Thankyou for this very good discussion on inductions. As I wrote in another thread I had an awful experience with induction last time around (I wrote pictocin because I couldn't remember the name of teh drip stuff and that was what the thread called it, but now remember after reading it here it was definitely syntocin that I had).

Quick rundown of my labour:
* hind waters waters broke naturally two days before inducement
* went in for induction at 41+3
* started with forewaters broken by ob which started gentle contractions
* I was happily wandering around the yard, labouruing actively as I had hoped for when the ob assessed me again and decided syntocin had to be given as things weren't happening fast enough
* no sooner was the drip put in the contractions came hard and fast, no more than 3 mins apart to start with and got closer as the day went on, so that as soon as one waned the next began with about 30seconds to a minute down time.
* cervix started swelling and counterracetd dilation
* pain got intense and by lunchtime I couldn't handle it with just breathing/relaxation techniques. I started throwing up and thought that meant baby was near but lost focus when told I was still just 3cm (as I had been when I came in at 6am that morning).
* I took gas for a while which helped me focus my breathing more than anything - it was turned right down.
* I got told off for moaning (the pain was so intense) as I still "had a long way to go"
* Was encouraged to take pethedine after having wanted only gas if REALLY needed, as they kept turnuing the drip up and my cervix kept swelling
* When the peth wore off, I was told to have an epi or risk c/s under general as my cervix was so swollen and no progression.
* Reluctantly took the epi to try and have bub vaginally
* His heart rate dropped dramatically and the m/w kept prodding me to "make him wake up". They realised that the epi dose had been too strong for me so when they went to top it up hours later, they only gave me 3rd the dose (thank goodness) but bub's heartrate was still very low.
* Finally he engaged and I was ready to push, this bit was quick and really easy - two pushes and he was out, but had the cord round his neck twice so it was cut betwen push one and push two, and he was born at 11pm (17hrs since my hospital admission) with meconium all over him and whisked away for recsusitation and kept in a humidicrib for two days (no taking out for cuddles of bf'ing) as his oxygen levels were too low.

It was a long, hard, painful and scary journey. I had felt I had gone into it fairly educated and without fear (had been practising hypnobirthing techniques and affirmations that when the time came my body would know what to do). I had known it would be painful so when the pain came I told myself that the pain was good as it meant things were happening and my body was birthing my baby. But everytime I was told nothing was happening I was disheartened and started to become weak in myself and my belief in my body. If I hadv'e laboured longer I wonder if I'd still have DS, so perhaps what was done was for the best, but for months after I couldn't help the feeling that my body was a failure, and useless, not even able to do what it was made to do and birth my baby naturally. I am afraid this time around, and know that for natural birthing to be a possibility, I need to release my fears and trust my body, but I find it hard to when it failed me so badly last time. I wish I knew what I could do differently this time to make it work how it should and have a smoother labour and better bond with my baby in those early days. Any advice?