Induction Reassurance

Hiya, I had an induction with my daughter and I’m not going to lie, it was very very intense. I had been given the pessary which honestly felt like the worst part. Then the hormone drip however I opted to also get an epidural at this time to help with the pain - as I have heard horror stories about the hormone drip (I can confirm there is no horror 😂 but it does make your contractions intense) - although my epidural didn’t work, I had gas and air and honestly with everything that happened in my labour, I look back on it sooooo positively because of the fantastic midwives I had during labour. Go into with an open mind, labour is different for everyone, however don’t be afraid to ask for help or pain relief if that’s what you want, it’s not worth stressing you and baby out 💗 You have got this, and remember you’re getting to meet the little human you’ve been growing for the last 9 months 🥹💗

Hello! Completely understand how you feel. I also had GD and was booked for induction - they initally wanted me to be booked in on the 39 week mark but I requested a date that was only 2 days away from 40 because I was hoping my baby will come between that time which didn’t happen! 😅 I completely agree with Amy. Do go in with an open mind as it helps. Ask anything if you’re unsure about something because sometimes you can be overloaded with information about your options. Also, listen to your body and baby! Remember, our bodies are designed to grow little humans and to give birth. You got this! My husband reminding me of my breathing helped me a lot + birthing ball. Can’t thank him enough to be honest. Actually to add, a really good birthing partner will help you. Good luck and you will be fine! Wish you a safe delivery and healthy baby! xx

Hi , im going to be brutal and honest; my induction was painful and i regret getting induced via the drip method. I did end up in an emergency c section however i dont want to scare you. - the reason why i ended up in a c section was because of fetal distress and my body couldnt handle the pain. the pain i thought i was able to get through it without epidural 💀, please ask for pain relief dont be silly like me. The c section in my opinion was the most calmest thing i ever experienced, yes they did press the emergency buzzer before i left my delivery room for theatre, yes about 6/7 people were in the room, BUT EVERYONE I MEAN EVERYONE was very professional, kind and friendly. Once i got to theatre i told them i was having a contraction and the surgeon let me squeeze her hands and said dont worry you got this. Within 5 mins my baby was out and the rest was them stitching me up. Go with a open mind like the above have said , GOOD LUCK ❤️

I was induced at 39 weeks for GD :) Had a failed balloon (dodgy angle and after 2 goes they suggested we try something else!) A pessary that fell out after 11hrs and only induced mild cramping. A sweep that did nothing. And a whole lot of bed rest and waiting around to be honest! Eventually they sent me home to wait for availability to break my waters and start the drip, and once they started the drip it was slow, then the intensity ramped up - I hit my limit about 6 hours in and remembered I wanted an epidural, which was bliss. Napped my way to 10cm and pushed out in 40 mins without feeling a thing, except some brief extreme pressure as the head came out. She came on her due date in the end 😂 so mine took a week start to finish. Aside from boredom, I’d say my experience was overall very positive. Get your partner on board with anything you do/don’t want, as with the drip it was intense and I wouldn’t have remembered I wanted an epidural until my husband said do you want one.

I loved my induction experience and I was really upset and against it at the time. Turned out amazing, no complications or interventions. Trust the midwives, they are truly amazing and will get you through anything ❤️❤️ I was in Monday - Friday it was slow, intense… but then what labour isn’t!?!? X

I was induced at 39 weeks with the pessary and my labour was very long 22 hours which saw me have every pain relief they could give to me 😂. I’m not sure about contractions being more intense but I think my cervix just wasn’t dilating so it was more you experience them more. My pros of the induction despite the long labour was having a midwife with you constantly. So you and baby are always monitored Being linked up to the taco machine so you could see contractions building which helped me prepare more for them. Once I had the epidural I felt pretty good 😂 My friend went into labour naturally and had a very long, complicated labour and birth. Remember you can’t compare everyone’s birth experience is different ☺️

I was induced at 40+1, went in on the Wednesday & had the balloon put in that night, taken down to labour ward 24hrs later and was in established labour, baby boy was then born about 15/16 hours later. I did also get the drip but by then had had an epidural so didn’t feel it! My friend’s mum is a midwife and she basically said if your body is ready for it, it’s usually pretty straight forward; if not, it can be quite painful & long x

@Jill hi could i ask if the balloon method was for second baby?

I was induced and I wouldn’t have had it any other way, I was only in labour for 5 hours! And normally people say they last days, but it is different for everyone but I really enjoyed mine and I only was on gas and air until I was 7cm and then pethidene for the remaining time, but I honestly loved my labour and I’d go back to that day in a heartbeat xx

I was induced and I couldn’t have asked for a better labour. I was 37w. They put rods in to dilate me for 24hrs then broke my waters and my body took over naturally from there. I had no pain relief and it was a nice quick labour. If you end up having to have the hormone drip they do say that it’s a lot more painful as it makes the contractions more intense and quicker x

@Aqsa hey, no this was my first baby :)

@Jill wow that is amazing as my trust didnt even offer the balloon was given the pessary and drip only

@Aqsa I’m not sure how they decide, two of my friends who also had babies in July/August (first babies) and all the same hospital, one was also a balloon and the other the pessary!