Being induced tomorrow…nerves!

[TreeRoad]

Induction is being done tomorrow and it’s just hit me like a car. I’m not overdue (38 + 6) but the baby is on the big side and there’s lots of amniotic fluid so the consultant is keen to get them out. The baby is well otherwise so he’s fine to make an early exit.

This is my first baby (as if you couldn’t tell!) and I know some nerves are expected but this is something else. I’m trying to stay busy but the fear of the unknown is horrendous. I would love a chilled final night before hospital but that’s not happening.

I’m not sure why I’m posting this. Any words of wisdom? Tough love? Stories that aren’t full of horror?

Ah @TreeRoad I understand how you feel. I was the same last week. Was told I had to be induced early due to baby measuring big and a low amount of fluid. I was dreading it too - it just wasn’t how I expected it to go. But in reality it was fine. Much better than I expected and all went smoothly. Meant an extra night stay in hospital beforehand but otherwise ok. You’ve got this. I know I’m the other side now but please that the induction meant baby came before my due date! Goodluck

@1ce1cebaby

Aw thanks for that. It’s great to hear from someone who has done it so recently.

I’ve made my peace with this not being part of the plan, and I know that if induction fails I’ll have a section.

I think I’m more worried about the pain (even the NHS website says induced labour pains are worse than spontaneous labour) and that I might be stuck this way for several days.

How are you and your baby doing now?

@TreeRoad ahh good luck!

My son (now age 12) was born via induction at 37 weeks. It was absolutely fine, I went in around 9am had the pessarys by midday and he was born at 12.15am!

I did this with gas and air, and whilst I have nothing to compare it to it wasn't any worse than I expected labour pains to be if that makes sense?

Fingers crossed for you 😁🥰

@LeahPaige That kind of Labour would do me just fine

Yeah, I have nothing to compare it to either, so that makes perfect sense. I think I’ve read too many horror stories involving 4 day labours with non-stop contractions, forceps/ventouse, emergency sections etc. I suppose people are often more forthcoming with those kinds of stories rather than the better ones.

You're going to do great! I know it's scary, of course it is, but think about how many women go to get a second, third etc so it's not that bad .

I tried so do some mindfulness/ breathing exercises before and also listening to birthing mantras ( which sound stupid but they actually helped - there was an audio with tings like : I am strong, my contractions cannot be stronger than me because they are me, etc)

Good luck! I had an induction recently for my second child and it was far less painful and involved much less medical intervention (save the actual induction) than my spontaneous labour with my first child. I hadn’t expected to be induced at all and was nervous as I too had read and heard about horror inductions, but found it to be a positive experience. Hope yours goes great too - keep as active as possible!

I was induced about 18 months ago. Took about 6 hours and although it contractions were v.intense I wouldn’t say it was excruciatingly painful. Was all completely fine and pretty quick.

@riromay

You're going to do great! I know it's scary, of course it is, but think about how many women go to get a second, third etc so it's not that bad .

I tried so do some mindfulness/ breathing exercises before and also listening to birthing mantras ( which sound stupid but they actually helped - there was an audio with tings like : I am strong, my contractions cannot be stronger than me because they are me, etc)

Oh I also used birth affirmations. Sounds silly maybe but it did help. If you are tense/scared it will slow things down. Just try to be positive - tomorrow you get to meet your baby!

My first was induced and it was actually a much easier birth than my second who was my much dreamed of spontaneous water birth with aromatherapy diffuser going and all the soft lighting etc!!! I would never have guessed that. I had one pessary that started some mild cramping within a few hours and then my waters went and it all kicked off so headed up to delivery suite. He was 8lb 11oz so not a small baby and the gas and air worked so well for me that it actually didn’t occur to me to even ask for anything else! DD2 was spontaneous but my waters didn’t go, it all slowed down and just generally wasn’t such a great experience! So please don’t listen to any horror stories (and don’t be googling tonight either!) because induction doesn’t have to mean a worse experience! I know with my first I was just so excited to get him here that I was relieved to be getting induced so if you can, try your best just to focus on the fact that you know you will be meeting your beautiful baby so so so soon! You can do this!!! Sending you lots of love and hope you can get a good rest tonight… once baby is here it would be a while before you get some decent sleep again!!! 😂

@riromay That’s very true, they wouldn’t do it more than once if it wasn’t manageable.

