Can you give me brutally honest experiences of being induced please!!

[DinoRoars]

I have 2 children, both born at 36 weeks naturally. One super fast delivery with no pain relief which was horrendous and the other standard labour no problems with gas and air.
Im currently 38 weeks and being induced next week due to her growth if she doesn't make her appearance before then.
I need brutally honest experiences. I have no clue what happens, anything. Tbh im bricking it, more because of the unknown i think.
Thankyou!

I was induced at 39+3 due to GD.
I went into hospital at 7am, had pessary inserted at 9am. I had some period type pains in the morning but nothing unmanageable. I went for lunch with my parents in the hospital cafe and had a relaxing morning to be honest!
My waters went just after 2pm. I was taken through to delivery at 3.30pm. I don't remember too much from there to be honest, I had gas and air until about 5pm when I had pethadine.
DD was born at 7.28pm and I actually said to DH that it hadnt been as bad as I thought it would be!
Best advice would be to be as relaxed as possible as that'll help labour to progress.

Good luck.

Depends on the form of induction I had a pessary (did nothing) then they put a clip on his head to monitor him broke my waters and gave me the drip but they didn't tail the drip off in time and I had a retained placenta (again)

I was admitted with high bp at 39+2. 1st pessary 39+3, next at 39+4 both time contractions would last several hours then stop again. Was taken to delivery at 39+6 5cm, waters broken and hormone drip given. Drip made me vomit and the contractions were much worse than natural onset as there was barely a gap between them. I was off my head on G&A and midwife talked me in to epidural, it was much calmer after that and they put drip to max. Baby became distressed and they used vontouse and episiotomy to get her out quicker, cord was round neck and dh said she was blue. They sorted her out and then I got cuddles. 7hrs 38mins from waters breaking tk birth. I was up walking within an hour of delivery, they told me off for getting out of bed lol. Tbh I wouldn't volunteer for induction again.

I've been induced 3 times. Whilst I'm sure there have been people who have had positive first birth inductions I wasn't one of them! Pessary got things going and my waters broke but i needed the drip to keep going, then had an epidural. Back to back baby though, and was ventoused out in theatre.

Dc3 and dc4 were also both induced. Dc3 just due to being 42wks, my waters were broken, and she was born 2hrs later. Just gas and air.

DC4 was induced at 40wks due to large size. Given that dc1,2 and 3 were all very overdue, 40wks was a bit early for me and my waters being broken didn't start labour off. I said I didn't want the drip until I had an epidural in and working. I did have to wait from about 4pm until 11pm for a free aneathetist! Once it was in and on apart from a random bit when the epidural stopped working for about 20mins it was a chilled and pain free experience. The drip (like with DC1, quickly ramped up my contractions to 6 in 10minutes) DS made his own way out, they were very reluctant to do any examinations before 6hrs of having the drip on and when they did he was one push from being born.

So my experience is that inductions after previous vaginal births are ok, and I fully expect to be induced again in June, but I would never let them near me with a drip without an epidural!!

38+2 with second baby, induced because of gestational diabetes, peassary in at 4:30pm, contractions started at 5:30pm, did two laps of the hospital grounds and they ramped up. At 7pm was told I was dilated enough to break my waters but had to wait for a delivery room to be some free before that happened. Waited 15 hours overnight for a room, which was frustrating but pain wise it was bearable. Room found and Waters broken, got into a birth pool 45 mins later and DS arrived 20 minutes after that.

I was petrified of being induced and begged for a c-section beforehand but the consultant I saw said that I'd be fine and to trust him. And I was!

Try not to let the fear in as I was really pleasantly surprised and had a lovely birth that I really didn't expect to get.

I was induced also with my 3rd baby. Previous dc were big (close to 10lb) and a bit early (4 days and 10 days).

