Induction essentials

[Stargazer87]

It's looking like I'm going to be induced on Monday which I'm not looking forward to...😐

I've had my bags packed for weeks but is there anything additional I should be packing for the induction? Any advice appreciated x

Thank you for all your replies...I'm so scared! 😐Having to do it alone without my husband allowed in just seems so much more daunting. Any tips to get me through??

You really will be fine, I know it feels scary but you will be OK.

Take a kindle/iPad for if you do have a lot of waiting around.

Make sure you have content downloaded or data so you can hotspot to your phone, otherwise you'll need to buy WiFi access at the hospital.

Chargers, headphones, several pairs of bottoms or a couple of skirts, mine got drenched when my waters went, and then again as I didn't realise that there could be further gushes after the first big one.

Snacks are really helpful as the food is minimal in hospital, I got a chicken sandwich at lunch, then dinner was a single sausage and a small lump of mash, breakfast the next day was a yoghurt and then a cheese sandwich at lunch, with 2 thin slices of bread a scrape of Marge and a barely there layer of cheese. If I hadn't had my bag of snacks I'd have been starving.

DD was born 6 years ago so we didn't have COVID to deal with, but DH came in with me initially, hung around for a few hours then when it became evident I was going to be there overnight hanging around I sent him home, there was no where for him to sleep on the ward and it didn't seem worth having him sat watching me from a chair. I think I sent him home about 4pm, then he came back about 9am the next morning. I was due to have the pessary checked first thing in the morning but everyone was busy so it wasn't checked till after 1pm at which point the broke my waters.

I assume once it looks like Labour is starting you'll be able to let your DH know so he can make his way in for the birth and be with you during the active Labour.

@Stargazer87 I had my first DC in June 2020 so was in the same situation as you regarding DH not being able to accompany you. It is, I'd say daunting rather than scary, if you can keep yourself calm it really helps. You'll probably find (as with 'most' inductions, once your contractions start, youll progress pretty quickly and he'll be allowed to join you. For me, having my iPod and a book and my own pillow really helped as the book and iPod were things I could concentrate on anywhere, bed, bath, birthing ball, walking round etc. I'd also highly recommend having a bath (provided the midwifes sauce it's safe for you, as every birth is different) once your contractions become really uncomfortable (but not necessarily overly painful), it will help you relax and it's probably the last time you'll have one for a while! 😂 soon you'll be joining the, quick 5 minute shower before baby needs something club!

Good luck! And congratulations!

I was induced five weeks ago and my partner wasn't allowed in either. I know how you must be feeling OP!

I had the pessary followed by the gel the following day and then went into labour that evening, so didn't need the drip.

I was allowed to go for walks in the hospital grounds and they encouraged me to stay active so I spent the first evening bouncing on a birthing ball while watching films on Netflix.

I'd recommend downloading some stuff on the Netflix app so you're not reliant on the hospital WiFi.

Other things I found useful were:

• a long phone charger, as the sockets are usually at awkward places. I bought a 3m one from Argos.

• an eye mask and possibly ear plugs. Though to be honest you probably won't get a lot of sleep as the lights are on and off and there's always some sort of check going on during the night.

• face wipes and stuff to make you feel human. A towel and a dressing gown, and flip flops for the shower.

• thick socks or slippers. Yes it is hot but actually I wished I'd brought my slippers.

• snacks like cereal bars and oatcakes, plus some treats. I wasn't a big fan of hospital food so ended up eating a lot of these and my partner brought food in during the visiting hours.

• I brought my pregnancy pillow.

I'd suggest one bigger case rather than lots of bags as personally I had to move wards a few times and then they move all your stuff and I worried about forgetting something. But there isn't always a huge amount of space so nothing too huge! Perhaps one bigger bag and a rucksack.

Good luck OP! If you have any questions let me know. You will be fine and your baby will be here before you know it.

@Stargazer87 try not to be scared (easier said than done, I know!), you really will manage fine on your own 😊 Take plenty of things to keep you occupied like books etc, take snacks - when I was in last month they served dinner at 5pm, then breakfast was at 8.30am so I was starving lol, and take a long phone charger if you have one - all my plug sockets were behind my head on the wall.
Also, during early labour when you’re on your own try and sleep as much as possible! You’ll really thank yourself for it later on in labour 😊 much better to be well rested if you can! When you’re not sleeping, try and stay upright and active as it helps labour progress 😊 go for walks if you’re allowed or if you’re not allowed out of the room like in my hospital then grab a birthing ball and get bouncing on that as much as you can 😊 Also, take a couple of nighties or big T-shirt’s etc to wear - there’s quite a few examinations and it’s just easier 🤷🏻‍♀️ Plus, the wards are ROASTING!
And just remember that it’s all bringing you closer to meeting your little baby. Honestly, it’s only 5.5 weeks since my induction and delivery and I would do every single bit of it again a million times over for this little boy 😅❤️

Thanks for all your support...yes daunted is maybe a better word, there's just so many unknowns!

I took my pillow, I definitely recommend. If I have to be induced this time aswell, I'm going to take my pregnancy pillow and my pillow. I don't even care if it's ott😂

I haven't rtft so apologies if I'm repeating but ear plugs and an eye mask are a must if you want to sleep. And lots of snacks!

Good luck for today @Stargazer87. Hope all goes well for you.