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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Eek! I've been booked in for induction on Monday! Advice/reassurance please?

20 replies

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 10:23

I am 38+4 with gestational diabetes and had a scan today which showed that the baby's abdomen is measuring very large, about 3 weeks ahead. As a result the doctor has advised me to begin the induction process on Monday, even though my cervix is currently still closed (although soft) and the baby's head is not engaged. I'm nervous because although I was expecting an induction, I thought my body might have been a bit more ready before they begin the process :(

Can anyone offer any words of advice? In case this seems unusual, I should add that I live in China and they are v keen on inductions here and will rarely let even a healthy pregnancy go beyond 40 +3 apparently.

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Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 10:27

I'm also worried because baby is currently back to back :( which I know can make for a more painful labour and also increase the risk of a C section, which I really don't want if possible

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Stephminx · 19/10/2019 10:40

My first was induction at 36 weeks as my waters went without contractions.

She was back to back but it all went fine. Over and done with in 4 hours from first pessary to birth. Only thing was I had to stay on my back as she didn’t like the pressure if I moved, so it was s not more uncomfortable than if I could walk around / shift into my side which would relieve the pressure. No drugs needed - just a bit of gas and air.

Go in with a positive attitude and stay relaxed. I think people have different pain thresholds, but attitude plays a big part. People also love to tell horror stories and those with positive ones tend to stay quiet in case they upset those that have a bad experience.

My second one was also an induction (planned) and she was over 10 lbs (not gd just big). no drugs again. But I could walk around this time which was better. 4 hours again from start to finish.

Be positive, stay calm, walk around and take help / pain relief if you need it. Good luck.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 10:43

Thanks @sStephminx, that is reassuring. Wow, 4 hours is fast! The doctor was suggesting that it would take longer than that!

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Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 10:44

They don't give gas and air here... which only adds to my anxiety tbh!

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Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 13:56

Just bumping in case anyone else has any advice

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Stephminx · 19/10/2019 14:33

It can take ages, it can be quick. I was so quick it caught them a bit by surprise both times at the end.

They’ll be managing your expectations - prepare for the worst, hope for the best and all that. There are positive stories for every negative one.

With pain relief I just took it as I needed. With the first got gas and air only for the last hour (took it off me to push as I was getting drunk on it). With the second only got gas and air right at the end for pushing. I’d have taken drugs if needed / had time. I was quite relaxed about it.

I wanted to avoid spinal / epidural / section of possible, but would have had them if needed. Just be open minded. Those with rigid plans tend to be the most disappointed in the end IME. You’ll be fine. It’s not as bad as people like to have you believe, but it will smart a bit. But it’s only one day and then you have your baby.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 15:00

Thank you so much @Stephminx, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply and reassure me

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RandomMess · 19/10/2019 15:02

I took ages to get into labour but once I was it was fairly quick and didn't need any assistance to deliver.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 15:29

Thanks @RandomMess - when you say ages, how long are we talking?

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RandomMess · 19/10/2019 15:42

1st one Thursday night delivered Saturday morning (41 weeks), 3 pessaries and ARM

2nd one (17 days late) noon TIL 10pm same day, 1 pessary

3rd one (due date) 9am until 5pm following day, 3 pessaries and ARM

4th one (42 weeks) 1pm TIL 11pm, 1 pessary.

With the last one, for example, 6/7 hours after 1st pessary my Bishops Score was still 1 🙈 my official labour was 1/2 minutes. Just took 10 hours to get into official labour.

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 15:47

Wow @RandomMess, some of yours were long! It's yearly interesting to see how late they happened too. The policy on induction is very different here compared to the UK!

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RandomMess · 19/10/2019 15:55

I fought for my late inductions, especially after DC3 was nearly a failed induction. My Mum had long pregnancies and I think I would be a 43 weeker.

I actually lied about my LMP with DC2 so they thought I was 15 days over (they were full on my due date and I refused to go in earlier!)

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 15:57

Yes, I would have loved to wait but sadly the gestational diabetes makes it a bit unsafe to do so

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RandomMess · 19/10/2019 15:58

Yep, hopefully they are monitoring you very closely!

I was booked for home births 😭

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 16:05

Yes they are, I've been for umpteen check-ups lately! Twice a week for the last 3 weeks. The care has been really good tbh.

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Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 16:59

Anyone else who has experience of induction, I'd love to hear your contributions please

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Mintypea5 · 19/10/2019 17:46

Both my labours have been inductions and back to back.

Back to back is more painful (I had an epidural both times) but both were normal births no interventions needed and I didn't sustain any damage

Induction 1 -42 weeks.
Pessary in lunch. Was down in delivery within 3 hours. Things slowed a bit so I had the drip and an epidural but once I had the epidural it was such a calm pleasant experience. Midwives were amazing talked me through the pushing. I really credit them (and listening to them) with pushing to helping me have baby with no damage.

Induction 2 - 38 weeks for reduced movement / stop growing
Delivery was actually shut due to being sooooo busy so I was kept up on the ward for a bit but once I was down there I had my waters broken and the drip. Opted for the epidural again because it was painful. I actually went from 3/4cm -10 on less than 30 mins so it had eh fully taken. Had gas and air as well to get me through the pushing. Wishing 6 mins baby was here! Again no damage to me and no intervention needed. I was up and showered within an hour that time

Original poster

Secretlifeofme · 19/10/2019 17:56

Thank you @Mintypea5 I don't object to having an epidural if necessary. I guess I just am nervous because I don't know how it will go, if I will go into labour quickly or slowly etc. But I guess nobody knows, do they?

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imiss · 19/10/2019 18:41

I had an induction for my first, as I was 11 days overdue. It didn't go as I'd planned, and it took three pessaries every 24 hours, then the drip for 36 hours to make an appearance but she did eventually arrive and I'm currently 38+5 with my second so not too bad! Bring books, music and be prepared to wait if you're unlucky! Good luck x

Stephminx · 24/10/2019 18:07

Hope this all went well !

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