Anyone opted for a planned induction?

[EmmaP1988]

Bit obscure this one, I had a third degree tear when I gave birth to my second, it is now an option for me to have a c section, but obviously recovery is tough and I have two boys at home so not sure it’s the best option for me. Has anyone requested an early induction? I have quick babies and my fear is going into labour naturally, not making it in time for pain relief then feeling a third degree tear 🤢🤢 (I missed out on pain relief first time round, only managed it second time as I had an induction at 40+3 due to reduced fetal movement so was on the ward already!). Due to see consultant next week to make a decision but I just can’t work out what’s best. No judgement please, very anxious mum over here!!

I personally don't want an induction as the last one ended in an emergency c section and I feel like my body wasn't ready. I think if you've had two experiences of quick labour and also been induced with no problem then maybe it's the right choice for you. Especially if you can start with the pain relief you want. Good luck whatever you decide!

I would do everything in my power to avoid an induction in future. With my son it was 3 agonising days, he was very distressed for most of that, almost ended in emergency c section, lost his heartbeat before needing an episiotomy. Was all just very dramatic and not a great experience. I'd much rather my body be ready next time

I had a positive induction. I had the gel, pessary and drip, and waters broken. Will be happy to have it again with this pregnancy. Had no interventions, no tears, and was up walking my dog the next day. Personally I'm terrified of c section, so will do all I can to avoid it, although knowing that's not always possible

The only thing worrying me if I get an induction again is the long wait. I did have to wait about 3.5 days in hospital last time for a spot on the labour ward, and it'll be trickier with childcare this time.

My induction was absolutely horrific and I ended up with a 2nd degree tear. My second was spontaneous and was quite fast and I didn’t tear at all. Most people I know that have had inductions have had bad tears. I didn’t actually feel the tear though as theres a lot of sensations going on at the time. Just request the pain relief as soon as you get to hospital

You can have an induction at 39 weeks, there shouldn't be a problem to arrange it. I was about to have induction this time on Wednesday but luckily they let me stay on ward on Tuesday after second sweep and I went into labour that night. I was also worried about getting there on time etc. It was 3h labour from 5cm and in meantime there was time for leg injection. I didn't take it as I vomited a lot, felt a bit letargic and was worried it will make me and baby more sleepy during labour. However I was offered it couple of times during this 3h, I imagine it works quite fast if you want it. I don't have experience with epidural but for that one it may be more of planning and takes longer to administer.

Two 39 week inductions which were planned due to my BP and baby growth. Both were smooth, following pessary no further intervention required, first was born 4 hours after 24hr pessary removed and second was born 10hrs after it was put in! I had third degree tear with my first, I did tear second time but only second degree still needed lots of stitches but was better than first time.any people have horror stories of inductions, maybe I was just lucky but both were fine.

I had my baby girl last week and was induced at 39 weeks as there were concerns she was measuring large.

It was a positive experience for me, the pessary started everything off and approximately 8 hours after the first pessary being inserted she was born - the last stage was so quick I only just made it from the antenatal ward to the delivery suite! I did however have to wait a week to get a bed for the induction to start which is something to consider.

I was induced at 41 weeks and it was awful. I had the pessary and had a hyper reaction to it. My contractions started every minute within a couple of hours of having the pessary and the midwives didn't believe me and kept trying to give me paracetamol l. I took the paracetamol to shut them up and after telling them I was having contractions again they still didn't believe me and gave me some codeine. That made me throw up. I decided to take a shower as o felt it might help with the pain and I could barely walk after. The midwives finally agreed to put me on a monitor to see if I was contracting and they said 'omg you're having contractions every minute' 😠 this was about 6 hours after they had started. They took me to labour wars and I was less than a cm dilated and gave me morphine and said I might have to have a c-section because I'll be in labour for ages and the baby will be stressed. Then my waters broke but I was high as a kite and kept telling them I had wee'd myself. They then advises I have an epidural because I would be too weak to push by the time my baby would arrive. I was then waiting another 6 hours for the anaesthetist to give me that (morpheme did nothing but make me hallucinate). Finally had epidural and baby arrives almost 24 hours after that. I was having contractions and in labour for 48 hours and still had a second degree tear. Oh and got told again I would have to have a c section after having epidural because the babies heart rate kept falling every time I contracted.

I would recommend In Your Own Time by Sarah Ockwell... I think with induction there is always a higher risk or tears and fetal distress etc. The more relaxed you are, the more ready your body is to birth your baby gently even if you do have fast labours. You have to do what is best for you though 🙃

I had an induction at 39 weeks with my second. I was on the drip, nothing happened for a few hours then it was turned up and the contractions were so intense, labour only lasted half an hour! I was given pethidine which I'd asked for and felt baby crown as they gave me it. He was born a minute later. Only had a graze and recovered v quickly though.

As you've had babies before an induction will not be as bad as some posts suggest. Your body has done this before, is prepared and knows what to do. Anecdotally, it seems 1st babies end in a section after induction - I'm not sure what medical papers suggest.

I had an induction. It couldn't have gone much worse and ended in a crash section. I would never advise people to have them.

I think with Induction is a little bit like sweep, your body need to be ready. I had sweep when 1 cm dialeted and was having some on and off contractions from about 38 weeks. Next day I was 2cm, not established labour yet but they did second sweep and that night I went into proper labour. I was about to be induced on day I gave birth. I can't imagine midwifes guessing someone contraction. I was already on ward after sweep and at 3 am just told them I feel it stronger and more often. They straight away put me on monitor, then checked I was 5cm dialeted and took me to labour ward. With induction I would imagine they monitor you even more closely. Maybe before induction it's worth trying sweep first, you can have them in space of 24h if first doesn't work. In my case I think 1 was enough but when went for check next day, started to get stronger contractions on way to hospital again and I think during examinations they did sweep again, contractions never faded away after that. Unlike with induction, after sweep contractions will not come violently fast and strong, they will build up, so it's safer for you and baby.