Induction Tips Please

[MrsC87]

Hey so I'm booked in for an induction on the 3rd July due to GD. I will be 38+1 FTM

Any advise/ tips? Or any other ladies booked in around the same date?

I get my induction date next week for the following week so should be around same time as you at also 38 weeks. Watching this with eager eyes FTM aswell. Feeling like I might be in very early labour now though 🥵

I was induced at 40 weeks. My main advice would be:

• take the drugs. Inductions can be quite long drawn out affairs and whether you suffer through the pain or not you still get a baby at the end - so take the drugs!

• lots and lots and lots of water. We took a box of Capri suns as was easy for my husband to give me with the straw etc. You won't want to eat so snack up in v early labour and drink as much as you can handle. I was badly dehydrated and lost most of my kidney function, because I didn't drink enough. Pushed for 2 hours so sweated like a horse!

• if you get to the pushing stage (I.e no interventions before hand) it honestly is the better part of labour. It means you're near the end and it gives you & your body something to do:-)

• midwives are angels. They work long hours for little pay. Be nice to them because they honestly are some of the best people in the world.

• take a hair clip if you have long hair; some of the drugs make you quite sick and you won't want hair in your eyes & face.

• bring a really good pillow and blanket with you just in case your husband / partner needs to stay with you overnight. You probably won't be provided with any and will make all the difference to them.

• trashy magazines or very easy to read books, you won't want to concentrate on anything. Quizzes also good.

• if you need to go into theatre for assistance, please don't be scared or worried. Everyone is there to help you & your baby.

• make sure you ask for pain relief to take home. Preferably tramadol. You will be in pain and forget to ask so ask the midwives!

Good luck, and enjoy newborn cuddles!

I was induced last year at 39+0 weeks.

I packed a bag for the hospital and left another one at home as I live less than 15 minutes walk away. I downloaded TV programs, had head phones, battery pack, charger, trashy magazines, lots of snacks and drinks. My DP knew where the local shops and takeaways where and their opening times. etc etc

My labour took under 10 hours and I delivered vaginally using TENS machine and gas and air. Didn't watch one TV program as we spent the first few hours on prenatal ward gassing to the woman and her companion through the curtain. I did spent about 30 minutes on a walk around the hospital grounds. Then I was moved to a labour room.

On the other hand someone else I know after trying to deliver for 48 hours ended up with a C-section.

Tips:

1. You don't know how long or short it will be so just prepare yourself for the longest time. Your bag in hospital needs to be small so keep other bits in your car boot.
2. You and your birthing partner still need to know bits of your birth plan

a. Students yes or no? (Unfortunately we didn't get any students) b. Drugs you can't have for medical reasons. c. Your position on vitamin K for the baby. d. Positions to be in on the bed if you are lucky enough to give birth vaginally The rest of your birth plan is rather pointless as apart from starting off being active if feasible as things unfold you will have to adapt to the situation. For example my DP did the skin-to-skin as I was being stitched up.

1. Your birthing partner is your advocate and s/he must speak up for you when necessary and find staff when you request. They need to have a timing device so they can time contractions as you will be left on your own a lot unless you have a student with you.
2. It will hurt. Though in my case I think going for a poo the days afterwards was more distressing. So when they tell you what laxatives to buy them all and try them out. Same about water bottles and peeing in the bath if necessary.
3. If you want to breast feed you likely won't get any useful help in hospital. You may just get told off for being in the wrong position like I did (back story I can't be bothered to go into) or if you are lucky some yanking. So get basic advice before you go in e.g. NCT class, YouTube. Remember your milk won't come in for days.
4. If your baby is crying don't be scared of either of you holding them.

You may not need anything strong than paracetamol as a painkiller.

I also threw up when just before I stared pushing. Due to all those programs I watched as a kid on birth I wasn't bothered.

I am also booked in for 3rd July! Yikes

I was induced last week and would definitely say induction isn't a bad experience for everyone. I actually found it easier and faster than my natural labour with my older dc.
My tips would be to stay calm, keep yourself informed. Walk and use the birthing ball as much as you can. It will be over before you know it and you will have your little baby.
Good luck