Good induction stories

I was induced at about 2 days off 40 weeks with DD because of high blood pressure and really did not enjoy the expereince (for a number of reasons) but what was worse was the shoulder dystocia - she was quite large at 8lb 7oz and while I understand that the position I was in (lying on the bed due to constant monitoring and epidural) may have had something to do with it, my obs reckons size is also an issue with shoulder dystocia.

The thing is, I wanted to avoid induction this time around and have been drinking RLT and will be starting on EPO tonight (probably too late....) but I find myself facing another induction. My obs says that this baby is bigger than DD (he is VERY accurate - he was much more accurate than the ultrasound I had with DD which put her on the 50th centile!) and I trust him a lot - he was excellent last time and had DD out before I even knew there was a problem. Anyway, at my next visit (tues, 38 weeks) he's going to give me an internal and if the cervix is cooperative he will suggest induction. The head is already engaged.

I have read so many horrible things about induction what I would really like is to hear from people who have had good induction expereinces. I struggle with mixed feelings about the whole thing - I soooo want to expereince a spontaneous start to labour, but I am very nervous about the size of the baby and the chances of shoulder dystocia again. Also, I trust my obs and there seems little point in having one if you ignore their advice. I also must admit to being a little excted about meeting Sebastian, and would rather have him sooner than later!

So I'm hoping out there that there is someone who has a positive story to tell me!

I was induced with gel at 41weeks 2 days.
I only had the one lot of gel, and that got things going, but I had had a S&S and acupuncture 2 days prior (and would highly suggest the acupuncture).
Gel was inserted at 10am, I went home til 5 which was when I had to be back as they'd admitted me, and things got a bit stronger, but just tickly by about 7. By 9-9:30 I couldn't stand it anymore and got in the bath where I stayed for a few hours, then decided to have some gas, then came pushing out my beautiful 10lb 4oz DS.

My birth story should be in that forum too, for more info. But the induction itself was very straightforward for me, and no drip so no immediate pain like I'd read about.

The one thing I will say about inductions is that it is a completely unique experience from one birth to another and one woman to another - what you went through last time may not happen this time regardless if baby is bigger or not. Also subsequent births can sometimes be easier as the first one has 'paved the way' so to speak. usually shoulder dystocia is a positional problem too - try some exercises to get this little fella in the optimum position for birth will help you immensely as will the positions you use during the birth. If your Ob is keen to induce at 38wks then naturally he will be smaller than if he was left to term too. One other thing is that he will be two weeks early - not always an issue but if he isn't ready to be born then sometimes that can bring it's own implications.

Good luck - I am sure the decision you make will be right for you.

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"...