41/42 weeks induction experiences

[Hiraeth20]

I am 41 weeks pregnant with my second baby. My first came a few days before due date so this is unknown territory for me. So far I’ve had two sweeps, the first did cause contractions that stopped after 4/5 hours, the second didn’t do anything. The midwives have said that my cervix is very favourable, baby is low, they can touch the baby’s head when doing the sweep and I’m around 3cm dilated. I’ve also lost my mucus plug. I’ve been booked in for an induction early next week, I really did not want an induction because of the stories I’ve heard about it being more intense/painful but the anticipation and waiting around is rubbish, as is the discomfort of being this pregnant.

Has anyone had an induction under similar experiences? I’m worried

I had an induction with DS when I was 40+12. He arrived the next day.
To be honest, I had no issue with the induction but I'm also not someone who is fussed about the birth having to be natural and with as little medication as possible. Give me all the drugs... The only thing in my birth plan was that I wanted an epidural. DS's birth was absolutely fine and comparatively stress free.
Currently 39 weeks with DD and would like another induction because the waiting around is driving me nuts. I refuse to have a sweep this time because it was bloody painful last time (and they won't do those here before 40 weeks anyway). I've had enough now and want this baby out. My doctor is quite happy to wait until 40+10, though. 🤦‍♀️ It's an ivf pregnancy and I'm 41. I just want her out safely so, again, happy to have all the drugs. Water birth looks lovely but can't have an epidural so that's out.

Hi OP, I had inductions with both of mine, DC1 was at 42+1 and DC2 was at 39+6.

I had really differing experiences if I'm honest. DC1 induction felt horrible. I only took it as the nurse who came out to see me at 41+5 basically told me by refusing induction I was endangering my child and needed to think of them, not me. So I felt under duress. I also didn't have any pain relief beyond gas and air. Big mistake.

Second time around I went in of my own volition, had the drip and an epidural and it was such a positive and relaxed experience.

Know your choices and know yourself is my advice 😊 x

I had an induction at 41 weeks on my first, with prostaglandin gel. I didn't have a great experience with it - it caused back to back contractions straight away (hyperstimulation of the uterus is a side effect with a very small chance of happening).

I had the epidural, which helped a little but not hugely effective. My contractions didn't have a break between them, sending my son into distress so I had to have an injection to slow them down. Then had my waters broken to speed it up again, where they found meconium in them. Then I had an episiotomy & kiwi cup delivery. He was in NICU for 2 days getting a fluid top up after the distress of it all.

If I had a medical need I would definitely have another induction but if my second is late I would prefer to wait on spontaneous labour if I can.

The chances of side effects are rare so I'd talk through pros & cons with your care team before making the decision that feels best to you. You'll make the right decision for you & your baby.

I had an induction (pessary) with my first at 42 weeks. No issues at all. I had my daughter about 12 hours later. I was about to be induced with baby 2 but she came naturally at 41+4. Births were very similar despite one being induced. X

I had an induction with my first although it was for medical reasons at 37+4 weeks rather than overdue. My cervix was soft and 1-2cm dilated when the first pessary was inserted. I was pretty pleased with those ‘favourable’ conditions as the midwife described. My waters broke with the second pessary so no need for a drip. Waters broke at 2pm and I was 5cm by 5pm. From there on I remember it being very intense and painful but my DS was born at 9pm so a small period of time. By the time I asked about an epidural I was ready to push so just managed on gas and air.
I am 37+3 weeks today with my second and no indication of needing an induction. I’m hoping for spontaneous labour but if I do need to be induced I would be okay with this if medically needed. Might ask for an epidural earlier if I felt I needed one. Being this pregnant without a definite end date in sight is just as painful!
It sounds like your baby is pretty much ready to make it’s entrance into the world. Wishing you all the best @Hiraeth20

If your cervix is already 3cm dilated and favourable, they would hopefully be able to move straight to breaking your waters, rather than you needing any prostaglandins. In an ideal world, an ARM would make contractions start. However, if it doesn’t, they will recommend the drip. A small amount of the drip can be enough for some women, particularly if you’ve had babies before, however, it can make contractions more intense, more quickly.

I had ARM only, and gas and air. It was great! Dr did want me on the drip after 4 hours, but I said no. Baby came 2 hours later! Natural placenta delivery. No tears, great recovery, walked home with my baby 4 hours after she was born. You don't have to take the pathway of interventions if you don't want to. I'm a natrual, homebirth advocate and was terrified of being induced but I really had to by 40+5 due to growth issues.

I had the pessary gel stuff.
One around 9pm, one around 9am,
4 pills (2 paracetamol & 2 codine I think), 1 very long hot bath, I kept topping it up, 1 baby in my arms at 1pm. 15-20 mins after getting out the bath. In a wtf sort of a moment!

That was a second baby.

With my third i went overdue too but I held off the induction and just kept going with the membrane sweeps.
The third one I had at 41+5 and I went into natural labour the next day at 41+6. Had the baby at home too with a quick, ‘easy’ labour. My advice is always follow your instincts.

I had an induction at 41 weeks (1x pessary) and it opened my cervix enough to have my waters broken. I did end up on the hormone drip but I had an epidural for this (had been in labour for a while and had heard horror stories about the drip). I did end up with an EMCS but this is due to baby not descending as she was turned to the side, so not the inductions fault 😅

As you are 3cm, could you request they just break your waters?

Thank you for all the responses! I had another sweep today and I’ve gone from 50% effaced to 80% in 2 days and apparently my cervix is more forward today than it was. So fingers crossed things get going before I have to be induced.

Hi, are you able to update?? 41 + 4 today and really worried about being induced :( had 3 sweeps already with soft, low cervix and 2cm
dilated but the last sweep was last Thursday and nothing has changed since then apart from some bloody mucus and bouts of diarrhea. So fed up :(

I ended up going into labour the following morning and the baby was born within 4 hours of the first contraction (the day before the induction was booked). I really feel for you, it’s a horrible and uncomfortable wait and I really didn’t want to be induced either. They did tell me that because my body was looking pretty ready for birth they would have been able to break my waters and the likelihood is that would’ve got things going, so I wouldn’t have needed any hormonal intervention.

I have friends who have had really positive experiences with induction and have opted to be induced the second time round, but I understand how anxiety provoking it all is at this point. Good luck, I hope your baby gets a wiggle on soon!