Nervous about the big day

**einalem** · 23-01-2008 19:39

Although I've been waiting for this day for over 1 1/5 months (strong regular braxton hicks started then, there have been many false alarms and dissapointing trips to the hospital) the next little addition to the family will be coming on Friday. My induction day.

I am already about 4cms (as of last wednesday) but haven't gone into labor, she is stuck in there quite well.

My first born was a quick and easy labor, and everything went as it would in a movie, mild cramps I didn't give a second thought to for a few days befor, water broke at 5.30 in the morning, we rushed to the hospital and 7hrs later I was holding my son. He was induced by the drip in the end as he pooped befor he came out. But I was happily watching Saturday morning cartoons untill about 10.30 without too much discomfort.

I am assuming that the birth was quick because I was induced by drip, This time round they are just going to break my waters and see what happens. I am really nervous about it.

DS was so easy he really didn't prepare me for the pain I have already gone through with this one.

Has anyone else been through this? I don't like knowing what I am going to go through, it makes me more nervous than I think I need to be

**MoonstoneMumma** · 23-01-2008 19:51

inductions are scary. Hopefully if you are 4cm already you might go by yourself by then. if not, try out some clary sage oil - burn it, smell it, rub it into your belly (as per directions on the bottle of course) and then see if that works.

i am assuming you are going to nepean hospital and once you are induced they like to keep you monitored and on the bed. i mean, they cant make u be induced! they would have also done an ultrasound and checked out the fluid levels and the placenta - if they are all okay, and you are that worried by induction, maybe see if they will let you wait a bit longer.

it is totally natural to feel scared, i know i did when i was told i was being induced on a certain day. i never actually got there as i started labour by myself earlier that day! if you really dont think you are prepared, why not take a doula with you?

**TLCC** · 23-01-2008 19:58

I was induced with my first baby in a similar way. I was 3 or 4cms dilated but had not gone into labour. Head was engaged etc and cervix was good to go. Had my waters broken and was in established labour within the hour. The only thing really stopping me from going into labour before that apparently was that their was a bit too much of the bag between bubs head and my cervix. Once it was broken it was on. No more pain I don't believe than any other way of natural labour.

2nd time around, went into labour on my own. Laboured okay for about 5 hours then bag burst during internal exam (was 7cm's) and bub arrived 53 minutes later after about 2 pushes. It was very fast second time around after bag burst but it was over and that was the best part.

Try not to be anxious about whats ahead. Its hard knowing whats coming, but you also know how good it feels to hold a new bub and how the pain really does just go away.

Good luck and I hope you have a good birth and enjoy your gorgeous new bub.

**einalem** · 23-01-2008 21:18

I'm not too worried about being stuck to the bed, it was going to happen anyway, I have gestational diabeties so the baby will be monitored either way. My son was the same.

It has been a pretty painful and uncomfortable past 2 months with this one, as I said many trips to the hospital with bad prelabor pains (they actually know my name in the delivery suite), migrains and pinched nerves in both my thighs.

So I am, in one way, relieved to know that there is a definite end date to it all, it has made this week much easier to cope with, but I am really nervous about going through the labor, as I have no idea what to expect, time, pain, how well I'll cope. I only just handled my son and he was a quick little bugger.

I'm trying to live by my nan's motto of "it is all a mystery". Easier said than done though.

**bronny-jane** · 26-01-2008 05:36

i prefer getting my waters broken, ive had it done twice now.. and both times were fairly decent times from the breaking of the waters to the birth... dd2 took just over 4 hours, and damon took 6 hours... no need for the drip either time, its best to keep active and hopefully your contractions start soon after it happens... oh and the shower will be your best friend

, all that water, it comes out at surprising times

my contractions didnt get regular this time though, if i stood up or walked i was bombarded by them, but sitting down they came less frequently....

so, get in the shower soon after..just to wash that smell off... use heaps of pads...blueys to catch the flow...
walk around alot, and stay upright... and it should go well.... its normal to be nervous.. once those contractions start, it'll be replaced by "other" thoughts

**punkbaby** · 26-01-2008 06:19

Ask them for a monitor so you can walk around, i had one when i was induced and it was awesome

I was ready to go but bubs didnt want to move down (she come out with her hand on her face) so i had a good 3 hours of full on pain they were fully supportive of me walking around though, mind you the last hour i just sat on the bed and screamed my head off lol.

I would request this if you feel moving around makes it easier if they have one they should provide it.

Good luck, i have been induced twice, with my first it was a horrible experience but with my last it was pretty positive, although it seemed to come on quick i psyched myself up for it, i think thats why it wasnt as bad as i thought )

**einalem** · 27-01-2008 21:41

Everything went well with the labor, Cassandra came into the world at 4.40 on Friday afternoon.

They broke my waters at 9ish, put me on the drip at 2pm.

I was exhausted near the end, having not slept well for a few nights before hand, but the last few stages of labor passed quickly and I was only in any real pain for the last 30-40 mins.

I actually got through most of it just using accupressure - which is just amazing and really gave my dh something to do in the delivery suite-, and then gas in the last 3 or 4 pushes, mainly to help focus my breathing.

Thankyou to everyone for all their support, it really helped.