Induction questions

[clarebear1983]

Morning Ladies,

So providing my baby turns around I'm due to be induced at 38 weeks (currently 35) due to having gestational diabetes.

The thing is, this is my 2nd baby and tbh the first birth was pretty traumatic. Episiotomy with no consent, stitches with no local anesthetic etc. I really would like to avoid anyone going in that area for any other reason that an emergency. I was pretty prudish before giving birth, now the thought of anyone doing anything down there brings me out in a cold sweat.

So my questions, can I refused the pessery/gel and opt straight for the drip? From what I've read my waters have to be broken before the drip can start?

Has anyone successfully avoided internal examinations/procedures during an induction?

Am I living in a fantasy land and should I just pray baby stays breech and I get a C-section instead?!

TIA

Yes your waters need to be broken before you can have a drip else it will not work.

If your waters are already broken you could possibly have the drip without a pessary or gel but they may think it's kinder to give you some gel first to "ripen" your cervix.

I think it's something you would need to discuss in detail before hand with your midwife or consultant.

Thanks for the info. Yes I have an appointment and scan next week to check babies position and discuss a birth plan with the consultant. I just want to be armed with the facts so I can be assertive about what I want (within the realms of what is possible!).

I avoided the pessary/gels when I was induced and went straight to the drip but I was already 2cm dilated and had to have my waters broken beforehand.

I can't say for certain but I doubt you'll avoid internal examinations if you're induced as they had to check me every 4 hours to ensure that I was progressing well and the drip wasn't too high/low.

I second raising your concerns with a consultant. Sounds like you had a pretty tough time with your first birth