Induced last time, how do I know when it's time?

[lozengeoflove]

I was induced in my last pregnancy with a suspected broken/leaking waters and then had a very quick hideously painful labour. Contractions came on quick and fast only an hour after the pessary and the active labour only took two and a half hours.

I'm now 38 weeks and at a loss to know what a 'natural' start of labour feels like. I had what seemed to feel like contractions couple of nights ago. All stopped since until tonight when I'm getting period like pain in the right ovary. Am at a loss in terms of knowing what to expect since last time pain went from zero to fuckety fuck painful. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Hello sgoinneal, so glad it's not just me

I've had two natural labours and two inductions.

I don't really think there is a definite way to tell, for me the first time contractions started at 3pm and then came every ten minutes getting more regular and intense went to hospital at 11 that night born at 5 the next morning.

Then I had two inductions.

Withdc4 I had a week of slow labour, I would start with periody like cramps which would peak in middle, these would go on for a couple of hours, I start to think this is it then they would stop. So frustrating!! Then one night they didn't stop. I think you just have to watch and wait really if it really hurts or you feel like you're not coping go in and get checked over.

Hello I have a 3mo dd
For me I had a bit of thick brown mucus (the show) on day one.
Through the night after that mucus I had light non painful twinges which continued all the next day until around 4pm when they started to become more powerful and I timed them as being 4min apart. By 6pm they were 2 min apart and I was struggling to hold a conversation so went to triage and was 2cm dilated went for a walk and returned an hour later (could hardly walk for the pain) and was 6cm!! By 2.30 baby was here!! Hope it helps?

It does, thank you both. Couple of nights ago I had contractions, couple of minutes apart. Only lasted half an hour or so, then stopped. Been losing the mucus plug over the last few days too.

Some pain in ovaries tonight but seems to have stopped now. Think I might be in for a long waiting game. I don't mind not going into labour for another few days or even weeks, but I am not enjoying this stop start pain business in the slightest!

The stop start thing is the absolute worst. I only had it with dc4, I remember sobbing at dp "this is my fourth bloody baby it's supposed to fly out and the midwife catch it"
He's still and awkward monkey now!

I was induced with my first. My second labour started naturally and was a much better experience all round.

I started having contractions about 7am, had a bath and my waters went while I was in there! Convenient! And then it really got going and DC2 was born at 14:38. Such a completely different labour experience. Much much easier.

Oh snap! Currently 38 weeks too and have had a week now of (mostly) painless but long-lasting (up to a minute or so) Braxton hicks, sometimes lasting all day and then nothing for hours. I was induced last time too (post dates) and had no signs at all before the induction, then after about 14 hours had full on contractions for about 6 hours till ds arrived... My lovely midwife said its a good sign and it's probably doing something... Bored of waiting though...

Ive been worrying about this too as induced first time and it all happening very quickly despite all midwives saying nothing would happen til next day...that's making me worried about knowing when to go to hospital etc.

Sorry no advice or experience to share, just the worries!

I promise you, you will knowwhen it starts in earnest, and you'll know when to get yourself to hospital.

That's exactly what happened to me welsh. Midwife popped the pessary in and said 'sit tight and don't expect anything to happen for ages'. DD was born 6 hours later!

Thanks tony I am hoping that will be the case. All pain stopped overnight again. Baby booting me happily as I post.

How are you feeling now lozenge? Any more pains?

I've just had a check up (37 weeks tomorrow) with internal exam and head is engaged (doctor could feel it) and cervix is favourable. Should have another check up in two weeks but he thinks baby will be here before then
I'm off home to pack my hospital bag!!

Not too bad welsh, thank you. No more pains. 38 weeks now. Just struggling to breathe. I'm so bloody massive. How are you doing?

I'm knackered to be honest! Full of a cold so not sleeping too well.
Have had loads of braxton hicks today and pulling in my groin and TMI but just had some browny discharge, think the internal earlier probably caused that though. At least it's all pointing towards not having another induction!

All sounds promising. I took my DD out to Greenwich Park today. How I didn't give birth at the top of the steepest hill in SE London, I'll never know.
I feel that every minute of the day must be occupied because as soon as I sit down I can't get up again.

That's impressive lozenge! My doctor has told me to walk as much as possible but it hurts too much!

Oh god, I'm really struggling today. Toddler knows something's going on. Just such hard work. I want to have a nap so badly. No chance.

Seeing the Midwife this afternoon. If she tells me one more time I won't make it to 40 weeks I might cry. Will not be surprised if I'm still pregnant in May