Packing for induction

[SleepBecomesHim321]

I'm being admitted for an induction for medical reasons next week at just over 40 weeks.

This is my second child: first was a spontaneous vaginal birth at 41ish weeks.

Is there anything specific you'd recommend packing in hospital bag when preparing for an induction? I have standard stuff (clothes for baby, me, nappies, snacks etc) but is there anything less obvious that I should consider packing?

Thanks in advance.

Book/Kindle/iPad/Phone + charger. It might all move quickly as you've had a vaginal birth before, but often there's a LOT of waiting around.

Definitely things to keep you occupied - and some snacks!!

TENS machine? Mine was a godsend during my induction.

Definitely snacks / entertainment etc.

Earplugs for ward if you are kept in afterwards/on ward for any length of time.

I'm in at the moment and only got 1 hour notice! I didn't bring enough clothes for pre-labour, underwear, socks, spare PJs / clothes for if you leave the ward for a walk. Slippers have been useful too.

Earplugs if you are on a ward.... it is very noisy at night and you may be in for one or several nights.

I second snacks, entertainment and TENS and if you have one an exercise/ birth ball (My hosp does have these but not always enough for everyone). Good luck, I hope it's speedy for you!

Some kind of hobby to keep hands/brain busy as well as a film would be my suggestion. I did crochet, cross stitch and DH brought in a technic Lego car which was great distraction for the niggling pre labour pains. Audio books also worth considering.

Earplugs essential as people might well be in painful labour before transfer to delivery- I was, and there were 2 in the one night I was in antenatal. Also the monitor machines are noisy too!

This is really helpful, thank you! Very relieved I'll be allowed to eat!

Watching this with interest. I’m going in for induction on Monday. I’ll be 41+ 3.

Does anyone know whether they will keep you in once induction has started or do they tell you to go home and wait until contractions start?
I’m very nervous OP. It’s my first and I keep hearing everywhere that it can take days for it all to kick in.
I was really hoping it would happen naturally for me.
What day are you going in? Xx

You’re allowed to eat beforehand obvs but not snack once the drip goes in (if you end up with a drip!) - well I’m talking about my induction so your hospital might have different protocol.
Try and Sleep and eat beforehand definitely, earplugs and a decent water bottle you can sip from upright.

For my induction the pessary did diddly squat but once the drip went in my contractions started pretty quickly and I got to need the pain relief stage in a matter of hours, I don’t think they would have sent me home, everyone I know has been admitted pre induction and stayed the duration but worth giving your midwife a call to check what their protocol is, that way you’re fully prepared

My trust they check 3 hourly at the longest so going home would be difficult.

I’ve just checked with my midwife and she said that if your cervix is ‘favourable’ and your already starting to dilate then they would probably just break your waters and not bother with the pessary etc.
Unless having your waters breaking doesn’t achieve anything, then they will put you on the drip but they shouldn’t send you home. Even after just inserting the pessary. But I suppose it can be different when other hospitals x

Thanks, all. In hospital now, waiting to get pessary-ed up. They leave it for 24 hours before examining again so could be a long haul...