Induction/birth advice!!!!

[Missnataliex]

Good morning all, happy Sunday!

Never mind me, I'm just laying here wide awake slightly freaking out that I'm officially 33 weeks today and childbirth is around the corner

Me and my partner could not be more excited about this new journey we're about to experience.

However, I'm starting to panic a little. Since I was 12 weeks, I found out that I had 2 lovely fibroids at the front and back of my cervix. It was possible that I may need a c- section, however last week at my consultant appointment I found out that they had moved out of the way and they wouldn't pose as a problem and I can give birth vaginally. Although I will need induced early as baby is measuring in the 95% and my iron levels are really low! (On tablets and being monitored regularly to ensure the levels are increasing).

Although this is amazing news, they did say there is a risk of internal bleeding after I give birth. She said it's normal! However I can't help but let my mind run away with me.

My questions are:

Has anyone else had a vaginal birth with fibroids? If so, how was it? Did you bleed internally after?

What is the induction process really like?

What should I take to the hospital that you wish you did?

What should I not bother bringing to the hospital?

Basically any advice welcome as this new mum and dad to be are nervous 😬 hahaha!

TIA!

Xx

Wooo congratulations nearly there 🙌🏽

To answer a couple of your questions, everyone is different though my choices might not be for everyone.

I had fibroids with my son, and I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant and there are there again, I had a vaginal birth and I'm planning on it again, no internal bleeding after, infact I stopped bleeding all together on day 11.

My first and This pregnancy have both measured of the 95 percentile.
I declined being induced with my first, I've heard your in there for days and labour can be quite intense, obviously everyone is different and some people may have had a great one but at the time and with this pregnancy it's just not for me. Baby knew when he was ready and came on his due date.

They said my first born was likely to be a big baby, round about 9lbs he came out 7.7!

I wish I took snacks to the hospital, although the toast they give you after birth is something else! I searched what to take and over packed everything. I was in there for 10 hours after birth, so only used the bare minimum.

I know what to expect this time but I understand it's very overwhelming with your first wondering how, when or what will happen, I just went with the flow😂

Good luck

@mammaaa

Wooo congratulations nearly there 🙌🏽

To answer a couple of your questions, everyone is different though my choices might not be for everyone.

I had fibroids with my son, and I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant and there are there again, I had a vaginal birth and I'm planning on it again, no internal bleeding after, infact I stopped bleeding all together on day 11.

My first and This pregnancy have both measured of the 95 percentile.
I declined being induced with my first, I've heard your in there for days and labour can be quite intense, obviously everyone is different and some people may have had a great one but at the time and with this pregnancy it's just not for me. Baby knew when he was ready and came on his due date.

They said my first born was likely to be a big baby, round about 9lbs he came out 7.7!

I wish I took snacks to the hospital, although the toast they give you after birth is something else! I searched what to take and over packed everything. I was in there for 10 hours after birth, so only used the bare minimum.

I know what to expect this time but I understand it's very overwhelming with your first wondering how, when or what will happen, I just went with the flow😂

Good luck

Right that makes me feel so much more relaxed after hearing that.

My friend was induced back in September with her second. Oh my goodness she said it was rough. Contractions were intense and it goes from 0-100 in no time at all. Plus her partner wasn't allowed to be with her for a majority until she was almost ready to deliver. That makes me feel a bit uneasy but my consultant said induction is the best choice so I'll just go with it😬!

Oh wow, looks like they where way off with the weight lol. The consultant did tell me it obviously isn't 100% accurate so I'm hoping I don't have to squeeze out a 9-10lber🤣

Ok noted on the snacks. I'll definitely stock up just incase 😃

Here is hoping baby girl comes on her own and j don't need to be induced xxx

Good morning lovely, and congratulations on your pregnancy!

