I have heard that an induction can alter or prolong labour. Does anyone have any experience of this procedure so that i can make up my mind what to do.

Hiya, I was allowed to go 2 weeks over due before being sent to hospital to be induced. I ended up being in there for 3 day & having a pessary and induced with gel but nothing really happened so i was finally taken to have my waters broken & put on a drip to bring on my contractions ... that got them coming within 5 minutes & after an 8 hour labour i had a healthly baby boy weighing 9lb 4oz! In total i went 17 days overdue ... Good luck, wouldn't worry too much & it doesn't really hurt and is all worth it in the end!

The main reason for induction of labour is going overdue. Different hospitals have their own criteria for how long past your due dates they will wait before inducing, but it is usually between 10 and 14 days as the placental function can dramatically decline after this, putting the baby at risk. There are other reasons for induction (sometimes pre-term,but rarely before 37weeks) including diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or if your water breaks before labour starts. Concerns for the baby's health and wellbeing may also effect whether and when you may be induced. When induction is considered, your doctor or midwife should discuss all options before any decision is reached. Hope this helps you. Susie.

I had about 12 sweeps and then I went into labour but I didn't dilate more than 3 cm after about 4 days!!!! so I had to have the synto drip anyway... every labour is different. you'll be lucky to have a straightforward, pain relief free labour, but however it goes you will be a mum at the end of it!! Don't stress, that is the key

I have had one induction 2 natural births and 2 Caesareans! I have to say that the longest labour was the one where I had an induction - first a sweep then a prostaglandin pessary which brought on labour after four hours - but it was very long. It was my first baby though so the long labour could have been down to that. I think if the docs say you need to be induced for the baby's health it is best to do it. It's not that bad and some people think it's better than waiting for labour to start or going very overdue?

I had 3 internal sweeps to get my labour going. It was a long labour but that was to do with the fact that H turned and got stuck!!