induction help and advice needed

[stareyes76]

I?m looking for some advice. Im 41 plus 1 weeks pregnant and im being induced on Sunday. I go in at 15:30. Im in Plymouth so it would be derriford hospital. Has anyone got any advice or knowledge on what will happen? The midwife tried to give me a sweep on Monday but I am too closed so she could not do it. I?m now really scared that I won?t go into labour before Sunday. I have a fear of hospitals already and I have also been suffering from pre natal depression which has made me agoraphobic and i don?t like to be left alone without my husband with me, so I was wondering like if he can stay with me during the inductions etc?

Also does anyone know the percentages of people who actually have to have inductions for being overdue?

This is my first pregnancy.

thanks guys im just really scared

Hi,

I'm pregnant for the first time too and 38+2, so don't have any personal experience, but was talking to my midwife about this yesterday.

As far as she told me, I would be given a pessary of a hormone to soften cervix, then given six hours to see if it works. If it doesn't they give you another dose and wait again (they can only do this twice in 24 hours). Basically, if it does work they either see how you progress, or wait until they can reach inside to break your waters with an amnio hook, which should get everything going (apparently)!

She told me that C section would be a last resort and that they could try the pessaries again the next day. I'm sure others can give you more specific advice, but just thought this might help! Good luck!

Hi. I was induced with ds2 due to GBS.
My dp stayed with me throughout. We went in at 10am, they attempted to break my waters a few times but my babies head was too tight against the sack so they couldn't do it for fear of nicking his head.
They inserted a gel capsule which is supposed to bring on contractions. Nothing happened. 6 hours later, they inserted another one. 5 hours later, still nothing was happening, they said if another hour passed and still nothing, I'd be put on a drip to help get everything started.
Half an hour later, my waters broke and contractions started. I think ds2 was born an hour or so later at 00:37am.
After ds2 was born, dp fed him while they sorted me out, I showered had something to eat and dp didn't have to leave until I was moved to post-natal at about 3am.

Hi i was indudced with both my babies 1st was overdue 41+6 what happend with me was i went into the ward and they check you over urine samples etc, then then check your cervix see how soft or open it is, in my case it wasn't open or soft at all, infact they had hard time and made me sit in awkward postions to get to it, they inserted a tablet that is suppose to help your cervix and basically leave you, your aloud you husband in and aloud to walk about outside etc they also monitor your baby every now and then.

after about 4 hours they check you again, in my case nothing had changed so inserted another tablet and i walked about again and still nothing .. then it was eveing and unfortunely my husband had to go home and they didnt continue with tablets they wanted me to sleep and offered sleeping tablets (but if you are in labour you husband can stay and you go up into the labour room) next day same again in the afternoon the broke my waters and it all went from there really quick.

My 2nd baby was indudeced and my cervix was already 3cm so i went straight up to the delivery ward which is great because your husband can stay with you all the time.

That wasa bit long winded i hoped it help you a bit .. i know i was so worried because i didnt have a clue what was going to happen but there really is nothing tol be scared about you will be well looked after :-)

Hello! I was induced with my daughter at 41+3. They gave me a prostaglandin pessary at about 5.30pm, which was fortunately enough to kickstart labour on its own - I reckon labour started proper at about 7pm? or thereabouts. There was lots of walking around the wards at first, then a warm bath while my husband timed the contractions. They checked me at about 9ish and I was dilated enough to be moved down to the labour suite. At some stage after this my midwife broke my waters. Pushing stage was at about 11pm, and my daughter was born just after midnight.

I'm sorry you're so scared - I was too, but it really was fine in the end. Like you I was very worried about my husband being made to leave but if you're in labour your husband will be allowed to stay beyond the 10pm curfew - you shouldn't have to labour on your own. Good luck! I hope it goes well for you, whether you have the induction or turn out not to need it.

I think induction experiences are hugely variable, so it's hard to advise - I know people who had the pessary inserted and 2 hours later had a baby (honestly!).

I had a very closed cervix as well and was induced spot on 42 weeks after trying everything known to man to get the baby to come on her own. No one could do stretch and sweep on me, either, and the head was not engaged.

I had 2 gels (the pessary) on the cervix. The first did nothing, but at my hospital you get induced in the early evening. So I had to spend the night and my husband had to go home. Second gel the next day and it didn't do much either although my cervix was dilated enough that a doctor with very tiny hands broke my waters. That started very irregular contractions and at this point we were well over the 24 hr mark! But on delivery suite so husband there the whole time. A few hours later had a pitocin drip. Baby born late the following day, so it was a bit of a marathon.

I'd suggest the following: explain to your MW that you want your husband with you, and ask to be induced first thing in the morning so everything has more time to work and you're not likely to be there overnight by yourself.

If that doesn't work, try to see if you can go home overnight before returning next am. I have said that if I have to be induced this time I am going to insist they release me overnight if the first gel has not worked (if it's going to work, it works within 6 hours) and return first thing in the morning. They may allow you to do this, esp if you live close to the hospital, but they do have to monitor you for the first six hours.

It may be that once things get going you are so relieved not that SOMETHING other than waiting is happening you just go with the flow! To be honest although my induction experience was not great I was so sick of being pregnant that it was a huge relief to be getting on with it, and all the hospital staff were amazing. It was actually a lovely time, even though it was hard....

good luck!