What should I know about being induced?

[OtterAndDog]

Doctors are a bit worried that my baby isn't growing much in the last few weeks (I am 38 weeks). They said they are going to scan me this week and then induce me if the baby hasn't grown as much as they'd like. I don't know anything about being induced - is there anything I need to know about or consider beforehand?

You don't have to agree to induction. You can ask for an alternative plan or ELCS.

Also that it can be a long process. The first part of the process is cervical ripening where the idea is to soften, thin and dilate your cervix enough to break your waters. This is often done with non-hormonal methods such as dilapan rods, balloon catheters and hormonal pessaries. It can be uncomfortable and make you very sore. After each method you are examined to see if there's been any changes to your cervix. In our trust this part can go on for 5 days ! Sometimes the pessaries give you tightenings but they usually don't send you into labour on their own. Sometimes they do though!

Once your cervix is dilated enough to break your waters then you wait for a bed on the delivery suite, this can also take a few days as it's usually assessed day by day who has clinical priority for the next bed. Once there the midwife will break your waters and start the hormone drip. It is not like going into labour spontaneously and may be more painful. Have a conversation with your midwife about pain relief. If you have the hormone drip baby's heartbeat will be monitored so you may be restricted as to how far you can move/what positions you can get in to.

Hope that helps!

@PinkPrawns2 thank you for your detailed reply! It doesn't sound very appealing to be honest and I think I'd be more inclined for a C section. Do you have any thoughts on what you'd prefer? If I asked for a C section would I be met with resistance from the medical team?

It depends on how ready you are. I had one but was dilated just enough for them to break my water so only took 11hrs start to finish. Had an epidural and it was generally fine. Not amazing but I was up and about a week later able to drive around and do pretty much everything. I'd rather not have major surgery without trying an induction first.

Commenting as I'm in the same situation.

I was highly recommended not to have a c-section. I've got my second growth scan tomorrow so hopefully I'll know more then.

I was induced with both of my DC, and they were both positive experiences.

DS - pessary inserted around 6 pm (approx. 1 week before due date), management cramps around 1 am/ 2 am. Called DH around 6 am and said 'get over here NOW' and DS was born at 10.13 am.

DD - pessary inserted around 10.15 am - DD born at 11.29 am.

Gas and air with both, not because I was being brave, but because it was too late for an epidural!

Good luck.

*manageable

I was induced at 39+0. Like a PP my DD was born within 11 hours. I was just given a pressary and had to have it taken out within 90 minutes.

I had to have a monitor put on my baby's head and gave birth on my side.

I had no epidural as by the time they decided I could have one DD was coming very fast.

My local hospital and the surrounding ones - as I've had friends induced in them - don't start the process if they can't deliver you as they know you could turn into an emergency C-section.