I’m going to Google some of those mantras now. It makes sense - the contractions are within you, you’re bigger than them. Thanks for the tip!

@twoofusburningmatches Thanks for sharing that. It’s good to know that induction doesn’t automatically equate to lots of medical intervention and trauma. The bad stories are definitely more prevalent so it’s great to know that yours was a good experience!

@Fleur405 Six hours is great compared to the 96 hours I’ve read about. Clearly I’ve done myself no favours using Google. Great to hear the contractions were intense but not excruciating. You mention affirmations too - I can see how they would help. At the end of the day, I’ll do anything that helps me and the LO.

@SeptemberDreams I’m hoping gas & air works that well for me. I don’t usually take any medications at home - even paracetamol - so I hope it helps the gas & air in being effective.

Yeah, I’m almost nauseous with excitement at finally meeting the baby and he has so many people waiting to meet him. He’s been so, so active (which will hopefully not translate into the same level of activity at 3am when he’s here!) and it’s crazy to think that I’ll be able to see his face so soon. As I type this, he’s boxing away.

Goid luck!

Almost 2yo DS was born via induction at 39+1.

I went in at ten, had the pessary at twelve, contractions started at 3.30pm, and he was born at 8.30pm, just half an hour after they took me into the delivery suite!

@PolytheneRam I really hope I get a day like this tomorrow! I’m not booked to attend until the afternoon but even if he shows up at 3am, I’ll take it.

I had a sweep last week and they said my cervix felt soft and that she could get 2 fingers inside so I’m hopeful the induction is successful and quick.

I remember this feeling so well! The best advice me and my partner stuck to when it was happening for me (and it didnt go smoothly but it was fine in the end) was to "just do the next thing". So... just get to the hospital on time. Then just focus on booking into the ward. Then just on getting the pessary. Then take each contraction one at a time. Try not to think too far ahead as that is what made me panicky- thinking about everything at once. That might sound tricky to do at the moment but it really helped! Also be prepared for a wait.. I had to ring the ward 3 days in a row before they had space for a bed for me. That was almost the worst bit so be prepared if they are extra busy they might not want you in even if you've been booked. Good luck and I hope it all goes wonderfully for you!

@Bootoagoose123 That’s great advice, thanks. You’re right. One thing at a time. We’ll get to bed tonight, get things sorted in the morning, get to the hospital on time…one thing at a time.

I think we’re similar in feeling panicked over the bigger picture. I’ve been full of what if there’s a delay, what if the induction doesn’t work, what if it’s too painful…not helpful at all!

I got induced at 39 weeks too, my LO is 7 months old now.
I was expecting to go into hospital and have baby the same day, I was actually there 2 days before he made an appearance, it can go either way. But my labour was considered traumatic by the midwives and I got extra support afterwards.... but really I didn't feel very traumatised and didn't find the pain too bad either! Had to go into surgery for extensive stitches afterwards and didn't feel a thing. Was up and walking 4 hours after having him and I had an epidural and a catheter.
It's such a scary feeling, it was my first too and I look back and it was absolutely not what I expected, but in a good way!

@TreeRoad similar to other ladies here mine was quick. And the pain manageable with gas and air. I too had worried myself that it would take days and maybe not work or needing an epidural etc but definitely was positive. I guess another positive is that you’re in good care and being monitored early as opposed to just when in active labour - so see that as a positive too. And that each pain/ contraction you feel is one step closer to meeting your baby. I hope you get a good sleep and wish you luck x

How did it go, OP?

@PolytheneRam

The induction went ok, thanks! I was induced and my baby arrived around 36 hours later. I had a gel then moved on to having my waters broken followed by an IV hormone drip.

The process itself was slow and I sat at around 3cm dilation for about 35 of the 36 hours 😂. I was almost heading for a c-section but I reached full dilation in time.

As for the contractions, I have nothing to compare it to, but they were intense. The build up was gradual but by the end, it felt like I was having abdominal surgery with no anaesthesia.