INDUCTION....how much harder is it??

[dkay]

Hi Girls,

Please can anyone tell me how much more sudden are the contractions when being induced. Will probably have to be induced and frightened of the thought of it!

In my case they were no more sudden at all. Had gel at 3pm,mild period pains started at 11pm but nothing too much until 9am the next morning. Waters were then broken at 12 and i delivered at 2. Was worried as everyone had said and induced labour is really sudden and painful but it was o.k.I did have a tens machine on from when the niggles started but when i was in labour proper i chucked it as it was really annoying!

Only a problem if they put up a drip, which is usually when the labour has been going on a while and they want to speed things up. If you're induced with a pessary no different at all (so I've been told).

Am 9 days overdue. Had a sweep last night and midwife said my cervix was well and truely shut!! Looks like I'll be having an induction. Swindon induce from ten days and phone when they have a free slot. I'm a bit scared about it because I haven't really had anyone to discuss it with. My own midwife is off long term sick. Can anyone tell me the difference between the gel, pessaries and drip that people have mentioned here?

I was induced on thursday night, cervix was slighly open so they broke my waters. I had been having fairly regular BH's before that, that were showing up on the trace. As soon as my waters were broken the BHs became proper contractions straight away every 2 mins and building in intensity. I was able to sit and cope with 1 shot of pethidine early on, my tens and eventually 2 puffs of gas an air before I shifted to get more comfortable and down he shot. 15 minutes later he was born...brilliant! 4 hours in all, much better than my first experience of 23 hours ending with an epi and a ventouse delivery.

Don't be afraid of being induced, my advice would be to be ready with the pain relief though and make sure your midwife is aware. Think through what you want, if you're going to use a tens get that going at least half an hour before they break your waters and get them to set up the g&a straight away so its there ready if you want it. If you think you might want an epi make sure your mw knows so that she can warn the anaethetists.

Good luck and remember, the moment they are out all the pain goes away

Lateasusual - if your cervix is closed they'll most likely start you with a dose of prostin, this goes into the vagina against the cervix as a gel or pessary. This is to soften your cervix up and may also start your contractions. If not, the next step is to break your waters if your cervix has opened or start you on a synto drip both of which should start you contracting and get the ball rolling.
Good luck, hope all goes well
phee xxx

IME I had light contractions after gel but once my water were broke they were immediately very intense - imagine it like having a nice warm shower that suddenly goes ice cold! It was that quick.

I had 3 gels and finally went just after midnight then got put on a drip and the contractions came fast n really sore

sorry for that

I had the drip which didn't really make much difference, but I was already in labour, it was just slow. They broke my waters a couple of hours later which did speed things up though!

I've been induced twice - both early due to obstetric cholestasis and both experiences were entirely different.

First time, needed 3 gels before could break waters and set up drip - contractions were hard and fast, but copable with!

Second time, I found it much harder and more painful - needed 2 sets of prostin before could break waters. They left me longer this time before setting up drip and contractions were more painful this time around than first, but then baby was over a 1lb heavier with a much bigger head, so don't think it was due to the induction.

To be honest, the worse part for me both times, was having my waters broken and the prostin inserted, as I hate internals and my cervix was very posterior! After that the labours were easy!!

Every person's experience is different, so try not to worry about it - easier said than done!!!
xxx

Thanks for all the advice girls. Looks like being on the ball with the pain relief is the way to go. I think I'll have to get the tens machine out again and have another practise. It was so long ago that I ordered it I've forgotton how to use it. It doesn't pay to be organised does it?!