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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Induction tomorrow and I'm really worried. Please tell me your positive induction stories.

30 replies

user1469032438 · 15/09/2023 19:30

I am getting induced tomorrow for worsening anxiety that landed me in hospital in March and I am really struggling

I have my own anxieties around birth (namely me or the baby dying) but then I also keep seeing horror stories about 5 day inductions and the risk of intervention etc. I have a 6 year old at home and I don't cope being away from her for very long especially when my anxiety is bad like this.

My first labour was natural and quite fast (5 hours from first twinge to baby) so I am hoping this one will be?

So if you have been induced before especially if its 2nd+ baby, how did it go?

OP posts:
snoopy18 · 15/09/2023 19:36

Just wanted to share I had a positive induction with first pregnancy. Was at 37+6 due to many reduce movement episodes through pregnancy. Pessary was put in around 8pm - things started to move quite quickly! I messaged my husband shortly after he left at 8:30pm saying so.Surges through the night. Pessary was removed in the morning as body didn’t like it. Moved to labour & delivery suite as was 6cm dilated at this point. Waters were broke shortly after on gas & air. Was left to use the ball & move around how I wanted to. Son arrived at 2pm and I had a beautiful delivery. Was very happy with the whole experience given how much anxiety I had about it with it being my first. I think the positive birth company digital helped me a lot along with yoga.

good luck let us know how you go - sending good vibes!

0021andabit · 15/09/2023 19:40

I was induced with my 2nd & it was fine. My waters broke with no contractions starting & his heart rate wasn’t great, so, I was quite anxious but it was a positive delivery - faster than my natural delivery with my daughter & if I’m honest the contractions were maybe a bit more intense/ closer together but overall an easy delivery - manageable without any other medical interventions. I hope it all goes really well for you.

Original poster
user1469032438 · 15/09/2023 19:50

Thank you both 💖

OP posts:
weegiemum · 15/09/2023 20:02

I was induced at 36+6 with dc3, who is dd2. I had kidney stones in pregnancy and had had enough!!

Pessary put in at 6am, went back to sleep for 2 hours. Then walked round the corridor by myself for 2 hours until dh had found childcare and hen he came to join me. Walked and walked, up and down stairs, round and round until they examined me at 1pm and I was ONE measly cm! I was getting quite sore but they didn't want to move me to delivery quite yet. At about 4pm I asked for G&A so I went to the delivery and I was 8cm! All that walking was worth it!

Dd2 was born at 6pm. My waters didn't break until the second last push! I had allowed a doctor who was training to be an OB to shadow me and do the delivery. She bent down for a look as I was pushing and the waters hit her in the face, she was dripping wet, had to go and change!

Dd2 was 7lb15oz so a bit easier, my previous 2 had been over 9lb. She's now 19, a qualified beauty therapist with a great spa job and living at home to save up for s flat of her own.

All the best for your induction. Especially as you've given birth before, your body sort of "remembers"what to do xx

BabyMoonPie · 15/09/2023 20:13

I was induced with dd2. It was about 12 hours from pessary to baby and a much better experience than dd1's birth. I hope everything goes well

sandberry · 15/09/2023 20:17

Induced at 39 weeks with DD1 (1st child) pessary did nothing, removed and planned to stop induction and reconsider in morning. Contractions started 3 hours later, she was born 40 minutes after first contraction and 15 minutes from 3cm dilated.

DD2 (3rd child) induced by breaking waters, contractions started in a few minutes and she was born 3 hours later.

both very straightforward, no issues labours and births.

norma1980 · 15/09/2023 20:19

3 inductions all really positive experiences.

Meant I could control and be vocal about the pain relief I wanted and when if needed - as I knew when the labour process was going to be kick started.

2nd birth was a dream. Pessary given at 7am and baby born at 11am. I chose to have baby standing up as most comfortable for me.

Baby number 3 - took a few goes but no pain. Last pessary given at 1am and baby born at 3am. I managed to get home that same day - was lovely.

Good luck!

Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for things you need or don't know during the process. You and the baby are the most important things.

happyshineyperson · 15/09/2023 20:22

I wish I’d had this thread for when I was due to be induced with my 2nd - but I can answer you and hopefully allay your worries! It was a so much better experience than my first birth. Your body will likely remember what to do as you’ve done it before. From pessary to first contraction for me was about 6 hours, then 5 more hours to birth. Nice and straightforward! Good luck!

Original poster
user1469032438 · 15/09/2023 20:32

Thank you so much everyone these stories have really helped x

OP posts:
Iammetoday · 15/09/2023 20:39

Induced with dc2 at 38 weeks as waters broke but no contractions. 3 hours later he was here, intense, no pain relief but quick and no complications. Good luck x

timetorefresh · 15/09/2023 20:42

I was induced on drip with first, was intense but fine. Had artificial membrane rupture with second and he popped out 40 mins later :) good luck, I'm sure it will be fine, and at the end you'll have a baby to show for it :)

Birdie8989 · 15/09/2023 20:52

Induction with dc2 - was about 8 hours from pessary to baby and all very straight forward. No need for intervention, not even breaking of my waters, and a quick natural pushing stage.
Dc1 I wasn't induced and it was much longer and not at all straight forward

Edited to add: best of luck OP, I hope all goes well

MammaTo · 15/09/2023 20:56

Had the pessary Sunday afternoon and it did work a bit, got me from 1cm-3cm.

