Are inductions actually that bad?

[Meeting]

I'm 40+1 and have a midwife appt today where I'll be offered a sweep. If that doesn't work I can book to have an induction.

I have seen a lot of negativity towards induction online but don't really understand why if I'm being honest. Should I book one in for after the weekend when I'm close to 41 weeks? I definitely don't want to get to 42.

Have you had one, if so, what was your experience like?

How come it’s a fear for you? It’s honestly not a bad experience and recovery can vary but if you keep on top of painkillers and take time to recover you will be fine.

I had an induction at 39weeks for my first due to high blood pressure. Pessary didn't work so after 36hrs had to have a drip induction, absolutely fine 12hrs from start to finish with gas and air, very small tear. Reading some of these experiences think I was quite lucky, although I am very comfortable being in a medical environment as a nurse and had attended many deliveries so didn't feel too much "anxiety" to prevent me from fully relaxing.

What exactly about a c section worries you? X

Hi, OP

I have one at one week before my due date, one pessary on a Monday and a second on the a Tuesday at 11am and baby was born at 2.30pm. Overall positive experience but definitely prefer pessary.

Induction without real medical need - and being overdue isn’t a reason- means you are much more likely to have a labour full of interventions. My third was 42 + 3 and birth was v straightforward. It’s really worth reading about the pros and cons if all interventions offered - including the sweep. They have become standard and routine but the scientific evidence doesn’t stack up. Don’t be passive!

Also OP - if you want to avoid a c section then definitely don’t go for induction. It’s safe to go over so long as you have regular checks.

DP had an induction for our first, which did end in an emergency section, but the key thing I remember is the anaesthetist coming to see us and saying, in a meaningful tone, 'most first-time mums who are induced end up having an epidural'. With hindsight, we realised that she meant 'you will be wanting an epidural, so you'd be better off letting me sort that out from the start', which she wouldn't have been allowed to say. There were other reasons for the section, but I think DP would have been far less tired if she'd had the epidural earlier, and been able to get some sleep. The whole process was very long.

My first birth was nearly 39 years ago and I was induced two weeks early because I was at risk of pre eclampsia. In those days, the doctor had done a sweep and the membranes went. There was no pessary first, it was straight to meds. I was made to lie down which I found painful and contractions started very quickly and were really strong. But the whole thing was over in three hours. Second baby was two weeks late and nearly appeared on the floor! Iemphasise this was a long time ago! Good luck with your baby

My sister had one and it took three days for baby to actually come out! She would say no to another.

Definitely got some thinking to do as it's becoming a bit of a mixed bag. I don't like the idea of being 2 weeks overdue, but still have a week where I'm comfortable.

I'm not entirely sure why I have such a bad fear of a c section to be honest, I'm a really independent person and the thought of being so incapable afterwards really scares me. I have plenty of people who would offer help without even being asked, but I would still hate it. I'm also terrible with pain.

Most people seem to have had a better experience when it wasn't their first time giving birth which is promising.

I had a last minute change of plan to go for an elective c section due to small baby at 38 weeks. The day itself was really relaxed, everyone was really lovely came along and introduced themselves, could have music on if preferred (I chose not to) zero pain during the surgery itself and totally aware of what was going on through out - I.e. not high as a kite. Skin to skin as soon as baby born.

Up walking after 12 hours, not painful per se just uncomfortable/awkward as you still have a catheter in. Out 2 days later, shopping 2 days after that and driving 2 weeks after that.

Just wanted to share a positive c section experience, when that wasn’t what I had originally envisaged.

I was induced, first baby, 39 weeks. I was having 5 contractions every 10 mins and was only 2cm dilated, was very painful and distressing. Ended up having a c section

I don't want to frighten you but this was my experience.

My body didn't react great to the induction. Don't get me wrong, it worked, too well, I went into full blazing labour very soon after the first (and only) pessary they put in. I know someone people need up to 3.

I was getting 8 full blown intense contractions in ten minutes, there was barely a break in between to catch my breath. They gave me something to slow the contractions but it only worked for about 20 minutes and I was back to 8 again and it went on for hours, they were struggling to control it and were concerned that if it didnt let up i'd become too exhausted to push and it would result in emergency intervention. However, I didn't need intervention in the end and my DD arrived safely.

