Experiences of induction at 38 weeks after a previous stillbirth.

[Loulou390]

I’m hoping to get some insight on an induction labour for a baby that comes after a stillborn.

I gave birth naturally to my stillborn baby at 40 weeks on his due date after going into spontaneous labour. He was my second baby, my first being an EmCS due to babies heart rate dropping but I was 8cm on the table. My stillborn (second) labour was 10.5 hours from my first contraction to him being born. The only intervention I had was my waters being broken.

We would like to hopefully be able to have another baby. This time I would like an induction at 38 weeks due to anxieties. As I have not been induced before and being my 3rd birth, I wondered on average how fast an induction would be for me this time around? What induction options would I be given? Would I take priority to definitely be induced on the date the hospital agrees with me? And any other information anyone has would be greatly appreciated. The hospital is based in Havering if that makes any difference.

Thank you in advance x

I had my third baby induced at 38 weeks after my second was stillborn. I don't know how high up the priority list I was but there were some concerns about growth as well. I had the pessary to induce me, then waters broken to monitor baby more accurately, about 13hrs from pessary going in till baby being born. My first baby was over 24 hours no induction, second was induced by tablets (baby had already died) and was 6 hours.

I don't know how it works in your area but I had contact with the bereavement midwife who was brilliant to ask questions to before and during my 3rd pregnancy.

Sending lots of hugs and support.

I’m so sorry you went through a similar experience. Thank you so my much for sharing, this has really helped with our thoughts on the future. I will get in touch with my bereavement midwife as well.

Sending hugs to you too.

My second baby was stillborn, and they were amazing with me for my 3rd and 4th pregnancies. I was booked for induction at 38 weeks with No 3 but started feeling very unwell at 36 weeks (I'd been unwell before with No 2) so they took me in at 36 weeks and induced me. I didn't labour well at all (purely down to stress) so I had an emergency section and baby was very small. They kept us in for 5 days just to make sure I was coping (it was very tough emotionally having another baby in truth). No 4 wasn't planned, and I went down the "if this baby is going to be stillborn, I've got little control over it" method of coping so only had 2 scans, no tests and as a result enjoyed the pregnancy an awful lot more than I had with no 3. I had a planned section at 38 weeks and the whole delivery was magical.

There is no easy or right way to do it - it's how you can get through it in hopefully one piece that matters. I was given a Sands sticker on the front of my notes so that all staff knew we'd had a loss and that helped - I didn't have to keep repeating the story of losing our darling boy.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m so sorry this has happened to you too.

My third baby was stillborn and my 4th was induced at 36 weeks due to anxiety.

there was I believe some “humouring” me early on in the pregnancy around my induction and at 34wks they tried to push me out to 37.5wks. I was very insistent and got my way.

I had a very slow start but eventually stat to finish was about 10 hours. The had the best midwives and it was a very positive experience.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I didn’t realise I would have such a say on when I would be induced. This is very helpful, I’m so sorry you had to go through this.