Hi,
I was induced for my son's birth. Labor and giving birth is a crazy experience - and its so different for everyone. For me inducing was definitely the right thing. I found it to be pretty relaxing to have it planned. The weekend before my husband and I went out to dinner, relaxed in the house and just enjoyed the quiet before the storm. :-)
That is, until I had a last minute panic attack about if it was necessary two hours before we were supposed to leave for the hospital! We actually have a sister-in-law who is a mid-wife who said that it sounded like the right thing to do which completely calmed me down. The reason we needed to do it was that my son was a big baby (and getting bigger by the day), and my body was not showing that it was ready to start labor.
The actual experience was that before being induced I was given something to get me ready for the inducing (I forget what its called.) Within hrs my water broke and then they started inducing.
Yes, the contractions came quickly. Since it was my first child, I have nothing to compare it to. But the whole experience felt manageable (although painful) with my husband giving me a backrub until I could get an epidural. After the epidural, things were better until my (big) boy checked out the situation and decided there was no way he was going to fit through my birth canal!! So we ended up having to do a cesarean.
All that to say, I'm just so happy to have him safe and sound. I don't know if there's a better way - but having the support of my husband and trust in my doctor made it easier.
Good luck no matter what path you choose. God bless and enjoy that little boy when you get him!!!