Getting induced tonight, Terrified!

[Jellybabyjen]

Hi All, I'm booked in to be induced tonight with my first. I had really wanted it to happen naturally and tried everything from reflexology to curry, sex, pineapple etc. No putting it off now though! Just wondering if anyone has a GOOD induction story?? All I've heard is pretty negative x

I went into labour - waters broke and had contractions, but I didn't progress. Was in a lot of pain, so they gave me an epidural and then gave me the induction drip. Took all day, but it was fine under epidural. Wore the epidural down so I was more mobile to push. I was terrified at thought of epidural before, but now I wouldn't think twice about having another one if my labour is going to be slow.

I was induced with DS. My waters broke, but then on arrival at hospital the contractions stopped and after a day of no progress they started panicking about infection etc so they put me on a drip. The contractions became really strong very quickly and as it was my first, I wasn't ready for that and so I had epidural. It was all blissful from then, they cut down on epi for the pushing stage, so I could push easily, in 20-30 minutes DS was out, little tear.

I don't know if there's a possibility of asking for epidural at the same time as they put you on the drip? Or making sure the anesthesiologist will be on hand when you will need him? Just so you're not caught out by pain, iyswim. OTOH I heard about women who were induced and decided to not get epidural, so it depends on your pain treshold, I guess.

In any case, it was a good birth, not traumatic at all. Good luck

Unfortunately our hospital doesn't offer epidurals :s but I think tonight I'm just getting gel & then the drip goes up tomo if nothing by then. Fingers crossed it just needs some gentle encouragement!

You'll be fine! Some women (including me) have more agressive labours when induced, but if that happens to you then your midwife / consultant will manage any pain you have. I've also heard of loads of women who had an unexciting labour when induced.

I know it's scary...but you'll be monitored and taken care of.

Best of luck and congratulations on your impending birth! :)

Good luck with your induction, just focus on the fact that you are going to meet your lovely baby- yay!

I was induced with DC2 3 weeks ago at 36+0 due to a medical condition. I was expecting it to be terrible as 1) no way would my body ready to give birth at 36+0 and 2) I had never heard of anyone having a good induction.

Had the pessary at 09.00 and told the Dr would check me and give me another pessary in 6/8 hours followed by a drip to start contractions 6/8 hours after that.

Once the 1st pessary was in I chilled out reading magazines, went to the cafe with DP for lunch then at 14.00 my waters broke without warning, got some period like pains and the Dr said I was 2cm dilated. By 14.45 I was on the Gas and air and 10cm dilated with 2 Doctors frantically rushing me up to the delivery suite and DC2 was born at 15.05 after 2 pushes and no time for my planned epidural!

Total time spent in labour: 1 hour 5 minutes!

Was a million times easier than DC1's (spontaneous labour) birth!

All the very best with your induction x

Just out of interest, why are they inducing at night? NICE guidelines recommend that induction with a pessary or gel should take place in the morning, not at night.

In the inpatient setting, induction of labour using vaginal PGE2 should be carried out in the morning...

The evidence discussed in the guidelines suggests that induction in the morning shows a reduction in the need for a drip or forceps/ventouse, a more satisfactory experience (because you're less likely to be awake all night with contractions and therefore less knackered when it comes to the actual birth) and a shorter hospital stay. The synto drip is usually what causes women to want an epidural in labour, so if it's not even on offer in your hospital it might be even more of a reason for them not to induce at night.

It might be worth asking if you can go in tomorrow morning (so you get one last decent sleep at home tonight rather than on an antenatal ward!) or if you can go in tonight but not have the pessary until the morning (in which case, surely you'd be better off at home tonight anyway?)

Best of luck :)

I was induced both times. All fine - and VERY quick second time round when I only needed the gel. First time round I had the works but no forceps/ventuouse needed..and even if it had been, I wouldn't have fretted.

EXCITING!

PS Would try and stay at home tonight as ante natal ward = no sleep. That said, they may just be putting in the gel/pessary and sending you home which is what happened with me both times.

Let us know how it goes.

Hi all, Floraidh Dylan born yesterday at 5.45am weighing 9 pounds exactly. They gave me the gel at 8pm and by 2am I was 9cm dilated. As I wasn't expecting it did it all on just gas & air. Really interesting point from Flisspaps I didn't end up getting any sleep & the ventouse was mentioned as an option as I was so exhausted. I said no but have ended up with a nasty tear & lots of stitches. Stil wasn't half as bad as I was imagining. Thank you all :O

Just jumping in to say...CONGRATULATIONS! I'm glad it went well! Nice and quick too!xx

Congratulations hopefully you'll get some sleep soon! Glad it was quick

You could have torn with ventouse anyway so don't think you wouldn't have if you'd made a different choice.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!