Positive FTM induction at 40 weeks stories

[Dontknowwhattodoatalllll]

Can you share some positive induction stories please? The internet is filled with horror stories and induction seems to be mostly hated. Also if you have tips, I'd like to hear them :)

I'm having induction at 40w4d with propess pessary, followed by oxytocin drip if needed. I plan to have epidural as soon as possible. I'm a FTM, 39yo, fit and had no issues in pregnancy or health conditions, successfully used Aniball, baby is head down and anterior and ~50%, but sadly not fully engaged yet. I'm being told to induce because IVF pregnancies like mine increase odds of stillbirths, but according to latest scan my placenta and cord are top notch. I've been eating dates, drank raspberry leaf tea, did plenty hip opening exercises and used my yoga ball a lot. Sadly colistrum harvesting never worked so nipple stimulation did nothing

I’ve been induced twice at 40w. Like you I made sure I knew exactly what to expect and took advice from friends who’d been through it.

First time the pessary did not work - 24 hours and nothing so I had a second pessary - still nothing happened. So the next morning at 6am I had the drip and immediately had the epidural. Bering strapped to the monitor is annoying but contractions started fairly quickly - but absolutely no pain. I’d listened to that hypobirthing book and was determined to stay calm and relaxed and the whole experience was really peaceful. I had a marvellous midwife who talked me through how to push - started pushing at around 3pm, had to have forceps for the last bit and also an episitomy. Baby born fine and well, a little bruised from the forceps but all cleared up in a week.

Second time round the pessary worked in minutes! Contractions came on hard and fast. After an hour or two I requested a epidural - as they were fitting it they checked and I was already 8cm dilated! So I gave birth without the epidural - baby was out within the hour and it was a euphoric feeling. Contractions were painful but didn’t take too long.

So my advice is definitely get the epidural asap if you get to the drip. Keep calm and relaxed.

Thank you so much for your story @BrickCrow ! I am a bit freaked out that there is only 1 reply :(. What am i getting myself into...

What are you looking for that hasn’t been covered in any of your other threads?