Dd2 was making me very unwell so they decided to induce me at 36+6. Was in hospital from the night before, pessary put in at 6am. I went back to sleep for 2 hours. Then I walked round and round, up and down the stairs, basically stayed upright as muc( as possible. At 1pm I was 1cm! Cue more walking about. Contractions started and I went through to delivery at about 4-5 (don't remember too clearly) as I wanted gas&air. Went very fast after that and she was born just after 6 at 7lb15oz.

I really think the staying lying down for the first couple of hours was good as it kept the pessary close to my cervix, and the walking helped too. The midwife said that inductions are easier if they're not your first because your body has done it before.

Wishing you all the best, my induced baby is now a 17 year old beauty therapy student who needs nagged to walk her dog. I hope your new addition brings you as much joy as dd2 has brought us x

I was induced with dd2. Only needed one pessary. Took a few hours to get gking but labour happened very quickly. Labour was straight forward.

As you've had 2 children, there's a good chance this labour will be quick for you.

I was induced with both pregnancies so have no comparisons but:

1st time, one baby at 38 weeks, pessary in for 24 hours. Very mild contractions started after about 20 hours. They started me on the drip at around 10pm in the evening after the mild contractions didn’t develop further. Was in labour for around 6 hours. Midwife didn’t believe me when I said I could feel the head but there it was! About 45 mins of pushing and he was born. Just under 7 hours in total, had gas and air and diamorphine.

2nd times was with twins at 35 weeks. No pessary as I was already a couple of cm dilated. Drip went in at midnight, gas and air, first twin arrived just after 3am and the second one 17 minutes later. Do just under 3.5 hours in labour in total.

I know it’s not the case for everyone but being induced was super easy for me!

I was induced last year at just under 39 weeks (3rd baby). It took 5 days for my baby to arrive. I hyperstimulated with the pessary and they had to take it out and inject me with god knows what to stop the contractions. Then they started again the next day with the 24-hour pessary. They decided after that to leave it in for another 6-8 hours. By which time the labour ward was full so they took the pessary out, contractions stopped and I was basically back to square one. Eventually, the next day after I kicked off, they took me to the labour ward, broke my waters, I went on the drip about 3 hours later, coped with just gas and air, but ultimately my baby arrived 8 hours later by EMCS.

It was my second induction experience - my first was a lot better but they used different methods then ie not the 24-hour tampon pessary, it was like a little pill that they repeated. Induction that time was about 30 hours from start to finish, with my waters being broken about 8 hours before my baby arrived.

Just to add, everyone hates that bloody drip - it DOES make things more painful and intense. I am a bit anti-epidural but honestly, I've had the drip twice now with only gas and air, and then had a spinal for my EMCS. My god, I would have an epidural at the first sign of a contraction. It was such a relief! Saying that induction doesn't always automatically = drip. My friend contracted so well during her induction, she didn't need it.

I should add that on both occasions they broke my waters at the same time as the drip starting!

@Toomanykidsandcats

I should add that on both occasions they broke my waters at the same time as the drip starting!

Wow, really? I insisted on having a good few hours between waters being broken and drip to see if contractions would pick up naturally.

Worth noting OP, you don't have to agree to anything until you are ready.

I was induced 6 weeks ago due to static growth at 40+4.

I had the pessary in the morning morning then 24 hours later it was removed and I was 1cm dialated. I had been having regular contractions and was in a lot of pain. I wasn't allowed a second pessary due to previous EMC. At this point it was possible for them to break my waters but due to a huge back log there was absolutely no space on labour ward for me and wouldn't be for at least 5 days probably a week.

After hearing that I lost my mind, the thought of potentially staying in that amount of pain for up to a week was horrendous, I wasn't allowed any pain relief not even gas and air until I got to labour ward (all I was given was paracetamol and codiene which did nothing but make me sleepy but I still couldn't sleep). I totally lost my cool and was screaming/crying asking for either pain relief or a c-section. I was denied pain relief and told that a c-section would also not happen for probably a week.

