Induction at 39 weeks

I was induced at 39+5. I didn’t have a good experience but thats not to say that every induction is like this. I had the hormone drip too so contractions were wild 😮‍💨. I ended up having a long labour with forceps, an episiotomy and a 2nd degree tear. I opted for an epidural in the end but it didn’t really touch the sides in all honesty. If I had another baby I wouldn’t have an induction unless it was for the safety of my child but this is my own experience of this. I do hear some positive induction stories ☺️

From everything I've read/heard, there isn't any risk of the placenta being to "old" - especially not at 39 weeks!! And there is a much higher chance of ending up with a very long labour, interventions and baby in distress (forceps, emergency c-section etc.) If you induce, but especially if you induce early and your baby isn't ready. The process of a baby being ready to be born is truely amazing. Wait for them to tell your body they are ready to come out and I am sure you will have a much better labour. Personally, from all the induction stories I've ever heard, I would only ever be induced if it was absolutely necessary (during the birth of my first a few months ago, the hospital recommended I was induced 24hrs after my water broke, despite there being no medical reason for this as both my son and I were doing well. I refused and had a wonderful, positive homebirth with no interventions, 65 hrs after water broke and a healthy and happy little boy)

I was induced at 39 weeks as baby was measuring on the 99th centile consistently and his lie was unstable so was going from breech to transverse, eventually settled head down so they offered induction at 39/40 or elective C/S. I really wanted to avoid C section if possible so opted for induction.
I had a really positive birth experience, went into hospital around 1pm and had an assessment, I had been having Braxton hicks on and off for last couple of weeks and that had dilated cervix to 2cm which was a great start. It was still posterior and long so needed to change before they could break my waters, I had the prostin vaginal gel which definitely started some tightenings. Me and other half left the ward and just wandered round the hospital coming back every couple of hours for a check, then watched a movie on the laptop whilst I bounced on the ball. 6 hours later was examined again and the Cervix was 2-3cm and they were able to break my waters so we were waiting for a midwife available on the labour ward.

At this point I was uncomfortable so had paracetamol and codeine tablets, went round to labour ward around 1am (partner stayed with me all this time). Had a lovely midwife who broke the waters, then gave me space to mobilise around the room, bouncing on the ball etc. Re assessed around 7am and cervix was 4cm so started some gas and air as was definitely feeling the contractions. Also was in the shower as that helped with pain relief. Re assessed 4 hours later and was 4-5cm so they suggested starting the oxytocin hormone drip as things had slowed. I had no issue with this and asked for epidural as knew it could still be a while before baby was born. Really glad I did! Took a couple of attempts to work and that was uncomfortable but once it did that was fine, 6 hours later I was fully dilated and epidural was working apart from pain on one side but at this point we were ready to push. Pushed for 1.5 hours in an upright position which felt like 5 minutes, vaginal birth with small episiotomy x

I didn't feel the epis or stitches afterwards at all because of the epidural so really can't say I noticed any of that. Had a haemorrhage as placenta was coming out so we had everyone in the room for about 15 minutes giving IV medication and fluids to stop bleeding, but honestly the team were so slick that even though it was an emergency I felt totally safe and kept baby skin to skin whilst they were doing their jobs. The drugs they gave me to stop the bleeding made me keep being sick for the first hour after birth which was probably the worst part as I have a phobia of vomiting! I think being mobile and not just laying on the bed the whole time, even with an epidural to keep changing position (my other half had to literally lift me on the bed as couldn't move my legs), really helped things along. Also having lights dimmed, our music on, trying to make it a fun experience. I can't fault it tbh even if it wasn't textbook perfect, I dont think any birth is. Hope that helps:)

I had my sweep 40+2 so I know it's a week later than you've got there but labour started within 48 hours and the sweep was basically a smear on steroids so not pleasant but not awful. I didn't need any of the next stages of induction so I can't comment on those I'm afraid.

I have been induced twice both needed for medical reasons. If you don’t need to be induced and baby is fine I honestly would decline it! It can be a long and painful process and much better if you let things happen naturally ☺️

https://www.sarawickham.com/information-updates/the-myth-of-the-aging-placenta/

My friend had a c section at 39 weeks because her placenta had basically stopped doing anything which was causing risk. As far as I was told by the hospital, it's usually if you go overdue, it's something they look at more. I was induced with both of mine, one at 40+5 due to GD and other at 38 weeks because nothing happened after my waters broke, also she was huge for the gestation. Both my inductions went OK, no birth is enjoyable, both hurt like hell and both took nearly 2hrs to come out but all fine in the end. Literally every birth is so different xx