Anyone have experience with the gel?

[lesley&grace]

Tomorrow morning I am going over to the hospital to get that gel they put on the cervix to encourage labour. (my dosage is "1mg per vagina" )

Just wondering if anyone else has ever had experience with this? It's not quite the same as inducing with the IV, my dr said it's basically a push not a full on throw you into labour thing, and it may take more than one application but she doubts I'll need more than one because it's my 2nd baby and I have already started to very slowly start on my own.

We're giving me a push because I am having almost constant contractions for long periods of time, then hours of nothing, I'm not sleeping, I'm super uncomfortable and really cranky.

If anyone has had experience with this or knows someone who has, please share stories! I just want to know a bit more about how it feels as opposed to just the basic procedure.

Thanks!

[13Sandals]

my coworker recently went with the gel prior to her dd and it caused immediate and painful contractions that did nothing to dilate and she ended up with surgery.

she said the doc gave her the impression that the gel would either start labor or not, no big deal - but it was the beginning of a long and painful ordeal. unless there is something medical going on - I wouldn't do the gel this early. you aren't techinically overdue for another 26 days!

[lesley&grace]

I was just talking to my cousin and also my neighbour and they both had the gel applied...and had their babies 2-3 hours later. My dr is not big on induction and even told me if she did not think this would get me going without causing more issues then she would not send me for it. I feel confident that this is a good decision, the baby is ready, I am ready...my cervix is just being stubborn. Last night I could feel with each contraction the baby pushing down hard...but my cervix seems to be stuck at half-way there.
I need to fix my sig, I just realized it should read 7-12 days to edd, since my dates are off. Prego brain strikes again!

[MizLiz]

Hey Leslie,

From what I understand, the gel is quite effective - it can bring on contractions stronger than IV pitocin so it can't be used for VBACs, actually. Hopefully it will work great for you and you'll be holding your new little baby over the next couple of days! Maybe I'll see you at the hospital - I'm going in early Thursday morning for a c-section. Good luck! (labour vibes for you!)