Induced labour at 40 weeks

[OctMama]

Hi ladies,
I am booked in to be induced tomorrow if a space is available. I am really nervous about this mainly the possible long stay in hospital but have been in triage tonight with reduced movements and it was recommended for the babies best interests. I have also had an extremely stressful pregnancy and have been doing this alone without a supportive partner so my mental health is bad at the moment.

Has anyone got any advise on how to stay occupied during my stay and keep my anxiety at bay? Is it more painful than usual and was anyone able to have a water birth? Thank you x

Your whole situation was literally me with my first in 2016!! I was alone, was in hospital majority of my pregnancy with numerous complications, mental health wasn't good.. I was told I was being induced the next morning I was just 34 weeks and everything went perfectly. I slept for hours after the gel was put in till waters braking (dripping) woke me up in the middle of the night was in a bit of pain so had a bath then contractions got worse I had to go to the birthing room where I slept again woke up needing a poo but was really the baby coming out and my heathy baby girl arrived. The whole process was about 12 hours but I slept for most of it. I had such a positive induction story and I hope you do too! Good luck with everything. You need to try and rest tonight I know it's easier said than done but you don't know when you'll next get a chance!!

In the hospital I was in you didn’t have the option of a water birth if you were being induced but don’t know if that’s a general policy. Best to ask your midwife/the hospital.

I kept myself entertained with podcasts and books. Best of luck x

I was induced withy 1st 2 and I prefer it to non-induced labour!
I was left for 62 hours after my water went with my 1st and got to 3cm even though I was contracting virtually constantly. I was induced at 2pm and he was born at 4pm!

2nd I was told at 5pm on Friday that I would be induced at 10am the next morning so I had 17 hours to arrange childcare, transport and make sure I had all mine and baby's things! She was born at 6:26am on Sunday after 10 whole minutes of labour 6 of them were a porter and midwife begging me not to push while they ran through the hospital with me 🤣

3 was 2 weeks early and 46 hours of labour she's was born 3 hours after getting to hospital because they didn't have a bed for us (even to be checked!)

At my trust, if you need to have the drip as part of your induction you couldn't have a water birth. If you went into labour from your waters being broken, or even just from the pessary, you could use the pool.

I also kept myself entertained with books and downloaded movies. I wasn't contracting at the time though.

I don't have a normal labour to compare to, but I had the drip and had diamorphine as pain relief. I consider my induction a really positive one, and would do it again should this pregnancy require one too.

Hope everything goes well for you today.

Thank you for sharing your experiences! I am booked in for tomorrow now, I was warned this could change at short notice. X

I was induced at 40 weeks with my first and it did take a few days so plenty of entertainment and snacks are a good idea. Had an epidural when the drip went in and had a very calm experience in the end albeit with forceps and and episiotomy but recovery was pretty good.

Induced at 41 weeks with my second a few days ago and had the total opposite, they and to take the pessary out, rapid arrival of baby, no time for any decent pain relief! I think on balance I preferred the slow and steady one, I'd packed for being bored and hungry again as well!