Very anxious about an induction

[lambwool]

I have been back and forth on the pros and cons of induction in my head and I do feel relatively well informed even if it does not come across that way. I need to clear up a few things with my midwife though.

So I have gestational diabetes but it has been diet controlled and at 36 weeks baby was measuring just under 50th percentile. However, just due to procedure, I have been booked for an induction on my due date. I have an upcoming sweep at 39 weeks to try and start labour without an induction too.

I did express to my consultant that I wasn't really for the idea of an induction, of course they did the usual warning of still birth and shoulder dystocia. She didn't want to hear it so I booked it in anyway and decided I'll talk to the midwife about it.

Following that, I had a midwife appointment a week later. I have 2 midwives I see a lot. One is absolutely lovely, maybe more wishy washy but she really listens to me. The other is very professional but I find her patronising and I cant get a word in. I had the latter.

I briefly said I'm quite apprehensive about induction as I've heard it's more painful, is there no way we can do something else, I.e. a scan at 40 weeks to check growth. And I tried to refer to the NICE guideline that allows those with GD to go to 40 + 6 weeks. She told me it's all a huge misconception and I shouldn't be scared of induction and that I'll be crying for the drip if it gets to that anyway. (They are inducing with the balloon method to start with). I know I need to just be firmer with what I want but I am somewhat non confrontational and the anxiety in the moment takes over.

I feel I should say at the next appointment that if the sweep doesn't kick start things, could I return in a couple of days to have another sweep... to avoid induction. Is this a normal thing to ask? (Also; I was anti sweep for a bit as I'm really fearful of just being vaginally examined but I have got over the sweep as it seems like the best option)

So why am I anxious... midwife tried to reassure me by explaining that induction kickstarts a natural hormone (prostaglandin) and it's only the drip which is a synthetic hormone. Regardless, the way she said it felt more like: listen you're causing your own anxiety, it's fine to be induced, you're worried about nothing and you've got the wrong information about induction being more painful.

I understand the process and only hope that the balloon helps me into natural labour without the drip. But I am still super anxious. I cant shake the feeling and feel really upset and cry when I think about induction. I think because I know I have apprehensions toward it, I know my nerves won't let me be relaxed and will cause it to be painful and well, block the natural oxytocin.

I hate the idea of a specific date looming. Waiting around in the ward for possibly even days. More risk of c section (midwife denied this). And tbh, as a FTM I do want the excitement of just going into labour spontaneously - even if it sounds silly and glamorised to want that. I just cry every time I think about not giving birth before my due date.

I was exactly like you, terrified and felt now listened to so took matters in to my own hands.

I built the baby's cot, dresser and played football with my toddler basically served the baby an eviction notice and thankfully it worked out.

Get moving Mamma, you can do this

Hahaha yes I need to get the natural oxytocin going !! I sort of over prepared everything by about 34 weeks and now it just feels like all this stuff but no baby. Trying to go on walks, shopping, etc... glad I took mat leave regardless though !

Do you have any other risk factors other than GD? If you don't want the IOL, I would be asking for a second consultant opinion as to why they are going against the NICE guidelines. The midwife isn't wrong in regards to the C/S risk...the ARRIVE study shows the risk of CS is reduced if IOL is at 39/40 weeks (however, the study had some flaws).

No other risk factors. Everything has measured fine, bloods have always been good.
I think with the C section, I have seen far too many women end up with one following an induction. But who's to know they wouldn't have had to have one if they went into spontaneous labour

Just wanted to say that inductions can still be a positive experience. I didn’t have the balloon one but pessary at 37+6.Inserted in the eve and removed in the morning as surges were not right.Once pessary was removed in the morning I was at 6cm so taken to the labour delivery suite. From their gas & air & they broke my waters. I was able to move around,use the yoga ball as I wanted etc & I had a beautiful delivery.Son arrived at 2pm.

I would recommend the hypnobirthing pack from positive birth company if you haven’t done this yet as it will help you & the anxiety. Totally normal to have anxiety surrounding it but just know there are positive experiences too! I was glad an old friend had just had her daughter at the time & I messaged her & she eased my mind with her induction start off experience. Try to stay positive & work on your mindset.

good luck!

Thank you @snoopy18 I appreciate the reassurance. I've been watching TPBC videos! They're amazing, you've reminded me I need to watch the one on how to have a positive induction!

