induction 36/37weeks. help!!

[alwaysamummy]

Hi everyone. I m due to be induced in a couple of weeks at 36/37wk, very very nervous, even though have had 3 other kiddies, all were normal and natural and no probs, but this time, i'm gonna be 'started'. Consultant hinted that If I could start myself before this,thatd be a help, soooooooo, question is, any advise on how to kick of labour late 35/ early 36 weeks? Never been induced in hosp and so afraid that it wont work, maybe ending in c-sec, I have all sorts of crazy 'what ifs' running through my mind. Currently scoffing a pineapple, which I hate, drinkin raspberry tea like theres no tomorrow lol. cheers all. xx

[olivertheoctopus]

Why do they think you need to be induced this time at this stage? I'm not sure any of the old wives tales work tbh. Some people will swear that pineapple/curry/sex/walking miles/dancing to Shakira did the trick for them but I suspect babies come when they are ready. Seems like an odd thing for a consultant to suggest!

[olivertheoctopus]

Ps I don't think raspberry leaf tea induces labour, is just supposed to make labour itself quicker. Not that I believe that either based on personal experience...

[alwaysamummy]

hiya and thanks for getting back to me, induction to take place cause of medical reasons that they cannot monitor too well after 37weeks, I would be very keen to just be left to start myself like I always do around 41 week, but they insist. :-( . Baby is fine so far thank goodness. My huge concern is induction not working, so thinking about all these old wives tales that say can strengthen the womb and will help induction be successful. that's probably how i should've worded my first msge lol. and now i have a shakira song running through my head too. xx

[olivertheoctopus]

I wouldn't worry about induction not working, it does work but can mean more intervention but tbh if you have something which means they need to get baby out sooner rather than later then so be it and that should be your priority. I was induced with DS1 at 40+10 and it wasn't great so I would avoid if I could but if there was a medical reason why I needed to be induced earlier (choleostasis or high blood pressure being examples for two friends) then I wouldn't hesitate.

[Artichook]

I'm due to be induced at 39 weeks (in 12 days) and my previous pregnancies suggest I will not naturally labour until 41 weeks. I am trying to do what I can to prepare my cervix so it is favourable for a quick induction.

I read that Evening Primrose Oil can aid effacement of the cervix. I am taking 1000mg orally in the morning and may also start adding one capsule vaginally at night (I read about this on US forums but do need to do more research).

Sex every 24 hours as the prostoglandins in the sperm should also help efface and dilate the cervix.

RLT to aid a quicker second stage.

Clary Sage oil in an oil burner each night. This gives me braxton hicks each time, I am surprised by how instant the effect is. Nothing comes of the braxton hicks though.

Acupuncture is also meant to help and did get me started with DD2 (unless it was just coincidence) but its can be expensive.

[fridayatlast]

I was induced at 37 weeks with DC4. DC1 and 2 were both 2 weeks late, DC3 was tragically stillborn at 40 weeks (no known cause) hence the early induction with DC4 - just a precaution.

Having had the first two go two weeks late I was certain that it wouldn't work and would end up being a 'cascade of intervention' and a terrible experience. I was almost hysterical at the prospect.

But, I think by then my body knew what it was doing. I think far better being induced if you have already had one or two dc than if it is your first. It is more likely to be successful. I had a propess pessary, 6 hours later they broke my waters (4cm), then 12 minutes later DS was born!

Due to be induced with DC5 soon and not nearly as worried as I was last time. Good luck, I'm sure all will be well.

[organiccarrotcake]

How comfortable are you that the induction is required? If you're not, would you consider declining it? Or are you on the page with induction, and just hoping to work out what could move it on naturally instead?

I wouldn't bother with the pineapple if you don't like it. You'd need to eat about 7 to 9 of the cores of the darned thing to even be close to getting enough of the chemical in them to make any difference :)

Most importantly, and this is the hardest thing (I honestly don't say this lightly), try if you can to relax and "be". While there is little you can really do to kick start labour, being stressed can inhibit the hormones needed to set things off as your body will be reacting as if there's something dangerous going on, which means from its point of view you and your baby will be safer staying in one piece, for now. So if you can possibly try to take it easy, if things are going to happen, they're more likely to just do so. I know that's not at all an easy thing to do :( Good luck xxx

[alwaysamummy]

hiya all. well 'that' induction took place almost 8 weeks ago, I was 37wk preg, and did it work....NO! Have had 3 natural quick births before hand, but this time was so different, nothing would budge little daughter! took 4 days of procedures to actually give birth. Much more painful than other births. I certainly can say induction is very different to normal birth. Thankfully all is well now and a lovely little baby girl sleeps in my arms as I type this. thankyou for all your responses. xxx

[stepmooster]

Hi Alwaysamummy, I found your thread very interesting, I too have to be induced at 37 weeks and I am not looking forward to it. My first DD was born naturally, with gas and air and basically I was left to get on with it. Now I fear that I am going to have a completely medicalised labour, prodded/poked internally, strapped up to monitors and drips in my hand.

What is worrying me the most is not being able to give birth in the position I did last time. Even though they tried to get me to lay on my back last time, the pain was a million times more unbearable and I just got on my knees and clung to the bed.

If I end up on my back I think the pain would be too much for me and I would probably end up having all the drugs in the world and feel completely out of control and basically end up trying to give birth in fear.

Lots of people are telling me that because I gave birth natrually first time round, induction will be easy peasy. I think they are liars! Please could I ask you or others on MN who have been through induction after natrual labour what was the main differences? I think I would cope better knowing rather than hearing the, 'oh you will be fine, ' responses.

Glad to hear all is well with you and your little girl, and apologies for hijacking your thread btw. xx