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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Positive induction stories / advise etc

25 replies

BruceAndMarley · 12/08/2020 23:05

Hi all, I’m due 29th August and I’m being induced due to my own health issues that have occurred this pregnancy. They are inducing me on the 24th August, so 11 days away!
I’m a first time mum. Feeling very relaxed in general about labour but just so clueless about what to expect .
I’m not booked in til 2pm, I have a basic hospital bag backed for me and our baby but not sure if I maybe need extra things now I’m being induced ?has anyone got any tips/tricks/advise and positive stories to share ?
Our trust isn’t allowing partners in til 6cm dilated , so I’m aware I will be alone for some time . So any advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you x

OP posts:

Original poster

BruceAndMarley · 13/08/2020 07:29

Anyone ? X

OP posts:

KLM19 · 15/08/2020 19:44

I was in hospital 5 days with my induction so pack plenty for yourself clothes and entertainment wise. Unfortunately I dont have a positive story for you and with this pregnacy I turned down my induction at 37 point blank would rather the severe pain I am in. So sorry didnt want to just read and run. Lots of people will have great success stories so hopefully they will comment. Best of luck lovey!! @BruceAndMarley

MissMini · 15/08/2020 19:58

I was induced with DS and although the process was a bit uncomfortable it was fine! I was given the first pessary about 4.30pm and started contractions about 1am then it wasn’t until 2.30am the following day when he finally arrived! I was kept in the whole time as his head wasn’t engaged and they were worried about my waters breaking and him landing on the cord. I was on my own for some of it as partner went home at night because I wasn’t in the labour ward was later in the next day. Just focus on whatever is in your birth plan - I had a tens machine, a bath both of which seemed to help. The time went really quickly I felt and the midwives at my hospital were amazing. I hope everything goes well for you! You’ll need to let me know? Do you know what you’re having?

SandwichDistraction · 15/08/2020 20:36

I was induced at 40+5 with my first. I expected the worst (interventions etc) based on what I had read online. I took loads of stuff to keep me occupied and lots of snacks. Just decided I would try and relax and have no expectations. I went into hospital at 9am. Monitoring and some hanging round. Then either pessary or gel (can't remember) put in at about 11am. Very very mild type period pains then proper contractions started at about 2:30pm. I went for a walk whilst they were manageable and then bounced on a ball huffing and puffing thinking I must have ages left and not sure I would manage much longer with just the paracetamol I had be given. Midwife suggested we go down to labour ward. I was examined down there and was 9cm (this was my first examination, other than having pessary in), I think this was at about 5:30/6pm but not sure. They took me to another room where I got in the pool (not something I had planned but they offered so I gave it a go). Pool was bliss and instantly slowed down my contractions and felt much more in control. Baby came at 8:08pm in the pool. Small tear, no issues, back in my own bed at home by midnight.
In the end it was great that we could take our dog to kennels and have a nice relaxed journey into hospital. I'm 28 weeks with our second and wondering what we are going to do with our DD and dog this time round if I just have a spontaneous labour!

CostaCosta · 15/08/2020 20:58

I was induced at 37 weeks. I was in for 5 days before. It was fine though, just take lots of snacks and books!

UserFriendly14 · 15/08/2020 21:01

I had the pessary at 41+3. It was fine- had it in at about 7pm, contractions started at about 11:30pm/midnight (typically right after I sent DH home to get some sleep!) and baby born at 9:30am. It can make labour a bit more intense to start with- my contractions were every 3/4 minutes from the start, but they did seem to slow.

eandz13 · 15/08/2020 21:15

I had pessary at 37 weeks with my first. I had it inserted about 6pm ish. Contractions started thick and fast within half an hour - I had to ring DP to come back as he'd just left thinking I'd be waiting for ages. She was born at 1:14am, so it only took about 7 hours. I had nothing to compare it to at the time, but since having a spontaneous labour I will say (in my experience) contractions are very intense straight away with induction, rather than the gradual build up, so have them know what pain relief you want early on. I had a really good, straightforward experience overall.

Ethellsmum · 15/08/2020 21:24

I was induced with my 5th baby 4 weeks ago. It was my first induction but all midwives I saw seemed to think it wouldn’t be along process for me with her being my 5th. In the end it took 48 hours - which probably isn’t that long really but to me seemed an eternity.
I enjoyed the peace and rest though. I took a kindle but found it hard to concentrate. Snacks and drinks were handy though I was well looked after.

Realladymarmalade · 15/08/2020 21:34

Hi bruceandmarley also due on the 29th here and have my induction booked for that day due to my age & other circs.
Spontaneous labour with my other 2dc so the induction is more a just in case for me.
And I can't comment on them but wish you all the best.

Mines is a balloon induction , they are going to send me home once theyve fitted it and I go in the next day unless I labour quicker. Anyway at the risk of hijacking your thread, has anyone had a balloon ? Instead of a pessary ?

Good luck

Realladymarmalade · 15/08/2020 21:36

Also hi ethellsmum I recognise that name from the other thread !

rvby · 15/08/2020 21:38

I was induced at 34 weeks on a drip. Contractions started at noon, intense and 4cm dilated by 3pm, epidural inserted but failed, 20 mins of pushing, 6lb baby in arms by 7pm. No tears, no cuts, no stitches.

I was terrified of being induced, it was my nightmare scenario. And it was completely fine. I often say I'd give birth every day if it meant being with the resultant dc!!!

