I think I'm terrified of induction...

[dappymoo]

6 days away from threatened induction as overdue, although I know I can refuse this if I want to, and I'm getting really stressed!

We have tried EVERYTHING in the "natural induction" realm and I swear it's all rubbish. Had a sweep and trying for another this week.

I've been quite scared about the birth all along, but have managed to convince myself all will be ok by planning a home birth, with pool, hypno-gumf, lots of reading and alternative type stuff... but if I have to go to hospital and have induction drugs I'm scared I will freak out!
I'd even rather just have a CS, can you do that?!
Even saying this now I realise how stupid I'm being, but all reason has left me. I'm a hormonal mess.

hello dappymoo is this your 1st child? why are you so scared of induction? its very natural to feel so anxious about delivery. something tells me though you havent tried this method of natural induction,
RELAX im serious and although its really hard at the moment you may find going away for a couple of days with dp or friend or mum may help you to relax.

Yeah it's my first, do you know what I think I have been quite relaxed up until now but as soon as the induction was booked (why do they have to book it so early!?) I literally felt my blood pressure shoot up!
I think it's reading on these forums about induction making things so much quicker and more painful, and my antenatal classes seemes to drum in that induction means intervention is much more likely etc, and means you may be less able to cope...
I know it doesn't matter in the end as long as you have a healthy baby, but I am a bit scared. I think being set on a home birth has made me a bit worried about going to hospital although in an emergency I wouldn't think twice.

Perhaps I need to stop thinking about it and get away like you say! Escape!!

I've had four children, and one of my labours was induced after my waters broke before labour started, so it was out of my hands.

First thing I would say is, don't panic! Honestly, I personally didn't find that induced labour was all that different from the pain of non induced labour. If it goes as it should, your labour will progress nicely and there are pain relief options just as there are for natural labour.

The main thing is that you will get through it, so try to relax and believe in yourself. Now, obviously you could still go into labour yourself anyway, so you still should stay as calm as possible.

Have they told you what they're going to do to induce it? When I was induced, my cervix wasn't soft so I was given a hormone pessary, which did the trick overnight, and it wasn't so bad at all. Then, the next day I was put onto a syntocinon drip (the syntocinon mimics the natural hormone that starts labour when it happens naturally).My contractions started just like normal early contractions, uncomfortable but manageable with breathing and relaxation.Not everyone needs this pessary if their cervix is soft already.

They got stronger and I used gas and air, and had support from my Mum and hubby, rubbing my lower back and hips...that was a fantastic help! Of course, within about 4 hours of that I'd had my little girl, because the pessary had softened the cervix and I'd dilated overnight to about 2-3 cms without really realising.

There's no doubt that labour can be painful, but honestly, you will cope with confidence and adequate pain relief.Listen to your options and, if you want to, make good use of gas and air...it will feel funny at first, but once you've had a couple of breaths it will really help you over the contraction...and you do get a rest in between, lol!

I understand you being upset about being induced, as I was, but it really shouldn't be as awful as some make out. It's still bearable with the right support, otherwise many women wouldn't have come out the other end happy and healthy, with happy, healthy babies. If it comes to a point where the labour is not easy on the baby and you need intervention, then deal with that when it comes to it; what matters is that your baby is safe. I was told that if my son was in for any longer than 42 weeks (he's not the one I was induced with, though I had booked one, but I went into labour) he was at risk of problems because the placenta ages. Only you can decide which is riskiest for you, but I wanted to reassure you that induced labour is simply not necessarily much different to normal labour in terms of pain.HTH

Will you be 42 weeks when they induce you, if it doesn't happen before then? You can request a few more days if you want to, you don't have to go ahead with induction. Good luck.

dappymoo, induction really doesn't have to be so bad. Dsis has had 2- both good experiences. First one she had an epidural, 2nd one she did hypnobirthing and raved about it.

Relaxation and breathing techniques WILL help you whether you are at home or being induced. They may only be enough to get you through early labour but the point is to have as positive an experience as possible, not to avoid drugs at all costs.

Is your DP/ DH going to be with you? If so, give him a list of things he can to to help you stay as relaxed and comfortable as possible. And if it all gets too much, ask for pain relief.

