I've had four inductions, and they were all really easy, but definitely got easier each time. The first one was at 38 weeks due to pre-e (which probably wasn't really, but, that's a long story), and I laboured for about six hours. It was quite painful but that was on an unripe cervix and I wasn't well prepared or supported. With #2, I was two weeks over with a baby with an unstable lie. The induction started with a PROM and then the drip, and labour all up was about four hours. It was much, much easier, and I was so surprised when it was all over. #3 was amazing - just about pain free until just before the end. (That was an induction at 39 weeks for non-medical reasons.) I had #4 spontaneously, but #5 was induced at 39 weeks and again was a really easy, amulatory labour with a fast delivery at the end. Four hours all up, I think.

The trick I found with my inductions was working to keep them as "natural" as possible - moving around, getting them to increase the synto slowly, etc. Being ready definitely made it easier.

Ironically, my most painful labour was the one with dd#4 - a spontaneous labour! (#6 was pretty much pain free too, that was spontaneous.)