Induction at 37 weeks

[Blackberry123]

I’m due to be induced tomorrow (37+2)

I’m an IVF pregnancy and baby is measuring smaller than they would expect so they have advised an induction.

Iv been feeling fine up until today and now I’m terrified.

I have endometriosis so generally find all things womb related painful and sensitive.

Is the induction less likely to be straightforward as the baby is technically still early.

I feel like my body is nowhere near ready to have a baby- my bump hasn’t dropped at all and had no symptoms to suggest he’s on his way.

I’m just worried that maybe if he isn’t ready yet this induction is going to be hell.

Does anyone have any similar experiences they can share?

Thank you :) xxx

Post in the childbirth part of the forum you may get better responses.

Don't have any advice but thought the other comment was pointless and a bit cold. Congratulations and good luck xxx

I had an IVF pregnancy and was I induced at 38 weeks as they said he was big. I found the pessaries insertion pain unbearable (sorry) and they had to do it 3 times over 2 days. Nothing happened. Then had waters broken manually which was also painful. Laboured all day, made it to 10cm but no progression after that. Then I was told forceps then I was eventually given an emergency c section. This was 6.30pm on the Wednesday and I'd been in since the Monday.

I too, in my lay opinion, believe he wasn't ready and I would refuse an induction again in the future. He was 9lb 4oz so big but not so big that another week or so wouldn't have made that much of a difference (I don't think).

Sorry, I know it's not a great story. I'm sure there are loads of positive induction stories too!

I was induced with my first at 37 weeks, it wasn't the reason I was induced but she had stopped growing, she was born 5lb2oz she might of been tiny but she was really strong she had no issues, I was induced with pessary and had her in 12 hours no pain relief my labour was manageable till near the end but then the baby was is sight (probably literally to the midwive lol) and it only took a few minutes of pushing luckily for me.(im not bragging I'm just saying just because your not full term doesn't mean it will be hell). I imagine they want baby out because to them it's safer him being in your arms and once he's here all the stress and worry of pregnancy will vanish and you'll stress and worry about the baby in your arms cos it never stops haha.. Good luck with the induction, and congratulations xx

I would say be prepared for it to take a long time. I needed 3 pessaries to get going but no pain until 3rd pessary. 1st 2 were just softening cervix and bringing it forward etc. Good luck!!! Take books, magazines, sweets, drinks etc. 💐

@TTCI the OP did post in the childbirth part of the forum, and got more responses than here, so explain why I was cold to suggest it?

I just had an induction at 37+2 for an IUGR baby three weeks ago. It took 4 hours to get into established labour (cervix 3cm) and just under 2 hours from there until birth. I had him out in 2 pushes.

My cervix was 1cm and baby was still high at the start of the induction, and I'd barely had any Braxton Hicks yet. Plus my first baby was born at 41+4, so there was no way I was close to going into labour myself. On the other hand, it was my second baby and second induction, which made it quicker. My first induction took 18 hours.

My consultant recommended an early epidural to help improve blood flow to my baby during labour, but I was secretly very happy with that. Inductions are painful, and with the epidural I could still feel contractions and move my legs around, just the pain was 90% gone.

I was induced just shy of 37 weeks and DS was born at 37+1. He was teensy tiny and in the end I was glad he was induced, he thrives on the outside from the first minute and needed no extra care just a few days careful monitoring. I was terrified of induction and convinced I would end up with a section. In reality it was really a very calm experience. The pessary did nothing, the first lot of gel given at 6pm broke my waters at 2am. Second lot of gel given in the morning and things progressed naturally from there. I was all prepared to start asking for an epidural when they put me on the drip and so, as they wheeled me along to the labour suite I was saying 'is it time for the drip now?' They were like, no dear you don't need the drip you are going to have your baby now it was honestly fine, I was so carefully monitored and well looked after and I had gas and air from about 5cm so the pain never got unbearable. I would happily be induced if they recommended it again in the future. Best of all I have happy, healthy DS passed out on me after a feed as I type. Good luck - trust the experts.

I was induced at 37 weeks, my son was clearly not ready to see the outside world yet because all of the methods didn't work for me. After 60hrs I had only dilated to 1.5cm, the midwives were happy for me to continue but I was so tired that I requested a c.section. I would say just be prepared for things to take a while, take lots of entertainment and snacks and walk as much as you can. I hope everything goes well for you.