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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Positive induction stories... please!

16 replies

wafflesmum · 17/02/2010 16:58

Was hoping for as natural a birth as possible and have been doing Hypnobirthing classes. However, due to an underlying medical condition my consultant is adamant I will not be allowed to go longer than 38 weeks without being induced. I understand why and don't want to put the baby at any stupid risk at this late stage but all I can think about now is how inducement will probably result in longer / more painful birth and my Hypnobirthing will have been a waste of time. I am 31 + weeks and will start maternity leave at 36 weeks and fully intend to do everything possible to bring labour on naturally but just in case...any positive inducement stories? Please don't tell me I should argue the case with the consultant, I understand she has the baby's best interests at heart and I trust her, I'm just looking for some reassurance. Thanks.

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MumNWLondon · 17/02/2010 17:57

I had a friend who was induced at 38 weeks because she had GD, (first birth) and it was quick and fine, and basically natural (just gel). She had 3 sessions of acupuncture (to bring on the birth) in the run up to the birth (ie every second day in the week before) and she thinks that made a big difference - so if thats an option then consider it.

I don't think the hypnobirthing is a waste of time, discuss strategies with your HB teacher.

At the hospital ask if they can start slowly and build up gradually - to give your body time etc to build up endorphins. If the gel alone is enough your labour plans shouldn't be too changed.

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wafflesmum · 17/02/2010 18:04

Thanks for the advice. I am now looking at acupressure and acupuncture options to try after I start maternity leave in the hope that this will spontaneously induce labour before it becomes more medicalised.

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starshaker · 17/02/2010 18:05

I was induced. Was given the gel then my waters were broken. Had marconium in the waters so was put on a drip. From first contraction to baby it was 2 and half hours. Had only gas and air. Hoping the twins take note from their big sis (maybe she left a manual in there) and do it the same way

waitingforbedtime · 17/02/2010 18:10

I was induced at 41+5 and had the gel on the Thu night, nothing happened, had more in the morning which got me to 1.5cm and they broke my waters at 3pm. Nothing much happened really. Got put on the drip at 630pm ish. Had ds 6 hours later. Pain was bearable and had breaks between each contraction and it was a really really good experience. I didnt have gas and air as it made me faint. Tried epidural before drip as midwife advised it - waste of time, it didnt owrk.

weegiemum · 17/02/2010 18:12

Very positive. I was induced at 37 weeks with dd2 (dc3) due to an underlying medical condition I had.

First go at induction didn't work at all (just the pessary). 2 days later they tried again (bang on 37 weeks) - pessary at 6am, baby at 6pm! My cervix was totally closed and not suitable at all when I had the pessary, but I went back to sleep after I had it inserted for 2 hours and I think that was the key - it had a good chance to work. I was then on my feet constantly - walked miles that day! - and at 1pm was 1cm, 5pm 5cm, delivered at 6.03!

I know it was easier as it was my 3rd baby, but things were so unfavourable at the start I was amazed at how well it went. And as she was 7lb13 at 37 weeks, I was quite glad to be spared another almost 10lber!!

MumNWLondon · 17/02/2010 18:15

Even if the acupuncture doesn't actually bring on spontanous labour it might make the induction easier. I would also ask for a couple of sweeps in the week run up to the induction, and also a couple of attempts at the pessaries before they move on to the more medicalised options.

itshappenedagain · 17/02/2010 18:22

i was induced at 36 weeeks due to size of DS, was given pessery, midwife sent my mum home, she had to call her abck as by time she got there i was 9 cm and about 2 hours later my Ds arrived. i had accupuncture a couple of days before and a massage the morning of the day i went in, although was told there were no signs of labour. induction is nothing to worry about. hope all goes well.

Original poster

wafflesmum · 17/02/2010 19:34

Thanks everyone. Maybe not as bad as I had feared then...?!

