Can someone explain Induction to me? What happens and how is it different to spontaneous labour?

[DawnAS]

Hi all,

I am only 31 weeks PG but at 28 weeks was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I'm managing to control my blood sugar with diet and insulin injections at the moment and have another growth scan next week. At my 28 week scan, our little Jelly was average size (middle line) for head and legs but towards the top line for stomach.

They are saying that often if you have GD, they induce at 38 weeks to prevent you having to deliver a very large baby. I would rather go full-term and have a C-section if she's too big, but as this is my first baby, I really don't know the difference between an Induction and normal labour (is anything really normal?!).

When I look at other threads, a lot of people say to avoid induction. Why is this? What actually happens?

Any advice gratefully received so that I can make an informed decision if I end up in a situation where they suggest induction...

Thank you.

xxx

the pethidine didn't do anything to me except ease the pain between contractions and let me sleep. The first time they gave me pethidine with an anti sickness injection but after that I had to ask for the anti sickness drug it separately. It's bloody brilliant though - works instantly and sickness totally went (until it wore off).

Can I say that when I had my induction I had my own room and bathroom with a sofa bed for my OH to sleep on. They fully expected him to be staying with me once the induction process had started.

Also I think that you emetophobic ladies are very very brave to get pregnant at all.