Pregnancy #67

[Bec3007]

Can anyone share positive induction stories from themselves or friends you know about?

Context I'm 41+4, first baby, low risk, only one in there, had 1 sweep yesterday (2nd booked for Sunday), 2.5m dilated (up from 1.5cm on Monday) and induction reluctantly booked for Monday when I'll be bang on 42 weeks. I unfortunately think my pregnancy journey will end with an induction. I so desperately want to go into spontaneous labour (trust me gals, I'm trying everything lol). My mum went to 42 weeks with me and I guess she's just too darn cosy inside!

I've not seen a single positive thing about the hormone drip and I've got a bit obsessed with the stats leading to c-sections when on the induction journey (pretty high). FYI bc I'm already 2.5cm I skip a few steps and won't have the gel etc.

I need to turn my attitude around as the likelihood I'll go into labour in the next 2 days is looking quite low.

I was induced with my first but it was a pessary not gel so can’t give any experiences on that side of it. My labour overall was 5 hours from start to finish though, no interventions, was allowed in the birthing pool until they had to monitor baby and needed me out to do so. I was discharged around 14 hours after birth (I gave birth at night).

The one thing I’d say is make them listen to you no matter what it may be. I laboured in my back and the monitors never traced my contractions due to that and so for a while they didn’t believe me when I said I was in a lot of pain. By the time I got to delivery suite I was already 7-8cm and had went almost the entire process with no pain relief.

 

[opintionatedperson]

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The one thing I’d say is make them listen to you no matter what it may be. I laboured in my back and the monitors never traced my contractions due to that and so for a while they didn’t believe me when I said I was in a lot of pain. By the time I got to delivery suite I was already 7-8cm and had went almost the entire process with no pain relief.

This happened to me too the contractions weren't coming up on the screen, it was only when they felt my stomach they were like oh yeah you are contracting

 

[yankydoo]

That’s so weird as I was induced too and they didn’t believe me when I kept saying I’m in so much pain. When they finally examined me I was 8cm and was rushed to the delivery room and had a very late epidural which I had asked for from the very beginning.

I had the gel and the induction itself was fine apart from the lack of pain relief. I was induced at 11am and the baby came at 7pm so it was fairly quick.

I definitely agree that you need to be firm with them about pain relief!

 

[georgiecait]

That’s so weird as I was induced too and they didn’t believe me when I kept saying I’m in so much pain. When they finally examined me I was 8cm and was rushed to the delivery room and had a very late epidural which I had asked for from the very beginning.

I had the gel and the induction itself was fine apart from the lack of pain relief. I was induced at 11am and the baby came at 7pm so it was fairly quick.

I definitely agree that you need to be firm with them about pain relief!

did you have the hormone drip?
I can’t believe they simply didn’t believe you were in pain that is a joke!!!

 

[georgiecait]

I was induced with my first but it was a pessary not gel so can’t give any experiences on that side of it. My labour overall was 5 hours from start to finish though, no interventions, was allowed in the birthing pool until they had to monitor baby and needed me out to do so. I was discharged around 14 hours after birth (I gave birth at night).

The one thing I’d say is make them listen to you no matter what it may be. I laboured in my back and the monitors never traced my contractions due to that and so for a while they didn’t believe me when I said I was in a lot of pain. By the time I got to delivery suite I was already 7-8cm and had went almost the entire process with no pain relief.

Was it your choice to labour on your back? On my birth preferences I’ve said I will categorically not labour on my back.

 

[georgiecait]

Hopefully you will get things moving ! I went into an induction quite blind. .. I do think there is a lot of scare mongering with them .
The hormone drip isnt great but once I had the epidural I was fine. I had two days of gels and stuff that didn't work and I was in the hospital exhausted - my waters were broken and I was out on the drip. It was intense. However I dilated quickly over night think I went from 0 to 10 in like 8 hours so it wasn't too bad and ended up having a vaginal birth .
My advice is to get rest before the induction and don't say no to painkillers.

Once you got put on the drip did you feel the need for epidural straight away?
Great advice thank you v much

 

[opintionatedperson]

Once you got put on the drip did you feel the need for epidural straight away?
Great advice thank you v much

No I didn't, I had about three hours of gas and air I guess but I found that pointless tbh. I probably needed it from the beginning but I was exhausted from hanging around two days previously and not thinking straight. Id prob opt for epidural sooner if I was in the induction again..
Im due in March and I'd go down the induction route again.

 

[yankydoo]

did you have the hormone drip?
I can’t believe they simply didn’t believe you were in pain that is a joke!!!

No I just had the gel and then things moved quickly so I didn’t need anything else. I wouldn't have an issue being induced again.

 

[georgiecait]

No I just had the gel and then things moved quickly so I didn’t need anything else. I wouldn't have an issue being induced again.

