Worried about induction

[Rugbyamy]

I'm due on 12th April but over the last 3 weeks I've had a real time of ups and downs with the hospital. I was firstly referred by my local midwife for a scan because she didn't think the baby was growing enough. When I went to the hospital for a scan they then told me they thought the baby was too big but then they kept me waiting for 2 hours whilst a consultant and midwife debated if the baby was actually too big, as I'm 6ft tall or just big for an average size woman. I then got given a blood testing kit to test for gestational diabetes and was getting good readings throughout the day but was around 5.3 each morning for my fasting reading. I got a call telling me I had gestational diabetes, then another call telling me I didn't and then a further call telling me that I did and they prescribed me Metformin which made me really ill so they took me off it. I have been eating healthy foods and exercising regularly since and now my blood levels are all really good but the consultant wants to induce labour on 8th April, which I'm really worried about as I wanted a natural birth as I've had family members who had complications with inducement but when I raised my concerns with the consultant she simply said no one is the same. I've now been worrying myself reading horror stories online about experiencing higher levels of pain with induction and the possibility of it not working and ending up in Caesarian. Has anyone out there experienced a positive induction that can help alleviate my fears? Help!

I had an induction booked for diet controlled gestational diabetes. Induction was meant to be the day before my due date, but got postponed to due date due to short staffing on labour ward. I ended up going into labour myself 8 hrs before I was then due to go in for my induction.
NICE guidance for well controlled gestational diabetes is to have baby born before 40+6, so no harm in asking them to postpone the induction to give yourself more chance of going into labour yourself.
You could also ask to have a sweep or 2 in the few days before any planned induction.
Expressing colostrum may also help (and having a a couple of mls to take with you to hospital can be super helpful to help prevent baby having low blood sugar in relation to your GD).
Don't panic if you do end up having an induction, there are plenty of pain relief options available to you.

I'm sorry you've been having such a tough time !
You are within your rights to refuse induction but if you do decide to go ahead I've had 2 with no issues.
I've never had a natural birth without being induced so can't comment on pain but I had the pessary with my DD. Around 18 hours start to finish (she was my first), no complications and came naturally with just pethidine (seriously the best stuff ever!)
DS I was induced via drip, that was more painful then the pessary, contractions were intense but I seem to be oversensitive to what they use so that may be why. 6 hours start to finish and he was here, naturally with just gas and air.
Try not to worry, you will be fine 🙂

I was induced at 40+9.
No diabetes but I did have a big baby.
My waters had broken the night before I was due in to be induced so they put me straight on the drip.
It was intense and the contractions came thick and fast, however I managed with no pain relief until I was 7-8 cm then introduced gas and air and managed to deliver a 10lb 6 baby with no medical intervention.
It really wasn't that bad...that being said I know I have a high pain tolerance and have a mind over matter outlook, and it's not the same for everyone.
Im also almost 6ft so knew I wouldn't have a small baby- remember you have choice and good luck!! X

I was offered an induction which I accepted as I was overdue and extremely anxious. The pain was definitely BAD. After about 2 days of labour (but it was from all stages, so from 0 to 10, so lots of different phases, gradual build up etc) it ended in emergency cat 2 c section as things weren't progressing. And it was absolutely fine. The c section went really well I recovered very quickly. Breastfeeding then went really well and overall the whole thing for me was super positive. I will say I was very drugged up during the induction so it's all a big haze. My husband however found the whole experience very traumatic.

Second time round to avoid any uncertainty I went for an elective section... and I hated it. Felt very nervous as I was stone cold sober. Recovery was a lot worse and overall a lot harder. Obviously the op itself actually went fine... but my body took a hit so to speak and I had more bruising and pains in the weeks after which I didn't get first time round. It was good for my husband as it wasn't a stressful situation. BUT feeding didn't get off to a good start And it was that, along with the various tummy pains that really affected my mood in the first 6 weeks or so. I really struggled mentally.

I guess what I'm trying to say is you have little control over what will happen etc. I much preferred my first induced labour and emergency c section compared to my planned one. It should be the other way round... I don't regret either. I'm fully recovered now, back to my usual self with a healthy body and happy baby.

If you want the induction then take it but be prepared that it could end in section. This isn't a bad thing or a failure and can be fine. You might have a vaginal birth and it will be fine. Or not. Do what your gut is telling you to do. Trust your instincts. You can't see the scar btw - all below bikini line.

I went into labour naturally with my first and the pain was bad. I was induced with my second and it was way less. Each time can be different and if the pain is overwhelming you can always ask for an epidural. Unfortunately there is just no way to tell how your body will react to any kind of labour. Good luck whatever you decide.

I had an inductions at 40+2 due to ivf baby.

First baby and was relatively straight forward.

Pessary in at 10am. Mild contractions period type pain at 6pm. 11pm more period pain. Had a bath two paracetamol. 1am waters went spontaneously. 2am 5cm dilated. Phoned DH to come to hospital (couldn't be there fire covid). 3.30am contractions thick and fast yes painful. But not mental. 5.45am struggled with pain. Using gas and air. Asked for an epidural. Couldn't as was 10cm ready to push! Baby born at 6.30am 7lb 4oz of pure gorgeousness!!!

I had have a 3c tear but I honestly think that would have happened without induction too as I have have a few gynae issues previously.

Good luck!

I (5ft 11) was induced for a small baby (born 6lb 7oz). Long story short, yes I was induced. Apparently it is more painful but I've nothing to compare it to...back labour is meant to be more painful too...I also had back labour. I can't say it was a pain-free experience, but it certainly wasn't painful enough to put me off again. Baby was born 20 hours after we arrived at hospital (so about 19 hours after the first gel was applied). My contractions actual stopped (or severely slowed) for the last few hours (you can get a drip to help) - the doctor on the ward, didn't want to give me it...so the midwife manually made contractions (not as bad as it sounds) and in all honesty, by that point I couldn't have cared less.

Don't forget you can get pain relief too of you need it.

I watched a lot of YouTube in the lead up to it...there is an American nurse who had a good video on the induction process (which I think helped me as I half knew what to expect), Nurse Zabe is her name .

I probably haven't helped here, but for me, my experience was perfectly fine, getting the gel inserted was a bit uncomfortable (like a smear), baby was born without help etc. But yes, I'd certainly do it that way again