Being induced tomorrow with my 1st, any advice??

[MillyStar]

I can't wait, thought I'd be dreading it but I'm so fed up I'm aching all over and can hardly move I just want my body back! I'll be 40+11!

I've got myself some magazines and juice and cereal bars to take, has anyone got any advice or tips or is there anything you wish you knew before you were induced? x

Get off the computer and sleep while you can :P

Good luck it can take a while to get going so be prepared for that, make sure they don't forget about you in the early stages, buzz them if you haven't seen someone for a while. You will probably have monitoring bands on after they first put the gel on so be prepared to be strapped to the bed for a little while. Hope it all goes smoothly for you and you get to meet you little one soon

Once they start the induction walk around as much as possible as this can help bring the contractions on and regulate them - good luck! :)

You don't need continuous monitoring apart from the first 50 minutes after each pessary is inserted. Keep upright, even if it's sitting on a birthing ball.

It make take ages to get into established labour (couple of days) or it may be very quick.

I found the tens machine fantastic to cope with the pains from the pessaries although it didn't block the pains in my legs - very odd experience!

I've been induced with both my children, just be aware it can take a while for things to get going. Took me about 16 hours before anything started with DC1 and almost 3 days with DC2! Take lots to do, and walk as much as possible. Good luck x

If you need the drip have an epidural! It is like being hit by a bus!

i was induced with my first, it took ages but the hospital i was at had overhead computers so i had access to internet. just try to keep busy n not think about it too much. the day drags if your not doing anything.

Being positive, I've had 4 inductions and didn't have any interventation for the actually delivery,

dc1 = 3 pessaries and ARM (7 days over)
dc2 = 1 pessary (16 days over)
dc3 = 3 pessaries and ARM (due date)
dc4 = 2 pessaries

Had epidurals with the first 3 and still had an unassisted delivery with them, so it can go very well.

Sleep & eat as much as you can!
My induction took 2days to turn into labour so I was knackered, and because I was so knackered they wouldn't let me eat incase I needed an emergency C section.

Bring lots of snacks/something to read/a blanket for your OH/birthing partner so they can eat/sleep/not get bored in comfort.

Good luck.

5 inductions here, i will say you DONT necessarily need an epidural if you have the drip, i have had the drip twice and managed without, thank the lord for gas and air!

i agree stay mobile, get up and walk around sit on a birth ball, rock, get on all fours, kneel up etc, get gravity to help you!

snacks and drinks are good but go to the toilet regularly!

if you feel tired then do rest, sleep if you can in the early stages.

books, cards etc as it can take a while to get things going.

good luck and hope it all goes smoothly for you :)

OP - I'm heading for an induction too (my first induction as my DD was early) next week. Good luck and let us know how it goes :)

In the early stages of the induction, before you start labour, you might find you'll be sharing a room on the antenatal ward. don't worry - they will move you into a delivery room when your labour is established. It was quite nice to have someone to talk to, but I was unprepared for it!

I read a whole book during the day before I went on the IV drip. I wished I'd done some hypnobirthing techniques beforehand.

The midwifery team were fantastic and I had unrelated complications, so was very pleased I had been induced, as I felt very safe there for the whole time.

I'm dreading a drip to be honest that's my biggest fear the thought of it goes through me ;(

I just hope the gel works first!

Hopefully it won't take too long for me, it's my 27th bday on weds so I really want to have had her before then!

Thanks for the well wishes x

Good luck!

I was scheduled to be induced with my first, then my waters broke the night before... so be ready, just in case!

I've had two inductions. First one took 3 days but was given my own room in hospital and basically chilled out and waited for it all to happen.
Second time I walked non stop after first pessaries and ds was born that day.
I may be wrong but I am convinced that being active helped.
Good luck, it's all very exciting!

If your hospital is overstretched like our local one, you can get there and then wait days literally until they do anything. They won't start the induction until they're sure there is space on the delivery ward. Two friends had inductions recently and were in hospital waiting for 3 days for anything to happen. Then you have to wait for labour to get started, which in their cases was quick but needn't be.
Take some good ear plugs in case you are hanging around as it's hard to get much sleep in hospital and it's not nice to sit waiting for labour to start when you can hear labouring women around you.
If you have a portable DVD player or anything like that it's a great way of killing time too.