Being induced in two weeks - tips/advice?

[cjferg]

So far all I can think of is to bring books as apparently it can take days!

I've never even stayed overnight in a hospital before so I just have no idea what to expect :/

Will I be allowed to go outside and get air/go for a wee walk if I want?

When I was induced I was allowed out for a wee walk and I had first pessary on Friday and she was born on Sunday morning. Depends on what your ward rules are etc.
Also induction can go very fast, depends how your body reacts.

I took loads of books and didn’t read one! Couldn’t concentrate so found listening to the radio through headphones better - also helped block out noise of other people on the ward.

My induction took a couple of days, baby had to be monitored every 4 hours and in between I was free to go for walks outside, nice to get some fresh air.

I would take snacks and drinks, if you like hot drinks take your favourite mug for a little bit of home. I also took my own pillow case to put over the hospital one so it was more comfy and smelt of home.

Hopefully you won’t be in too long, but be prepared just in case, plenty of clothes and nice toiletries. Good luck!

Eat a hearty meal in case you get put on a drip. I laboured on a drip for 2 days on nothing more than a cheese sandwich and was then nil by mouth for a further 12 hours in case they had to operate (had a few complications). I was fecking STARVING!

Thanks for the advice. Will add my headphones to the bag.

Also was wondering did anyone's OH stay the whole time or did they go home for periods? I don't think DH would want to leave as there would be no way he'd be able to sleep anyway and he'd be too anxious.

Is it your first? I was induced with Dc3 and took 8 hours from pessary going in, not sure if it’s generally shorter if you’ve given birth before? My contractions were instant so we didn’t get a change to debate him leaving or read etc. I took LOADS of snacks though just incase, and lots of songs.

Be prepared for it to take a long time, then if it happens quicker for you it's a bonus! Agree with PP saying to take plenty of snacks. Also pack isotonic drinks (lucozade etc). I vomited a lot during labour and ended up on a drip, but these helped too. Take your own pillow as hospital ones are crap! Also those little LED tealights so you can make your space all cosy- great for increasing oxytocin release and encouraging labour along. Good luck!

Bigzzzzzzz

This is our first, so no previous experience!

Our unit hubby only can stay from 10-8 but not over night unless in delivery suite.
If a man is asked to leave the ward (some woman are fickle that way), their blinds are pulled as it's within visiting hours.

NHS England and Scotland are diffent through so be prepared for a mixed time.

As for what to bring.

Headphones
Lip balm
Snacks
(Ask ward of they have storage in fridge for patients)
Phone charger (recommend a 2-3meter one)
Thermal mug for drinks
Fruit squash as water will drive you bonkers.

I was induced at 9am on day one with pessary, told to go for nice little walk outside as it was summer. Went back to the ward at lunchtime when I could feel something kicking in, contractions started around 1pm. DD wasn't born until 430pm the day after

During the early stages I had cheesy mags and loads of snacks but mostly relied on my hubby to entertain me/keep me going when needed. Good luck!

I was induced, five days, balloon pessary, four hormonal pessaries and a totally undilated cervix later I had a c-section.
My OH popped in before and after work, slept at home. I was bored out of my mind, I didn’t need him there being bored too.

gryffen

In Scotland here, I guess I should just find out how the ward operates before hand before hand. We only live a 15 minute walk away so wouldn't be a biggie if he went home.