Maybe induction tomorrow, completely unprepared!

[DizzyKipper]

Following a check up with the DAU and finding out that the baby has almost no amniotic fluid around it (at 40+12) plus suspected static growth we have to go back in again tomorrow for a more thorough check over (no professional scanners in today so a doctor had to do it) and possible (probable) induction. We'd been hoping for a HB but obviously won't risk delaying if there's a risk to the baby. However I feel completely unprepared! Mentally going through hospital bag check list: clothes, breast pads, maternity towels, food, energy drinks, bits for baby, book, anything else?

Don't even have my head around what pain relief I'd take - only had G&A for DD but I know inductions can be a LOT more painful (and I struggled with just the G&A!). I'm really not happy with the idea of diamorphine though, but also hear an epidural can stop contractions so would worry about that as well. Really have no idea what I'm going to do.

And then how are we going to cope if it goes on all day?

Just any useful advice or experiences would be much appreciated, I'm feeling very in over my head right now! I'll be going in first thing tomorrow.

I went in for my induction, ds was 2 weeks late, had the pessary in and had to hang around the hospital for 6 hours to see if it would do anything (it didn't) then had to go home and come back the next day where I had my waters broken. I just had gas and air. My sil had the drip and was advised to have the epidural before they started it as the contractions start.quite painful instead of building up.

Well when I was induced 3 years ago, they were at great pains to stress that it can take 3 days for labour to start. As it happens, DS was born 11 hours later.

I've never heard that induced labours are more painful. I will say that my delivery was 2 hours because the contractions kept stopping. Any longer and I think they would have used the vacuum cup to pull DS out.

As far as pain relief goes, ask the MW what she would recommend if you're not sure. Did they not go through it at antenatal classes? Otherwise you can probably read about it on MN. Do you have a pregnancy book? Otherwise write down your questions and make sure you go through them with the MW BEFORE the induction. Make sure you write the amswers down - it will help you remember.

For your bag:
camera, batteries/charger
phone, charger
book, sudoku, travel games (in case it takes 3 days)
Clean boxers, socks and tshirt for your DP.
Flip flops for shower.
Eye mask (why do they never turn the lights out in hospital?)

Induction although scary is not bad, i had it too,long time ago .
But had good pain relief with medication. Hope you do too .

I was induced, had contractions with pessary but did nothing for my cervix, then drip, then epidural and my contractions did not stop but the whole thing took 44 hours end to end, although it doesn't always happen like that. Lots of induction threads under childbirth. Try and stay calm, really all of these options have been well tested and it'll be ok in the end, good luck!

My experience of induction with DC4 was really positive . I was admitted in the evening of my due date (I was told first time mums are admitted in the morning, but they expect you to respond quicker to induction if you've already had a child, your body knows what it's doing!). Within an hour of the prostin gel being applied I was contracting regularly,I didn't need any further drugs or intervention, baby was born in the early hours of the morning.I had paracetemol with codeine on the antenatal ward but I threw it up and I had some G&A on labour ward but it made me feel nauseous too. I didn't want diamorhine though it was offered on antenatal. There wouldn't have been time for an epidural. The pain wasn't any worse than with my previous labours, before the induction I asked my consultant if it would be and he said not really ,a contraction is a contraction, whether it's "natural" or "induced"!
It's hard to predict how the day will unfold but just relax and go with it, you'll soon be holding your newborn,good luck!

Thanks everyone. Feeling quite nervous but will try to remain positive and hope for the best (and a quick labour!)

My induced labour was a doddle. Just G&A. If you tell yourself it'll be painful, you won't cope etc., you're probably right as you'll be tense and anxious. Try a more positive approach. This is going to happen, but you're in control, you're made for this, youve done it before, you're calm and excited about holding your baby.

I had an induced Labour for first- just had gel x2. Kept active & whole thing lasted about 12 hours. No pain relief - hypnosis. Had second at home - no discernable difference.
However I would think about pain relief for drip - try not to be worried- & I never really felt 'ready' either time. Good luck!