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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Painful propess induction

12 replies

gingergnome · 04/04/2019 23:51

AIBU/a massive wimp to just ask for a CS?

Hope someone might be able to give advice or share experiences of painful propess induction?

After unpleasant cervix exam earlier a propess was inserted. Really scratchy and abrasive. Several hours later it’s irritated my vagina to the point where any movement is v uncomfortable. Had some anaesthetic inserted which was painful as whole area so inflamed/irritated.

Really worried now about next steps if labour isn’t brought on. At this point can’t imagine how painful another cervical exam and having waters broken would be. I just don’t want it.

Alone in hospital feeling despondent and teary as not in labour yet and already so sore and tense. I don’t see this ending without it snowballing into a lot of other interventions which I just hate the thought of.

Does anyone relate or have any experience of this?

OP posts:

snoopy18 · 05/04/2019 04:27

How you getting on? Did you go into labour?

Original poster

gingergnome · 05/04/2019 06:04

No signs of contractions but waters might have gone in night. Going to give them a shout now.

Still sore down there. Still can’t think about anyone having another rummage!

OP posts:

AwkwardAsAllGetout · 05/04/2019 06:22

Poor you. I had the same experience with propess when I had my ds 7 years ago, it was so so uncomfortable and I felt it wasn’t really taken seriously as the midwife seemed of the opinion that of course it was uncomfortable, I was about to go through labour so she expected me to suck it up in a ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’ way . As it is, having the propess in place was far more painful than my actual labour, which once it got started was very very quick (and despite being there for induction they didn’t believe I was in labour til the very last minute as I wasn’t making enough fuss, which just goes to show I’m not a wimp, but the propess just really really didn’t agree with me). What worked for me was walking around lots, took a few hours to do anything but when it got going my actual labour was less than an hour. If you’re comfortable enough, get out of bed and get moving. Good luck x I’m 5 days over now and had a sweep yesterday that I was fairly certain would work overnight as I had lots of cramps before bed but now I’m not so sure. I’m booked for induction next Friday if nothing happens prior to that and my midwife said they can probably just break my waters with no need for a pessary

ManoloChooBoutin · 05/04/2019 06:27

I've just been induced in this way. The pessary caused hyper stimulation for me so thankfully it was taken out. It still kick started my labour though - waters broke not long after and was quite quick from there.

The phase where I was in hyper stimulation was worse than the actual labour for me though!

Rely on your instincts.

EmmaPea · 05/04/2019 06:34

I was induced this way, had it taken out after 24 hours as it didn't do anything then had the gel a couple of times and they broke my waters.

It's all a bit of a blur now but I had to have gas and air as I HATED being examined, having the peasary and gel. It was more painful than labour. I was traumatised (painful associations as well tho, similar experience when o lost a baby).

If you get given gas and air, really inhale it, most people don't get shown how to use it properly. You get really high, still 'know' what's going on but helps a lot.

Good luck & don't be afraid of asking for pain relief and a bath if you can.

Handofglory · 05/04/2019 06:39

Oh yes! That was the worst part for me. With my 2nd dc I got the hang of gas and air and it took the edge off. Hope it goes well for you from here on

Original poster

gingergnome · 05/04/2019 06:59

Thank you so much for the replies!
Nice to hear I’m not alone in finding the propess painful.
I’ve got monitoring for a little while and then they are going in! I’ve been offered G&A.ive not used any before but might be worth having to hand from what you’re all saying :-)

OP posts:

takeasadsongandmakeitbetter · 05/04/2019 08:34

I also found propess induction horrible painful and uncomfortable, I had 3 in the end and then they broke my waters!

Definitely not a wimp to have a c section, I think it would be very brave of you. I had a natural birth (eventually) as I was too scared of a c section!

takeasadsongandmakeitbetter · 05/04/2019 08:35

And definitely take the gas and air!

Original poster

gingergnome · 05/04/2019 09:25

Thanks for sharing your experience Takeasadsong Can’t imagine how awful it must have been having 3 of them, poor you!

They’ve taken out my propess now and actually it was okay as waters had broken and saturated the ribbon making it easier to pull out. They used a speculum to have a look and that was only a little bit more uncomfortable than usual. No G&A needed!

For anyone who finds this thread in future - ask for an anaesthetic gel sooner rather than later if things are getting sore after it goes in. I think I left it late but this helped give me some respite from the chaffing and help the irritation calm down over several hours.

Thanks again for your replies everyone - it was really comforting & helpful to read them!

OP posts:

Mumtobe193 · 05/04/2019 10:34

I was induced with DD via pessary. I never had any discomfort with it as such? Just felt like a normal internal then I didn't feel it once it was in.

I can however relate to how horrible it can be when you're alone on that induction ward waiting for things to happen. Easier said than done I know, but try not to worry about what's next and just take it an hour at a time. Try and walk about as much as possible and bounce on a gym ball if there's one available. With DD I had the pessary at midnight on a Saturday night, was checked in the morning, hadn't even started dilating and hadn't felt a twinge all night, no twinges all morning, only slight cramping come the afternoon, was convinced I'd need the drip, waters broken, the lot! By tea time ... boom! Contractions coming thick and fast, 4 - 5 cm dilated, wheeled up to the labour ward, DD born at 00:07. Very intense labour, but at least I didn't have to go down more invasive methods of induction and it was over quickly once it started ... I've heard that sometimes the pessary can just take a while to work it's magic, so don't lose hope just yet. Hopefully all goes well for you. Good luck

Tootyfrooty35 · 05/04/2019 11:53

@gingergnome ahh bless you, it's really horrid isn't it... Hope your waters ahsv gone and you're on your way soon ❤️Just to help you in future, I had the same experience with my first induction, the pessaries are evil imo but I've had some very vigorous sweeps this pregnancy, third, and had my waters broken this morning and it's sooo much better now. I definitely think the pessaries make you dry, I suffer very dry mucous membranes in pregnancy, so every exam was hideous plus remember your cervix is likely very high up. Just thought it might hel if you're worried about future babies, or smears 😊❤️

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