I was induced with my DS at 11 days overdue, due to very low fluid levels (which meant the placenta wasn't working very well).

With my DD i managed to beat my induction by 2 days (was scheduled for 14 days over, which was my 2nd lot of dates, and i was happy to be induced then as i was sure that she was getting pretty far over, and my experience with my son).

With my son i started contracting the night before (the Sunday, was induced Mon morning). The Friday before i was already 3cm, which was good news. I think it was that i could finally relax and know i was having a child the next day that brought on the contractions. Because of this, i asked for just my waters to be broken to try and speed things along (would have been in very early labour, was 4cm on the Monday morning). I found that by asking in a nice way was the best way to achieve it, although i was a private patient and knew my obs.

I also didn't refuse the drip outright, i just asked for an hour or two not on it to see what would happen. But it did take a lot of work to try and get things happening (i had a great doula there to help) - being active, walking around that kind of thing. If i had just lay on the bed i don't think anything would have happened.

I was actually very happy with my induction - it was medically warranted so in no way do i have to feel guilty about it, as my baby's safety at that point was my no 1 priority. I felt that just having the ARM was a very gentle induction.

There are a number of posts on here about inductions - i will try and hunt them down for you. I know I've written before about how i felt about it.

It is scary and upsetting being induced - i know both times i found it upsetting - it just wasn't how i planned labour. But i would try talking to your caregivers (try the mids, not the obs maybe?), about it, rather than just not showing up.

Good luck! And lots of labour vibes

P.S. Induction doesn't necessarily mean that the rest of your plans for a natural birth need to go out the window, sometimes your body just needs a gentle push in the right direction.