Pregnancy Forums

Posted: 14 December 2007 at 10:13pm | IP Logged

My friend was recently induced, i was birth partner...they started off with a internal examination to see if you are favourable and to see if it is necessary for the prostin gel...You may have some prostin, or not depending on how thin your cervix is. If you do have to have the prostin, they will insert that and you will have to remain led down for approx an hour and babies will be monitored during that time to make sure they haven't been distressed by the prostin...this may have to be done a few times over a day. Then if they can break your waters they will do that, and they may see if you start contracting from that, if not they will put the drip up to induce the contractions, during that time you will be monitored constantly for signs of fetal distress. You will be asked about pain relief at this point too, some opt for the epidural...Induction of labour with the drip can be more intense and painful as they are "forced" contractions. They will turn up the dose of the drip as your labour progresses.

It can be a lengthier process for some, but once you reach about 4 cm's you should dilate quite quickly after that! My friend was 4cm's on one exam and was told she was VERY stretchy, within minutes of the mw leaving the room she was pushing!! I ran out to fetch a midwife and just as i got in baby's head was crowning!

You shouldn't need anything extra, it's just like any other vaginal birth providing you have no complications. I would recommend using a birthing ball during it though, it works wonders and also distracts from the intensity of the pain!

Be prepared for a long haul, as it is to be expected if your body isn't "naturally" ready for birth...Although it would be a nice suprise if it all happened really fast!

Don't worry too much about it, the babies will be monitored very closely and the first sign of any complications they will seek advice as to a plan, just make sure you are kept informed the whole time!

I wish you the very best of luck, and hope that it goes smoothly and quickly! xxx

Posted: 14 December 2007 at 10:28pm | IP Logged

I was induced both times as I went 10 days and 11 days over, respectively.

Both inductions went identically.

Was given a sweep but nothing happened and told to go home.  Then went back for the pessary (prost something or other) twice until the twinges started. This happened for both!  Looking back the sweep was more painful than having the pessary inserted.

My labours were relatively short, my mw told me this was the advantage of being induced.

I didn't have a problem with being induced although I feel like I missed out on a natural labour.  However, I was just relieved to hold my healthy baby in my arms afterwards.

Posted: 15 December 2007 at 8:46am | IP Logged

I was induced with Harrison.

I had to go in Monday and then had to return on Wednesday night for my first pessary.  I was given that at 7pm and was left over night. Nothing at all happened so at midnight I was given another one still nothing, no twinges or anything.  The mw in charged decided to give me  a drip to kick things off, but I was also given an epidural as my bp was going up the wall, so they wanted to be ready just in case an emergency c-section was needed and I'd decided an epidural was better than being put to sleep.

The drip was set up at 3am and but half 3 the contractions started by 11.30am I was in full blown labour but my waters hadn't gone so they broke them and at noon, i started pushing.  By 12.25 Harry was born.

I couldn't get off the bed once the drip was inserted as they had to monitor the babies heart beat by putting little pads on the head whilst it was still inside me. 

I remember being terrified as i knew my contractions were going to start and i was about to have a baby compared to natural labour when your twinges come when they are ready so you have time to let it sink in ifswim.lol

Posted: 15 December 2007 at 11:19am | IP Logged

I was unsucsessfully induced at 37+3 ish. Because of the SPD pain I needed gas and air to have the prostaglandin. I had 3 or 4 attempts but no change at all in my cervix so I needed a c section in the end. However I know people who have gone on to have a very easy birth! On my ward when I was being induced almost everyone was in the same stage and all of them were given one or 2 doses, started having twinges, walked around a lot, then went through to labour ward. All came back later showing off baby and saying it was painful but quick.

My advice would be ear plugs as pregnant women snore loads so if you want any sleep a set of ear plugs and an eye mask is a must. Lots of comfy clothes, books, magazines, yummy snacks etc.

Good luck hun x

Posted: 15 December 2007 at 11:55am | IP Logged

Tasja was 9 days late..and I was due to be induced on the 8th feb at stupid oclock in the morning...

So had the night before all planned...nice romantic candlelit dinner, nice relaxing bath, nice early night...watching the snow fall as everything was just wonderful...checking tasjas room one last time, readjusting the teddys in her cot...all rose-tinted glasses on and everything.....however...

I swear she had heard the midwife the day before talking about it...cos my waters broke early evening of the 7th...so bang went the relaxing bath, early night, romantic candlelit dinner etc etc...and struggled through snow bound roads in norwich instead to get me to hospital!  Good thing though...theyd already got my room ready for the following morning for my induction.

So no advice really chica...cos if you tell them they are going to be induced...odds on the night before lol