In the end after asking to speak to the head of the ward I was allowed to go to labour ward for diamorphine at which point they decided since I was on labour ward already they could break my waters and begin the rest of the process and after examination I was 4cm and I'm active labour at that point anyway. The rest of my labour was great, fully dialted 6 hours later, half an hour of pushing all pain free after finally getting an epidural!

If I were to be induced again I would ask about waiting list for labour ward, might be that I was unlucky and that my hospital was just overly bust but its something I wish I had know about before I consented to be induced

I was induced OP and one thing I would say is everyone’s experience is different! You read some great positive stories and some horror stories but you just don’t know how you personally will react.

I was induced at 40 weeks exactly due to big baby, I had the pessary at around lunchtime on the Saturday and by midnight I was having very painful contractions (7 in 10 mins at one point) as I had basically gone into hyper stimulation. Then had to have the pessary removed - I was alone for all of it due to bloody covid restrictions. Was horrible. However I was then 2cm dilated so waters could be broken, however there was no space on the ward. After telling them that either my husband would be allowed in or I would be going home, a space on the labour ward came up fairly quickly. Once my waters broke at 4pm then it all went very quickly and I got to 9cm by 1:30am. Unfortunately my DD was exhausted (as was I) and they were starting to worry and so I had to have an EMCS. I was asking to push and if I had had a bit more time, I perhaps could of done it but she’s here safe and well and that’s all that mattered to me.

Just be prepared for all eventualities! I was unlucky that I didn’t react well to the pessary but lucky that I didn’t need the drip. Also be prepared that you may need a CS or forceps delivery.
Good luck and not long until baby is here 😍😍😍

I had rhe pessary at about ten pm thr night before, they said I’d be in Labour in the morning and came first thing to get me. I had very very mild contractions, but the consultation didn’t agree with me getting a second as it is very painful Labour apparently, the registrar wanted to . As it worked out I needed an emergency c section as I developed eclampsia that day, but for me the pessary did sod all.

I wish I had known it could take ages! Had 2 days of pessaries - no contractions. Got put on the drip and had back to back contractions, really painful - at that point I got told no pain relief was available. Baby born in under 3 hours but it was tough - tears and a broken coccyx and it felt really out of control. I wouldn't have the drip again.

What annoys me about all of this @Chazzy19876 @CharleyFarleyy My experience is similar. Couldn't go to labour ward UNTIL I told them I was discharging myself and going home. Head of Midwifery came and saw me and BOOM I was moved across. It shouldn't take women having a near breakdown for them to be listened to.

I had pessary at 4pm, mild contractions through that day and night and loosing plug. They took me down to labour ward at 2pm the following day as baby’s heart rate was dropping repeatedly, I was 4cm dilated.

Broke waters just before 6pm, baby’s heart rate plummeted then was untraceable, he was born by emergency GA section at 6.16.

While it was an awful birth, it was also a super positive experience. I’m glad I got to experience some labour, the midwives were outstanding, me and baby were safe 😊

Thankyou for everyone's stories the good and bad experiences!
So i will make sure to ask about the waiting list for the labour ward before I agree to anything, that's for sure.
Try to avoid the drip unless completely necessary.
Prepare myself to possibly need EMCS or epidural.
Keep lead down for a while after the pessary and try and relax.

This is going to sound silly but if i do have the drip how long does it stay in for? Until established labour or just to get things going?

