Booked for Induction .... what happens?

[Willowwisp]

Hi

This is my first post, I'm currently 10 days overdue and I've been booked in for an induction on Monday evening at 7.30pm.

I have a few questions hopefully someone will be able to help me with

Will my husband be allowed to stay with me all night or will he have to go home and come back the next day? How long can an induction take? I wanted to have a water birth will this still be possible? I've had two attempted sweeps in the last four days and the midwife couldn't reach my cervix, is that bad thing?

I'm so nervous about the induction and I'm scared that it will hurt more than a natural labour?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Willow
x

Hi Willow.

It really depends on how close to labour you are, I think. My experience was based on being induced 4 weeks early due to a liver complaint i had. But basically I came in at 9pm and a hormone pessary was inserted. DH was told to go home and rest and I was told to sleep (can't say it was that easy). Had very mild contractions, but nothing major. DH was allowed back first thing in the morning (I think different hospitals vary on their rules on DHs and inductions though).

They tried to break my waters in the morning, but I think like you my cervix was hard to reach so they didn't manage. They inserted another pessary in the hope contractions would start - which they did, but nowhere near enough to start dilating me. We must have walked miles that day!!. Anyway, I'm sure one pessary will start you off as you are overdue, so I wouldn't worry. After they broke my waters, my contractions still didnt' really start, so I was given an oxytocin drip. Apart from having to lie in bed being constantly monitored, I really didnt' mind being induced - they had the drip turned up quite high, so my contractions were very strong and close together, but it meant that DD was born very easily in the end. Therefore, i would say that everyone's experience is different, but mine was overall a very positive experience, so really don't worry about it.

I'm in the opposite boat now, having had an induced labour, I scared about what a natural one will be like!!

Take care and I hope all goes well!!
x

Hiya

I phoned the delivery suite and they said he can come back in the morning unless things happen quickly!

Thanks for replying!

Willow
xx

I am booked fr an induction on Wednesday. As its my 3rd I am going in the morning not the night before. I think it will uncomfortable rather than painful. A bit like the membrane sweep. I was told that they would insert a pessary ( i think) then wait about six hours and repeat if nothing happens. Next step is to break waters.

I am hoping I will go into labour prior to wednesday as not only will it be a long day, it just doesn't seem right. I would prefer it to be natural.

The contractions from inductions are more intense. You can still have a water birth as long as you have only had a pessary, no drip.

My DH stayed with me the whole time. Pessary at 8pm, contractions started at 2am and dd born at 9.30am.

Good luck.

I was induced for both of mine, I needed two pessarys for my first DS and only one for my other DS. Both labours were about 5 hours and were manageable with gas and air. The contractions were strong and it all seemed to happen very quickly but I can't say it was awful. If, and I mean an impossible if, I were to be pregnant and induced again I wouldn't be worried.