I was induced at 38+6 for mild pre-eclampsia. I also had the cervadil tape + gel to ripen cervix. Dr said when he inserted them that bub was right there and cervix was pretty ripe and ready to go. So that may have helped me alot!
I got forgotten about so i didn't get induced until 10.30pm! worst thing ever!! (was meant to be done at 4pm). period pain started at 12.30pm and contractions were piggybacking and alternating between front and back alot between 2-4. Went to birth suite there and they started becoming regular. I was on a ctg which i absolutely hated! If you can get out of it with intermittant monitoring get your support person to try get this for you. You feel so constrained with it on. i pulled it off a couple times and my midwife got so grumpy at me...i didn't like her at all!! (she even said i could have a shower when i got there then took it back and said no i had to b on ctg - was very peeved off).
I was very adament that i wanted a drug free birth and so even though my midwife kept offering them i kept refusing. I tried gas for about two goes but i felt sick so i ditched it. I gave birth on my back, with no other drugs, hooked up to a ctg machine with no tearing in a four hour labour. So it can be done . I went in with the mindset and support people knowing that i wanted to birth this baby and that I COULD BIRTH MY BABY and I didn't want drugs. I also was very 'internal' not much noise or talking. I laboured in the room by myself after being induced where i could concentrate on what was happening and i hardly spoke throughout my labour. Just relaxed between contractions and focused on this baby being born.

My baby we 8lb 2oz and perfect. Good luck xx