induction advice

I was induced at 38 weeks+few days! I had a very positive experience during my actual labour! I personally didn’t have balloon or drip during mine I had pessary and didnt need drip as labour came on without it but my sister had both during her first labour She requested balloon second induction🤣 She did have epidural and so did I in the end! It might take longer than you want but honestly, first baby stay relaxed be patient and bring ear plugs/eye mask. As it can be loud/bright on the ward so sleep is bad

I had the balloon and was worried it would hurt! It was uncomfortable but I explained to the midwife I was really nervous and she was amazing! I would advise someone else to drive if they send you back home and I had contraction sensations afterwards which went away as soon as I got home. I dilated the 2cm that I needed and then was on a waiting list to have my waters broken. At anytime you feel uncomfortable just tell your midwife! I agree with what the other ladies have said ignore tik tok! Everyones experience is unique!

I was induced at 38wks with first baby this summer. Had the balloon fitted on the Wednesday evening. Due to how high my cervix was and how far back it was, it was a struggle. It took a few attempts from a few different midwives - they let me use gas&air in the end so it's worth an ask! Went home and woke up the next morning and it had fell out. Went to hospital to be told it hadn't worked - I think because it had been such a faff to get it in, it wasn't in properly. Had pessaries next and had to stay in hospital. In the end it took 3 pessaries to be dilated enough. I was finally ready to break my waters at 9pm on the Friday, due to delays (emergency deliveries) I wasn't taken to the delivery room until 1am Saturday. I wish I'd slept at this time but lack of communication from midwife meant i didnt. Delayed starting the pitocin drip to try get some sleep but contractions kicked in so I couldn't anyway. Hadn't progressed much on my own after a couple of hours so started pitocin.....

...I'd read lots of horror stories and tiktoks about the hormone drip - and they did kick in fast. But I honestly felt they were manageable and was able to do it on gas&air alone. By 3pm I was 9cm. By 9pm still hadn't managed to get him out (he was facing awkward way) and needed help so consultant recommended forceps delivery - went to theatre, had spinal block and he was born at 23:30. Would still say it was a great experience, still magical and positive. I would have another induction with pitocin if recommended in future. Hardest part for me was being in hospital for days and going into delivery tired, so biggest advice is get sleep when you can! When I was told I'd need an induction I was abit gutted to not have a natural birth- because in my head natural meant less interventions, no horrible hormone drip I'd heard about. But Induction doesn't mean a bad experience, it definitely didn't for me! Good luck! ❤️

I was very nervous to be induced too - I was induced with a pessary. I went into the hospital at 8am and they didn’t induce me until 5pm, waters broke at 12am, had her by 1pm the next day with epidural and ventouse delivery (as her hand was by her face). Looking back it was an amazing and positive experience and I would go through an induction again. If I had my time again, I would try to make sure that I had less waiting time between going in to the hospital and being induced (NHS is AMAZING, but sometimes overstretched) and rest/sleep as much as possible.