Induction for second/third/subsequent babies - stories!

[greyberry]

Hello, I'm 32 weeks with DC2 and have been unsure about whether to opt for vaginal or section for the majority of my pregnancy.

I had a traumatic experience with DC1 during labour - ending up in theatre, forceps, heart/breathing issues, haemorrhage and it was because of this I had been leaning towards section for the past few weeks. I felt that this would give me more control but for various reasons I'm really concerned about the recovery.

I met with my midwife specialist today (consultant appt is next week) and she brought up the possibility of induction.

I remember with my first pregnancy hearing horror stories about inductions lasting days and needing more interventions etc but my midwife said the 'path has already been made' essentially so an induction might give me some of the control that I was lacking last time (knowing when it's going to happen so being able to be more prepared) but without needing the major surgery of a section.

Has anyone opted for/needed an induction with a second/subsequent pregnancy after a previous spontaneous vaginal birth? Or even had an induction for multiple labours. What was it like? Is the process really 'smoother' as the body has a better idea of what it's doing?

Please share any stories/experiences!!

I had a long and difficult birth with DS1 via induction. Looong. DS2 induced under the exact same circumstances (i.e. pitocin drip of doom) but was much better, quicker and I didn't feel the need for an epidural (until literally the last contraction, but I wasn't desperate, just couldn't be arsed any more 😂). I pushed him out in half the time it took me with DS1.

Second induction was definitely easier than the first, but I was at a better staffed hospital and it made a big difference to my emotional state, which in turn helped the birth. Go with your gut feeling: whatever you decide is the right decision.

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean thank you for replying and sharing! Sorry to hear your first birth was more difficult but glad the second was better! I'm going to speak to my consultant about what they would use as wasn't sure if the balloon method would be better than the drip initially, but as I say I've only just started to looking into it so a bit clueless I've also swapped hospitals this time round, I felt totally out of control and unsupported first time round with everything so that's good to know that you found it helpful being in a better environment too. I feel like my heads all over the place and I don't know what my gut feeling is just now, but I'm hoping to get enough research on them all so I can hopefully feel more confident with what's the right way to go

I had induction with my second and it was fine. It was recommended due to my age (over 40) so I agreed with the consultant midwife that I'd be induced on my due date if I hadn't gone into labour by then.

I only needed a pessary, did not need a drip. There was a lot of waiting around at first but once it got going, it went very, very fast.

I would suggest avoiding section unless no other option. It's major surgery, and there's growing evidence about positives for baby from vaginal birth like lower risk of eczema.

4 dc and 4 inductions. They were all fine but I was very clear with all of them that I wanted an epidural as soon as possible. So every time a nurse came into the room, I reminded them. Once the epidural was in, we just chilled and waited while I dilated and then at the pushing stage they turned down the epidural and I pushed quite well. You have to use your poo pushing muscles for baby pushing 🤣

I was meant to have an induction with dc3 but I had to wait 12 hours on the antenatal ward for them to start me off. By the time I finally got my turn I was in Labour already.

I had an induction with dc5 but it didn't work. I was only 36+5 with a cervix like concrete and I was knackered, hungry (been nil by mouth all day just in case I needed a c section and then they started my induction at 9pm) and stressed. It was never going to work.

I had an induction with DS2 at 37+4. Previous spontaneous delivery had been very long and drawn out , needed an epidural, was in labour for hours. Only needed the pessary for DS2, no drip. Took a couple hours to work but once my contractions started it was very very fast, he was born within an hour with no need for any intervention and minimal tearing.

I think, like anything, you often tend to hear the horror stories about induction, but there are plenty of positive experiences out there too!

I was induced for DD2, after my waters broke (leaked, really) at 34 weeks. So I was induced at 37 weeks. There was still quite a bit of waters in front of DD so it wasn't like it had all gone. When I went in, they examined me and I wasn't dilated at all.

I just had the internal gel which kicked off contractions immediately, then DD was born 11 hours later. The contractions started very mild and then built up, just like in my spontaneous labour. I didn't find it more painful, and I didn't need the drip to be induced.
For context, DD1 was 24 hours from first twinge to birth.