bev309

Anyone been through one? I read Aquas birth story, but wondered if anyone could tell me how they work here in UK? Sorry got loads of questions - all of which I didn't think to ask at hospital Does my husband get to come with me & if so when does he have to leave? Are you restricted to the bed / ward? How long did it take you to go into labour? how long do you have to stay in hospital for? Was it more painful than 'natural' birth?
Answers to any of these questions will be greatly appreciated so I have a better idea of what I may be in for!

hotsexymum

what are they starting your labour off ????

bev309

Yes. On Thursday morning hopefully if nothing happens by then. I can't believe all the questions I didn't think to ask

Zanny

I was induced at 37 weeks. I went in on the friday night but I wasn't seen by a doctor until the saturday afternoon. They used prostaglandin gel on my cervix & that caused cramps that were like very mild contractions.. they came every few minutes. The first dose only caused me to dilate to 1cm so I had to have another dose 14 hours after the first. That caused proper contractions & I had dilated to 4cm after about 6 hours. The midwife broke my waters & I went from 4cm to 10cm in about 2 hours. I pushed for about 10 minutes & my daughter was out.

I was restricted to the bed for most of my labour.. I hated that part. I had to be monitored the whole time & all I wanted to do was walk around. The most annoying part of being induced was the waiting for things to happen at first.. but once it got going it was quite quick for me. Some people can have 3 doses of the gel & nothing happens.. they usually suggest a caesarian section if that happens.

My fiance was allowed to stay on the antenatal & postnatal ward with me from 9am - 8pm, but partners are allowed to be there the whole time in the delivery suite. I stayed in hospital until the thursday (I gave birth on the sunday) but that was because my daughter was small & the doctor wanted to keep an eye on her temperature & blood sugar.

Sorry this is so long.. I just wanted to answer all of your questions. Just remember being induced is different for everyone.

bev309

Thanks for your reply Zanny - very helpful - & it gives me a bit of an insight of what I may be in for! I am sure the MW put on my notes that I am 2cm dilated already, so hopefully that will go in my favour with starting things off if I do end up having to go in. Fingers crossed that I can get things moving beforehand though!

toriaaaaTRASH

My mum was induced with me, but trust me, you don't want that story. I just wanted to say good luck!

bev309

Thanks Toria - yes better keep that to yourself - I am not looking forward to the induction as it is right now without hearing horror stories!

Linzi

My midwife explained it to me a couple of days ago. Im not going to be induced anymore but just thought Id let you know what I was told.

She said that they start you off with a pessary (is that the right word?) with a hormone on thats supposed to help thin your cervix or something. If that doesn't work they'll break your waters, and if the contractions don't start within a couple of hours they'll start you on a drip. She went into a lot more detail than that but I really don't remember what she said lol Ill see if my OH remembers and update later if theres anything else

Im not sure if it's a different procedure either if you go overdue because she explained it to me as if I was going to be induced at 37-38 weeks.

xxx

bev309

Thanks Linzi - I've got a leaflet they gave me that explains all the differnt stages of the induction, but I'm sure she said they put you straight onto the drip, which seems a bit drastic to me! I don't like the thought of being stuck in the bed waiting I should have had someone with me in room to remember all the details & to think of questions - my mum was with me but I didn't have her in consulting room with me during sweep

Linzi

If they say they'll put you straight ona drip and you aren't happy about it, Im sure you could request them to try a pessary or breaking your waters first. I don't think theres any harm in that. I could be wrong though. You can turn things down though, don't do something you aren't comfortable with because you're worried about asking for soemthing else

xxx