Induction

I had I believe it was the pessery. That wasn't too bad, a bit uncomfortable them feeling your cervix and placing it but not bad. I then chilled for 6 hours. Went for a walk in between being monitors. The worst part of being induced for me wad the canula as I had to be given antibiotics during my induction as my waters had leaked. After 6 hours my waters broke. I ended on oxytocin, which puts contractions on steroids. I did a little while without any pain relief on that and then I was like oh boy these contractions are intense and had gas and air which doesn't stop the pain you just don't care about the pain. I'd describe it like being in a wave pool, your jumping over the waves, they kind of hurt but you just don't care.

I was induced! I had a pessary inserted (they leave in up to 24 hrs) I was having contractions after 9 hrs, they removed it. Labour ward was full so couldnt have waters broken. Had waters broken/sweep next day in afternoon! I didnt need to have the hormone drip My sister has had two inductions, her more recent one (in aug) she had a tablet orally given to her and went into labour the following day because labour ward was too full. She had hormonal drip but had epidural so didnt feel it! Expect to stay at least overnight. Bring headphones (something to watch stuff on), earplugs, and eye mask (lights bright on ward) Wont be a good nights sleep, they wake you every so often and others might be loud on ward!

I've been induced with all my babies. The induction process can take a while and you might need more than one pessary ! You will be monitored after the pessary and then be encouraged to move about walk go for food ect. The first time my waters broke on their own second time I had lost my baby and she was born in her sac so my waters didn't break and my third time my waters got broke for me. It can just take a while so make sure you sleep when you can. You can request gas and air for the pessary insertion and examinations too in my experience it was uncomfortable to have inserted. My partner was allowed to stay the whole time too but maybe check with the ward. I will be induced this time around too x

@Chloe OH you reminded me of how horrible the examinations are🤣 They are uncomfortable. I had a man who wasn’t gentle

I had the drip with my first as I was 42 weeks and my waters went, but had meconium in them.. they turn it up gradually but my contractions were coming so thick and fast I couldn't catch my breath in between them. So I had an epidural... do you know what type of induction you are having? X

Thank you everyone, just nice to have some insight into what it could be like!

@Sam i only got the call with my appointment this afternoon so all i know is the date, time, and where to be 😂

i had a wonderful induction with my first! i was induced due to medical reasons at 39+6, pessary was inserted at 10:30am when i was 1cm dilated. i had an outpatient induction so went home with cramps and had a nap for a bit. contractions started around 4pm and i carried on with my day, went the shop, got last bits sorted for baby. they got intense around 10pm, i tried to sleep again for some reason (obv didn't manage to but think my husband did so guess that was good🤣). got to hospital about 11:30pm and was 8cm dilated. the rest is a bit of a blur as i was so in the zone, i know my waters broke on their own at some point and baby was born at 2:57am in 3 big pushes! honestly i look back on it so fondly and it felt magical to me, i didn't really want to be induced but decided it was for the best. good luck!!

@Jemima oh ok! Well maybe go in with an idea of what you'd like and not like. I've said if I need an induction again I don't want to have the pessary or balloon, and want to go straight to the drip. They've said this is possible of my cervix is soft, so worth having an idea what you might like.. good luck x

@Sam that’s very helpful thank you, i’ll do some research!! x

Both mine were induced and I’m desperate to do the same this time. I was in and out super quickly!

I had an induction and it didn’t work for me. I had cervidil tape inserted (similar to the pesssary) but 12 hours later no progress. Dr broke my water (absolutely excruciating pain given my cervix was entirely closed) and then the pitocin drip. Drip was so painful right away. Eventually baby become distressed and I had a c section to get him out safely. I was 41 weeks. Inductions increase the chance of needing a c section by 50%. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - just something to keep in mind!