies thank you for all your support. I will pop back soon for advice on breast feeding and how to helps sore nipples.

I hope you all had a lovely peaceful christmas.

Love Clare & baby Ethan xxxxxx

oh babe. so sorry that things didn't work out for you. sounds like a horrible experience. wishing you and baby ethan all the best. xxx

But they did work out! You have your baby in your arms. Focus on that. Many people (myself included) have traumatic first births and go on to have much better subsequent ones (know it is too early to think about that!) - please dont let the trauma/guilt etc overtake and ruin the first few months with your baby like I did - focus on yourself and the baby - you did it, that's all that matters!