Induction without an epidural

JoieBee

Hi ladies, I am an overdue ftm scheduled for induction next week. I had been preparing for a med-free birth and so I am left wondering what are the chances to go med free while being induced?

Would love some stories from moms who managed to get through an induction while skipping an epidural. Any tips? Thanks in advance!

painttheair14

I haven't had an induction, but read many positive stories on the Birth Without Fear blog of women who had inductions and went on to have natural births!

I think just having that mindset increases the likelihood that you'll achieve what you want!

JoieBee

Thanks! I will definitely check out that site.

hlm184

My friend did it.  She had a doula and a short labor after they started pit.  So it's definitely possible!

jmleske

I did it too. It's all about the mindset.

AppleMomma

It's tough, but doable! Mind over pain, have DH stroke your forehead gently between your eyes to the top of your head and talk softly about breathing and have him breathe in rhythm to you. If you need to. That's what my DH did when I nearly lost it during my last labor, it was an induction too. He helped me so much and I was able to refocus on what I needed to.

mandi195

I may be too late to the party, but I was induced with my son without any meds (no pit, etc). They just broke my water, and labor started on it's own. That is a viable option if it is something your birthing center will do. Best of luck. 

nmrd

One book I read said to ask and see of they can try lower doses of pitocin and increase it more gradually. I'm not sure if this is an option in all cases though.

yvanehtnioj

I was induced with miso. About 6 hours after the second dose my water broke. after that I had a very fast labor with no pain medication. I did request an epidural when I "hit the wall" because I had no idea how close I really was, since I had been at zero like 4 hours prior. The guy got there too late. earlier in the day I had also refused a foley bulb and requested a second dose of miso. I do think it was partly luck that my water broke and my body took over from there. I probably would have received pitocin if that didn't happen.

anyways I didn't do any birth training and it was at a hospital with a 90% epi rate and a 20-something cesarean rate. So you don't have to have the perfect prenatal yoga, midwife, doula, birthing pool yoga ball setup in order to go med-free.

eta: words and sense