Anyone got some induction advice please?

[jessi]

Hi
I am booked in to be induced in 3 days and am wondering what happens?
Also I had a sweep last week which did nothing, but wondered whether I should ask my midwife to do another one, say tomorrow, to try and get it going that way-rather than just being induced? If I am induced, does it take a long time? I am booked in from the morning and wonder when would be realistic to expect ds to be able to come and see the baby? Will it definitely be the same day or could it go on into the following?
I have been on the raspberry tea/tablets/pineapple/walks/spicy food and sex rota for over 3 weeks now and it ain't working! And now I really cannot sleep for worrying about induction, does it really hurt? Do you always have an epidural straight away with the oxytocin drip?
Many thanks, I would be really grateful for any info!

Jessi - you don't actually HAVE to get induced even at 41+5. We had as lady getting induced at 42 +3 recently and she got on fine. Depends what you want, and if the baby is doing fine. For women who do not want induced, we monitor the baby and check things out on scan. If there is plenty of fluid and the baby is healthy there is no need not to wait.

Hi Mears, I just had another sweep this am and cervix is effaced and soft but still high up? She said it should move down prior to labour?! Haven't heard of this before lol!
As for induction, they have said that I can call the labour ward in the morning and ask for a delay until friday, but no later. She also said its highly unlikely I will be fitted in on friday,so it looks like its tomorrow for definite. I have to just keep my fingers crossed that today it will come on its own! Wish me luck!

get bonkin'

I am going away for 2 days so I hope you will have posted a birth announcement when I am back. Best of luck. Just keep your mind focused on an opening flower and imagine that cervix of your just opening up ! It's so exciting - wish it was me

Good luck for tomorrow jessi. This is a lovely time of year to be born. My ds was born 19th July.

Good luck Jessi

good luck jessi,
i was induced with prostin, excellent midwife, no other intervention, a bit quick 3 and a half hours but ok.

i think any first labour is a bit sacry , but with all the right tlc and reasurrance you'll do just fine.

Jessi... first of all they are NOT going to send a police car to get you from your home to get to your induction appointment ! So YOU decide !
It sounds from what you say that you do want things to get going but if baby isn't ready... induction can be a long and drown out process and labour can be blxxdy painful too!

PLEASE do not go down the castor oil route.... I do not know anyone who would seriously do it again! And I know 3 women who did do it ! Never again was their view.

If you want to wait longer you can... you can be monitored daily,... there are women who go 44 weeks you know !

Thanks everyone for your messages. Pupuce I can totally understand where you are coming from and I didn't do the castor oil route! I had accupunture earlier and the lady said the signs were good for it to start tonight, so I am still hoping lol!
I can't wait any longer as they don't induce over the weekend or have anyone to monitor me over the weekend and they don't want me to wait until early next week. They also don't think I would even get a free slot early next week either. I guess if they could monitor me it may of been different, my due date is on a saturday though!
Anyway, I am going to hope for a positive induction tomorrow and just hope that this little one is healthy as really now that is all that I care about.
Thanks again.I'll let you know how it go's!

i'd do the castor oil again!It worked straight away and wasn't too horrific at all for me personally. 4 of my friends did it too, 2 of which did it with their 2nd kids as well. For me it was a case of wanting to go into labour at home not be in hospital for it all. Good luck whatever happens.

Good luck Jessi xx

Thank you for your good wishes everyone, please see my birth announcement!