Sporty Chick

i can't speak frm experience, but my SIL recently had her first baby. she was induced 2 weeks early. she had a stretch & sweep on the mon, and that didn't do anything, so she was induced via drip on the friday (13 days before her due date). i'm not sure that there was any particular reason for the induction other than she thought that she was having quite a big baby, and her OB was worried about the shoulders (he didn't actually turn out to be that big - low 8lbs i think)...
anyway, she went in in the morning and was put on a drip. she said that the contractions were uncomfortable but bearable. they were getting a lot stronger and they offered her an epidural (after about 4 hours i think). she asked how long until he would be born and they said probably another 3 or 4 hours... i think he was born about 1.5-2hrs after the epidural though, and she said that if she'd know it was going to be that quick she probably would have gone without.. anyway, she tore a little bit (but no perineal tearing), and all in all was VERY happy with the entire labour and birth experience. she doesn't regret being induced at all... didn't say that the birth was in any way traumatic and said to me afterwards "i'm glad i didn't waste my time worrying about giving birth - it really wasn't anything to worry about"...