My previous labours - my first was born in triage infront of the whole bloody ward and was 45mins start to finish it literally went 0-100 in seconds.
And my second was a really nice chilled out labour. So the complete opposite of each other really.
3rd time round I am completely in the dark about induction and haven't yet been told much about what's going to happen, or the procedures or anything at all really so I really appreciate this. Thankyou

The hospital that I will be attending panics me also after my daughter. They left me in the waiting room screaming my head off whilst she was crowning. She was born in the middle of triage infront of EVERYONE whilst i stripped off and she was rushed away from me straight after to be checked and i had no clue what was going on the entire time. So I'm majorly anxious about it being in this hospital again as it is

Induced a couple of months ago for my first after having reduced movements and being over 40 weeks.
Absolutely ask about wait times for labour ward beforehand. I was in hospital 4 nights/5 days before I actually made it to labour ward!
Pessary on the first night did nothing other than moderate period pains, gel only got me to 1cm and no contractions on the second day so at that point had to wait for space on labour ward to have the drip as that's the point of no return!
Was taken down to labour ward at 3am on the morning of fifth day when they finally had a space for me.
They put me on the drip about 5am and broke my waters for me. They had to dial it all the way up (had to have the dr in to sign off on turning it up past the limit the midwives were allowed to do) for anything to happen dilation wise though!
I had gas and air but by the time we reached the top dosage of the drip my contractions were pretty regular and quite painful. They told me then that I was only 2cm and I was so upset, baby clearly not ready to come out!
I was so tired that decided I wanted a c-section then as we had been at it for 8/9hrs on the drip at that point, but the midwife and dr persuaded me to have an epidural and go for vaginal birth, and I'm so glad they did! Luckily for me the anaesthetist had just come free so they had it in and running in about 45mins or so, by which time I had somehow made it to fully dilated and it was bliss after that!
I could still feel all my contractions but as a pressure rather than pain so I knew when to push and she was out within the hour after that, only needed a couple of stitches and no other interventions.

If I was induced again I would definitely ask to have the epidural in place before I started and make sure that I wasn't going to be hanging round hospital for days before they took me down to labour ward as I was pretty shattered from broken sleep before we even started!

@CornishGem1975 The first time they said my body was not at all ready for birth but they needed him out as I had ICP and my bile levels were really high so just wanted to get started. Second time, again one twin was suffering with poor growth and blood flow and they just wanted to crack on with it and get them out. You just have to listen to the advice and trust your instincts, it’s so different for everyone.

There's been a couple of good threads on this in the last month or so so you may pick up some other bits on those but this is the short version of my induction for growth, 40 weeks though.
Day 1- Day 3: Three pessaries in total, one fell out. After being in there 60 hours being monitored, and examined at pessary changeover (ask for gas and air at any point for internals if you want it, you can have it. They probably won't tell you this) they declare I'm 'just about' 2cm dilated so can go on the list for breaking water and labour ward overnight. Ask them to delay til morning so partner can go home and sleep.
Day 4: Spend morning waiting. Get called down mid afternoon. Epidural in before drip at my insistence. Waters broken, catheter and drip in about 8pm. Nothing much happens after that, manage to sleep, epidural is amazing.
Day 5: Become unwell so most of day is dealing with that while waiting for full dilation. Start pushing about 9pm ( I think) DD out an hour later after forceps and episiotomy. Birth is nice as feeling well again and no pain.
Day 6: Wait for legs to come back and catheter out, both done by early morning. Feel surprisingly well. Stay in another day due to IV antibiotics for both of us.

So epidural first unless you really don't want it, and ask for gas and air for any exam or procedure you feel uncomfortable with, is my advice.

My induction I had no drip and my water broke themselves about 10 minutes before DS was born
Was in delivery suite 35 minutes altogether before baby arrived
However I think I was lucky and have opted for C section this time
As wouldn't be induced again

@DinoRoars In my first induction, the drip was kept in until after the baby was delivered. Second time around I was attached to a drip for hours after the c-section because they pump fluids into you.

[quote Toomanykidsandcats]@CornishGem1975 The first time they said my body was not at all ready for birth but they needed him out as I had ICP and my bile levels were really high so just wanted to get started. Second time, again one twin was suffering with poor growth and blood flow and they just wanted to crack on with it and get them out. You just have to listen to the advice and trust your instincts, it’s so different for everyone.[/quote]
Yes absolutely. It's different for everyone. That's where the BRAIN acronym comes in. I think that's really useful for these situations.