Most little girls dream at one time or another of the white wedding, cute little bundle arriving etc etc but very rarely does it turn out how you expect!

My husband and I had been married about 4 years when we found out I was pregnant. I was over the moon, although suprisingly apprehensive at times (must be the hormones!) During all the time I was pregnant I think I thought Id got everything covered, but not once did I dream I would have to be induced. Id got the whole natural birth planned with a pool and candles (V 60's I know!) Little did I know sometimes these things are out of your control!

It was at a routine midwife appt (about 36 weeks I think) that it was noted the fundal height hadnt grown as much as theyd have expected. I was duly sent for a scan the next day and was told baby had stopped growing and my amniotic fluid was disappearing (where it was going who knows because I didnt have any 'leaking' despite the MW being adament I should have!)
We carried on for about another 5 days with regular scans checking baby etc until I was told my fluid levels had gone to low (below 2.8 I think but dont quote me!) and so therefore I had to be induced!

I was petrified, in fact I remember going to my moms and crying! This wasnt what I had planned and dreamt about! Coupled with this was the scare storys about induced births - the fact theyre longer, more painful etc etc! I rolled up to the hospital the next day at 5pm and after the longest 2 hours of my life they inserted the 1st pessary at 7pm. Not something I would willingly have done but not as uncomfortable or embarrasing as Id imagined.

Off we went, my husband and I walking around the hospital car park and corridors trying to speed things a long. Nothing to much happening, except the odd twinge and fingers turning blue as it was mid december and freezing! I was told to report back to the clinic at 11pm which I duly did and was examined - being 2cm (thought to myself at this point, this is a breeze whats all the fuss about!) They decided to insert another pessary rather than break my waters and see what happened - off we went again walking round and things were happening, twinges were more regular and deeper but nothing to bad. In fact we sat in teh canteen while my husband ate sausage and chips at 12am!
When we returned to be checked again about 2am, the MW who examined me decided it would be a good idea to send my husband home. I know in her heart she thought Id be labouring for ages. As this was our first time we trusted her and off he went. I regretted it as soon as he'd disappeared because typically 5 minutes after my contractions really did become intense very quickly.
To cut a long story short I had a shot of pethidine to ease the pain (although Im sure they wouldnt have given me this if theyd have realised how far gone I was but they didnt do an internal!) then at about 7am pain was unbearable and after ringing for the MW I was sure I was nearly there. SHe obviously thought this couldnt be the case as Id only started the process 12 or so hours ago, hence she tried to get me to sit on a birthing ball and eat toast! Needless to say I refused to do this and not long after my waters broke (although again they didnt beleive me!)
Roughly about 8am I was nearlly screaming at the MW that I needed to push and she said you cant your husband isnt here! I said I dont care and she ran off to phone him! Then the worst bit of the whole labour, she had to do an internal whilst I was having contractions (not pleasant at all!) and her face was a picture, I'll never forget it! She shouted someone and said 'we need some help in here, we need to get her to delivery!' After asking me if I could walk there (erm I dont think so!) I was pushed round the corridor to the delivery suite where I started pushing and 45 minutes later my gorgeous daughter arrived weighing 6lb 1! My husband made it just in time thankfully!

In conclusion I just wanted to let people know that I was petrified of having an induced labour because of all the scare stories Id heard but my experience was on the whole a positive one and even though they say most inductions take 2-3 days to work from start to finish I was 14 hours and only in established labour for 6 so please if you have to be induced do not be scared and all the best to you!