DC2 is due on Tues and I am nervous of course but knowing I have a few techniques to fall back on (and that DH has a list!) is really helping me remember that I can and will cope.

Good luck :)

how far along are you? i was induced last time and although it resulted in emcs that was only because he had a massive head and im very teeny!! they put the drip in, contractions started and i thought ouch this hurts but this is what contractions feel like. as far as the contractions go yes the are forced and yes they hurt, but you have nothing to compare it to, for all you will know thats what non induced contractions feel like. labour hurts! thats the bottom line, no scare stories, no romantic view either. your labour experience is your very own it wont be like anyone elses.

if you're really worried say so and ask to be monitored and if you, baby and placenta are all healthy and working ok then tell them to hold off induction.

stop reading scare stories, grab a friend and treat yourself to a massage followed by a baby free zone chat over tea and cream bun x

I've had four.

I was induced every time.

Only Gas And Air for 3 of them.

I still did it again

Honestly, you will be fine. Believe in yourself and your ability to do this.

I was induced after finding out half way through my pregnancy that I had gestational diabetes and my planned home birth went out of the window.

I agree with batty, labour is all about the state of your head. Prepare for all eventualitiles so that you know what you want and can negotiate. When I was induced I was still treated with utmost respect and I didn't feel as though I had just handed over all the control to the hospital.

I hope your baby comes before your induction date but you can still refuse it too if it feels like the right thing to do, all the best, I remember so well how nervous I felt about being induced and like you I tried everything, gah!

dappymoo, sorry you are so worried about this.

FWIW, my DS1 was induced at 42+1 (after we had tried everything to get things going naturally..) and it was absolutely fine experience. I did have an epidural and a synto drip thereafter, but had absolutely no pain once the epidural was given. I could also feel in which direction I was ment to push when it came to pushing.
I have had 3 further children since.... With my third the 2nd sweep did the trick at 41+5.

Try not to have too many preconceived ideas about your labour and delivery - and 6 days is aaaaages before your induction date; lots of things could still happen in the meantime .

Also bear in mind that people in general love a good gory scare story and are far less likely to talk much about a 'non-event' like a straightforward induction.

Look after yourself and good luck!

I was induced with dd2, was given gel pack at 4am, another one at 6 am. Watched Tv most of the morning, walked about, listened to i-pod, read etc, kept as mobile as possible. I was monitored for 15 mins but had no drip, wasn't encouraged to stay in bed etc. Had a couple of baths, labour started in earnest at 4pm, baby born at 6.45pm, no interventions, baby born while I was kneeling at side of bed. Had gas and air. I was so scared of induction, heard toooo many horror stories, but have to say was so much easier than 11 hour labour with dd1!! Am due third baby in Feb and have absolutely no worries should I be induced again. Good luck

dappymooI share your concerns about induction (supposed to be getting induced on Thurs) but just keep telling myself that there are loads of positive inductions stories out there and ultimately you just don't know how it's going to go. You could go into labour naturally and still end up with lots of intervention or you could be induced and it could all go perfectly smoothly. And as others have said, 6 days is loads of time!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

I had an induction after waters broke early but labout didn't start.I was 3cm by the time I went through with it & like you was dreading it. It was fine - no intervention apart from drip/monitor, pain was bad but not terrible & I was walking around within 20 mins of giving birth taking photos of my newborn son!

My advice:

• Face up to your worst fears. OK, if they need to use forceps or ventouse, which would you rather? Do you want episitomey or not? If you have to have C Section, work out how you csn make the best of it: can Dad be there, can you do skin to skin etc etc.
• During labour, don't fight it. Accept that this is what's happening to you & that it's for the best. Sounds drippy/hippy but it does help.
• Breathe through contractions & try not to tense up with each one. It does help.
• Stay active. Check hospital policy beforehand & if required negotiate to stay active. Some MWs try and confine you to bed with an induction - tell them to bog off! I wasn't in bed at all during my labour, walking about, on all fours and gave birth standing up (leaning over the bed). It helped me manage the pain & contributed to a successful birth IMHO.