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MummyElk · 17/02/2010 19:51

best advice i got was from my MW who said, when i told her they were inducing me, "just don't be afraid to ask for help" - it was like permission being given in my head!! I used lots of Active birth mvt and breathing etc for really quite a long time, and about 4 hours in, because i was dilating at 1cm an hr, we decided to go for an epidural, purely to save me some energy for pushing later (i could cope with the pain but it was taking a lot of energy). I don't feel like my active birth was taken away from me and i'm proud i did push her out. This time around I've also listened to lots of hypnobirthing CDs and relearning how to focus again.
I think you just have to go into it with an open mind, keep your options open and accept that as long as your baby and you are fine at the end of it, that's all that matters. You are well prepared and I'm sure it will be an amazing experience, however you end up doing it!!
Big believer in positive thoughts as well - good luck

strawberrykate · 17/02/2010 21:58

I spoke to me friend who was recently induced, she said 'the worst bit of all was realising I'd done a poo without meaning too.' That sounds quite managable!

alannabanana · 17/02/2010 22:30

may i just ask what is this 'gel' everyone's been on about? is it an alternative to the pessary?

i was induced at term due to v high BP, and had just one pessary (like weegiemum, had a sleep afterwards which i think helped it take effect), then while i was waiting for them to break my waters i WALKED and walked walked til i swore i never wanted to see that ward again. a few hours and an oxytocin drip later, DS was born. no epidural, though i did have pethadine - the drip made the contractions get v painful v quickly!

i think you'll be fine to mix your HB with all the medical stuff - midwives are usually up for you trying anything that helps you get through. doctors might scoff of course - obviously medical intervention is their top choice!

HKmama · 18/02/2010 02:22

I was induced with DS1 at 39 weeks and I had lots of acupuncture and reflexology to help get things moving along before the process started. I am sure it helped as I didn't need any pessary or gel as my cervix was already ready to go. I had epidural, waters broken and minimum dose of syntocin on a drip. That all happened at around 10am, 5pm I was fully dilated and by 6pm I was pushing. All went well and he was born at 8pm. Good luck!

stillfrazzled · 18/02/2010 10:16

Erm, given your preference for natural birth you may not regard this as a positive story, but FWIW:

I was induced at 41+6 (lazy lazy baby) and was PETRIFIED. Didn't have gel as already 3cm dilated - waters broken instead. Had pains - but not contractions - for hour or so without getting anywhere until I was told I'd need syntocinon.

Being a wimp, I wibbled a bit and was offered the epidural first. I accepted, and 4 or so hours later pushed DS out by myself, with only a tiny 2nd degree tear and no stitches, having had a fabulous, chilled out, pain-free experience with lovely attentive midwives.

Currently 7 weeks (I hope, have been bleeding and waiting for scan) and would do the whole thing again without hesitation.

Like I say, mightn't be your idea of a good experience, but was exactly right for me. Good luck, whatever happens

cory · 18/02/2010 16:31

I was induced with both my babies. With first labour I was able to walk around, had a warm bath when contractions started, used TENS machine and eventually gas and air. I did tear, true, but only because dd's head got stuck and became a bit swollen. All in all, not a traumatic labour and I'd say a situation where anything like hypnobirthing would probably have helped a lot (in fact, I used some primitive self-invented form to get me through the worst).

In my second labour, I did end up with a caesarian, but only because ds's heartbeat went down (he was prem and IUGR).

debka · 18/02/2010 21:10

I was induced- had 2 gels the first day then spent the night (painkillers and sleeping tablet and slept like a log), woke at 6am, waters broke soon after, had my dd at 5pm with no drip or any other intervention, only pain relief gas and air. Was absolutely fine. Best of luck and try to relax!!

roary · 19/02/2010 10:51

Not quite a positive story but I hope you will find it helpful: I was induced, it took FOREVER, I ended up on a drip, delivery ventouse...but the experience was actually great. I wouldn't necessarily want to do it again that way, but we had fabulous care, they looked after us so well, and everything turned out beautifully in the end, which was the goal! Incidentally, I did a lot of yoga in the early stages of labour. Then, due to how long it was taking, I had an epidural, which was so light I could still move but then got much needed some rest.

I think the advice quoted above to ask for help if you need it is the way forward! You will know what you need and want throughout, whether or not you go in to labour spontaneously or are induced. Just ask for it and don't be afraid of changing your mind and being flexible (ie, getting an epidural instead of gas and air, using the pool if you didn't plan it, etc etc!)

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