How can I minimise intervention if I'm induced?

[LuluHB]

I was induced with my first and I was completely in control of everything. I had the gels at midday and then was left until the next morning at 8am for AROM. It wasn't until 2pm that I had the synto and even then it was a tiny dose until I'd had enough of all the waiting and asked for it to be turned up at about 6pm that night.

I had wireless monitoring so I was still walking around lots, in the shower etc. Definitely insist on that.

My girl ended up being born without any further intervention just after 10pm on the second night. You can get through an induction without it leading to forceps, c-sections etc - just make sure you dictate the timeline and give bubs the chance to catch up with the fact he's been given an eviction notice.

Best of luck.

[AndiE]

Thanks heaps gals, I appreciate your advice and you've probably reinforced what I was thinking re: taking things slowly each step. No idea about how many gel applications I'll need - I presume it will depend on my cervix length (it is already soft and starting to dilate). I am absolutely refusing any synto for several hours after AROM, and I do intend to be active and on my feet during the process. I had a CTG monitor on during DS2's labour and was able to move about and be upright, so while I'm not looking for continuous monitoring, that will be what I'll be asking for (well, insisting on, really) if it's necessary.

I had more than an hour of good contractions last night, so I'm sufficiently relaxed that if nothing else, all the pre-labour I'm having is ripening everything. Still astounds me that the strong contractions I've had (on three occasions in the past two weeks) haven't led to labour, but I heard third babies are notorious for pre-labour.

Re: refusing induction. Well, I'll be 42 weeks on Tuesday and I'm ready to have this baby. So while I'm doing everything I can naturally to avoid induction, I'm ready to meet my little guy. It's just that I want to manage this induction as well as I can. I've always felt quite educated about the birth process- what happens and why etc. I'm just not so well educated about inductions, so again I thank you all for your input.

I'll definitely be hypnobirthing again, and am in the right head space to that.

One more question ... is there a possibility the gel alone could kickstart labour?

[Traveller]

yes the gel may well kickstart labour, but if your cervix is as soft and dilated as it sounds they may prefer to go straight to breaking your waters as the gel is only for ripening your cervix.

[AndiE]

Thanks Trav. I'm not due in to the hospital till 6pm, so guess they'll do an internal and tell me what's going on. Gee, I might even be able to come home for the night if my cervix is ready and raring to go and go back tomorrow morning.

Admittedly I had a good sook last night about being induced. Logically I know I've done everything I can to start labour, but I know I need to accept that if induction is what it's going to take to have bub, then that's what it's going to take and it's not my "fault". Am still trying to process and come to terms with it, but feeling a bit more positive about things today.

[Beach Mama]

Sounds like you are in an awesome space AndiE Hopefully all you will need is the gel or AROM to get things going! I guess I am just a bit swayed as I didn't research inductions very well and ended up having a c/s because my body simply wasn't ready and now strongly believe babies come when they are ready and when we mess with the process we can set up inventions that can end up being worse than waiting. I really wish now that I had pushed for a few more days (was induced at 11 days over) as I believe even those few days can make a big difference in the end. As long as you have researched and have a bit of plan to work through with your carers you will be fine xoxo

[AndiE]

Thanks hun. I had such great births with DS1 and DS2 (though both spontaneous before EDD) that I don't want this bub's birth to be any different. I figure it's all down to knowledge and being in the right head space. Hopefully the rest will fall into place easily

[HotI]

Sometimes a good sook is an indication that things are happening. Hope your little one decides to move out on their own soon.