I don't have any experience with fibroids sorry, but I was induced and would say the following;

• It might be a long process, so be prepared to be waiting for days. I skipped into the hospital on a Monday morning so excited to meet the baby that day. DS arrived on Thursday! I wish someone had managed my expectations!
• Hospital wards are hot and noisy places. Life savers are really good moisturiser and noise cancelling headphones.
• I wish I had bought better flip flops or slip on sandals. Mine were cheap, crap and uncomfortable!
• This is going to sound awful...the thing I wish I didn't take is my partner! We'll, not 24/7 anyway. We really started to bother each other after a day or so (she still whinges about sleeping on a chair and not having a shower) and by the time baby was born we were both knackered! I think if she had been a man the staff would have suggested she go home regularly.

Hope this helps!

Re snacks: a lot of wards seem to be but free so keep that in mind!
I was super careful not to pack any snacks with nuts but didn't even consider this when someone turned up with massive box of Ferrero Rocher after baby was born 🤦‍♀️

@CreakingWreck

Good morning lovely, and congratulations on your pregnancy!

I don't have any experience with fibroids sorry, but I was induced and would say the following;

• It might be a long process, so be prepared to be waiting for days. I skipped into the hospital on a Monday morning so excited to meet the baby that day. DS arrived on Thursday! I wish someone had managed my expectations!
• Hospital wards are hot and noisy places. Life savers are really good moisturiser and noise cancelling headphones.
• I wish I had bought better flip flops or slip on sandals. Mine were cheap, crap and uncomfortable!
• This is going to sound awful...the thing I wish I didn't take is my partner! We'll, not 24/7 anyway. We really started to bother each other after a day or so (she still whinges about sleeping on a chair and not having a shower) and by the time baby was born we were both knackered! I think if she had been a man the staff would have suggested she go home regularly.

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for responding!

Oh goodness, if a few of my friends hadn't been induced I would have thought the same as you, be in for a day or 2 max! But I keep hearing it's such a long process. My sister was induced with my niece at 8pm, and gave birth at 6am the following morning. I guess it's just your luck unfortunately!

Ok, so decent flip flops especially for the shower, sturdy sandals, a hand held fan by the sounds of it and my headphones and charger.

I just purchased new skin care from Khiels and it's been a game changer so I'll definitely take that with me!

This is all starting to get real now!!!!!

My partner has been amazing. Even before I was pregnant, the most loving and supportive person I could have asked for. However any time we talk about me being in labour he goes pale. So I did say it's probably best he's not there for a majority of it because he'll probably pass out hahaha 🤣
Xxx

@CreakingWreck

Re snacks: a lot of wards seem to be but free so keep that in mind! I was super careful not to pack any snacks with nuts but didn't even consider this when someone turned up with massive box of Ferrero Rocher after baby was born 🤦‍♀️

I didn't even think of that. Won't take any nuts just incase 🤣 xx

Oh wow, I never new they were nut free no one warned me, good job I don't like them. I did however pile up on crisps and cereal bars 😂

Yes slippers or sliders are essential

My sisters induction was over 3 days too, one of the reasons I also refused. But I did accept to have one after the 40 weeks luckily I didn't need it.

One thing I did forget was a tooth brush and tooth paste, so remember to pack them 😩 xx

Can't advise re the induction as I had a section but it was fine and I recovered quickly and easily so don't panic if you need one.

Wish I'd taken snacks etc.

Take slouchy clothes. I took jeans and T-shirt and was disappointed.

I'd still follow medical advice but take the measurements with a pinch of salt. I was given steroids before I delivered at 38 weeks as baby consistently measured small. Last scan 12 hours before section put him at 4lb 2oz.

He was 7lb 5oz.

I didn’t have fibroids but I have an induction. My top tip would be to discuss pain relief before you let them induce you as an induced labour can be more painful and intense. I was induced with a back to back baby and if had known that The midwife would give me nothing apart from a sodding paracetamol I wouldn’t have let them induce me. I did complain afterwards and the hospital confirmed that I was refused pain relief for no reason at all.

It’s much easier for the midwifes to dismiss your pain whilst you are in labour and tell you that you don’t ‘need’ pain relief.