Had to go back in on Monday and wait for a bed to be induced and was waiting until Wednesday night and they started the induction at 10pm.

Baby was born on the Thursday at 11am. Had to have an episiotomy and ventouse probably because of the epidural but there was no way was I doing that shit with no pain relief.

MammaTo · 15/09/2023 20:57

Sorry posted too soon. The midwives said being induced for your first baby is harder because it’s like prizing open a closed shell 😂 I’d gone 2 weeks over my due date and that baby did not want to budge.

LovingLivingLife · 15/09/2023 21:01

I really hope it all goes super smoothly for you! I have a friend who was induced twice and each time was in labor within 6 hours.

The only thing I would like to add is that you need to know you have the right to ask them to stop the process at any time. Each hospital has their own process (different drugs, spread out over one/ more days). If it's not working and you don't want to keep trying you are allowed to say stop. The alternative at that point is obviously C-section which comes with its own challenges. But it's important to know that you have a say and that you are allowed to say when enough is enough.

norma1980 · 15/09/2023 21:02

@user1469032438 just to say I downloaded a hypnobirthing recording on way to hospital - was late to the game and a music album. I leant over the gym ball and out my headphones in listing to hypnobirthing then music. Hypnobirthing was really good - I remember the soothing voice saying - every contraction once you've gone through it has gone forever washed away and onto the next one. Each contraction takes you closer to your baby. Feel gravity helping your baby move through the birth canal. It really helped! Plus the gas and air but it was grand.

Pack snacks and download some tv to watch

norma1980 · 15/09/2023 21:05

As @LovingLivingLife says op - ask what you're getting.

I had pessary twice. Third time I was on drip. With the drip they can I understand phase how much you get of the drip so if start small it won't be as intense but they can adjust levels. Knowledge is power and all that.

I also asked what pain relief could I get, how much, is there a cut off point when I can't be given any more pain relief etc. this meant they also phased my pain relief so I could ensure that if near end I needed more I could get it.

Good luck!

Aug12 · 15/09/2023 21:50

Both of my previous pregnancies were inductions due to being post term. Both were really lovely experiences. Both times my cervix was already dilated enough to have waters broken so I have never needed to have the cook balloons, I was just taken straight through to labour ward.

With my first, I had my waters broken and was placed on the drip at 8am, baby arrived 7hrs later with no interventions and had no tearing. Gas and air was used as pain relief throughout.

My second induction didn’t require the drip as i had my waters broken and contractions started almost immediately, 2 and a half hours later baby was born. Again, no interventions needed, no stitches or anything needed and again gas and air for pain relief.

I am post term again and booked next week for induction. I’m really looking forward to the experience and having my sweet wee bundle in my arms.

thisone6 · 15/09/2023 22:04

I was induced with my first. Took about 12 hours for labour to start but then baby was born 3.5hours from first twinge. Positive experience with no interventions.

SheepBeepBeep · 15/09/2023 22:10

I was induced 2.5 weeks early with my second as they wanted to keep him small because my first suffered a shoulder dystocia even though she was only 8lbs. I had the pessary and a sweep at lunch time, contractions started within the hour and i had him at 5:30pm. All very quick and straightforward. Please dont read about all the horror stories, it's not always like that. Sending you all the best for tomorrow.

Smittenkitchen · 15/09/2023 22:34

I also had a positive induction with DC2. I wasn't keen on the idea before, in fact for some reason didn't think that it would ever happen to me. But my waters broke and I didn't get regular contractions for 17 hours so they put me on the drip. DC was born about 4 hours after the induction started. Probably more intense than with DC1 but a better overall experience as I was able to feel my body doing the pushing by itself as opposed to with DC1 where I was told I could start pushing even though I never really felt a strong urge to (no epidural with either). Much shorter period of pushing too with DC2 and less tearing. I hope you have a wonderful birth and first few months!

Shouldbehoovering · 15/09/2023 22:46

I was induced with my second - I was desperately trying to avoid it having heard so many bad first time stories. My first had been born at home at 42 weeks.

the short of it is, it was fine. Quicker than the first and possibly more intense but I don’t think more painful. I tore the same but recovery was a millions times easier.

I strongly believe that your body is more able to recognise the synthesis hormones in a second birth (but finds them a bit confusing in a first which is why so many don’t go well).

good luck and try not to panic, I am sure it will be fine

Original poster
user1469032438 · 17/09/2023 18:28

Just wanted to update this thread to say thank you for everyone who answered and incase it helps someone else in the future...

Baby boy was born at 9.02 last night weighing 5lb15, induction was fine, labour started about 5pm and I had him with just gas and air, he did have to have ventuse(?) To help him out but he is perfect :)

OP posts:
BabyMoonPie · 17/09/2023 19:10

Yay! Congratulations

0021andabit · 17/09/2023 20:06

user1469032438 · 17/09/2023 18:28

Just wanted to update this thread to say thank you for everyone who answered and incase it helps someone else in the future...

Baby boy was born at 9.02 last night weighing 5lb15, induction was fine, labour started about 5pm and I had him with just gas and air, he did have to have ventuse(?) To help him out but he is perfect :)

What a lovely update. Congratulations

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