Recovery after an induction

How long does it take to recover after an induction as opposed to a normal vb assuming there are no complications. Do you need to stay in overnight after the baby is born or are you able to go home after a couple of hours?

Yup what bizzy said, though I went into labour naturally I was induced - first waters broken (the bit that hadn't broken yet) and then later when things slowed down I had syntocin.

Induction doesn't affect anything as far as I know, but if you need forcepts etc that could potentially affect it.

What the others said - it depends! although I would add that it does seem more common to have epidurals with inductions (or maybe that's just people I know?) - and after I gave birth with an epi (after being induced) I couldn't stand up to have a shower so wouldn't have been going home. Plus had a drip in overnight and a catheter so the earliest I would've been able to go home was the next morning (though I likes the hospital so stayed in for 3 nights).

I was induced with both my boys.
#1-I was given the gel twice with no luck.Next day was given the drip and then later on an epi.My boy was born the next day.When epi had finally worn off I transferred to birth centre where I spent 3 days.
#2-Waters broken and 4 hours later my boy arrived,only had gas.Got to birth centre about 10pm,.The next morning my midwife came to see me and agreed to discharge me.

2 very different births from being induced.I think it all depends on whether it's your first,how you feel afterwards,whether your Dr or midwife thinks your ready to go home etc.

I was completely induced (gel, waters broken, syntocinon). I had her at 12.55am and went home at about 10am. I felt fine.

For what it's worth, I had an epidural too. It was pretty much all worn off by pushing time, so I could move around (slowly) straight away.

Panda, from what I understand, if you aren't ready it can just be a long process.

I'd suggest talk to your MW about all the possible outcomes (good and not so good) and get a good feel for how she would manage it.

The kinds of questions I'd ask are:
Will your MW be there from the start or only when labour becomes active? If the latter, will she have contact with you during that time?
Will she do an internal before the induction (+/- stretch and sweep) to see how favourable your cervix is - this might give you both info about how the induction might proceed.
How many gel applications will they use before going to something else (if it doesn't work quickly)?
Do they do things like Foley catheters to ripen the cervix?
If they break your waters, how long would they give you (and what would they be assessing) before they give you synto?
If you have a clotting disorder, does this impact on how they do the induction?
At what point would they consider a CS?

I had 1 induction well before my body was ready. 3 days of gel with little response. Day 4, waters broken - nothing happened so synto and epidual. Baby evenutally born with ventouse and episiotomy. Ended up with hemorrhage due to all the intervention. Second induction, body was slowly preparing - cervix had started to efface and dilate. 2 days of gel - no response. Day 3 broke my waters. Labour started. 4 hours later, some but not heaps of progress - had synto. 1 hour later baby was born with no complications, only gas, no stitches. Completely different experiences.

First one, my LMC was totally hands off and had not discussed any of the above with me. Meant that I was feeling really lost and scared through the whole process. Second one, LMC was more involved, we'd talked lots about it and had Plan As (that it would work) and Plan Bs (if Plan A didn't eventuate). Turns out we used all the Plan Bs but becuase I was informed and we'd had lots of discussion, it was a much more positive experience.

Good luck. Lots of people have had really positive inductions where everything has worked well at the right time - I think having good information and good support are crucial. Hopefully your bodies and babies will play along!!

Thanks Flissty - that is great advice, will be having a long chat with my MW I think!

Yeah, that was same as me, Jess, waters broke at 39 weeks but luckily I got to 6cm before getting to the hospital 12 hours later except I jumped in the bath and that seemed to slow things right down so had an epi and then syntocin and a much needed rest!

I agree with talking to your mw about it. And being open minded and prepared for all circumstances that may arise.