Experiences please from those of you who went into labour naturally with there 1st but were induced with there 2nd.

[Lynsy]

I am hoping for some experiences from mums that went into labour naturally with there 1st but had to be induced with there 2nd. I am currently 40+7 with my 2nd dc, and had a fairly natural straight forward birth with dd at 38 weeks, managed to labour at home for a while, which I know I can't do if I am induced. So I was just wondering with it being dc2, do the gels/pessaries tend to have the desired effect because it's 2nd time around or have you found that makes no difference. Is there any tips of advice you might be able to pass on. I know it's different for everybody and I am currently very anxious and scared at the thought of being induced and the whole thing being so medical as was hoping to labour at home for aslong as possible only going into hospital when I really felt unable to cope at home any longer.

I am also currently suffering from an upper respitory infection and am feeling really ill and in pain, so the thought of putting my body through the pain of childbirth aswell is not one I am feeling able to do at the moment.

Thanks.

Hi there

I had spontaneous labours with dc1 and dc2 but was induced with dc3 at 40+12 days (I had had enough by then and wanted dc3 born!

I had had a sweep earlier in the week which had no effect, so went for induction.

Had gel pessary at 8am - no immediate effect. Left the ante-natal ward to go for long walk round the hospital, sit in the gardens (was summer) etc. I think keeping vertical may have helped (lots of downward pressure on cervix!). Only thought afterward that I should have asked if I could go home as we lived less than a mile from the hospital - did not occur to me at the time!!

Nothing happened for rest of am - went for lunch then was due back on ward at 2 pm for a check and another pessary if necessary.

Was not necessary as contractions kicked in about 1 pm ish, went to delivery ward about 3pm and dc3 was born in water pool at 4:30 pm!

Contractions were not much different to dc2 labour which was spontaneous. They were not more intense or anything like that - built up gradually over a couple of hours. DC1 was long back to back labour so very different.

Hope that helps - best wishes for safe arrival of dc2!

Thankyou so much for your reply and positive story, I am glad to hear you were able to leave the ward/hospital, I can't think of anything worse than just sitting there waiting for something to happen, plus like yourself would like to be able to wander around as I know the best position is upright, and I have a feeling that most hospitals like you to be on the bed.

Thanks again.

Hi

I went into labour naturally with dd1 at 40+3.
I was induced with ds at 40+14, just had one dose of the pessary and he was born a few hours later. Very straightforward and easy birth, just had g&a and tens for pain, only had 2hr50min of 'active' labour, he was 10lb6 btw The worst bit was going so far overdue, not the birth!
dd2 came of her own accord at 40+2.

good luck

I should add that the only bit of 'intervention' was the pessary, after that it was treated as a normal labour, was even asked if I wanted to use the pool.

Thanks twinklegreen another positive story, really hoping that the pesseries work for me, although I do know all births are different, and nice to hear can still have a waterbirth if you want to.

Thanks.

I had a very fast unplanned home birth with ds but had to be induced with dd for complicated medical reasons. I'd been dreading it having heard so many horror stories and being inclined, like yourself, to as active/unmanaged a labour as possible but in the event it really was fine. I had an ARM - waters broken - and needed no further intervention. Went into labour pretty much immediately and dd born a few hours later in the birthing pool. Difficult to compare but I reckon ds's was easier - managed to find a comfy hippy headspace to hide in during labour. DD's was more intense and I didn't find it as easy to get into the same headspace - don't think i had quite the same flood of coping hormones whether that had anything to do with the induction or maybe just being more anxious generally or not I have no idea. But the pool and gas and air were fantastic. I've heard/read lots that say inductions are generally much more complicated for first timers than for those who've already been through labour.

Good luck and keep calm!

ah thankyou so much for sharing your experiences with me, especially as they are so positive. Going to try and get myself better,and stay relaxed

Thank you all.

Hi Lynsy

seems to be a few of us in the same boat! I am 40 and 5 days and DS was fine came out at 39 weeks of his own accord..... I am going mad with waiting.... hope we both get there soon x

Hi Suzidee

It's nice to know I am not alone- have you been booked in for an induction?

Think the waiting is the hardest part, good luck, I hope it goes well for you.

x

I haven't booked but told it is procedure to do it once you are 12 days over so would be next thursday! Good luck hope to hear the birth story soon....