Positive induction stories

[SophieRules]

I may need this and don’t going in with negative thoughts will help. I would just like to hear some positive stories for balance.

Thank you

On paper I had what sounds like a pretty rubbish induction experience - 3 weeks early, it took 5 days, went all the way up to drip induction and ARM, no epidural, back to back presentation, 3rd degree tear - BUT I have really positive memories; at no point did I feel like anything was out of control, I was able to move around and get into a good position for delivery, the contractions were very intense but doable with gas and air, and recovery was fine even with the 3rd degree tear.

I'd do it all the same again in a heartbeat, and not just in the sense of "it's worth it when you meet your baby" - I genuinely feel like I had such a positive birth experience and would do it that way again, no hesitation.

Wishing you all the best ❤️

I had pretty decent experience, second child, two weeks late, 23 years ago.

It took two goes of pessaries and about 12 hours to get things moving, and then everything happened very quickly and straightforwardly. Labour proper was only an hour. They had just enough time to get some pethidine into me, but by the time I cracked and asked for an epidural I was already 10cm dilated and my son was born about 20 minutes later, with only a minor tear.

It was so quick that I had the fun of being high for a few hours but without the corresponding pain.

All the best for yours.

All three of my babies were induced or augmented, for various reasons and in slightly different ways. All three deliveries were fine! One of them was positively great, to be honest.

There are a lot of scare stories about induction but I suppose any type of birth can have all sorts of positive or negative outcomes, and there’s no way of knowing how an alternative may have worked out for whatever type of birth you have.

One dose of the gel inserted at 5pm, waters broke and contractions started 7pm, he was out within 6 hours. No pain relief other than paracetamol (didn't see the point of that tbh..). Minor tear stitched up. Normal recovery.

I had a balloon induction with my DS. I was worried going in because the day before they’d tried to do a sweep but my cervix was so tightly closed still that they couldn’t do it, so I was worried they wouldn’t be able to get the balloon in either or that the whole process would be really long and drawn-out. Luckily the balloon went in really easily though, and then I was allowed home to let it work. After a little while I started to get a bit crampy, and then by the next day when I went back in to have the balloon removed I was having regular tightenings. When they examined me I was already a couple of cm dilated. I had to wait a few hours for a room to be available on delivery suite, and in that time my contractions ramped up, and my waters went on their own. I dilated to 9cm just on my own contractions, and then there was a last stubborn bit of cervix that wouldn’t dilate so I had the drip, which got me to 10cm. My son was born 48 hours after the balloon went in, so it really didn’t take that long, and the whole experience was really positive to be honest.

Good luck with everything, if you do need the induction try not to worry too much, you hear lots of horror stories but most of the time inductions are pretty uneventful!

First child I had two pessaries and they didn't do much so I got started on the drip. Had gas and air and although it was intense due to the drip it felt manageable for me and my son was born after a 10 hour labour.

Second child I had a propess pessary and after an hour I started getting tringes, mild labour pains throughout the night but following morning it ramped up whilst in the induction ward, midwife checked and I was 8cm! Assistance button pressed and rushed to labour ward. Waters broke before I was even on the move. A few puffs of gas and air only and DS was nearly born in the corridor. 4 pushes and he was out in less than 5 minutes! I was in complete shock.

Ive had two hugely positive inductions, there's so many scary stories of people saying don't accept induction etc but mines were both great and I wouldn't hesitate to have another.

I was induced with my first, 2cm dilated, 3 weeks early, they burst my waters and I naturally progressed and laboured myself naturally! It was a brilliant labour.

I was induced with my second, again 3 weeks early, 2cm dilated, after a sweep and my hind waters breaking. They burst my front waters and I naturally progressed but he was wonky and couldn't get down into the birth canal at the right angle so it ended up in an emergency C section!

Id like to add that with both I was in slow labour from 35 weeks but was stuck at 2cm for 2 weeks with no progression at all!

Both labours were amazing, the c section didn't bother me (although I'd have preferred planned and not 7 hours of active labour prior to, but we move 😂)

I’ve had two inductions first was done by someone less experienced and the syntocin drip was cranked right up whereas very experienced, amazing midwife on my second induction (but third child) recognised that my body should know how to birth given that it was my third time so kept the rate of the syntocin down as basically my body just needed a little nudge. Contractions were much more manageable with a little break between each one and afterwards felt so good that I felt like I could’ve given birth all over again! I think she was constantly monitoring my speed and intensity of contractions and tinkering with the drip. You can ask them to turn it down if they get too much

2nd baby I had gestational diabetes so was induced at 38 weeks.
I had the pessary , it got me enough dilated to break my waters, and it wasn’t full on contractions to get there, it was less than 12 hours I’m sure. Once the midwife broke my waters it was 2 hours and he was here normal vaginal delivery 8lb14 at 38+1. I remember bouncing on the ball with gas and air commenting how much I was enjoying this birth 😂😂😂 and how I wanted another. I had a very traumatic 1st birth so this felt so tranquil and beautiful weirdly. Xx

I was induced with DC2 at 42 weeks. My waters were broken manually. Contractions started right away,, baby was born exactly 2 hours later.

I’ve had the two 24 hour pessaries and nothing, bishop score still 1. Does anyone have any stories where it turned around? I know it may not, but I think some positive thoughts could help me cope in hospital even if the various methods end up not working.

Hi I hope it’s going well for you ! Not long until you meet your baby. Good luck xxx