Induction Questions

Cwyatt2571

For those of you who have been induced or are being induced. I figured this would be a good place for those who haven't to asked questions and for those who have that need a refresher or any good advice!

Cwyatt2571

Sooo my question. I've never been induced but I'm scheduled on Thursday.  What are some must haves to pack for not only myself but my SO and what did you wear to the hospital !?

cmjenkies

Cwyatt2571 said:

Sooo my question. I've never been induced but I'm scheduled on Thursday.  What are some must haves to pack for not only myself but my SO and what did you wear to the hospital !?

I think it depends on what induction method you're starting with as to how long it could potentially take. I had a pit only induction with Eli, and from start to finish it was textbook and only 5.5 hours. I just brought what would normally be in my hospital bag, and a book to read or a puzzle book, something like that, in case I wanted it. We mostly chatted and listened to music. The thing that was most important to me was bringing my own pillow though! Really made it easier for me to relax. I wore yoga pants and a shirt/coat.. he was born in January. Just relaxing clothes that I could put back on after, plus a robe. 

Ready4theParty

^^ this. I put DH in charge of his own bag.  Last time I completely over packed.  Comfy clothes are a must.  I am debating on bringing my pillow.  The less you pack the best and no one really cares if you wear the same thing three days in a row.

mannylynn88

Comfy clothes and something to keep you busy. Try to sleep as much as you can too(I know it isn't the easiest thing to do at the hospital). The hospital will help you with everything else you need (pads, ice packs, diapers). The hospital did give me a pain relieving spray and witch hazel pads that help me feel more comfortable after I had my daughter. I didn't take a pillow just because I didn't want to ruin mine.

pinottoparenthood

I checked in at 41 weeks to be induced with my first. Definitely find out the game plan.. I came in in the evening, they gave me Cervidil that night, and planned to start pitocin early the next morning.

When you check into the hospital, it may take awhile to get things going. I definitely recommend bringing a book or something else to pass the time... you may end up having a lot of downtime when you're not in labor! It doesn't matter what you wear, because they're just going to have you change into a gown as soon as you get there. Be sure to stop on the way and eat a good meal because it may be your last one for awhile! Think protein and complex carbs, something to hold you over for a day+!

For me, the process went like this:
DH left work, we stopped at Chipotle, ate, and checked into the hospital at 6.

I got to my room, changed into a gown, and the nurses came in. We did some paperwork and they went ahead and placed an IV line so that as soon as I needed anything, they could give it to me easily. They will likely start pushing fluids pretty early on through the IV. Getting it in is uncomfortable (needles), but it really wasn't a big deal.

They also hooked me up to monitors to keep an eye on baby and my contractions (or lack thereof!)... so every time I had to get up to go to the bathroom, I had to unstrap and re-strap to monitors.

I had to wait maybe an hour for my OB to show up and she placed the cervidil... which is basically jamming it up against your cervix, almost like a tampon or something... kind of uncomfortable.

I had to lay down, no getting up, for two hours after Cervidil was placed... this was where having a good book came in handy!

They came in around 9:30, had me go to the bathroom, and gave me an Ambien to help me sleep.

I was supposed to start pitocin at 5 AM, but I woke up around 3 AM having contractions.. got up to pee and my water broke... and contractions started fast and furious from there! Baby boy was born a little after noon.


Also, be aware that if you're like and totally closed up, you won't be able to get the epidural right away. Cervidil contractions were really painful, and I have heard pitocin contractions are, too.... if you're in a lot of pain, don't be afraid to ask them to check you. They didn't check me for several hours during which I was miserable, and then I was at a 5 or so when they checked me! I think you have to be at a 3 or 4 for the epidural generally.

Good luck! I was so nervous about c section, failed induction, etc., but mine was great!

