Chances of success? Induction at 41 weeks

[LotusPetals]

Hi all,
Just found out today that I'm going to be induced tomorrow when I'm bang on 41 weeks. This is my first baby, so not a clue what to expect and I'm feeling quite anxious about what's coming.

I went for a sweep last week and was told I'm only 1cm dilated, cervix is soft and in the mid position at 2cm long, as far as I'm aware there's been no change.

I know nobody can predict if induction will work or not, but has anybody been in a similar situation and had a successful labour and birth? How long did it take? Do you have any tips etc for a first timer? All comments would be deeply appreciated 😊 thank you! X

Hi @LotusPetals

I was induced with my first baby at 39 weeks, so a little earlier than you. I didn’t get any sweep prior and my cervix was completely closed, posterior and hard so was told it could be a long wait. Based on the fact you’re 1cm, cervix is soft and mid position I think puts you in a better position. In my hospital they try to break your waters when you’re 3cm if they don’t go naturally. I had a pessary inserted first and I didn’t feel anything for 24 hours. After about 24 hours I got tightenings and my waters went naturally. I didn’t need the drip thankfully. I had a lot of advice from friends who had the drip who said demand an epidural first as the pain can be really bad for some women when the drip kicks in. However, labour was slow to progress for me and DD wasn’t born for another 24 hours. I had an EMCS in the end as they finally realized after 2 hours of pushing the baby was coming down facing sideways 🙃 Everyone progresses differently so obviously hard to say how it’s going to go. Some have really quick induction and for some it’s longer.

If I could give any advice it would be to walk around, bounce on the ball and try to keep moving as this can really help move things along quicker. Stay hydrated and take a fan. I gave birth in summer so was obviously hotter weather wise but induction wards are notorious for being boiling. My fan was a life saver! Defo take things to entertain yourself incase you’re in for a long slog and plenty of drinks and snacks too!

Hope this is somewhat helpful. Even though mine ended in a c-section and was a long process I would 100% do it again and it wasn’t as bad as some people made out.

If you have any particular questions feel free to DM.

Really hope all goes well for you! Best of luck ☺️x

When I was induced with my first I was able to have my waters broken straight away, drip then started straight after and baby born 7 hours later. No epidural, some mild grazing but no tearing, pethidine and not much gas and air (it made me sick). No intervention, simple delivery.

Hi @raevans and @NC2315

Thank you both so much for your responses, really appreciate it! I've just been sent home from the hospital after having a balloon fitted, cervix has slightly dilated some more, so need to go back in after 24 hours to have the balloon removed, and hopefully they will try and break my waters from there. I've been having some contractions, but not enough to signal anything imminent yet. Hoping it won't be too much longer for me now! Baby was a bit distressed after having the balloon inserted, but managed to calm down after two hours, so fingers crossed everything is okay now 😊 will take on your advice when I'm allowed to move around and off the monitors! X

Fingers crossed it won’t be much longer for you! Wishing you all the best with everything ☺️x

Induced at 41 weeks. First pessary put in and monitored for a few hours then could walk around the hospital. Best advice would be walk as much as you can to get things moving. It was hard work but I think it helped. They then broke waters after about ten hours and I was still allowed to be in the water during labour which I’d wanted but had to have a midwife with me the full time ( I think because of being induced). All in all normal birth though. Good luck x