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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Induction and terrified

43 replies

jollyjester · 24/08/2011 16:33

I'm currently 41 weeks with DC1 and due to be induced anytime starting tomorrow until saturday (just whenever the hospital is quietest they will ring) Im really scared about this as I wanted as natural birth as I could and now I know its not going to happen.

The hospital I'm giving birth at has a lovely Midwifery Led Unit which I now know I won't be able to go to and the whole thing just feels like its completely out of my hands. I had a sweep at 40 + 2 but that didn't do anything and people have insisted on telling me all sort of horror stories about induction (why do they feel the need?) and I now feel completely out of control of the whole situation.

Any reassuring words of advise would be much appreciated at this stage.xx

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
GsyGacheFiend · 24/08/2011 22:11

Forgot to say DS wasn't induced.

northernruth · 24/08/2011 22:29

Just wanted to pop back to say.......

If you don't get going straight away then you might get induction pains, which are like severe period pains. These are worse than contractions IMO and so do not hesitate to ask for pain relief if you need it - I had co codamol at first and then the second night I had a half dose of pethidine (fantastic stuff!!!)

You might not have this tho as you are over dates.

Also wanted to say, because this was not made clear to me at the time, that the reason they rupture membranes is so that they reduce the pressure on the baby due to the stronger contractions brought on by the syntocinon.

Bumpsadaisie · 25/08/2011 11:29

I was induced with DD at 40 weeks as fluid levels were very low.

Really, it was fine. They started me off at 9am on a Sunday with the 24 hour pessary, which for me caused period pains (totally manageable). At 9am on the Monday I had one of the other pessaries (7 hour ones?). This got me into early labour - DH and I were walking round the hospital and I was getting contractions every 5 - 10 mins or so. I had to stop and breathe, but they were fine too. This got me to 3 - 4 centimetres. I think things then slowed down and I had the drip at some point on Monday early evening.

True, it quickly stepped up a gear with the drip. Very regular contractions that were painful and intense. I tried on gas and air for a bit but that didn't do much for me, so asked for an epidural. Had a 90 minute wait due to anaesthetist having emergency to deal with. So that bit was painful, and I was praying for the anaesthestist to hurry up! Even then, it wasn't totally totally awful though - I mean I was never near to passing out with pain or screaming in anguish or anything. Just a lot of moaning and groaning about how sore it was.

Had the epidural and then slept for a bit. It didn't work fully and there was still the feeling of contractions in my lower groin, so they topped it up. This meant couldn't feel legs at all and couldnt move.

But had a good rest through the Monday night and about 7am on the Tuesday morning was fully dilated and it was time to push (couldn't feel anythin though). Pushed like a maniac for 2.5 hours, DD was in a slightly awkward position and there was a lip of cervix to get round. Consultants all came in and starting hmming and haaing about a cx, as DD's heartbeart was starting the early signs of distress. They decided to give me another 30 mins, the midwife said now come on, get this baby out!!

So I pushed my brains out, with DH and midwife holding my legs and everyone shouting encouragement. I was exhausted and had an episiotomy and forceps to help turn dd and ease her out (there was no yanking, just gentle traction while I pushed). Out she came, born on to my chest, was pink and crying already, bit of a red mark on her head, and started feeding almost immediately. I was so happy and on a high, cuddling gorgeous DD and eating my toast and tea. DH was sobbing and incoherent with joy and relief, and I was waffling on like a loon to the lovely Kiwi registrar between my legs stitching me up!

I remember it very fondly, even though it was intense and full on! Definitely the "biggest" experience of my life so far.

You'll be fine. And you'll meet that little baby soon!

Bumpsadaisie · 25/08/2011 11:54

PS please try not to be be terrified (hard to do, I know!)

The more scared you are, the worse it will be. Try to convince yourself that whatever happens you will be fine, you are in the hands of people who have a huge amount of experience and at the end of the day it a couple of days of your life. With your lovely baby at the end of it!

Keep calm, deep breaths with the contractions and don't be scared of the pain. Instead remind yourself it is good pain, doing its job!

Mogama · 25/08/2011 12:40

Another one who would like to thank Jollyjester for starting this thread. I've been told I will be induced next week at 40+1 due to high BP and have been feeling really anxious about it as all I seem to have heard are bad induction stories. Very good to know that there are also lots of good ones!

plantsitter · 25/08/2011 12:49

I was induced with both mine, after wanting home births for both, and my best piece of advice is this: try to get your head round the fact you're going to be induced.