AmadorRose

@pinottoparenthood it's seriously refreshing to hear a good induction story. 

imrachellea

Take things to keep busy. My induction was scheduled to start at 7am Monday morning and DD1 was not born until 1:39am Wednesday. We got several DVDs at RedBox and also started watching a network show through our laptop streaming through the hospital wifi. I got the epidural at 3cm (7am on Tuesday) and nothing much happen after that until around 10pm when I got a fever so we had a LOT of time to kill.

Also, take advantage of the hospital meal services. The food at my hospital was alright (not the best, but not terrible) and I ordered way more food then I needed (so DH could eat too haha) and ate as long as I was able. You can bring your own food too (do this regardless, I have protein bars packed this time around, I don't anticipate as long as a haul since I'm hoping for a spontaneous labor which would likely go faster, so we will be getting pizza delivered after she's here).

MrsCayEye

Bring some things to do (book, movies, etc) and some snacks (if you're allowed to eat-- I was in the beginning). I brought some cheap pillows I didn't care about ruining since they were more comfortable than the hospital pillows. It can be really long and boring, so if you share when you go in with family and friends you will likely receive lots of requests for updates. Like PP said, they will have you change into a hospital gown right away and likely get an IV placed. I had cervidil as the first step, and as a nurse very accurately described it felt like they were reaching for my tonsils when they were placing it. Having it placed wasn't painful but I'm glad she warned me beforehand. 

olivemomma

I realize a couple of ladies have addressed this - but how long were your inductions from being admitted until baby was here? Was anyone's not quite as long? This is my second (he's already cooked longer than my first) so at my apt today we are discussing an induction since DH has to go back to being on call next week. We were thinking if we went in Friday evening baby would likely be here Saturday am at some point. Are we being totally naive? I know I have started to dilate and efface already so hoping that would help.

yodiggity

FTM here. I am scheduled for today at 4pm so I'm not sure but my paperwork says I'll get the IV of Penicillin (GPS+) for the first 30 minutes and then every 4 hours til delivery. They're going to give me Cytotec and Pitocin. Hoping things wont take too long to progress. I was 1cm dilated and 0% effaced as of Thursday afternoon so my hopes for a short progression aren't very high. lol 

cmjenkies

@olivemomma IV started around 8A, with pitocin soon after, baby born at 130P. AROM and epidural somewhere in there. 

I mo was already 3-4cm and completely effaced which is why I imagine it was so fast. No complaints. 

amtodd1

STM... I was induced with my first and total it was a miserable 22hours! I was not dilated, but 1cm when I was admitted. I was started on cervidil first to soften and efface my cervix before they started pitocin. 

I am 38w4d today with my second and set to be induced tomorrow due to high blood pressure and swelling with pitting edema. Not sure how this one will go because I was already 3cm dilated last week. Hoping this one goes smoother and faster than the last. 

jasmuin

I was induced with both my girls. My first I wasn't dialated at all and it took 34 hours. With my second I had been at 2 cm for a month before we enduced and it was 12 hours. This was 8 and 6 years ago so I'm not sure if they have changed things since then. 
My sister in law was induced last week and it only took 5 hours from check in until birth. So it just depends on the person. 

Jules08

STM - I was induced with my first (might be with this one tonight ... we find out this afternoon).

@cwyatt2571 - I would look at the hospital bag thread and go from there.  I didn't need anything extra because on my induction.

My birthing center has a million movies and 2 fully stocked kitchens, so, for us, no need to bring any of those items.  I did bring my pillow, but just tossed it in the corner when I was pushing to keep it out of the way.  With DS's induction, we watched HGTV all day, ha!  I will also have my iPad.

@olivemomma - mine took 26 hours.

With DS I went in Monday at 7pm and got the Cervidil as I had made 0 progress.  It did nothing for me except give me contractions, no effacement no dilation.  We started the Pitocin Tuesday at 5 am.  At noon I was 3-4 CM so they broke my water.  By 8pm I was at 10cm, but he hadn't dropped enough.  Finally started pushing at 9pm and he was born at 10:02pm (Tuesday night).

