Anyone been induced before term?

[sunndydays]

I have got to be induced at 38/39 weeks and I was wondering if anyone had experience in this? I know it isn't going to be the most comfortable thing in the world but I am thinking it is going to hurt more than if I was overdue as my body probably won't actually be ready iyswim? Any opinions gratefully received

I wa induced at 38 weeks with DD1 and can honestly say it was no worse than either of my other 2 labours which both happened naturally. The process did take a bit longer as I was in hospital from the start but did wander round the grounds as much as I could to get things moving.

Good luck. Hope all goes well.

I was induced at 39 weeks because of pre-eclampsia. It was quite a drawn out process - I had the gel over 3 days without labour starting. Having the gel took a few minutes and wasn't any more uncomfortable than a smear test. This was my first dc and I think I struggled more with the emotional aspect and desperation to see my new baby.

On the 3rd day they were able to break my waters, which was a relief at the time. I needed a drip to push labour on as my body wasn't ready and took advantage of the painkillers on offer .

My 2nd ds was a very quick birth (under 2 hours for a 10lb 8oz dc with an arm in a superman pose) and that was more intense - mind you also too quick for painkillers.

Good luck

I was induced at 34 weeks due to complications with DS1.
It was a long and painful process (sorry!) made worse by the fact that I was strapped to the bed for continous monitoring, and not allowed to sit up/eat/drink etc. Not sure if this is standard in all cases, or if it was because DS was prem. I have since been told that some hospitals offer mobile monitoring - I would definately ask!
Also I waited far too long to take up the offer of an epidural - which was amazing.

I'm 40+4 with DS2 and hoping to avoid another induction, but if I can't this time I would:
have a clear discussion at the very beginning with MW about communication. I would have felt far more empowered if I knew what decisions were being made and why, and having a say in them! For me the worse part was having my waters broken by a registrar who didn't tell me what she was doing , and not realising how long the process could take.
Also I would advise keeping an open mind on your pain relief options. I know they are not everyones personal choice, but for me an epidural (eventually!) was amazing. Because DS1 was so early it was the only option apart from G&A.

Sorry my experience isn't more heartening, but I wish someone had been up front and honest with me about what to expect.
Good luck

I was induced at 38 weeks with my 3rd because of SPD. I went in at 5pm had my waters broken at 6 (managed to do it because it was my 3rd and I was erm well, you know...loose), the drugs 2 hours later and after a few hours of cluster contractions a baby in my arms by 4.30am.

I didn't realise how close I was to having her as the contractions were so different to the previous 2. They came in waves of 5 or 6 for 10 minutes, then nothing for 15 minutes. Then suddenly I'm pushing and there she was.

Not what I expected at all and really very quick! It was nothing like the horror stories I had been told and best of all we were home by 10 o clock the next morning.

I have no regular births to compare, but both my girls were induced at 38 weeks due to SPD. They both took a very long timr to get going but once on the move were 17 hours and 8 hours respectively. I suspect that had I been able to walk around it would have helped speed things significantly however, so walk lots.

Good luck!

I was induced at 38 weeks and it was fine. Went in at 7.30 pm for pessary (for a lot of first timers it takes two or three attempts at pessary to start off this is why our hospital takes you in at night so you can sleep while it is starting off) at 8 am the next morning after a lovely sleep helped along by the sleeping pill midwife gave me they popped me on monitor to say things were happening and I didn't need second pessary. I didn't feel any pain all morning just went for a walk, examined at 2 pm and ARM carried out as was 2-3 cm. Taken down to delivery and put on drip - one piece of advice no one explained that these false contractions naturally kick start your own labour and they are hideous but it doesn't last forever. When I was examined at 6 pm I was begging for pain relief and very dissapointed to find I was only 3 cms dilated. Given a shot of diamorphine and delivered DS at 9.15 pm so full induction took approx 7 hours from first contraction. Good luck, I am due my second in 10 weeks and would be happy for a similar labour again!