I've had two inductions. My first birth story with DD is on here somewhere, and while it wasn't the birth I hoped for, the induction was easy and simple. I haven't posted DS's birth story yet as it's written on the laptop and I'm never on it, but it was so simple. I'll give a bit of an outline for both.

DD was 11 days overdue when I was induced. I had a new Dr as mine was on leave, and I had midwives changing all over the place. I saw them read my notes but they didn't pay attention. I had gels inserted at 8pm. I was checked the next morning, had no progress, and bang, c-section already mentioned. I get angry just thinking about it. More gels inserted and I made them leave me alone. 12pm another check, not enough progress, they want c-section. Again made them leave me. DD did her thing and was born at 5:45 that evening.

So while the birth could have been better, the induction itself was simple. No drip, no arom. Just the gels, and getting pushy people off my back. If I'd had the midwife I had for DS, with DD, I have no doubt it would have been a very different experience.

With DS, I did everything to avoid induction, I didn't want the same thing again, I wanted to know I could do it myself. But, there was no denying the size of this baby. I hadn't gained weight except for the bump, and that looked like it could have comfortably held two babies. The measurements were all huge and I was beginning to be in pain. The difference this time was I'd had the same midwife from the beginning, she knew my story and my fears, I trusted her 150%. She lied to her supervisors to get me more time, so when she finally said she needs to advise induction, I knew it wasn't something she took lightly. We did two s&s to try and get me going, and it almost worked, I lost my plug and had half a day of contractions that eventually went away.

So anyway, I went in and had the gel tab inserted at 8pm. Slept pretty well, and woke with contractions at 6. Waters broke at 6:30 so I asked them to hurry my midwife and told DH to get in asap. It was fast and intense, DS was born at 8:50 - less than three hours after I woke. But the induction itself was just that tab, again no drip or arom.

If I could give any advice, the first part would be to find out if they'll insert gels with a syringe, or use the tab. If labour gets going they can remove the tab so that it doesn't unnecessarily intensify things, but you can't remove the gels. Secondly, make sure you trust the people you're with. Don't be afraid to say no, or have DH say no. If you don't want the drip, don't take it. Don't let them push you into anything just because you're not fitting their timeline - DD's birth is evidence that things can happen on their own even if it's not as quick as they think it should be.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to keep asking your care providers questions beforehand so you know exactly what will happen.