You may not get your birth in the midwife-led unit but this process is still about you and the baby - the people around you are just that - peripheral. They will tell you what you/they need to do physically but you are still in charge of your brain. So use your breathing techniques, think positively about welcoming your baby soon and know that whatever happens YOU CAN DO IT!

That's not to say you shouldn't take any pain relief offered if you need it BTW.

Both my inductions - one on the drip, one without, were fine.

Good luck!

Bumpsadaisie · 25/08/2011 13:39

Thats a a very very good point plantsitter - its easy to think of an induction as something thats "done to" you, like an operation or something.

Actually it really just gives your body a prompt to do its natural thing by itself.

jollyjester · 25/08/2011 15:04

Thanks for all your replies everyone, DH rang the hospital this morning to see if the had a rough idea of when I would be taken in and they said Sunday afternoon I was pencilled in for.

At my sweep at 40+2 I was 3-4cm dilated so (now I'm 41+1) I'm going for another sweep this afternoon which hopefully will bring on something else!

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Bumpsadaisie · 25/08/2011 18:06

If you're 3-4 cms then that is very promising indeed! The more dilated you are when they start the induction the better its likely to be. Really, I think you will be fine.

Best of luck for Sunday!

Queenofthehill · 25/08/2011 18:13

I had DC1 in May. I was induced at 40+5 as my waters had broken 48 hours previously. Like some of the other posters, the gel was enough to get me going and I went from 0-birth in 4.5 hours. It was intermittently intense, but not unbearably painful - I used tens and gas and air - and the midwife didn't realise I was anywhere near fully dilated until I said (through gas and air mouthpiece) 'I think I need to push!'. Cue swift removal of leggings and speedy delivery of baby (5 mins pushing). No tearing. All in all a positive experience. :) Good luck!

jollyjester · 01/09/2011 10:26

Hey everyone just wanted to let you know that I didn't need my induction!! Woke at 4am Saturady with crampy pains, by 8am was in hospital, 8cm dilated and baby Grace was born at 11.17am at 9lb 1oz using gas and air. Just been spending our last few days getting to know one another!!

Thank you everyone for all your advise!xx

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LoveBeingIgnoredByMardyBra · 01/09/2011 10:57

Fab news, massive congrats x

pinkytheshrinky · 01/09/2011 11:04

ooh how lovely, congratulations to you all x

wheelshavefallenoffthebus · 01/09/2011 21:15

Congratulations!

BeautifulBirths · 01/09/2011 22:08

Induction is offered for post dates as it is thought that after 14 days the placenta is not as effective and the risk of still birth increases. However, note that it is after 14 days. You are entitled to wait as long as you wish and can monitor baby's movements yourself. Discuss with your midwife or if possible a local independent midwife (who may offer an alternative advice) so you can get the full information as to whether induction is right for you. If is is please relax. I hae looked after many women who have birthed thier babies upright and mobilising despite being induced so the need for epidural is not definate. You can also speak to a registered homeopath for natural induction methods. I have seen the remedy they use work so many times and have used it myself with an hour and half labour to follow! They may suggest celofelum (not sure it is spelt like that.) but you must see someone who is registered. Good luck
www.beautifulbirths.org

droitwichmummy · 03/09/2011 20:38

Congratulations Smile

smithster · 03/09/2011 20:56

Hi there, the worst thing about being induced for me was being stuck in hospital for two nights before anything happened the rest of it was a breeze (well, sort of!). Had the pessary for 24 hrs, then a sweep (ouch!), then prostaglandin gel. Had a little bit of back ache at 6.30am, took paracetamol at 7.30am, rang DH at 8.20am, was 3-4cm at 9.10 and went down to labour ward attached to gas and air! by 12.17 baby had arrived - 3 hours recorded labour, first baby. I don't know if the induction made my labour faster but if it did then I;m happy with that Smile . It was a positive experience for me and it may well be for you. I wouldn't opt for the epidural in advance, you can get one if things go on a bit longer, see how you go, you may surprise yourself. Gas and air is fab too!

smithster · 03/09/2011 20:58

Doh! Just noticed you've already had baby - oh well hope message helps someone else Blush

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