Wishing you love and luck!! Xx

rvby · 15/08/2020 21:39

forgot to say, was my first as well! Inductions aren't always difficult, mine hurt and so on but it was manageable and I certainly survived just fine x

Heyha · 15/08/2020 21:41

I was terrified I'd end up with one then actually had one...if I had to have another one in future I would be reasonably happy with it, I had an episiotomy and forceps but had an epidural put in when I went to delivery which meant these were all manageable. Pessaries did bugger all for me and they only just managed to break my waters in the end so be prepared for lots of sitting around waiting, it's boring. Take plenty of nice snacks if you can and several days' worth of undies and tops. Go to the loo when they tell you it's your turn to go on the monitoring as you could be stuck there waiting if something interesting happens elsewhere. If you feel able to, make friends with someone else on the antenatal ward you're on although I saw lots of people come and go while I was waiting for something, anything to happen (you can always shut your curtains and 'go to sleep' if you've had enough chatter) as I ended up getting tips from people on their second induction.

The main tip- you can have gas and air for examinations but you'll probably have to ask for it. That was a revelation for me!

RandomMess · 15/08/2020 21:44

I have had all 4 induced, ARM with 2, epidurals with 3 - delivered all of them unassisted, no tearing etc.

If you need the drip I would ask for an epidural up front as it can ramp things up very quickly.

I found the tens machine was good for all the early pains, wasn't that impressed until the batteries ran out then realised how good it was!! Sitting on the birthing ball was great too.

Initially it can be very long and drawn out so it's just tiring tbh!! TV downloaded onto a tablet and headphones would be my top tip. Plus ear plugs and mask to help you sleep...

Elmo230885 · 15/08/2020 21:46

I was induced with both children.
DD I had the pessary about 4pm, contractions started and waters broke around 2am and she arrived at 19.45. I had the drip in throughout and an epidural at around 11am. I was discharged in the afternoon the next day. Was induced at 40+13.

DS I had a balloon induction. Fitted at midday, was home until 4pm when it fell out. I was put on the drip which got things progressing. I had an epidural which worked like a dream (first pregnancy it helped a lot less). DS arrived at lunchtime and I was home by 7pm. Was induced at 39+6.
Both times I was told that things were looking 'favourable' which I guest helped as I wasn't in half as long as some other people.

Elmo230885 · 15/08/2020 21:49

Forgot to add - DD was 7lb11 and I had one stitch (not sure why they bothered really), felt very delicate for a few days but recovered reasonably quickly.
DS was 9lb2 and aside from feeling tired, when I got home I honestly didn't even feel as if I'd even had a baby!

squee123 · 15/08/2020 21:52

Take plenty of snacks and things to do and a really long phone cable. I was induced at 39 weeks and it took three days, before eventually ending in a c-section. That's a lot of waiting round on your own.

I had a couple of goes with the pessary and then again with the gel. Both of those were totally fine, just nothing happened.

After that they tried a balloon induction. I'm not sure why as I've since learned they're not very successful for first time mums. Incredibly painful to the extent I needed morphine but still only made it to 1cm dilated.

Whilst it ultimately didn't work for me I would have no problems having another induction, I just wouldn't have the balloon again. Probably way better if you've had a vaginal delivery before though.

Realladymarmalade · 15/08/2020 22:32

Not liking the sound of a balloon induction, especially with it falling out 😭 eeeek. In non covid times they would have done a pessary but the balloon was on the basis of patients being kept awsy from unnecessary tine in hospital ....might revisit my birth plan and ask for pessary as the R rate is very low where I am.

Elmo230885 · 16/08/2020 08:04

The idea of the balloon is that it's 'inflated' and the weight/pressure causes your cervix to open. That's why it falls out, it's because it's working. Sorry my post was a bit dramatic when I wrote it fell out! I personally didn't find it painful or even uncomfortable, it was just strange when it was being inflated.
If I was to have another baby and needed to be induced I'd choose the balloon.

Realladymarmalade · 16/08/2020 11:11

Ah Elm that's helpful thank you :)
Just hearing different stories. But hopefully can avoid 🙏🙏🙏
I'm away to go for a long walk today and curry later . 🙏🙏🙏

squee123 · 17/08/2020 23:17

I might have been unlucky with my balloon but it caused my cervix to spasm repeatedly but not dilate. That required a lot of morphine. It is meant to be much more successful for women that have previously had a vaginal delivery though.

AlwaysLatte · 17/08/2020 23:46

I was given the pessary at about 6pm and was fully dilated by about 2am. It was all going quite well by itself until they started administering oxytocin. They kept upping the dose, which I really feel interfered with my own natural response to the increasing pain of the contractions (I had told them not to give me pain relief). Luckily my husband worked in the pharmaceutical industry and was experienced and told them to stop, and then things started settling It was far more painful than than my second which was not by induction. So my advice would be not to let them rush it, so your body can acclimatise itself gradually as nature intended.

LH1987 · 18/08/2020 00:10

I was induced and it was not a bad experience at all. I was so worried as all I seemed to read were bad stories but it was fine!

You may be in for a while, I was for 3 days and also for a while after (unrelated to the induction, other health issues). In my opinion, the following items will make the experience slightly better:

Plug board as usually the plug in a hospital bed is difficult to get to.
Small handheld, electrical fan, it gets hot!
Lots of snacks and drinks

Blossomorange · 18/08/2020 00:14

Baby 1 was induced. After two failed peasant attempts, I had an epidural then drip. Highly recommend epidural if you have the drip. Contractions came quickly after, a few strong pushes and Baby was out. Nothing bad happened at all - I think without the epi it’s probably unbearable as the drip brings on contractions strong and hard very quickly. Good luck! You’ll be fine.

RandomMess · 18/08/2020 09:55

The other advantage of having an epidural as you start with the drip is that it's quicker/easier if you need a spinal block for a c-section.

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