I hated my induction experience

Having been a birth partner for my sister and seeing her get by on gas and air, I didn't feel daunted by labour, and looked forward to doing it myself.

My experience, however, was very different. Due to suffering from intense pelvic pain (SPD), I was offered an induction on my due date. At the time this felt like a god send, because I couldn't bare the pain any longer. I arrived at 8.30am on the 13th January ready to go!

I soon discovered induction wasn't what I had expected at all. I didn't realise how slow and painful it would be. My vision was blinkered and I was only thinking about the end result of having my baby in my arms and no longer being pregnant and in pain. I don't think the consultant really explained to me what the induction itself would involve.

My body was really sensitive to the pessary and then to the hormone drip. My baby's heart rate was dipping below what was normal after every contraction. My body was having too many contractions without pause. At one point I had to have an injection into my stomach to stop the contractions all together.

I felt really guilty and as if there was something wrong with me. Why couldn't I just have a baby naturally? Why did I decide to put me and my baby through this? Part of me wanted to have a ceasarean because I was terrified at the thought my baby was in distress.

The doctors and midwives urged me to continue and my sister and partner reassured me that I was doing a good job. I opted for an epidural the following day as the pain just became unbearable and my energy was running low. Unfortunately this didn't work first time round so I had to have a second. Everything seemed to be going wrong which was making me more distressed and disheartened that I wasn't going to be able to do this without help.

Finally, two days later, I gave birth naturally to my beautiful baby boy with the help of a ventouse. I was so relieved that he was safe and healthy, but as a result of having my waters broken I picked up an infection. It was hard for me to hold and enjoy my baby because I was so weak. We were in hospital for two days to ensure I hadn't passed the infection on to him, which luckily I hadn't.

I don't regret induction because I have a beautiful healthy baby, but I just urge anyone else in my position to really do your research into all possibilities in case you end up needing more intervention then you planned for. I hope I'll have a more natural birth next time.

You can't prepare for everything but knowledge is power and I definitely wish I had known more about induction.

Love Hattie x

Here are some photos from my baby's birth:

See what induction involves in BabyCentre's slideshow:

Ask a question in BabyCentre's online antenatal classes.

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