Induction

Please do not be scared, I had one on Saturday worked within the first gel insertion, felt more and more cramping after about 4 hours, then in labour by 6 hour check. I then had a really lovely chilled labour, no complications and would happily have another in the future. You will be fine, just keep as active as you can, I kept walking around or bouncing on the ball, refusing to sit down for more than 5 mins xx

@Rachel aww congratulations!! Thank you! I think it’s the unknown of what’s going to work and what’s not xx

I was induced on Friday via hormone drip and it went perfectly fine! They check on you frequently and do as much as possible to keep you comfortable 🫶🏼 As Rachel said try stay active as it helps the process. Good luck 🥰

@Dominique thank you lovely!! Congratulations! X

Be hopeful it works quickly but also be aware it could take a long time and contractions may build and then fade. Everyone is different when it comes to induction, mine took a while and gels didn't work but we got there and baby is here safe and sound.

@Charlotte thank you!! How long did it take you? Did you have a natural birth at the end of it? X

I went in on Wednesday evening and she was born Friday afternoon. I had two gels and refused the third as had only dilated 1cm more and didn't want to waste another 6 plus hours trying the third and by this point my contractions were painful but then faded after a few hours. As I was over 2cm could have my waters broken. So waters broken and drip with epidural on the Thursday evening, couldn't move but was pain free and I dilated quickly once on the drip. Pushed her out naturally X

@Charlotte that’s actually a positive story! Thank you! I’m so so nervous

Id also suggest taking your own pillow this helped a lot with my comfort.

For context I was induced on my due date due to babies size. So think if later more chance the gels work. Just advocate for yourself as I was nearly pushed towards the third gel and glad I didn't. And if you go on drip make sure you eat before as you can't eat once on the drip. Wishing you a smooth birth x

I just had my baby at this hospital last week. I got threatened with an induction on the Tuesday morning, I was already contracting all of Monday and 2cm dilated. We went home at 4pm and tried everything we could to ramp up dilation/labour and agreed to an induction at 9pm on weds, but by the time I got there I was 5cm dilated and my waters broke so didn't need it. I would say the midwife I had for my delivery was so amazing considering I had wanted a water birth all natural but had to be in the delivery suite. They said we can make the room how we went, bring in a little light, have music etc (so maybe think to set the room how you would want to as the lights are bright in there). For being on the ward I would bring music/headphones as it can be noisy especially at night, they have birth balls etc so definitely ask for those if you can and walk around, I was walking around the ward etc. I also had my tens machine on whilst being monitored if that's something you use.

I would say to definitely discuss your birth plan/what would be your ideal with your birth partner before going in so that you can birth advocate for you, some midwives were going to the standard procedure rather than asking me first so we had to advocate a few times but as I said the midwife who delivered my baby was an absolute angel. I would also eat some good food before you go in as it isn't always the best there but they do feed you regularly!

@Lucie thank you Lucie!! Glad everything went ok for you! I’m so anxious today💔

I can imagine! I would definitely try to do everything you may not have done yet to try relax. On Sunday before I started contracting I spent the day taking loads of bump photos and videos to my baby, eating food I liked, having a bath etc, and watching a favourite movie. And try focus on meeting your baby really soon over anything else