If it helps I've been induced for all of mine between 37-39wks. All vaginally deliveries and only gas and air. I can't comment on if it was more painful than spontaneous labour because I've never done it but all mine were manageable and pretty textbook - no forceps or anything.

I understand wanting to experience 'normal' labour. With our youngest I was determined to go into labour naturally so I had that experience but remember however you go into labour the end result is the same. It's ok to feel anxious and apprehensive it's a big event.

If the nice guidelines suggest 40+6 and you're happy to be induced at 40+6 (or earlier or later) then tell them

"I understand you're recommending induction on X date, but having read the guidelines/research and based on my own informed decision I'm not comfortable being induced until Y date. If I've not had the baby by Z date we can have the discussion about induction again" then every time it's mentioned just tell them you'll speak about it again on Z date.

Your midwife is being coercive.

I had an induction because I went very overdue. And it was fine. I had everything, cervix pessaries, balloon then drip. It all took a while but none of it was traumatic for me. I did have an epidural 4 hours into the drip but I live somewhere where they don’t really do any other kind of pain relief in labour. Baby was born 30minutes after the epidural went in.

Hi, two inductions here both at 39weeks. Both started with pessary, and labour progressed naturally. Both with gas and air, no further intervention and no drip etc required. I spent a lot of time on my my ball and trying to be as active as I could prior to induction, which I imagine helped. I had lovely experiences with both of my deliveries and I wouldn't change them 😊

I had an induction recently (my beautiful firstborn is now 10 weeks old) and it was a fairly positive experience once I had the drip, but rather frustrating when I was on the gels. I had uterine hypersimulation so I had to skip a few doses of the gel. I arrived on the ward in the morning (day 1), still there the next day (day 2), and then moved to the delivery room the following morning (day 3). My waters were broken but I still hadn't progressed 2 hours later so I was put on the drip. The epidural failed so I relied on entinox which was totally fine. I gave birth that night without any need for forceps.

I didn't have GD, wasn't overweight etc so wasn't expecting a huge baby so my experience might be different to yours. I think the risk of a c section increases after 40 weeks, especially closer to 41 weeks so I personally wouldn't want to wait that long to have an induction especially as the process can take a few days.

You have to advocate for yourself. You seem like you're pretty well clued up on induction so don't let them push you into anything.

Personally I want to avoid induction like the plague. My wife was induced and she was hyperstimulated from the pessary. They put it in and told her to rest and they'd be back in 6 hours but it caused intense, painful contractions that came on instantly (no build up). It was horrible.. went on from 2am to 8pm and ended in forceps.. she almost had to have an emergency c-section as DD's heart rate kept dipping. She would never do it again unless she HAD to and after witnessing it I would have to have a pretty good reason to go for it too.

I'm pregnant now via IVF and they usually offer induction as standard but I'm going to make it very clear from the beginning I won't be doing that unless there's a strong medical need.

Some people have positive induction experiences but if you are already apprehensive I'd stick to your guns.

@noaddedsugarx sorry to hear about your wife. I had uterine hypersimulation too, but I was on the gels. This meant I experienced painful contractions but still wasn't in active labour. The drip worked brilliantly for me. I gave birth 8 hours after being attached to the drip. Entinox was fantastic. No forceps and neither I nor my baby were in distress. C sections and forceps are more likely if you're induced closer to 41 weeks. I was induced at 39 weeks.

I was induced at 42 weeks ended in an ECS which I think they statistically can be likely to do

But the thing that really struck me from your OP is why is no one listening to you!! They can't force you to have an induction xx keep advocating for yourself until you feel comfortable. If you feel generally anxious about the whole birth thing I do recommend the positive birth company course as a PP said it really helped me feel prepared. I declined an induction at 36 weeks despite 11 growth scans for my baby who they thought would be v small, even though it ended 6 weeks later in induction at least I had had some say x

I was induced at 37.5 weeks due to GD, I really wanted to go spontaneously into Labour so walked a huge amount in the days before and had a sweep done by MW. Honestly must have been walking upwards of 10 miles every day, just set out in the morning and waddled my way round town, stopping every now and again for a drink or something to eat and returning home for the end of DHs work day.

It didn't work but I'm convinced all the walking got my hips and thighs ready and shifted DD into the right position.

Induction was absolutely fine, a bit boring because there was a waiting period but I don't think it was more painful and actually the Labour part was really quick.

