Being induced On Wednesday?

Question

I'm being induced with my second baby on Wednesday, (5 days overdue) as i have high blood pressure. How long does it usually take from when they use the gel until birth.

I know everyone is different but i'd like to get a rough idea, I have had a membrane sweep and have been getting braxton hicks quite a lot.

Answer 1

Hi,I am a midwife and induce lots of ladies some do it very quickly and some need the 3 lots of gel.We usually set you off in the morning then reassess 6 hrs later when we usually break your waters if able to if not you get some more gel then reassess 6 hrs later if getting late at night we leave you till morning then start again either with 3rd lot of gel or hopefully by now breaking your waters.So it can take a while sometimes but you are over due so hopefully your cervix will be softer and starting to open so they may be able to just break your waters.did the mw say what your cervix was doing?? The membrane sweep is also very good worked on me! and on alot of women so lets hope you do it yourself before weds.Good luck xx

Answer 2

It really is different for everybody, and depends whether your cervix responds to the Prostin gel or you need to go on a Syntocinon drip. However, do bear in mind that second babies are as a general rule far quicker and easier than baby number one, and that the sweep should help things along. Hopefully if you're getting Braxton Hicks contractions your cervix may be softening up naturally and the Prostin may be all you need.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Well everyone is different so there are no guidelines but the following may be useful; a second labour is usually quicker by up to a quarter of the time of the previous delivery. With an induced Labour, start with decent pains from the onset, no easing into it, and sometimes they break your waters first to see will that start you. Most importantly you know that you are going in on Wednesday, the mind plays games with your body I bet you will start before then its a very common phenomenon. Good luck and remember your breathing!

Answer 4

With my first I was induced 2 weeks over, but with pitocin only and I was in labor 24 hours. First babies are usually pretty long, even when incuded. With my 2nd I had the cytotec pill (similar to the gel) 1 week over, I had a 6 hour labor with her...it was great. My 3rd started with a membrane sweep and lots and lots of braxton hicks, then I had cytotec again with her 1 week over and was in labor for 11 hours. I heard from my nurse that it's normal for 2nd babies too come quite fast. I'd say for you between 4 to 12 hours is what you should expect. If you can keep your body completely relaxed, and get up every couple of hours it should help it move along faster. Good luck!

Answer 5

Hi - I was induced with my daughter. I had the gel at 7am and she was born at 12.45am the following morning. I am also being induced on Wednesday due to high blood pressure, and I was told by my midwife this morning that it could take up to 2-3 days! It all depends on how dilated you are when they give you the gel. When they gave me mine, I was already 2-3cm dilated so they only had to give me one lot of gel last time. I am hoping it will be as easy tomorrow!

Good Luck on Wednesday - It's nice to know that someone out there is going through the same thing as me!!!!! xxxxxx

Answer 6

It depends on whether the gel works or if you need pitocin.

If it is just the gel you are looking at a normal labour. What is normal for you, I can't say. But probably less than your last labour.


If they use pitocin it may be shorter but much harder on you and baby.

Check your Bishop's Score for an idea of the chances of success:

http://www.mother-care.ca/bishop.htm

Please research the dangers of cyctotec/misoprostol and be sure to say NO! http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/cytotech.html

More about induction:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/inducing.html

Best of Luck.
Only you can decide whether induction is right for you, but read these and other articles so you can make a truely informed decision.

Also the same chemicals (prostaglandins) in the gel are present in semen and evening primrose oil. You may want to try those. Semen *may* work better if taken orally, some studies have suggested it. Also you don't have to have sex if it is too uncomfortable as unromatic as it is, hubby could just make a deposit. (Sorry TMI i know!)

Some info on primrose oil and other natural inductions: http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html#Ripening

I would double check other sites as well before deciding to try any of these methods.

Congrats!

Answer 7

I really feel for you. I was in the same position I had hypertension and they sent me in for induction. I was in for three days. I had my first set of gel and nothing happened. I had a second set the day after and still nothing happened. On the morning of the third day I had a third set of gel and when nothing had happened by late afternoon I had a cervical sweep. I began getting contractions at 7:30 (just as Coronation Street began the cheek!) and gave birth at 2:41am. Everyone is different and the gel can bring on labour in some women quite quickly. Good luck for Wednesday!

Answer 8

I was 5 days overdue with my first baby and had to get induced as well. The gel, for me, TOOK FOREVER!!! But like you said everyone is different. I got to the hospital at 7 in the morning, got started at 8 (with the IV, pitocin, heart rate monitor, gel couple hours after the pitocin). I wasn't ready until 22 hours later! I sure hope that it won't take you that long, seeing as though this is your 2nd.

Answer 9

You may not go into labour on the first attempt of induction. Sometimes it can take up to three goes. To get things going, you should try and go for a brisk walk once the gel has been applied and try walking up and down stairs. It'll help things get going.

You need to be aware that some women suffer much harder and faster labours through an induction, so it might be worth making sure you discuss pain relief options prior to be induced.

Answer 10

I was induced on Wednesday evening, had first gel at 6pm, then another dose at 6am on Thursday morning.Didn't start getting serious contractions till late Thursday night, spent 12 and a half hours in labour before finally having my baby by emergency c-section at 10am on Friday morning!!

My friend was induced on Saturday morning and didn't have her baby till Tuesday night by which time he was 14 days overdue!!