Getting Induced Early at 38 weeks

[Kaoru35]

Hi,
So today I found out at my consultant that they want to induce me early at 38 weeks, this is my first baby (Baby is measuring on the 90th centile at 6lbs 12 oz from my scan on Sunday last week when I was 36 weeks and I'm also on Labetalol for BP).
How did you find it? and how long did it take you from induction to giving birth? Also Is labour more painful if you are induced early?. Just wanted to hear how it went for others (good or bad) but I know everyone is different.
thanks

@Kaoru35 I was induced early at 37 weeks due to issues with high blood pressure which developed at week 36. On the growth scans there was a slight decline in growth and the doctor basically said it was safer for both me and baby to get the baby out. The induction process was fine, I was induced Monday night and not much happened initially as my blood pressure went a bit sky high so they had to reduce that first with medication. Once I was actually in labour it only took 6 hours and I gave birth on Tuesday night at 8pm. I felt I managed the pain quite well with just breathing, my headphones in and a tens machine on my back. Doing an online hypno birthing course helped me a great deal. I didn't really want the epidural as I was a bit worried about having one but the doctor said it was recommended as it would help to lower my blood pressure. The epidural ended up only working on my front half, I could still feel all the contractions in my back but it meant I knew when to push. I then needed help of the suction cup for the final push. I had a 2nd degree tear but didn't feel this at the time and I was quickly sorted with stitches which again I didn't feel. I wouldn't say it was a bad experience, the worst part for me was staying in hospital for 5 days afterwards due to my blood pressure. The actual labour was a positive experience and I felt reassured by the doctors and midwives.

I'm 2 for 2 inductions at 37 weeks due to pre-eclampsia.

How did you find it?

Tbh, fine. It was very disappointing to not get to go into labour naturally, but better to be safe than sorry. The beginning bits are very dull and full of waiting and monitoring. The active labour bits are...well painful yes, but it's pain building towards something. And then there's a baby. Wow!

How long did it take you from induction to giving birth?

Timeline wise they were both very different. As so long as your waters aren't broken, and you and baby are stable, inductions can be delayed until bed/staffing pressures are reduced. As a result, DC1, where there was only one other woman on delivery suite that night, was only 18 hours from first gel to being moved to delivery suite. DC2 however, when everyone was apparently having a baby that week, was 3 days and 20 hours. After ARM, DC1 was about 14 hours (11.5 on the drip) and an unassisted vaginal birth. DC2 was 16 hours (15 on the drip) and an emergency C-section.

Is labour more painful if you are induced early?

Both times I needed the drip to kick-start labour, so I have zero idea what a regular contraction feels like. So can't really help you there. My experience is I find the contractions manageable with gas + air until 5cm (even though ARM to 5cm took very different amounts of time between the two), then need something a bit stronger. DC1 I had diamorphine as I didn't want an epidural. DC2 I had an epidural as I knew the meptid on offer would run out long before 10cm so wanted something longer lasting.

Best of luck to you!

I've had 2 inductions both at 37 weeks for intrauterine growth restriction, both babies born 5lb 3oz.
First one was 2 pessarys 6 hours apart, then they broke my waters at 3cm and my daughter was born 2 hours later, just gas and air used
.
Second was waters broken at 4.15pm, drip at 6.30pm, gas and air at 9pm and baby born at 10.18pm. Both super fast.