@Missnataliex
Obviously being induced works for a lot of women, so you kind of need to prepare for both eventualities! It could be quick and intense or go on for days (and I had contractions the whole time by the way). It's a lot to ask of one little suitcase, especially when you add in all the stuff for new baby too.
I second slouchy clothes. Instead of disposable pants I bought a couple of multipacks of massive knickers a couple of sizes bigger than usual. These were a godsend for a good few weeks after baby was born. I also bought a few oversized nighties that came down to the knees.
Remember if DP is coming and going he'll be able to bring stuff/ take it away so there's less pressure.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful advice! It's really nice knowing all of this before my next appointment with my consultant. I'll be sure to mention pain relief before hand. Xxx

@ThatsGoingToHurt

I didn’t have fibroids but I have an induction. My top tip would be to discuss pain relief before you let them induce you as an induced labour can be more painful and intense. I was induced with a back to back baby and if had known that The midwife would give me nothing apart from a sodding paracetamol I wouldn’t have let them induce me. I did complain afterwards and the hospital confirmed that I was refused pain relief for no reason at all.

It’s much easier for the midwifes to dismiss your pain whilst you are in labour and tell you that you don’t ‘need’ pain relief.

Can i ask, when did you get your induction date? Where you overdue? Xx

No fibroids but I was induced due to high blood pressure. I felt like the induction process was never fully explained to me, how much worse it can be than a natural labour and the chances of it ending in C-section or assisted delivery.

I know some people have inductions that go well so you may be fine. I think it largely depends on how ready your body and baby are. I had two lots of pessaries over about a 30 hour period. I then had my waters broken because they were concerned for my baby so we’re trying to speed up the process. I was then put on the drip which gave me awful contractions. I was on the drip for 6 hours in total, after 3 hours I asked for an epidural and had to wait another 3 for the anaesthesiologist to be free. At that point it was decided I should be taken for a C-section. Looking back I feel there were lots of signs that I would be headed for a C-section, I just wish I knew that at the time so I could have requested it sooner rather than me being out through hell.

If you’re being put on the drip ask for an epidural straight away, the contractions develop so quickly, it’s rare for anyone to go through an induced labour without one! Also once you’re on the drip you’re not allowed to eat incase you end up in surgery, nobody told me this and it is not very useful when you need the energy for labour!

You can easily be on the ward for days whilst having the pessaries so I would take a book and a tablet to watch things on.

They told me that 95% of inductions end up with epidural and that it is safer to do it early if you're going to do it. I was quite violently sick with gas and air while having waters broken and had already been in hospital awake for 24hrs at this point (another story) so with limited pain relief options and already exhausted I agreed to get it on board before going on the drip. I had a longish but pain free labour. It really wasn't that bad. I even slept through part of it! Glad I had lucozade - you can't eat with an epidural but you can drink and I needed the energy.

You don't have to have an induction and I would really advise you ask for other options first. Labour is a much more pleasant experience when baby comes naturally and ready. Medical professionals in the west are so inclined now to go for intervention and it's often not needed.

@Diamondbabe

You don't have to have an induction and I would really advise you ask for other options first. Labour is a much more pleasant experience when baby comes naturally and ready. Medical professionals in the west are so inclined now to go for intervention and it's often not needed.

Yeah she said that, but it's in my best interests and we agreed! Hopefully she comes before that! Fingers crossed xx

Seems like you have most of it covered. My thoughts are to bring an extra long charger. The majority of power outlets are not within 6 ft of a hospital bed. Definitely a kindle/iPad with some downloaded content in case the start is slow. I was also told that if it looks like a long labour process the nurses will turn a blind eye to snacks, and in labour some people feel very sick like in the first trimester, so bland, energy rich snacks like what you had when morning sickness was there are a good thing to have in case. Bring your usual toiletries, but definitely a water based face spray/lots of moisturiser and a lip balm. It gets very hot and dry in hospital wards I.e. destroys skin. I’d also recommend some stretchy leggings in case you are there more than a day. I was 2 days and the post labour contractions were agony. I really wanted to stretch out my back at the time as it hurt so much and wanted comfy leggings/to feel more covered by the end. Almost there, good luck!!