Induction tomorrow

[wingingit1987]

Hi all- I’m 38+3 with my 6th baby. I have been booked in for an induction tomorrow and I’m very nervous. First timer for induction (booked in twice previously but had spontaneous labour before then). Had a sweep on Wednesday and have been experiencing painful contraction hicks on and off since. Had bloody show also. Baby had his head well in my pelvis, I was 1-2cm dilated for sweep. I’ve did all the things to try and help get him here sooner- lots of walking, birthing ball, expressing colostrum etc but it looks like he is waiting for his official eviction date.

They said it would either be the gels or the balloon catheter I would have tomorrow. What can I expect with either? Any tips/advice? Feel like I won’t sleep a wink tonight with worrying about it all!

You’ll be absolutely fine. Your body is well practiced at this - think of the induction as hopefully just being a wee bit of encouragement to get underway and hopefully once prompted, your body will take over for you :)

if you’re 1-2 cm already pre sweep, it sounds like you may well be at the point where they could just skip first steps (balloon/gel) and go straight to breaking your waters. That usually means a more straightforward time, although of course there are always exceptions!
I would question the use of gels if you have had five babies before. Have you laboured quickly before? In general the gel has a small risk of overdoing things - ie causing too many contractions - and that risk is higher if you’ve had lots of babies before. I think balloon is a much better idea in that circumstance if they think they can’t break your waters yet as generally balloon doesn’t cause contractions and won’t drive your body to contract too much.

all of that being said - hopefully your sweep works and you labour before induction start again anyway - and if not, all the best for the next few days :)

Thank you so much. I feel so clueless about it all.

I've got my first induction tomorrow too. It's daunting isn't it! I have gestational diabetes controlled with diet and have been so 50/50 on whether to go ahead with induction or wait until baby is ready as my previous 2 pregnancies were spontaneous labours. Sorry no tips, but going through it too!

I had a sweep yday and cervix was soft but still pretty closed and posterior. Lost mucus plug last night and bleeding light pink but no contractions yet.

Wishing you all the best for tmrw!

Best of luck to you too!

Well no progress at all despite 2 gels yesterday. Waiting to be examined again. Feeling absolutely riddled with guilt as I have 2 autistic children at home who have had a really unsettled night and we only have help with childcare today and tomorrow. Sort of wishing we had just opted for an elective CS now but I don’t know if that’s just the tiredness and emotions speaking.

Good luck! I had two inductions and the second was amazing. Because it wasn’t my first child I was encouraged to go out of the hospital for a walk - dh and I walked to the local shops and then ambled the local streets with a flask of green tea! When back on the induction ward: Still do all your breathing exercises and visualisations, listen to music while you snooze or watch a film wearin earbuds - you definitely want to block out the sounds of other women in pain as it’s scary. Relax , relax, relax.

i had two paracetamol and Entenox and a mild tear (ironically a very fast delivery once the induction got going).

Moving is definitely key - that will speed it up and make you feel less frightened.

Thank you- had another gel after 7. Contractions started after that. Doctor gave me a sweep around 2.30 when I was 3cm. Taken to delivery suite at 5.15pm as I was 4cm and delivered at 6.46pm.

unfortunately baby has respiratory distress so he is in neonates but I don’t know if that’s been down to the GD.

Congratulations! I hope you are getting some rest and that you & baby get home soon . He's in great hands at neo 🩵