Induction experiences- should I hold out?

[LouWhit1]

Hi!
I went overdue with DS1 by 8 days. Currently 39+6 with second and just about reaching my limit- finding it much harder this time with being so heavily pregnant and parenting a toddler at the same time. My boy is full of beans and I hate having so little energy and being so conscious of my body and bump around him all the time. Dreading the prospect of another week or so!
I always thought I'd do my utmost to avoid an induction as I know they can lead to more complicated, painful labours. But I am now considering requesting one for Monday when I will be 40+3 if nothing happens over the weekend.
For those who have had induction experiences- would you advise against- is it worth holding out?
Thank you :)

I had one induced labour which ended up in an emergency C-section, and one more-or-less spontaneous labour which went really well. I had a sweep at 40 weeks the second time and went into labour about 24 hours later. Is a sweep something you would consider? I think it can help get things started if you are already close.

I was induced in September at 37 weeks and for me it was no more painful than my water birth with my daughter. With both I had paracetamol during early labour/induction process and the gas and air for the rest of labour. Active labour with my daughter was 2h, 12h from my waters going to baby being born (water birth) with my son active labour was 6h and 20h from start of induction to baby arriving. I was induced due to obstetric Cholestasis and extreme fatigue. I managed to sleep on and off all the way through the labour

I had a sweep at 36+6, I had been having irregular contractions since 33 weeks due to an irritated uterus and the sweep made these regular. I went in for induction the next day and they were 50:50 whether I would need inducing at all. In the end they did put the pessetry in but I only needed it for 4h of the possible 24h. I did also need my waters breaking but this related to my need for induction rather than the induction itself. Labour stalled I was no unable to stand due to the fatigue and I labour best on my feet.

My obstetrician said that inductions generally go better when you have previously had a labour, especially if that was a relatively straightforward labour and this was my experience.

I would probably start with asking for a sweep and see how you get on with that