To accept or decline induction

[lovemonsters]

39+2 with second baby first was spontaneous labour 38+1 very straight forward birth.

Midwife attempted sweep last week at 38+2 but was unable to carry out as couldn't get a finger in she said.

Had awful period like cramps for past couple of days and not felt much movement so went in for monitoring this morning for peace of mind. Baby showed lots of movement but I barely felt anything. Because I am over 39 weeks they offered me an induction within 24 hours which I accepted out of panic.

Now after getting home and reading up more about it and reading some horror stories on here im not sure whether I have made the right decision and considering ringing to change my mind.

I am unable to walk, sleep, sit comfortably in any position due to discomfort. My baby has measured big all the way through but not big enough for concern. Midwife felt my stomach this morning and said his head is still on the brim so quite high im guessing this means induction won't be so straight forward as she told me to go home and bounce on my ball as much as possible for the rest of the day to try get his head down.

If you were in my position would you go ahead with the induction or cancel?

I've not had induction myself but from what I can gather from others experiences on here is if your cervix isnt favourable it could potentially be a long, drawn out and painful process. I think its going to depends
on how much longer you can deal with being uncomfortable/in pain. You have absolutely every right to decline an induction though so dont feel pressured. Good luck OP I hope bubs makes an appearance soon! X

I was induced day before I was due. My god horrendous pain. Although I was left alone for 17 hours didn't have anyone with me and I had to keep buzzing to ask for pain relief. I didn't have any. My situation is rare I realise.

If baby is still not quite in position I would assume it could be a long process. Have they said how they will start the process? That is, are they just going straight for the drip or trying other options first? I only had the drip and recommend you consider asking for an epidural to be in and working before they start it as there’s a good chance contractions will come thick and fast and can be a bit of a shock and pretty unbearable.
I didnt get my epidural until a while after the drip was started and then it failed and there was no going back so I always recommend to get the epidural in first to anyone that asks. You can also decline induction all together and ask to wait or be booked in for a section. Good luck xx

It's the complications and possible interferences that worry me the most! I am petrified of needing forceps or anything like that and have read that a lot of inductions result in needing them!

They are going to start with a pessary. I think they try 2 pessary's before the drip at my hospital. I believe that they can check how favourable my cervix is in the morning too before doing anything so if they say it's unfavourable and could end up with a section I will then decline.

I think you can ask for your bishops score which should tell you how favourable things are.

I sadly ended up with forceps and episiotomy and am pregnant with number 2 now. I have been quite clear that I won’t be talked into the drip again. But I know plenty that have had it and had the epidural first and found it absolutely fine.
If it were me and things weren’t favourable for induction I would likely try the pessary but be clear upfront that if that doesn’t work I may be asking for a section so they know where my head is at before things start. That’s actually in my birth plan.

I'm going to be sure to ask a lot of questions and make sure I know my options!

Are you allowed to eat during the process? I remember over hearing a conversation a while ago a lady saying the worst thing for her was being so hungry and not being able to eat for 3 days in case she needed a section?

I was induced 'cold' at 38 weeks due to GD. I had no signs of labour starting but the placenta starts to deteriorate by that stage so it was preferable to get on with it.
I had pessary first, which started mild contractions but fell out about 15 hours later. Then gel which started a bit more but they were very mild and I wasn't much dilated. That was after 1.5 days. I then transferred to the labour ward to have my waters broken manually which got things moving. The contractions weren't regular so I was then put on a drip but I knew I ask for an epidural first so that was fine. I then spent about ten hours snoozing until I got to 10cm and the epidural was lightened so I could feel enough to push.

The whole thing took 2.5 days but I was only in active labour for the last 16 hours of it. It wasn't fun, but I'm someone who finds smear tests difficult so having various people faffing around between my legs wasn't great! It may well not be as bad for you as you've given birth before.
I was allowed to eat (and provided with meals) until the point when I needed the epidural.

The advantage of the whole thing was that we knew when it would be, knew there was already a bed for me in antenatal and on labour ward so no concerns about being turned away from the hospital.

In terms of food - I was allowed to eat until about 2am when epidural sited. Baby born around 5pm and I got tea and toast after I'd BF her.

I did tear but I have no idea if that would have happened anyway. The GD had made DD big and there was some shoulder dystocia which meant I had an episiotomy and also tore but less likely for you?

