I'd be interested to hear opinions from you ladies who've been induced before. I had a growth scan 10 days ago and my baby's abdominal circumference is a little below average. I didn't think anything of it but the specialist was concerned because apparently that can sometimes mean that baby is not growing properly and a risk of stillbirth if not dealt with. But she also said that it's the hardest measurement to do accurately on a scan. So I'm having another scan next week.

But she's also recommending now that I be induced at 38 weeks. I have really mixed feelings about it - on the one hand I can't wait to have this baby and am really sick of being pregnant, but on the other hand I really wanted a natural birth and worry about the risks to the baby. My midwife today was really positive about it especially as it is my 3rd child, she seemed to think that it would be a straightforward process. They would actually do a sweep of the membranes at 37 weeks and if my cervix is already dilated, break my waters. If not, then medical induction would be scheduled for 38 weeks. I had a natural birth with Joel and that's what I was hoping for again - I don't want an epidural.

That's assuming my scan results are ok next week. If they're not, then I'm not sure what the plan is.

I guess I am looking for some advice and reassurance. I think I'm quite hormonal and being tired, uncomfortable and grumpy doesn't help me to distinguish between what's selfish and what's best for baby.

Hi Alana,
Big (((HUGS))), you must be feeling quite distressed at the moment and fair enough, not the nicest thing to have to deal with.


As for being induced every womens experience is different but if you are able be started off with a membrane sweep and/or having your waters broken then labour will be not that different from if you had gone into labour naturally, it's when you are given syntocinon that labour can be hard and fast as this is used to make contractions stronger and encourage them to come closer together, therefore not very natural, but it is still very possible to go through labour without an epidural.

From my experiences with induction, syntocinon with Tylar, gel with Riley and no pain relief and gel and ARM with Kairyn, I have found that my labour experiences have not differed that much, the pain side of it anyway
At the time with Kairyn I was glad to be induced, but after wished I had waited one more week, as they said my scan dates must have been wrong because he was more like a 36 weeker rather than a 37 weeker

At the end of the day you will know what is right for bubs and you, hopefully you next scan will give you better results.
Sorry if I have gone on, I hope some of this helps

Hugs
Jacqui

Hi Alana

I hope you are able to find some answers soon. I guess you probably just need to follow the advice of the "experts". If an induction does turn out to be straight forward for you, couldn't you still have a fairly drug-free labour as well as a healthy bub at the end of it?

Best of luck with your scan next week. Once again I am sure your specialist is just being extra-cautious after the loss of Maria and all will be fine.

Keep safe.

Claire

Hi Alana,
I'm really glad I had the induction because I don't think I could have kept sane another 2 weeks, although it was a long hard process. Loralei wasn't engaged which meant that I couldn't have a straight forward membrane sweep, I had 2 lots of gel 6 hours apart and 2 attempts at membrane sweeping which only just succeeded on the second go. There still wasn't much action so I was given syntocinon, the first try at this made babys heartrate drop so it was stopped, on the second go it was all on, fast and furious. I only had gas for pain releif as I didn't want to go the epidural again, I'm glad for that, I really wanted to experience it all. My midwife told me that if I hadn't been induced I would have laboured much the same anyway and it's not harmful for baby (I guess this does depend on if the baby is in the right position) as they're generally considered fully developed at 38 weeks, so I'm not too concerned that I didn't go into labour naturally, I'd go the induction route again without worry. Hope this helps. Take care.

Yip I agree with what the others have said. I was induced with Olivia, at 37 weeks. My body was pretty much ready to go, they checked me when I got to hospital, checked her (NST) also. They broke my waters as my cervixs was 4 or 5cms already. I asked for an epidural. (which I thought was great, but not everyone likes them). The Obst. had to tell me when to push, he was watching the contractions on the screen. She was born pretty quickly. I would definately go for induction again, as Amanda said by that stage I was well and truly ready for her to be born.

Alana, I hope you scan gives you better results next time. Maybe talk with your m/w about the pros/cons of induction with this pregnancy. They will be able to tell you what is best for how this baby is coping, lying etc......

TAKE CARE

Luv Ally

Hi Alana, I was induced with Alyssa , and also of course with Tyler (since he was already gone).
My induction with both of them was great. I was induced with Ally at 9 in the morning and was holding her only 12 hours later.
With Tyler, I was induced at 8pm and was holding him just 8 hours later.
I had an epidural with both of them,as I have really bad tearing during labor, so I will probably always get epidurals.

The one thing I liked about being induced with Ally is that I had all my housework done, laundry done, groceries bought, so that when we came home, I had a whole week of just spending time with her, and didn't have to worry about anything else. It was just nice to have it planned ahead, no surprises, and so everything got done.

I guess I'm just one of those types of people,who tries to stay organized and ahead of the game, so inductions have always been the way to go for me.

On a side note,(I had to be induced with Ally, because I had severe preeclampsia, so it wasn't by choice at the time, but none the less, I liked the induction)

Bridget

Well just to update you, my repeat scan measurements were fine so it's taken them a while to decide what to do with me! I had a sweep done last week which hasn't amounted to much except pretty strong Braxton Hicks every evening!

I am booked in for induction next Monday 26th, I will be 38 weeks and 6 days. I am feeling happy about this outcome as I knew that I would be induced by term anyway, but was nervous about being induced too early. So now I can start to get excited, and who knows, maybe the baby will come this week of its own accord! It is really nice to know that I have a maximum of 1 week to go, and as you said Bridget, I can have the house clean and the cupboards stocked.

Wow how exciting Alana, I'm very happy for you. This time next week you will be holding your wee babe or well on the way to holding your wee babe

Yay Maria how exciting! Bring on the baby!

Oooooooooh Alana - Next monday...how exciting!!!!! Have you got your nursery ready and your labour bags packed? They do say that as soon as an induction date is booked, bubs decides to come on their own

Best of luck for the big day.

Claire

Wow Alana, that is GREAT news! All the very best for Monday - you really are on countdown time now!

Yay Alana.

The race is on! My EDD is next Tuesday, but I'm hoping (please, please, please) for baby to be here by then.

Good luck to you.

Lizzie

Yah for the two inductions coming up. Two more new bubs to our little family. Can't wait to hear both the birth stories.

Luv Ally