Experiences of being induced compared to natural

[Chunk9]

It’s my due date today! I’ve had 2 sweeps and have been told if nothing has happened naturally I’ll be induced in 12 days. My first arrived naturally 12 days over so I’m hoping she’ll still come naturally.

Any experiences of being induced in comparison to natural? I’ve read it’s more painful etc!

Watching with interest! My due date is tomorrow and still no sign of baby!

I was induced with DD1 and although I only needed the pessary, the pain was 😖 and I absolutely needed an epidural!

My cousin has had both (natural & induced) and said the natural was far less painful.

If they want you to have the drip, I would ask for an epidural. The pain for me was unbearable compared to normal contractions.

Very similar for me apart from more vaginal exams. But my first I was "not in labour" and spent the 2 hours between 2cm and 7cm in the car... 2nd was similarly quick once it got going and was more comfortable in a bed than in a car...

DC1 was born 13 days over after a very long labour which stalled, so I ended up on the hormone drip which still took forever. DC2 was born 10 days over naturally - so you still have hope!

They don't like you to go more than 14 days over, the 12 days is because inductions cam take ages. If the thought of being induced on the days over DC1 was born is stressing you, they were happy to wait the extra 2 days with DC2 in my case. If you do end up induced, I know several people where all it took with DC2 is the pessary - which apparently isn't so bad - you still count as a normal labour. The hormone drip makes you high risk so you are consultant led and need continuous monitoring so it's very difficult to move without dislodging the band - an epidural is definitely worth considering.

I went in to labour spontaneously with my first and was induced with my 2nd. I would say being induced you don't really get a build up with contractions if that makes sense? It was nothing much then all of a sudden the contractions hit. It probably was more painful. Despite the fact she was huge (11lb 13oz) I only had a couple of stitches afterwards. Much worse after my first as I tore. So it's not all bad. Good luck

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences. Sounds like things mainly get intense a lot faster?! I hope it happens naturally still but your experiences don’t sound too scary!

First was a spontaneous 6 hour labour with no drugs. Like falling off a log. I was induced just before my due date with my second, my advice, get an epidural ASAP, as others have said there's not much ramping up and I found the contractions to be totally different to my spontaneous labour