Induction is a strange experience in that you're desperate to meet your baby but often you are given unsolicited advice on how awful it actually is! I find it strange that I have a baby now without knowing what going into labour naturally feels like but other than that, you get to experience birth much more naturally than you would with say a planned c-section. So if you've got that induction date booked in or there's been talk of a possible induction, read on for my advice to help you feel more prepared.
1. Come to terms with the changes to your birth plan but don't mourn it. I was meant to have a low risk birth in the birthing centre using water as pain relief and very little contact with any medical staff. This all went out the window but actually the things I thought I'd hate - like a midwife being present at all times - were actually quite nice!
2. If you have the balloon induction, don't wear tight trousers to your first appointment. The balloon has tubes attached to it which are stuck to your thigh to create tension. My skinny jeans were a challenge to get back on!
3. Don't wear nice knickers for the first stage of induction. I wasn't expecting to bleed so I ruined a pair of Calvin Klein's - nightmare!
4. Expect to be waiting around a lot without much progress. Once your waters have been broken, you need one-to-one care due to the risk of infection. If the labour suite is busy, they will hold off breaking your waters until they know they have a midwife for you which could even be 24 hours later.
5. Maternity units don't work on a 9-5 clock. If they say the next stage will happen the next day, it could be at any time. I had a nurse come to me at 4:30am to tell me she was going to break my waters... can't say I was expecting that!
6. Don't be scared when they tell you the instrument they use to break your waters is like a crochet hook. It makes it sound super scary and painful but it actually doesn't hurt a bit.
7. Be prepared for there to be a lot of fluid when your waters have been broken which will constantly leak until you have the baby. And it smells weird.
8. When the midwife says she wants you to be in so much pain you can't speak, she means it. But just remember this means things are progressing as they should be and you're well on your way to meeting baby.
9. Don't be a superhero. If you need that epidural, take it. Let's face it, your natural drug free birth is world's away so why not be as comfortable as you can?! And for the record, getting the epidural doesn't hurt a bit.
10. If you think you need examining before the next 4 hourly exam, tell them. Birth can progress very quickly with an induction and only you know what your body is telling you.
Enjoy those first precious moments. You'll soon forget the long induction process when they arrive!