Due to be induced - major anxiety!

[ashley9562]

Hello!

I'm due to be induced on Monday, with my first baby, because he has been showing up too small since 28 weeks (I'll be 37+4 on monday).

I was just wondering what your experiences of being induced are? I was told they'll use the pessary method. I'm terrified and feel like I'm going in totally blind and not knowing what to expect, alongside the anxiety I already suffer I feel like I'm going to be a mess come Monday!

Positive and negative stories welcome! Just want to feel more prepared for what to expect :)

I was induced almost 3 weeks ago, the pessary went in at 6pm, my waters broke at 8.30pm, contractions started at 11pm and when they checked on me at 3am I was only 3cm but they took me to the labour ward as the baby’s heartbeat wasn’t consistent enough during contractions. I only reached 4cm after a total of 26 hours from the pessary being put in and after a few hours on the drip I had an emergency c section as the baby’s heart rate kept dropping when the drip was increased. I really did not want to be induced and had hoped for a waterbirth and for contractions to start naturally at home but I honestly wouldn’t have changed my experience for the world. I had pethadine and an epidural because of how long it was taking I was becoming exhausted, every time they did an examination it was knocking me off my feet mentally and physically so was desperate for some relief between constant examinations (they were trying to get the baby’s heart rate up internally by basically giving him a prod with their hands which really wasn’t pleasant and by far worse than contractions). I felt safe, looked after and can’t think of a single thing to complain about from the minute we arrived to the baby being born. The midwives were utterly amazing every step of the way and even though it turned into an emergency c section, I didn’t panic or get worried because of how genuinely safe they made us feel and we knew we were in the best place with the people who knew exactly what they were doing.

Please try not to be Anxious. I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Just remember everyone is different and you will have your own individual experience, some of my friends have labelled mine ‘horrific’ which I respond with actually no it wasn’t, on paper yes it wasn’t what I had planned but it was still an amazing and emotional experience that I wouldn’t ever change! Wishing you all the best

Thank you for your reply!

Oh bless you, sounds like quite an experience! I think if I was to go into natural labour I'd cope fine, for some reason I'm super nervous about the pessary and possibility of a c section (mainly for the epidural)!

What is it they actually do with the pessary?

I'm just so excited for little man to be here, just wish I could skip this part of it!

I've been induced twice (had my waters broken with the first as well) and honestly it isn't bad, or it wasn't for me, everyone is different. The pessary didn't do anything for me, they gave me sweeps at 38 weeks on the ward to dilate me enough to break my waters, then they hooked me up to a hormone drip to get things going and it was turned off pretty much immediately after they broke my waters because my body went into labour quickly. I didn't have time for an epidural with my 2nd (there wasn't enough time) and it hurt but was over in less than 3 hrs, the third I also had the drop turned off immediately as it came on quick, I'd already had an epidural out in before they broke my waters though so it was painless and just an hour longer than with the epidural (I highly recommend btw.) Don't get too worked up, my first labour was worst and I wasn't induced, it lasted days and I only wish I'd had the epidural sooner. Go with the flow anyway, stay calm and be open to pain relief is my advice xx

Ps I pass out with my bloods bring taken but the epidural I can cope with as the pain is far worse.

I was induced after waters went but I never went into labour, they tried two pessary but they didn’t do anything so went onto the drip.
They monitor you constantly when you’re on the drip, which is a bit of a pain, you never really get any time without a midwife or assistant. They also want the bands around your belly to monitor baby’s heartbeat.
I used the G&A and moved to pethidine about half way through and by the time I’d gone the full way on the drip (they turn it up every 30 minutes) id requested an epidural.
The epi was fine, didn’t hurt at all and kicked in fairly quickly.
Time wise I was started at 9am and delivered at 9pm - it took 6 hours to get to established labour and another 6 to delivery.
It wasn’t a horrific experience, I went into it as positive as I could and I’d obviously do it again if I had to.
Good luck

I said I didn’t want an epidural but when your in the moment honestly that goes out the window and you become open to any offer of relief! The epidural didn’t hurt at all, I was terrified of the thought of a needle in my back but You can only just feel it and compared to contractions it is such a minor thing! I was so exhausted by the time I asked for it I really didn’t care that i originally didn’t want one and didn’t regret it for a second - it took the pain of contractions away but I could still feel pressure down below (both ends).

The pessary is a lot smaller that I expected, it’s like a flat piece of plastic on a long string which they put up into you which is a tiny bit uncomfortable but didn’t hurt.

I was nervous about the most silly things before hand, I wasn’t scared of labour but was scared of things like having a canular.

You will be amazed at what your body can do, how you can cope and just remember it’s worth every minute. I couldn’t be prouder of myself!

I was induced at 11 days over. I had the drip. Waters were broken at 2pm and baby came at 10.09pm. It was way easier than I had expected. Obvously contractions aren't fun but gas and air was great for me. I didn't need an epidural as the gas and air worked very well but it's there if the pain gets too much as every birth is different. Just go with your body. Congratulations OP, enjoy the newborn cuddles

Ps I had a section on my first (planned) and the needle was absolutely fine. I am very scared of needles but barely felt it. I know this is not the outcome you want but honestly it was the nicest experience and you don't feel anything.

Hi I was induced it worked well. Waters broke 12 hours after pessary inserted. I was in labour using gas and air and then eventually remifentanil which did a lovely job towards the later stages of labour.
I did end up with an emergency section but due to babys head not engaging properly or being too big!! Which likely would of happened anyway. I was induced as I was overdue aswell and baby was quiet big.
I had to get a spinal then which was fine. I drearded the thoughts of any needles on my back but the surgical te kept me calm and still.
My birth was what it was I got to make the decisions I could, the midwives and doctors kept me well informed and and the main thing is to have a healthy baby in the end!
You will be grand x also you can ask for gas and air for the pessary insertion too. I did as I was nervous and couldn't relax enough for them to insert. Xx

Hello! I was also induced for a small baby and it was a long haul, but not too bad!

Day 1 - pessary in, bit uncomfortable but able to walk around between monitoring every 4 hours and even made it to a beer garden! It's a little tablet on a sort of tampon string - gets tucked up under/behind your cervix, uncomfortable but nothing outrageous. Felt a bit like if you get a dry tampon at the end of your period!

Day 2 - pessary out, not much change to cervix, 2 rounds of prostin gel applied to cervix, second round got things moving.

Day 3 - waters went in the very early hours, moved to labour and delivery in the morning. Put on the drip at some point and that's when it got painful. Epidural in (terrified of needles but my god it was wonderful!), had a sleep, then woke up fully dilated and pushed baby out in under an hour no problems. Was calm and happy at the crucial moment.

Just like natural births there are so many ways it can go and plenty of happy stories out there! x

My first baby was induced, I had the pessary and I was in labour within an hour and my son was born 3 hours later x

I was induced the first time and it wasn't bad at all, I mean compared to everything else in pregnancy!! It's just slightly uncomfortable. It took two before I started to go into labour. Honestly, don't worry. It is absolutely fine, you will be great.

Best of luck OP, xxx