Induced and went without epi? Come on in. =)

BeachBucket

Hello Mommas!

I am 38w 1d and expecting a little boy, Max. I have had a great pregnancy and always knew I wanted to go pain med free. I've observed several births, taken classes, and read the books.  At 28w I was dx with GD and have remained diet controlled. My OB will let me go until my due date, but that is it. My numbers are dropping very low and placenta is staring to show signs of breaking down. 

I am currently 2cm and 80% effaced. And I guess I'd really just love to hear about your birth if you were induced and went without an epi. OB will start a pit drip on a low dose in the beginning and feels confident that my body **should** be able to take over at a certain point since I am already thinned and dilated.

Of course, I am crossing everything that Mr. Max decides he wants to come on his own. I would just like to be as prepared as possible if that does not happen.

Thank you all so much!

MississippiCatfish

I didn't have the best birth, I was induced with prostaglandin gel and cervadil.  My waters broke spontaneously and after that I began to have hard labor.  I did go with an epi, but it failed (only numb on one side from the thigh to toes - this experience was awful and why I'm so committed to natural birth the next time around!!!) Anyway, after about 13 hours of hard labor, my Dr started Pitocin and I felt absolutely no difference in the intensity of my contractions.  I know other women have different experiences, but I was terrified of the pit and then it really didn't change the sensations!  Best of luck - you'll do great!

amandaleigh1

I am glad that it sounds like your OB is on board with low amt of pitocin and trial of turning it off. That approach worked for me. When I was induced, I wasn't effaced or dilated at all. I had cytotec which got me fully effaced and did a little pit for a few hours to jump start labor. I got mostly dilated all by myself and spent a lot of time in the tub, epi free

BeachBucket

amandaleigh1 said:

I am glad that it sounds like your OB is on board with low amt of pitocin and trial of turning it off. That approach worked for me. When I was induced, I wasn't effaced or dilated at all. I had cytotec which got me fully effaced and did a little pit for a few hours to jump start labor. I got mostly dilated all by myself and spent a lot of time in the tub, epi free

Thank you so much for your response! I am also planning to labor in the tub. My OB is great and really supportive of my choices. I do feel as if she is on my side when going med free.

Thanks again!!

LOVEmyLUTZS

I am a doula and I attended a birth where the mom's water had broken and she had absolutely no contractions whatsoever, she was already dilated to a 3. First she tired to just used a breast pump to get contractions started and when that didn't work she had Pitocin for about 3 hours, finally dilated to a 7 and then they shut the Pitocin off and she got in the birthing-tub to deliver her son within an hour. This was her third birth and all were med-free, this was her second birth while being on Pitocin. I'm not going to lie I was flabbergasted to see her working so silently and strongly through her contractions, but it can be done. Birth is all mind over matter. I doesn't matter how much you want something, if you don't believe in it the outcome won't be what you want. Trust your body and keep your thoughts positive. The moment you tense up with fear is the moment you lose control of your labor and it's hard to get it back. If it comes to being induced, also ask your OB about pumping and stripping membranes, I can't stand to see OBs go straight for the Pitocin. GOOD LUCK! I'll pray for you! 

cwm11985

My water broke on its own but I never had contractions so I ended up having to get Pitocin.  It was rough, I will not lie; I forgot pretty much every pain management technique that I knew to try (thank GOD my nurse was incredible and so helpful, as was the labor tub).  I never even considered getting an epi (22 hour labor).  It was in my plan that they were not to ask me about it; I would bring it up if I wanted it.  Even throughout the pain it didn't cross my mind because I knew I didn't want it as an option.

JJ_13

I was induced at 41w9d due to some questionable ultrasound results (which turned out to be false, thankfully). I tried all the natural induction methods first - including castor oil and black cohash. They got contractions started but they stopped shortly thereafter. Then, they swept my membranes and I went on pitocin. When they started pit, I was where you are right now - 80% effaced and 2 cm dilated. THey started pitocin at level 2. The contractions immediately kicked in and were very, very, very intense and painful. I am not going to lie - it was very difficult and I felt like I got almost no break in between contractions right from the very start - even with the low dosage. After an hour, we went up to level 4 and we stayed there. It was 7 agonizing hours until I hit transition which was an out-of-body experience. I don't hardly even remember the pain because it was so intense. About 20 minutes later, they checked me and I was at 9 cm and they turned off the pitocin. I actually didn't know they had turned it off until a couple of weeks later when talking to my doula. I think by that point, pitocin and non-pitocin contractions are probably pretty similar in pain level. About 30 minutes after that, I delivered my LO in 12 minutes of pushing. LO went straight to the breast and stayed skin to skin for a long time. I delayed newborn weighing etc for about 3 hours.

All in all, although I hate that I ended up being induced, it was a positive birth experience. You can do it!

BeachBucket

Thank you all so much!  I really have renewed confidence in myself to get through this if induction does happen.

OB did offer to strip my membranes next week and mentioned pumping. Of course I am up for anything avoids induction. We will be doing it all.

kjojola

Med Free birth, no doula, no books or classes, just a lot of determination and yelling. I was 39 weeks, 80% effaced and 5cm dilated before the doctor broke my water... I was in hard labor for maybe an hour, total labor time was eight hours. My daughter came out in time for dinner I got very lucky indeed, my birth was easy compared to some stories I have heard. I will have all of my children naturally, simply because I thought it was an amazingly enlightening experience. Every woman is capable, but I can understand why some women choose medicated birth.

SarahinMD

I was induced after going the full two weeks late my midwives would allow (five weeks ago). Originally was just going to do pitocin but midwife decided to let me start with cervidil. That was all I needed...got it at 10:30 pm, needed DH to coach through contractions by 4 am, DD2 born just after 8 am. No pain meds, personally it was smoother than my really heat birth with DD1 ( labored at home and got to hospital fully dilated). I was so anxious to be induced but it went really well--so glad I didn't need the pitocin