For me it was absolutely horrendous and I personally wouldn't do it again unless I have to for my babies safety. But I know of lots of people who had very successful ones and were much more gentle than mine. The midwives did admit I am obviously particularly sensitive to the hormone and thats not the norm

I had an induction with my second. I was fairly late already and had borderline pre-eclampsia. My first was an elective c-section (breech baby) so I had never been into labour before. I was induced using the drip.

It was absolutely fine. Not excessively long. No pain relief other than gas and air. The only thing that went slightly wrong was the placenta did not come out naturally and needed extra help. But no idea whether that was related at all.

Oh and I found the whole thing a much better experience than the elective c-section earlier.

Mine was fine, one lot of gel at 39 weeks and I had baby 9 hours later. People looooove to tell you the horror stories.

I was induced at 41+ 5 with the pessary 7 weeks ago as a FTM. Pessary was in for about 10 hours and then contractions started. The pessary was removed 7 hours later after strong contractions and I was at 2cm. I went into labour shortly after and gave birth naturally about around 4-5 hours later. I had a second degree tear but no other intervention and just gas & air. The whole process was slightly less than 24 hours. I like you was scared of induction (the reason why I waited so long) but in the end I still got the birth I wanted ☺️

I was induced at 39+5 (I needed fairly urgent thyroid surgery after my DS was born so I was induced to ensure he was here and I was sufficiently recovered to have the surgery) and they used every available method, but it didn’t work.

I had a sweep, a pessary, 3x gels, rods inserted in my cervix to manually expand it, waters manually broken, hormone drip and epidural. Probably had about 25 cervix checks over the course of my induction, which was the most traumatic part of the whole experience.

Induction took six days, I had contractions five minutes apart for most of that, and they were one minute apart for the last 12 hours), yet I only got to 2cm! Ended up with a crash section because DS’ heart rate dropped twice on the drip and I don’t think I could have actually pushed him out anyway because I was beyond exhausted from so many days of contractions and interventions.

Two major surgeries within a month with a newborn wasn’t the plan! If anything possessed me to ever have another child, I’d ask for an ELCS as there is no way on earth I’m going through any of that again.

Or we’re just honest about our own experiences when someone asks!

I was induced for both my babies at 37 weeks. It was fine in both instances- first time the baby was born at around 3 am, having been induced at around lunchtime. Second time I was induced at 10 am and baby was born at around noon! I wasn’t in labour beforehand either. Pain relief was pethadine

Yes they are.

Imagine going from 0 to 100 super quickly, pain wise.

That is why an epidural is a must! Good luck.

I had an induction on the due date with my first due to pre eclampsia. It wasn't too bad, but I had an epidural due to the pre eclampsia (it helps to reduce your blood pressure), but I was already starting to push by the time I had it. I had to have an episiotomy and a ventouse delivery. I suspect I was hurried along to get DS1 out quickly.

My experience too. In my case, they decided to induce because they were concerned about polyhydramiosis if waters broke at home. I found even the insertion painful and I’m ok with scans and smears. Nurse struggled with insertion as body was just not ready for birth yet. It was stupid really, contractions were painful with hardly a break, but dilating very slow, baby was back to back, I wasn’t allowed to move but had to try to stay in one position on my back so they could monitor. I remember being sick at one point which I don’t think took long and midwife being exasperated because I’d moved. Hours and hours later with baby getting more stressed, they did an emergency c-section. Baby was healthy, but I don’t know why they didn’t wait until body was more ready. I ovulate very late in cycle, so don’t know if that makes a difference, but I was in week 39.

I’ve had 4 inductions. All was okay never laboured naturally until my 5th so couldn’t really compare. The only thing I found different was the freedom to move. In my own labour I could walk around, move position etc. in the last two inductions I was basically strapped to the bed on the drip. Pain wise was around the same. I’ve always just used gas and air. Recovery was the same for all 5. Home within hours no problems. I’m expecting number 6 soon and hoping I go into labour myself again. But it wasn’t that bad and I would take induction again if I absolutely had too.

Hi my inducation was ok (was 41 and first birth) - went into hospital at 3pm by about 4am was in the Labour suite. Baby born at 11am.
but I do think I was almost ready to go anyway!