Omg this is the dream! I was told I wouldn’t get the gel bc I’m nearly 3cm so probably jump straight to waters breaking but I’m praying that’s all I need

 

[georgiecait]

No I didn't, I had about three hours of gas and air I guess but I found that pointless tbh. I probably needed it from the beginning but I was exhausted from hanging around two days previously and not thinking straight. Id prob opt for epidural sooner if I was in the induction again..
Im due in March and I'd go down the induction route again.

Ok this is incredibly helpful I’ll make sure to do that, thanks so much!

 

[opintionatedperson]

Ok this is incredibly helpful I’ll make sure to do that, thanks so much!

Best of luck things might still go without intervention yet. There is a lot of negativity around inductions.

 

[ReginaPhalange3]

Can I chime in? I was induced with my first, gel, pessary and drip. The midwife tried to force an epidural on me before she even put the drip on and was very pushy, telling me i wouldnt be able to do it without. Only made me more determined not to have it! I think 0 - 4 was the most uncomfortable and once I passed that it was easier for me - everyones different. The wooden birthing comb was super helpful.

Is this your first? X

Once you got put on the drip did you feel the need for epidural straight away?
Great advice thank you v much

 

[ReginaPhalange3]

Sorry ive just read your OP! Congratulations on your first, its so exciting.

Please stop worrying, you may not need any intervention. Labour can come on at the flip of a switch.

Listen to your body and be firm.

Don't fear induction, the Internet is all scaremongering and strangely some mothers thrive off scaring expecting new mums. I went into mine completely blind, had gas and air and no issues. My second i had a natural birth with no pain relief at all. You dont get a special reward whatever you chose and the toast tastes amazing either way!! But you'll find once labour starts, your body will tell you what it needs. My first I think I emptied the hospital of gas and air I didn't like the effect it had on me though and with my second I wanted to see how far I could go without it, luckily that was a quick labour!

Kerb walk, drink rosehip tea and stay off Google. You've got this mama bear

 

[Bec3007]

Was it your choice to labour on your back? On my birth preferences I’ve said I will categorically not labour on my back.

I didn’t labour on my back I just felt everything in my back rather than my belly. Apparently it’s common with back to back babies? But I’m not sure if that’s true I spent the majority of my labour upright though. I was either pacing, on a ball or leaning over something. I even walked myself down to delivery suite. Just remember they can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do, all they can do is advise.

 

[georgiecait]

Best of luck things might still go without intervention yet. There is a lot of negativity around inductions.

I’ve fallen into the trap for sure. Now I’m close to it I need to try be more positive.
Absolutely praying I can go into spontaneous labour, it’s been a really mentally challenging week

 

[georgiecait]

I didn’t labour on my back I just felt everything in my back rather than my belly. Apparently it’s common with back to back babies? But I’m not sure if that’s true I spent the majority of my labour upright though. I was either pacing, on a ball or leaning over something. I even walked myself down to delivery suite. Just remember they can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do, all they can do is advise.

Oh I’m sorry, I misread! My mum had back labour. I guess I’ll find out what I’ll get as far as I’m aware baby is back to front atm. Deffo want to be upright as much as possible, the old UFO positions and all that.

 

[Bec3007]

Oh I’m sorry, I misread! My mum had back labour. I guess I’ll find out what I’ll get as far as I’m aware baby is back to front atm. Deffo want to be upright as much as possible, the old UFO positions and all that.

They did tell me to stay moving for as long as possible, especially when the pessary was first inserted. My waters were already gone though if that made any difference I don’t know. That’s the reason I was induced because they went the day before and bugger all happened afterwards I’m now being recommended a home birth this time round.

 

[georgiecait]

Can I chime in? I was induced with my first, gel, pessary and drip. The midwife tried to force an epidural on me before she even put the drip on and was very pushy, telling me i wouldnt be able to do it without. Only made me more determined not to have it! I think 0 - 4 was the most uncomfortable and once I passed that it was easier for me - everyones different. The wooden birthing comb was super helpful.

Is this your first? X

Of course! More the merrier. Yes my first
Wow interesting about your pain management. I don’t have a birth comb but have heard so much about it.

 

[ReginaPhalange3]

Worth the few quid on amazon if you can snap one up. I have everything crossed you have a safe and pleasant labour

Of course! More the merrier. Yes my first
Wow interesting about your pain management. I don’t have a birth comb but have heard so much about it.

 

[Noseynellie4910]

They did tell me to stay moving for as long as possible, especially when the pessary was first inserted. My waters were already gone though if that made any difference I don’t know. That’s the reason I was induced because they went the day before and bugger all happened afterwards I’m now being recommended a home birth this time round.

How do you feel about a home birth? I was induced first time for the same reason as you and am contemplating a home birth this time. It all feels quite overwhelming though!