I had pessary inserted about 10am on the Wed morning, then walked around the hospital a lot, settled into the ward, spent the evening walking the corridors (might have snuck out in the middle of the night and taken a wander to Tesco to get some supplies and extra reading material). Next morning was checked, BP readings, belly and to check babies stats then had to wait for someone to be free.

1pm they were able to break my waters, took another wander with DH and contractions started. Contractions ramped up by about 4ish, then suddenly at about 6pm I was sick and started to feel like I needed to push. I was still on the ward at this point, MW said she'd check me in a bit but baby had probably just moved a bit as I couldn't be ready yet. I loudly told DH to get ready to catch so MW sighed, put away her paperwork and came over, took one look saw DDs head and ran out into the corridor shouting that she needed urgent help to get me to the delivery room. I got on the bed, they started pushing me, I started pushing and DD was born as we went through the delivery room door.

Take snacks and moisturiser, lightweight cool clothing because the hospital will be heated to 'The Fires of Hell' temperature and concentrated squeeze squash to make the lukewarm jug water more tolerable. Oh and your card and some change for the vending machines, they do not give you anywhere near enough food to keep you going and one of the joys of having had your baby following GD is you're allowed a chocolate bar!

Just to add another perspective, I went in to spontaneous labour but still needed the synthetic hormones as if I was being induced as I wasn't dilating. And baby went back to back. So as far as a pain increase goes, I had a double whammy.

I still had a natural labour with only gas and air.

I think you're stressing yourself out about it which will only make you more tense and worse.

Oh and baby was still 9lb so not little.

I think regardless of what happens, labour hurts. If they are suggesting induction then it is likely to be with a good reason. Just start walking a lot and doing lots of housework to try and get baby out.

It is more painful in my opinion but the epidural took care of that. Just make it clear you want the epidural very early on (if you do) and you'll be fine! I have no pain just pressure after the epidural started.

I was induced with my first. I went to hospital at 8pm, had baby at 2am.

Honestly it was fine, hardest part was convincing the midwife that I was actually in labour and therefore not getting pain relief. I'm quite hoping to be induced this time (dc4) as I've had two very quick spontaneous labours since my first and I'm worried about getting to the hospital on time!

I would be tempted to point out to the midwife and consultant that maternal input and comfort with a procedure is about as important as it gets for birth choices.

They can waggle the statistics in your face all they like, but you are the world expert in you -how you feel and what you like.

A big reason that I'm anti-induction for me is that I find being treated as a set of statistics and not being listened to incredibly frustrating, and it makes for a strong vein of stubbornness. Aka, the absolute opposite emotions you want in a situation that relies on oxytocin. If they are struggling to listen to you now, then how will they listen to you during labour, when you're stressed and tired and in pain? It is THEIR failure to communicate well with you that's creating this.

(The staff I've worked with this far have been absolutely awful, bar one EPAU consultant. Why they think that their dreadful communication and manners warrant my trust or respect I have no idea.)

I had my third after a pessary induction. It was very straightforward and I always forget that labour hadn’t started on its own, as it felt so much like it once it did begin. Mine was due to the baby measuring big and I’d been ill during pregnancy. But I absolutely know what you mean about not wanting an induction. I couldn’t have expressed to you why I didn’t want one, but I just really felt I didn’t and I quite strongly felt it wasn’t necessary and wanted to at least go to my due date. But all the side effects presented into pushed me into having it. It’s really difficult to advocate for yourself because they list so many potentially negative side-effects of not going for it and letting the baby get bigger etc. And of course you don’t want to think you’re making a bad choice for your baby by refusing to have an induction. But ultimately, it is up to you. So if you absolutely strongly don’t want one you can refuse it. You can ask for more sweeps or whatever it is you want. But induction isn’t automatically the drip, it can be the pessary or others, which aim to induce labour a bit more naturally.

I ended up getting the sweep and having my baby naturally the next day !! Not sure if the sweep worked or if body was just ready tbh. Glad I avoided any other forms of induction...

You may well get more sick with the diabetes. The induction is not that important in relation to your overall health. It can be a bit painful but you may go into labour earlier. Your baby may well put on a lot of weight at the end. They want you to be safe in labour so take the advice.

Aw, congratulations! I just found this thread and was getting myself worked up having drip flashbacks... I'm so glad it worked out for you. You give me hope!