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Original poster

Induction due to being overdue

6 replies

OrcaBlondie · 07/02/2023 12:23

Induction booked for this Friday - I will be 12 days overdue. Looking for positive stories please for those who have had an induction due to being overdue.

I had a sweep this morning and am 1cm dilated (cervix was closed Saturday so I’m pleased there has been progress!) Does this mean I will still need the pessary or straight to gel? I know the pessary is used for 24 hours but do they check dilation during that period? I have another sweep on Thursday so hoping to hear I have dilated further.

OP posts:
halloumi1 · 07/02/2023 13:47

Hi OP,

May be long reply but just to reassure you!

I gave birth a week ago after being induced at 41+3. I was 1cm at my first sweep just after 40 weeks and booked for induction within a few days of that. They wanted to do the balloon. Got to the day and asked the hospital if I could delay as I was very anxious and wanted to give myself more time to be ready.
They agreed but did a sweep to find I was 2-3cm so balloon not needed anyway. I was booked in for ARM induction a few days later.
Lost bloody mucous after the sweep but no labour so ARM it was. I was terrified but the MW told me I wouldn’t be leaving the room without my baby which helped. I was told the drip might have to happen if no progress but MW also told me it was my choice. ARM wasn’t the nicest feeling as baby’s head was so low, she struggled to get round it.
I kept pushing for more time (you get about 6 hours before they start getting a bit antsy about the drip) and after lots of bouncing, lost a second lot of waters.
This started tightenings which were about every 4 minutes but honestly weren’t painful.
Examined at 15.30 and told I was 4cm and fully effaced so no drip needed. I was told I’d be examined again at 19.30.
Suddenly ended up with some ‘nippy’ contractions but not many before I was suddenly getting the urge to push. Baby was born within 6 minutes of pushing stage at 17.26, was admitted at 08.30.
It was a beautiful labour, really quick and honestly not that painful at all. Didn’t have any pain relief which I didn’t with my first, spontaneous labour but I was in pain much longer with that one as I woke up in the early hours feeling all the contractions!

I was terrified to be induced but honestly it was a lovely experience. Advocate for yourself if you need to and do plenty of research around what you want and what is being offered. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t feel pressured unless there’s an obvious, glaring risk.
Good luck, you’ll do amazingly and soon have your baby in your arms!

Original poster
OrcaBlondie · 07/02/2023 14:13

halloumi1 · 07/02/2023 13:47

Hi OP,

May be long reply but just to reassure you!

I gave birth a week ago after being induced at 41+3. I was 1cm at my first sweep just after 40 weeks and booked for induction within a few days of that. They wanted to do the balloon. Got to the day and asked the hospital if I could delay as I was very anxious and wanted to give myself more time to be ready.
They agreed but did a sweep to find I was 2-3cm so balloon not needed anyway. I was booked in for ARM induction a few days later.
Lost bloody mucous after the sweep but no labour so ARM it was. I was terrified but the MW told me I wouldn’t be leaving the room without my baby which helped. I was told the drip might have to happen if no progress but MW also told me it was my choice. ARM wasn’t the nicest feeling as baby’s head was so low, she struggled to get round it.
I kept pushing for more time (you get about 6 hours before they start getting a bit antsy about the drip) and after lots of bouncing, lost a second lot of waters.
This started tightenings which were about every 4 minutes but honestly weren’t painful.
Examined at 15.30 and told I was 4cm and fully effaced so no drip needed. I was told I’d be examined again at 19.30.
Suddenly ended up with some ‘nippy’ contractions but not many before I was suddenly getting the urge to push. Baby was born within 6 minutes of pushing stage at 17.26, was admitted at 08.30.
It was a beautiful labour, really quick and honestly not that painful at all. Didn’t have any pain relief which I didn’t with my first, spontaneous labour but I was in pain much longer with that one as I woke up in the early hours feeling all the contractions!

I was terrified to be induced but honestly it was a lovely experience. Advocate for yourself if you need to and do plenty of research around what you want and what is being offered. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t feel pressured unless there’s an obvious, glaring risk.
Good luck, you’ll do amazingly and soon have your baby in your arms!

Thank you, that was great to read. I am quite anxious as my friend had a truly terrible time with her induction - ending in a c section over 48 hours after the induction started, a huge bleed and also infection for both her and her daughter. I know inductions are seen mostly as negative but also know there are good stories and experiences too 😌 really hoping I’ll be further dilated by the time I go in for induction and I don’t have to have pessary or gel.

OP posts:
halloumi1 · 07/02/2023 15:12

Oh I’m sorry your friend had to go through that, it sounds gruelling and would definitely make you validly feel anxious!
Just remember that every birth is different so her experience doesn’t mean you’ll have the same, although, easier said than done as I was crying for days before my induction saying it would mean I’d have to have a section and loads of interventions 🙈!

Get something on the TV and do loads of bouncing / hip circles on a ball if you have one. Also go for walks if you feel up to it, over some uneven (but manageable) terrain. Should hopefully move things along!

Wishing you all the best 😊

blibbyblobb · 07/02/2023 15:41

I have my induction on Friday too.. Here to hand hold.. I feel nervous too and concentrating on all the positive stories.. I had sweep on Thursday, was told im 2cm, had bloody show and cramps then nothing
. Im slowly losing my mucus plug so im hoping i get more dilated by Friday... Good luck 💕

Original poster
OrcaBlondie · 07/02/2023 16:07

halloumi1 · 07/02/2023 15:12

Oh I’m sorry your friend had to go through that, it sounds gruelling and would definitely make you validly feel anxious!
Just remember that every birth is different so her experience doesn’t mean you’ll have the same, although, easier said than done as I was crying for days before my induction saying it would mean I’d have to have a section and loads of interventions 🙈!

Get something on the TV and do loads of bouncing / hip circles on a ball if you have one. Also go for walks if you feel up to it, over some uneven (but manageable) terrain. Should hopefully move things along!

Wishing you all the best 😊

Thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
OrcaBlondie · 07/02/2023 16:08

blibbyblobb · 07/02/2023 15:41

I have my induction on Friday too.. Here to hand hold.. I feel nervous too and concentrating on all the positive stories.. I had sweep on Thursday, was told im 2cm, had bloody show and cramps then nothing
. Im slowly losing my mucus plug so im hoping i get more dilated by Friday... Good luck 💕

Good luck to you too! Sounds promising you were already 2cm last Thursday and have lost your mucus plug 🤞🏼🤞🏼 hope it goes well for you xx

OP posts:
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