hi bee

i was induced - as i understand it, the process can differ depending on where you're at, so this isn't gospel! because i wasn't dilated much, they inserted tape at about 6pm & then monitored me overnight in hopistal - they checked things like DS' heartrate & movement etc. by 6am nothing much had happened so they took me off to a labour room to break my waters & put me on a synto drip - this was by about 8am.

some people find the breaking of waters to be painful, but i just found it uncomfy (bit like a pap smear sort of sensation). i won't lie, the contractions were FULL ON! but then again, it's my only exp of labour so they might always be like that! i got through to about 2-3pm before i said that i'd like some gas - i found it helped me.

i was hooked up to the drip & a monitor all the time but i was still able to wander around the room, go to the toilet etc. the midwives were very supportive of trying to find the most comfortable position & also wanted me to move around. i actually found lying on my back to be the most comfortable - the one position i'd hoped to avoid after reading much negativity about it!

i was planning to see my a/c a few days before i was due to be induced but accidentally made my appt for the following weekend, oops, too late! damn PG brain!! i think it would be worth a try but many a/c won't start induction a/c until you are at full term. it would be worth contacting them to find out what they might be able to help you with though?

my DS was born at 5.48pm on the same day so all up labour was under 12 hours. so while it was full on, it didn't go on indefinitely.

i read as much as i could beforehand & i think that helped - i was keen to avoid such a 'medical' labour & birth but seeing it was unavoidable, i felt that knowing as much as possible helped me to reconcile myself to it & also to be prepared for what would happen. i did end up having to have an epidural & a forceps delivery but i knew that was a big risk so was kind of prepared for the eventuality.

anyways, hope that isn't too negative - at the end of it you have a beautiful baby that makes it all worthwhile anyway