I don't have anything to compare it to but for me induction was OK, the pain was manageable & I got the active birth I felt was right for me.

GOOD LUCK, it's a terrifying time & I really sympathise - I remember feeling that way myself so well. xx

Sorry you're worried, with my first i started off naturally but didnt progress fast enough so they basically used all the techniques of induction to help me along - stretch and sweep which i didnt even know she was doing until she had done it so that was fine, then they popped my waters which i didnt feel a thing and as i still wasnt progressing v.fast they put a drip in my arm which did the trick and i was dialated fully within half an hour or so.

tbh i hadnt really read up on induction techniques before they happened as i was 2 days early and hadnt got to that stage where i thought i may need them but after reading they can make labour pains stronger and help for a more painful birth i was shocked as i didnt think it made them anymore painful so dont panic at all, labour is painful full stop, you will be dosed up on the pain relief of your choice and you wont know what 'normal' pain is for labour as its your first anyhow so you will be completely fine.

Just think....baby will be here after all the pain, i wouldnt be worried if they had to induce me again infact im expecting my body to react the same to labour so am thinking i probably will be induced but its fine dont panic....and good luck!

Thank you so much for your replies, it really does help to know that not everyone has terrible induction experiences!
I had a day off thinking about it yesterday and tried to get in a more positive mood! And now am thinking how I can plan more for if I do have to go to hospital and have things in place to help me relax more...

I have been having period pains since last monday and back ache and gradually increasing periods of braxtons/contractions so am hoping this is all normal and just a sloooowwww start to things! Back is absolutely throbbing today!!

sounds like things could be moving along nicely, good luck let us know how you get on x

Good luck - sounds like things are starting on there own anyway!!

I had DS on day before i was due to be induced. think they have to book them so far ahead just for there own paperwork sake

ull cope. we all do and so many of us go back for more coz those beautiful children are sooooooo worth it

Get scrubbing some floors, woman, that'll move things right along !

I pushed DS2 learning to ride his bike and waddled ran alongside him the day before labour with DS3 started - I am not necessarily recommending that but a brisk walk might be a good idea .

Very best of luck!

Induction doesnt have to be a bad experience. Ive been induced twice, the first time it went very well and ds1 was born 6 hours after the pessary was inserted.
The 2nd went spectacularly badly.

Try and stay positive, inductions can be great

DO NOT THINK THAT A CS IS BETTER THAN INDUCTION IT IS NOT!!!!!!!

Hi Dappymoo

Please don't worry re induction. I've had 3dcs, the first two were spontaneous labour. Dc3 was induced at 38 wks for medical reasons so I was totally not ready physically. I think that at term plus quite a few days you might be more 'favourable' anyway.

I had a pessary at about 0830, then my waters broken at about 1100. Nothing really happened so they put me on a drip at about 1400. The contractions really got going about 3 hrs later - I was quite happy reading and eating my dinner before that!

It was definitely the shortest of my 3 labours and was only more painful because I had SPD and ds was back to back. I'd say that about 1800 I really felt I was in labour and he was born at 2335. So it wasn't horribly short or horribly long.

I didn't have forceps or ventouse and I had a controlled tear. I laboured and birthed flat on my back because the SPD rendered me incapable of moving into a better position.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that although there were lots of factors which meant it should have been not great, really it was fine.

Within a couple of hours I was up and having a bath and we left hospital at 0400 - 4.5 hours after he was born.

I'm sure whatever happens you'll be ok. I second whoever said address your fears and decided what you do and don't want to happen if intervention becomes necessary, but really, it's not inevitable that it will happen.

Hi Dappymoo

I'm just echoing what others have said, but I was induced with DD and it was fine. I mean it hurts, yes, but once the pain starts you realise it's just pain and you know what it's for. If you can, relax and make the most of your time before the baby comes!

In retrospect I wish I had done more thinking about the baby at this stage - by which I mean just sitting/lying and being aware of the baby inside me as another person. Sounds a bit woo but I think I got myself worked up about the whole birth/induction thing and meant I was stressed for a week before where I could've been mentally preparing myself to meet the titch!