38 week induction advice?!

[daydreamdaisy]

Been confirmed today, induction next week when I turn 38 weeks.
I'm nervous and don't really know what to expect - they've given me a leaflet but a lot of it is about inductions for overdue people, is it less likely to work before my due date?
Any tips, experience or advice? I have to go in alone and wait for DH as he can't come in until they take me to delivery.
Feel quite nervous and worried it's going to be really painful or not work.

I was induced at 39+0 very easy birth. Baby was under just under 6 pounds.

There is absolutely no way of knowing whether your induction will be easy or not, or how long it will take.

So the best thing to do is think you are going to be there for a few days then ensure you download enough TV programs and series to watch. Make sure you have a long charging cable for your phone and headphones.

Also make sure you have something to time contractions with.

I am just filling up the tablet now with things to watch! Hadn't thought about a contraction timer but am looking at apps now...

What type of induction method is being used? I was given the drip at 38 weeks due to waters going and no contractions. One thing I heard (no idea if it’s true or not) is induction is more painful if you’re not at your due date/overdue, so don’t be afraid to ask for pain relief. I personally found my birth very intense, mainly because I didn’t feel prepped on how much it could ramp up and how quick, and let that mentally get the better of me - plus I wish I’d asked for pain relief earlier. That isn’t the case for everyone that’s had the drip though. Wishing you lots of luck and safe delivery of your baby!

Why are you being induced OP?

I was induced at 36 weeks and it worked. From the drip being put in to baby in arms was 12 hours. My best advice would be to insist on epidural as soon as the drip goes in. I asked for mine too late, it failed and no time for another as I was fully dilated by then. Good luck!

I was induced at 38w 2d at about 1000 and had baby at 38w 4d at 1400. It took a while so make sure you have lots of stuff for entertainment. I was induced for lack of movements so I dont think my body was ready to give birth, and I think that's why it took time. Baby and I were both fine afterwards, just very tired. I had an epidural after about 30hours which brought some much needed sleep.
Hope all goes smoothly, it will definitely be worth it xx

Induced because I've been in for reduced movements a few times and several family members have had placenta issues so they decided to go for 38 weeks. They've said they start with a pessary before the drip so I'm prepared for a long haul.
I will ask about pain relief as that's one of my main worries!

Hi OP

I’m being induced at 37 weeks because my waters broke at 25 (if we get that far - I’m currently 31 weeks).

I’m copying the thread I made asking for induction success stories:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3895520-Induction-SUCCESS-STORIES-please?watched=1&msgid=96084104#96084104

My only thing to add (since I’ve never had a baby before so can’t comment) is that in terms of pain relief I am planning on going for remifentanil as opposed to an epidural! My reason for this is because I have huge fears (as you will see if you read the thread) about forceps/instrumental delivery and damage to my vagina and pelvic floor!

It’s worth remembering (for me anyway) that your chances of needing forceps, and therefore worse tearing, is increased with an induction. If you have an epidural that chance is increased AGAIN because you’re flat on your back etc.

So I’m planning on having the Remi in the hopes that I can get away with birthing without instruments! My personal preference though :) x

Also OP I will be the same, pessary and then the drip!

Have you thought about trying “natural” methods of induction at 37 weeks? My midwife said I can try that if I want at 36 weeks - but to be fully prepared for them not to work! Worth a try though eh? x

I was induced for reduced movements and it took a couple of days but fully agree with previous poster to request Epidural. I wish I had asked earlier.

Hi @MrsRose2018, what kind of natural methods of inductions would they be? I am due to be induced between 37 - 38 weeks so keen for anything that would help!

Many thanks

I was induced with pessary at 38w. Pessary inserted at 3pm and baby delivered 10am next morning. It really was fine but I did have to push for an examination at 9PM when they said they wouldnt examine me for another 16 hours unless i wanted pethidine. So I said fine give me pethidine and when they examined me they realised I was 2cm and ready for the delivery suite. Also waters being broken was painful so I had an epidural which was the best thing ever!

Good luck xx

@LH1987

So your methods with the most backing/reliability are:

• pumping some milk or harvesting some colostrum - it's actually not recommended you do that until 35 weeks because they believe so strongly it may cause early labour
• nipple stimulation
• penetrative sex
• orgasms

Then you have the less accepted methods:

• dates - my midwife wrote something on my green notes about this, let me dig these out and I'll find out what
• raspberry leaf tea
• clary sage oil
• evening primrose oil

Bare in mind that if these things absolutely worked then there would be no need for the pessary/drips that the women hate so much but if it does you no harm, it's worth a shot eh?

I was induced at 37 weeks with both of mine due to preeclampsia and concerns over growth slowing down.

The pessary had minimal effect both times. It was really boring, I think I got to about 1cm dilated. I did have a lot of tightening and some contractions but it slowed down to nothing. I just remember this being a really boring time, I went on lots of walks around the hospital and up and down staircases to try and get things moving. I also spent A LOT of time on the birthing ball. No idea whether it made a difference but at least I felt like I was doing something productive! I wasn't really in much pain except for when my daughter was back to back and then the contractions were pretty uncomfortable. I think they waited about 2 days until there was a space in the delivery room to give me the drip.

With my first labour they started the drip and broke my waters which was uncomfortable but not awfully painful. That was about 7pm. Things speeded up really quickly and contractions became pretty intense quite quickly. I asked for an epidural but there was nobody available to do it so I had pethidine instead which just spaced me out but didn't really stop the pain. My son was born at just before midnight so pretty speedy!

I was absolutely terrified going into labour the second time but I needn't have been. It was much the same as the first time, ineffective pessary then taken to delivery after a couple of days on the ward. I didn't ask for an epidural this time as my midwife told me it might slow everything down and I just wanted it over and done with. The whole thing was two hours from starting the drip to my daughter being born and as far as labour's go it was wonderful.

Happy to answer any questions you have, sorry for the essay!

Thank you @MrsRose2018, agree totally worth a try!!!

@LH1987 you're welcome!! Hope it works for you!!

I'm not allowed penetrative sex because of the infection risk due to my waters breaking but I am very much looking forwarding to having medically approved/indicated orgasms!! 😂😂

My husbands not been able to touch me for nearly 7 weeks now 😱😱

Bring on week 37!

In terms of epidurals it is also worth asking about mobile epidurals. I haven’t experienced one but have seen them talked about and they sound more likely to allow for a good balance of pain relief while also to get into a potentially better position to birth in / hopefully reduce the need for further interventions like forceps etc.

@MrsRose2018 thank you that thread is so useful!

Thank you all - I hadn't really thought about epidurals etc but will make sure I ask about it early on!

I think it’s best to be totally open minded with induction. Mine took 5 days from start to baby.
I was nil by mouth for 38 hours by the time I’d had her so felt horrendous with no energy. I opted for epidural about 7 hours into the drip. Hoping to avoid and induction with this one but it’s worth it.

Hi @daydreamdaisy have you any any sweeps at all? This is my first, and next week I'm 38 weeks and sweeps are starting, lost mucas plug yesterday.

I never had any sweeps until I was being induced.

Though don't know the purpose because I didn't have s problem having contractions.

The date study for anyone who's interested

evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-eating-dates-to-start-labor/

Makes for interesting reading but again, pinch of salt

I had an epidural where I could still move my legs, get up on to my knees and lean on the bed head etc. Just couldn't take weight on them. So epidurals dont always leave you on your back