I had the drip with my 2nd (at 4 days overdue after waters broke but no contractions) & pessary with my 3rd (on due date) & didn’t have any further interventions after that. Chose not to have an epidural with either as I didn’t like it with my 1st. It was painful but not unbearable. No more painful than my first which was spontaneous labour but the inductions were both quicker. That may have been because they weren’t my first though. Definitely preferred the pessary as the drip is much more intense. They have recommended induction at due date again this time & I will opt for pessary again (if I haven’t gone naturally before that point) but in your situation I would maybe try wait & see for a few more days with lots of bouncing, walking, nipple stimulation etc maybe you can kick things into gear yourself? Try & get into a relaxed mood too as anxiety/stress can inhibit labour starting. Go in again for monitoring by all means to help you gage where you are at & definitely if you have reduced movements again x

Noooo! I wouldn't be accepting induction until 42 weeks or unless there was a serious medical reason as to why it was recommended! I'm always so surprised to read these when people aren't even 40 weeks!
I wouldn't put yourself through it OP, not yet anyway. 🤞baby comes sooner rather than later.

Unless I or the baby was at risk I would decline induction, especially under 40 weeks.

I had an induction with my first and my second labour started the same way, with my waters going but not much progress, but I declined an induction (and any intervention at all). My first labour was very painful and very intense but my second was much easier. In your position I think I would decline the induction and just ask for regular monitoring, especially as you had a straight forward first labour. I would never personally have another induction without very very good reason.

I had an induction with second. The pessary was inserted at 39+1 and she was born on 39+2. Took almost 24 hours for contractions to get going but was basically pain free or in v mild pain for that time so no big deal. Full contractions only lasted just over 5 hours. Gas and air only. It was brilliant and soooo much better than my first "natural" birth which ended in every intervention possible and I was in labour for 36 hours

I'd cancel. If baby isn't ready induction is unlikely to be straightforward in anyway.
There's no medical issue, so I'd wait.

Ps: I only needed one pessary. It doesn't work immediately, you need to give it time, but that time is pain free or mild period pain, not full contractions

Hello, I was induced with my first, (pessary and drip) a very long 46 hour process that ended in rotational forceps and an episiotomy, I was offered induction this time around, despite being uncomfortable due to carrying a larger baby I sought further medical advice and then declined, five days after induction date I gave birth it was 5 hours from start to end and beautiful. Every birth is different, I hope whatever way you choose it's what you want xx

Yes you can definitely eat unless you're on the drip - as it's your second I bet you won't need a drip

I was induced at 38+5. I could eat up until I had the drip, even the midwife said that made no sense as I could have gone into labour without being induced and still ended up needing a section. Once I went on the drip it was about 12 hours before my daughter was born. To be honest after everything I'd been told about being induced it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. Didn't need an epidural, no forceps and only a small tear.

On the food, I was allowed to eat, drink and mooch about while the pessaries were(n't) working and they encouraged me to do so right up til the drip and epidural went in, then I was nil by mouth although I was allowed those dextrose tablets. I didn't eat from Weds lunch til about midnight on the Thurs which I don't think helped much although I did sleep a bit on Weds night thanks to the epidural.

I may well have to have another one but I will be asking for them to check my Bishop's score as it was really low and I'm sure that didn't help. If it's not too bad I'll agree to an attempt at pessary without too many worries but I'd need strong convincing to have the drip again (and then only with an epidural again) because I reacted quite funny to it. There will come a point where I just say, nah, c section please but I've not yet had the conversation about when that might be. I don't want one unless I have to but I want a drip induction with an unfavourable cervix even less!

I personally want to avoid induction unless absolutely critical for my baby’s health. There is no need to intervene at present. I hate the idea of meddling with a natural process unless medically indicated. The evidence suggests that induction triggers a chain of intervention which leads to increased risk of instrumental delivery, LSCS, episiotomy/tearing, negative psychological experience/birth trauma. I am not doing that unless the benefit outweighs the risk.

Thanks so much for your replies, I have decided to go ahead and hope that when they examine me in the morning my cervix is favourable and everything goes smoothly 🤞🏼

Will update tomorrow x

Just a little update..

Had examination and my cervix is soft, baby's head is low and I'm already 2-3cm so no need for the pessary! Going for a walk for an hour or so then back to get my waters broken.

@lovemonsters Eeeek, congrats OP and good luck! Let us know when bubs makes an entrance to the world 😊 xx

Oh that's great news! Fingers crossed everything else is spot on too, let us know when you're out the other side!

Yay great news. Good luck!