I was also on Penicillin for +GBS and did have an epidural for about an hour, but turned it off after constantly throwing up.

I went about 30 hours without food and 10+ hours without water (limited to ice chips only after throwing up)

Ready4theParty

I had a good induction.  They aren't that scary I MO.  I was checked in at 8 am, given the pitocin at 10 am.  Contractions started coming fast around 1030. By 2pm I ask for the epi.  DD was born at 628 pm.

I would recommend asking for the epi as soon as you start to feel like you can't handle the contractions.  My dr was awesome but it took 30 mins for him to show up and I almost missed my window.

Ellenlbishop

I also had a good induction experience with DD.  IV and Pitocin drip started at 9 and no major contractions until noon at which point they broke my water and then non-stop contractions for next 2 hours but DD was born at 2:45.  I started at 3-4cm.  I pushed for 20 minutes.  I got epi but probably was fully dilated when they finally got put in and working.  I'm scheduled for induction this Thursday.  I'm bummed that I likely won't have opportunity to go into labor on my own but on plus side I get to meet my LO in a couple of days.

ivyvines6

olivemomma said:

I realize a couple of ladies have addressed this - but how long were your inductions from being admitted until baby was here? Was anyone's not quite as long? This is my second (he's already cooked longer than my first) so at my apt today we are discussing an induction since DH has to go back to being on call next week. We were thinking if we went in Friday evening baby would likely be here Saturday am at some point. Are we being totally naive? I know I have started to dilate and efface already so hoping that would help.

I'm reading some of these posts on here and omg I would have died! I was scheduled for four am, but they called and said not to come in until they called me, which happened around six thirty. We got to the hospital right around eight, and I was hooked up to an IV, antibiotics (not penicillin because I'm allergic) and pitocin. Dr got there around noon, and broke my water. This is where everything became a blur because I seriously zoned out on everything... I know I pushed for an hour and a half, and he was born at 2:18. But I don't remember how dilated I was during any of that time, except I told the nurse I felt like shit and would be totally cool with having the kid now, so she checked me and said I was at 8, and it could be a little bit before I got to 9 so she stepped out. I overheard her saying to my mom that when I feel like I need to go to the bathroom to call her, and within five minutes I called her. She checked me, laughed and said "wow! 10! That was a lot faster than I was expecting! It's almost like you're ready for a baby today!" I was not amused... 

ETA: I didn't get an epidural... Or use any pain meds... So I'm of no use for advice there... However my only complaint was how fucking hungry I was! My instructions were to eat a light meal and use a laxative the night before. So I did, then ate a bagel, and yogurt around 4AM. I should have eaten more because my hunger pangs were worse than the contractions for most of it and I had like zero strength by the end of it all.

BeatboxBaby

yodiggity said:

FTM here. I am scheduled for today at 4pm so I'm not sure but my paperwork says I'll get the IV of Penicillin (GPS+) for the first 30 minutes and then every 4 hours til delivery. They're going to give me Cytotec and Pitocin. Hoping things wont take too long to progress. I was 1cm dilated and 0% effaced as of Thursday afternoon so my hopes for a short progression aren't very high. lol 

How's it going? At my app this morning I was closed and thick. Now I'm on my 4th dose of cytotek snd only about half a cm and thinned out some. Wishin u better luck xD

irenewslee

Lurking from March... I was induced last Saturday (due 3/30). I am a STM. My OB only gave me pitocin and slowly incresed dosage every 30 mins. It took about an hr and a half to get things and I went from 0 dilation to 4 quickly. They started me on pitocin at 1pm and baby was out by 9pm. 

I agree with pp about eating something before because you never know how long you have to wait. Liquid is ok during the process and my nurse brought me starbucks coffee, milk and juice. I brought my ipad and phone which helped to kill time. 

DH wasnt planning to stay in the hospital with me but ended up staying because I had some bad bleeding. He just slept in his clothes and went home for a shower the next morning. Not a big deal for him.