OK, getting a bit ahead of myself and more than a bit of a hormonal mess

[vicsta]

I am now a week overdue and really don't feel like this baby is coming out any time soon (this is my first, so what the hell do I know). MW has started to really piss me off and I am getting increasingly anxious. Failed to attend my 39wk home visit due to someone else gving birth (fine, I get it) and nobody else was available to see me. Had appt with her last thurs (40+2) when she assured me 2 wks previously that she would do a sweep. She refused without even checking me. She is now due to visit me tomorrow to do the sweep and, I quote 'make an induction appointment'. I don't want to be induced and she hasn't ever discussed this with me. I really felt that she couldn't wait to get rid of me last week, and tho I wasn't that upset it the time, it's starting to bother me now. In order to be induced I will have to go to the horrible big hospital instead of the lovely MLU in the local hospital. The big hospital has a horrendous reputation and a colleague of mine has had to resign following a failed induction/Emergency CS at that hosp which led to awful, awful brain damage . Rational me knows that this is sad, but rare, and it doesn't mean anything bad will happen to me, but this happened to someone I know, not someone I read about in the paper. And I'll be going to the same hospital, looked after by the same neglectful people. Rational me also knows that this baby has to come out sometime.
So after much waffle (don't even know if it'll all make sense to you) can anyone share their GOOD & BAD stories of induction? How many ended up in CS? Could I just ask to go straight for CS?
I know I'll probably go into labour tonight now I've got this off my chest, but really, if anyone has got this far and can spare the time, please help prepare me coz I don't think my MW can be arsed.
P.S. OP/back to back lie - more painful anyway?

hiya vicsta,

Have you thought about getting some accupuncture or reflexology today to help bring on labour?

I don't have any experience (yet!) but have heard lots of lovely first hand stories of women who's labour was prompted by these methods so am planning to try that if i go overdue.

Good luck x

I was induced with DS2 and it was incredibly straightforward (and I was only 39 weeks). I only had one pessary at around 6.30pm and started having pains in the middle of the night. Had DS by lunchtime next day with no augmentation during labour.

However I really think that all the crazy things I did over the weekend before I was induced may have helped get my body 'ready'. I did the following;

extra cups of raspberry leaf tea
lots of sitting/rocking in good positions on birthing ball (this is a good one if baby is OP)
Hot curry
sex
nipple stimulation

I will know for sure that these things helped but I am sure they did and I would do the same again next time if induction is mentioned.

I am sorry your midwife is not treating you very well and I hope you go into labour soon and get the birth you want.

You don't have to be induced as lots of people will come and tell you. I went 40 + 15 with DS3 and was still able to have a home birth. Will they not let you go to the MLU if you are overdue ? Maybe you just need to let her know you would rather not be induced and wait another week ?

I know a couple of people who were induced and it was all very straightforward if not a bit intense and fast. If you do have to go down that route, I think it is very unlikely you will have the same experience as your colleague.

Good luck, mw sounds like a nightmare. Why not see if lulumama is around - she might have some helpful advice?

DD was induced and back to back - came out ok.
MW sounds brisk and insensitive. BUT (not wanting to undermine your feelings), she could be massively overworked and forget what you've previously said. Also due to stressy worky mode she made the wrong assumption about induction - what you could instead take her to mean was: 'come to discuss your options, including induction'. To which you can reply - 'I'd rather wait, thanks.'

Hello vicsta
The whole induction process does have various stages to it e.g. sweep, pessaries (up to 3 I think), then they move on to ARM when they break your waters. If these aren't doing the trick then they use the syntocinon drip which they increase incrementally every 30 minutes. They may use some/ all of these procedures depending on how your body responds. Forgive me if you already know all of this.
I was set on as natural a birth as possible with DS but had to be induced at 40 + 5 because of heartbeat problems (his, not mine). It is disappointing when you have had a straightforward pregnancy and think you'll be on the MLU - I can totally sympathise.
Hold out for as long as possible if you want a natural labour, get the MW to book you in for a scan if you are worried or go to the day-assessment unit to get checked over.
Remember that if is your body and you want to have as much control as you can, but if medical concerns arise, you want the best for both you and the baby.

Good luck with it all, I think I can add vast quantities of fresh pineapple and walking on and off pavements to scheedbly's list. Neither worked!