Induction

[Dartfordmummy]

i'm currently 40+7 and no signs of baby coming.

The hospital have rung and asked me to come in this evening for an induction.

Haven't really researched too much into it so wondered if anyone has any previous stories - how long it takes, is it more painful etc.

Thanks x

Hi.
With my first I was induced. If it's the same I was started off with a pessary and left for that to start working, it did. If things don't happen they try another one, if still nothing they would probably then put in a drip of syntocin to get the contractions going. The syntocin does make it more painful and they will probably recommend an epidural so you can cope with it.
Just my experience though. Try and get lots of sleep as it may take a while.
Hope all goes well for you x

That's very early. Most hospitals don't induce till you're 10-14 days overdue, unless there is another risk factor.

I've been induced twice and both were absolutely fine. They start you off with a gel and then there's lots of waiting around. Take lots to read and be prepared for lots of hanging around. Walking will help the baby descend and position correctly and bring labour on more quickly. They will repeat the gel, cue more hanging about.

For me nothing else was required- my waters broke by themselves and labour proceeded normally, but for some people they will break your waters for you, and then if your contractions don't start, or aren't strong enough, they will put you on a drip. These contractions are meant to be more painful.

With induction there is an increased risk of other interventions like forceps, ventouse or CS.

Good luck, hope your experience is as good as mine :)

I've been induced twice at 40+10. It was a bit of a performance and I ended up on a drip both times, but didn't have to have any other interventions. Was as positive an experience as it could be, under the circs.

Hi.

Had 3....the last one was an elective induction.....I was overdue and just decided to get it over and done with......I live overseas and they are very flexible when you are paying

All fantastic (honestly).

First one I had they had to let my body go into proper labour before they'd give an epidural (if you want one). My consultant had recommended an epidural as the contractions sometimes come on quite quickly.

I was so annoyed with my NCT class instructor as they had put the fear of god into me re inductions. The majority are straight forward. For a lot of women just putting in the gel/pessary is enough (with me I needed the drip each time).

And just cos you've been induced first time doesn't mean you are any more likely to have one if you decide to get pregnant again.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

And should have added other than the actual induction....no interventions....no tearing...no stitches.....no foreceps...no ventouse on any of the three

you can ask them to give you a sweep before induced......go for the oldest most experienced midwife you can find......that may do it.....alternatively have you tried acupuncture.....mate did and they put electric currents through the needles....she started labour that night.....could have been coincidence though.

Blimey, I am going on a bit aren't I.......with my first I went in Sunday night.....they gave me gel early Monday morning (won't do anything Snday night as not many staff around) tried two lots of gel (Monday morning and Monday night, then a pill? Spent Monday at next door park in my jeans with my laptop within 50 metres of hospital....everything started contraction wise Tuesday....so yes, take LOTS to read! Only got into bed Tuesday lunchtime.

I'd better get some magazines from the shop on the way in then!! Thanks for all your stories.

Any particular reason they want to induce you early? You're not over due until after 42 weeks.

Hi, I was induced. Just to add be prepared to be hooked up to monitors an awful lot - every time they insert the pessaries they have to monitor baby before and after doing it. In my hospital sometimes I was on the darn monitor for a couple of hours or so at a time . It's not bother and not painful or anything - just means you're stuck to a bed.

If you think you want to go down the epidural route consider having one as soon as they put the drip in (if they need to do the drip). Appparently the drip can make things suddenly quite painful. I didn't get as far as the drip - I had 3 pessaries - all of which gave me some tightenings but not enough to break waters so after 5 days they gave me a csection. This is I think pretty unusual but worth mentioning so you are prepared just incase. As it goes, the csec was completely fine and now I have a lovely 7 week old DD

OP did you go in?