Jac

Have you had any internals at all? I only ask because at 38 weeks I was already 2cm dialated and my cervix had softened and all without any contractions.

I was induced at 39 weeks due to high BP. I was giving my first lot of gels at around 9 am which did nothing. I did want a second lot of gels as I was terrified of having my water broken but they ended up breaking my waters. I was pretty much in instant labour and whilst it was intense it was bearable. The only other intervention that occurred was a shot of pethadine and I was in labour for 5 hours.

It will depend on your body and your baby. Inductions certainly are intervention and can lead to more intervention but that is not always the case as evident from all the posts of different experiences here.

If he is looking at inducing you at 38 weeks have you thought of trying a few natural methods of helping to ripen your cervix etc. Take a look at Fletch's thread - there are some great tips there.

And just a point as well - I read in another thread that you can ask for the drip to be turned off once labour is established.

Good luck with it all.