Talk to me about being induced!

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

So my consultant was discussing inducing me around 37/38/39 weeks due to my crippling anxiety that my baby is going to die. I've had three miscarriages and this is basically my last chance to have a baby due to age.

I'm now 36+1, had a growth scan yesterday that showed a weird femur measurement that distorted a normal head circumference and normal abdominal measurement, so now the baby is tracking the 22nd centile when 4 weeks ago it was around the 90th!! Cord pressure and blood flow are absolutely fine so the consultant doesn't think the placenta is giving up, but I'm afraid I lost the plot entirely and was hysterical so she is asking if I want to be induced in the next couple of weeks.

I am do torn about it and don't know what the right thing to do is. Ds1 was born at 40+2, spontaneous labour, VBAC, painful but really problem free. The consultant said about using the gel to try and get things started, but am I right that this could end up just bringing on a really really long latent phase with things stopping and starting? I have a toddler, limited support aside from DP who needs to concentrate at work and I can't see him being happy if I'm ringing him all the time thinking labour has started. Equally right now my anxiety is so severe that I'm hardly sleeping, crying at the drop of a hat and I know this is not good for baby. I feel he will be safer out than in, but again I'm aware I'm being totally irrational.

Any induction stories would be great.

I was induced twice (don't seem to be particularly talented at going into labour naturally), and by and large it was drama free, although the pessary didn't work either time. It took the drip (labour 1) and breaking waters (labour 2) to get me going. I did need an epidural both times, but both babies popped out in a straightforward fashion.

I think one thing you might find comforting from the induction process, given your anxiety, is that once it starts your baby's heartbeat is regularly monitored- constantly, if you have the drip/ epidural.

Hi op sorry you are going through this anxiety too. I'm 36+3 and the plan is I will be induced at 38 weeks due to my dd being a full term stillbirth in March. Like you the fear I will lose this baby is overwhelming, and I spend all of my hopital appointments in panic and tears. The thought of being booked in for the induction is helping me with the anxiety, in that it is giving me a date to focus on and aim for. Also instead of having to look for signs of labour I can just focus on this little ones movements and know that he is alive.
hope whatever you decide it works out for the best x

Whoknew, I'm really sorry that your anxiety is so overwhelming. Sounds so hard for you. Are you getting any mental health support with this pregnancy?
Sorry if I've misunderstood, but did you say you've already had a vaginal delivery?
I will likely be induced with this pregnancy, and I raised the additional risks of ending up with a csection with the obstetrician last week. She was insistent that it doesn't actually raise the risk of a csection. She also said it was much more effective in 2nd and 3rd births. She said my cervix probably wasn't even fully closed now (dc 3 on the way, but only 29 weeks).

I have had the drip, and found it less painful a labour than the natural one. Just a bit nervous that labour won't get started.

Any stories confirming that inductions 2nd or subsequent times are effective?

A positive story here!

I was induced on my due date owing to escalating BP issues (and previous pregnancy ended in severe pre eclampsia and premature emcs). I was worried about going for an induced VBAC because of the increased (albeit extremely slight) increased risks. Anyway, first pessary in for 24hrs did absolutely nothing! Second pessary got contractions started almost straight away and DD was born 4 hours later! So a fast labour with gas and air, some paracetamol and a TENS machine. I realise I was lucky but just want to show that not all inductions are awful.

Cross posted with you, 3littlebadgers. My profound sympathies to you.

Oh yes, and as you've had a previous section you'll be closely monitored. Hope all goes well.

I was induced by having waters broken at 36+4 I think with dc3. He arrived 1 hr 15 mins after my waters going. Easiest least complicated labour of the 3. I'd had a couple of growth scans and they were concerned re growth slowing as Id had a couple of bleeds.

I had always been very anti induction, but if I was ever lucky enough to have a fourth I would want to discuss having a planned induction at 37 weeks as would be very worried about possible repeat of complications. For me it was straightforward, care was excellent, laid back and apart from waters being popped no intervention. No stitches even. (43yo)

I had two inductions pre 40 weeks, (gestational diabetes for one, and 2nd due to other complications) and both went very well. Easy (relatively!) calm births with not a lot of intervention. No long latent phases, both babies were born well within 24 hours of the induction being started. I had gel for one and a pessary for the other, the gel one was quicker but the pregnancy was slightly further along and my waters had already broken at that point so that might have made a difference.
Both births were managed on just gas and air so not overwhelmingly painful either.

Best of luck

I've been induced for both my kids. My 1st was at 39 weeks and he just wasn't ready. Took 30 hours, needed drip and ended up in theatre with forceps. He was back to back though. My 2nd could not have been more different! I went in at 38 weeks. Was examined and was actually 7cm dilated (no contractions whoop). They broke my waters and I had DD 2hrs 38 mins later!! I think my body was more geared up and running after a toddler for the 9 months had helped. I was nervous about being induced again but didn't have a choice. Get them to examine you first to see if you are 'favourable'. If you then I would consider it. Good luck!

Hi Who,
I'm so sorry to hear your struggling with anxiety. My first question is in relation to the measurement. Does the consultants think that the sonographer got the measurements wrong at your last scan? I can't really help with induction but like 3littlebadgers have had a full term stillbirth when my baby boy died in July 2012 (I'm so sorry to read about your DD badger)
So my next daughter, a baby girl was born in October 2013 by c-section at 36+2 she was perfectly fine and weighed 6lb 15oz so no need for special care.
My advice is to see what the baby measures on Tuesday and decide from there, don't hesitate to go to the hospital if there are any changes in baby movements in the meantime.
I am friends with a lovely group of kind hearted ladies who have all had babies after loss and they all had their little rainbow babies by induction or c-section some struggled with induction, some didn't and others like me went straight to c-section. The most important thing is that baby arrives safely x

I was induced at 39 weeks due to risk of pre-eclampsia and he was in no way ready to come out! They gave me gel pessaries the night before and again in the morning but that did nothing. They broke my waters at 4 pm (4th attempt - ouchy!) and then straight on the drip which they ramped up pretty quickly. DS was delivered at .6.41 the next morning, forceps delivery and an episiotomy (he was a chunky baby!). I have nothing to compare it to as he was my first but it was nowhere near as bad as I expected - I would say it was bordering on a positive experience really. The contractions were quite intense and one after the other so a bit painful but i had G & A and a tens machine which worked quite well I thought. Did a bit of the old hypnobirthing breathing which helped me stay calm. I would love to have given birth spontaneously but it wasn't to be.

So whatever you do - induction isn't really all that bad! Good luck and I hope that you feel less anxious - I too have had a number of miscarriages and understand the fear but you are being taken good care of so try and relax a little.