Open cervix - how long did induction take?

[Lou98]

Hi! I was brought in for an induction today due to RFM.

I'm just trying to pass some time and hear some other women's experiences!

When I was examined the MW said my cervix was fully open which was good but still hard - if anyone had this, how quickly did things progress after induction was started?

I'd also be interested to hear any induction stories you have, good or bad! How long did it take from start to finish? Was it your first/second/third etc baby?

Thanks 😁

Meant to add I'm 39 weeks exactly today and this is my first baby!

How exciting!
I took 10 hours first baby

My induction, they broke waters at 4pm, then at 8pm they gave me the drip. She was born at 9:41pm! All the midwives kept telling me that was very fast.

Without putting you off, the pain i found to be very bad as it ramps up fast. Use the gas and air and I asked my friend to tell me when the contractions were going down each time. More importantly listen to your body and if it feels like you cannot stop yourself pushing and they do not listen, stand up for yourself.

As they didn't expect DD to come so fast, they were not checking me when I asked and only took me seriously when I said it was contraction after contraction and I couldn't stop my body pushing.

Good luck, you got this!!

I was 1cm when I went in at 3pm, waters broken at midnight, baby born 10.30am.

@Accidentallydeletedoopsss thank you! It's only been 3 and a half hours since the gel and first peassary for me so hoping for a similar labour time! 😁

@Raindancer411 thank you, that was super quick! I'm hoping for similar🙈

They gave me the gel and first peassary at 11:30 this morning so hoping things progress. She said my cervix was open when she examined me but was still firm so hoping that has softened up!

Definitely nervous about the pain coming in really intense, so far I've been getting on and off pains but they think baby is lying back to back and so all the pain I'm getting so far is coming and going in my back!

@Heepers thank you! Was that your first baby? This is my first so no idea what to expect!

@Lou98 My first came 3 days early and was back to back, so know how you are feeling there! I have to say the gas and air did help and as soon as the head is through, it's a lot better, and once out you can breath a sign of relief lol If it makes you feel any better, you soon forget the pain. My daughter is a year in two weeks and I cannot remember it now...

Ohh and ask them to use a warm compress as the head comes through (stomp I think they call it) It helps to reduce tearing and I didn't tear at all with second when they used it.

@lou98 yes it was my first baby and it was fine. I mean it hurt but it was fine. I had an epidural but that was always my plan. I'm 26 weeks with my second and being induced again and whilst I'm not looking forward to labour, the induction element really doesn't bother me.

Honestly you may well be fine! Good luck x

@Raindancer411 ah hopefully the gas and air will help me too then! I've not needed anything so far as they're painful but bearable but I have no doubt they'll get a lot worse soon!
Just now it's mainly just the boredom if I'm honest, my partner wasn't allowed to stay and can't come back until I'm in the labour word with the rules just now so it's going to be a long few days if it ends up taking that long!

Good idea about the compress, I'll ask them about that! I'm dreading the idea of tearing!

@Heepers thank you! I'm definitely thinking I'll go for the epidural further on, so far it's just the starting of pains so not bad enough for pain relief yet but it's only been a couple of hours so have no doubt I'll be begging for it soon enough🙈

Yes I had daughter in the midst of the first lockdown, so wasn't allowed anyone until in the labour suite. I had a friend as hubby had to stay with our son as no one could have him back at that time. I hope you find something to break the boredom. Do you know what you are having of will it be a surprise?

@Raindancer411 it's a shame that they miss out on the experience aswell, it's our first and my partners gutted he won't be here for most of it but I'm just glad he was allowed in while I was getting started and will be allowed in to the birth!

Yeah we're expecting a little boy! 😁

How’s it going @Lou98?

@Lou98 Hope all went well for you and you have your gorgeous little one to cuddle up with for that first cuddle

@Accidentallydeletedoopsss @Raindancer411 he was born yesterday morning at 20 past 5 ❤️

It did not go how I expected at all, I got the second pessary at 9pm after being monitored as his heart rate kept dipping. From the first one at 11:30am to the 2nd one at 9pm I had only went from 1cm to 2cm dilated. The pain started coming in fast but they told me it was just pains from the pessary rather than contractions, this continued until 5am, all they gave me was paracetamol. At 5am my waters broke, I then went to the toilet thinking I needed a poo as they said they still didn't think I was in active labour - turns out what I needed was to push so baby's head started coming out in the bathroom, after shouting for the midwife and just managing to make it back to the bed he came out 2 pushes later. I was still on the induction ward, never even made it to the labour ward. It was a massive shock! But all is well now and we're so glad to have him home with us

@Lou98 A big congrats and well done. Oh bless, so your other half wasn't there? Again this was a case of the midwives not listening and they should have checked you. The one I had kept refusing to check me and it was only when I had that poo feeling and my friend said to them I couldn't stop pushing, she rushed me onto the bed and DD was born. I think as most inductions take ages, they just take it for granted it's not active labour.

I would ask for a debrief on that. You must have a high threshold, you do really well, be proud!

@Raindancer411 no he missed it, he was gutted, he'd been waiting by his phone for when he was allowed back in!

Yeah that sounds exactly like what happened with me, I think they thought I was being dramatic about the pains even though they were pretty much coming and going with no breaks. My waters broke but they thought I'd peed myself (as did I at the time) then 2mins later I had that overwhelming urge to push when I was in the toilet. Didn't think I was going to make it back to the bed when I felt the head.

My partner wants to complain and ask for a debrief so looking in to that, just so that other women will get checked when asked rather than being made to feel as though I was being dramatic and being told I wasn't in labour yet when as it turns out I had been

@Lou98 Yes very similar to me. I wish they should listen to women more. I was just lucky my friend was there to back me up before the midwife went out the room again! I didn't feel any of these feelings with my first as was back to back and I had an epidural, so I wasn't aware and I should have thought to have told you it feels like you are wanting a poop. Sorry...

Let me know if you get that debrief but for now, you enjoy your little family x