Hormonal vs non-hormonal induction

If you can have non I would definitely do that route first, the hormonal drip makes the contractions ten times worse x

Non hormonal has less risks of requiring intervention so given the option I’d go for that first x

I had GD and was induced at 39 weeks as they didn’t want me to go past my due date. Just be aware that whatever you opt for may not work 🙈 I had a failed balloon insertion (dodgy angle), then a pessary, it fell out after 11 hours and maybe gave me a cm of dilation. Then a sweep, which got me to 2cm. Then I sat for 5 days while nothing happened, but because they were motioning me and baby and we were fine, we weren’t a priority over emergent cases, which makes perfect sense. I did many long walks round the hospital and local park. Eventually they sent me home until there was a bed and staff to break my waters and start the drip. I gave birth on my due date after all that 😂 after the drip, an epidural, had a vaginal birth with 2nd degree tearing. Have a happy healthy 17 month old now :) I hope whatever you opt for is more successful than mine, and good luck!

I was going to go with balloon but just bare in mind I was told you do need to be at least 2cm to have it x

I would ask for C-section , I started with non hormonal , then got hormonal after 3 days of suffering got emergency C-section. 80% inductions ands up with C-section any way . If you are at risk better don't suffer ..

QQ - what are they suggesting induction at 39 weeks? Is it due to your growth scans and size of baby? I have GD but they’ve let me go to due date (I’m 40+1 today) and NICE guidelines say that for women with GD, they don’t like them going over 40+6. Just wondering if you’re able to give yourself a bit more time. They’ve proposed an induction for me on Monday when I’ll be 40+5 which I’m not 100% on yet and will wait to see how I feel on the day

@Agne I’m not sure where you got 80% from. There is debate on whether or not it increases or decreases your chance compared to spontaneous labour. But even the studies showing a significantly higher chance of c-section due to induction the highest percentage I saw was around 42% but many studies saying lower than that.

I had the catheter balloon which is non hormonal to start things off but your cervix needs to be favourable to have that fitted. If it wasn’t then the hormonal pessary/gel would have been what I had next. I then had my waters broke 24 hours later as the balloon worked enough to open the cervix to a point they needed to do that, contractions didn’t start on their own so had to go on the hormone drip by that point. Xx

@Maneek they said because I’m taking metformin for the GD, they do not like women to go past 39 weeks if you’re taking that medication. I think it’s different if you’re diet led! Baby’s size is fine, in fact they’ve actually said he’s on the smaller side!

I’m on metformin too (2 a day although sometimes I forget but have been very well controlled with diet). They told me it’s 40+6 they don’t like women to go over. Wishing you the best

@Maneek it could be different for different trusts, I’m also on 4 a day so that may make things different, but in my area it’s definitely 39 weeks!