Induction positive stories please...

CraftonKirkpatrick

I am currently 37 weeks pregnant, and the hospital is about 1.5 hours away from me. The dr told me yesterday they would give me two weeks and then they would like to induce me. I have tested positive for Group B. and so i make it in time he said it would be safe. He also said I have not dropped and not dilated any. I am curious if anyone has any induction stories at 39 weeks that are positive so my anxiety doesn't get the best of me. I am scared if it is too early I will end up in a c-section. This is my second child and my first labor was 42 long long hours but I was able to deliver on my own. 

emma+karen

I was induced with my first, but not until 41 weeks.  It was a long labor at 29 hours--but if you did 42 with your first, you're a pro already!    It took forever but did not end in a C-section, and the baby had absolutely no issues other than both of us being pretty puffy from all the IV fluids.  I wouldn't say it was ideal, but it definitely could have been much worse, and since he was making no moves to come out on his own, it was really for the best.  Best of luck to you! 

gemini2005

I was induced with both of my prior pregnancies at 39 weeks.  They were both awesome births and I had no trouble at all.
DS (8 lb. 2 oz. at 39 weeks):  Got to the hospital around 5 am (dilated 1cm, 50% effaced), started pitocin at 7 am, broke waters around 11 am (?), dilated to 4-5 cm around noon so I got the epidural, smooth sailing until before 7 pm when I pushed him out (took 20 minutes of pushing and had a small tear)

DD (8 lb. 4oz. at 39.2 weeks):  Got to hospital at 5 am (2cm, 50% effaced), they tried to break my water at 7 am but she was still too high so they started pitocin around then, everything happened very quickly once they managed to break water before noon (4 cm), got the epidural due to agonizing contractions, went from 4-10 cm in 11 minutes and ready to push around 1 pm, pushed twice and the nurse almost delivered her (!!), no stitches 

hoping baby #3 comes out just as easily...GL

kwrightnb

I was induced at 28 weeks last year and my labor was only 18 hours! Even that sounds kind of long to me but the pain was easily manageable until the last hour or so! My cervix was long and closed when they started the induction but my body took it extremely well good luck!! I'm sure it'll be fine! 

sparkledonuts

I was induced with my first at 39 weeks and wasn't dilated or anything and it only took 4 hours .. my water broke on its own around 4-5cm and then I went straight to 10 and a couple pushes he was out .. he came out fast and furious poor babe had a bruised face lol

LondonToSavannah

I was induced with my first at 39w5d...it went well! 

I wasn't dilated at all, so I was admitted in the evening about 7pm and they started the cervadil, then pitocin at 5am the next morning. Manually broke my water at 11am, epidural at 1pm and baby born just before 7pm (I took a 3 hour nap after I got the epidural!)

It all went smoothly, however contractions on pitocin are a bear because there is no gradual build up. I went from 0-100 in the span of about an hour.

slfezz

I was induced with DD1 at 40 wks and DD2 and 39 wks. 

With DD2 I was barely dilated and has a foley bulb inserted to get to me to 4cm before starting that pitocin. With both, things were pretty similar after that. Water was broke a few hours later and then things got painful and progressed quicker. DD1 was 8hrs total and DD2 was 15hrs total. 

DanandVan

Is there a reason why they want to induce early? I wouldn't do it unless they have a medical reason or after 41 weeks.
With that said, I was induced with my 2nd due to high blood pressure/borderline pre-eclampsia at 39w 4 d. It went great! When they began at 7 am, my cervix was not ripe/dilated so I was very nervous. They inserted cervadil to soften the cervix, and I began contractions right away. Walked around to get them going, then they began pitocin around 9. Labored until about 3:00 before asking for an epidural. Baby born at 5:20 after 20 min pushing! Had an easy recovery!
My 2nd delivery was much, much easier than my 1st, both labor and recovery, so I hope the same is true for you!

CraftonKirkpatrick

The dr said because I live so far and positive for Group B, I am allergic to Penicillin so they have to give me something else that takes longer to get through my system. This way they can make sure everything is taken care of

Bellodomani

Thanks for sharing these stories ladies, this gives me some hope as well. I fought hard to not be induced with my son because I felt confident he would come on his own when the time was right... And he did, at 41 + 5, the day my induction would have happened! This time around I will be induced at 38 or 39 weeks because of complications with my amniotic fluid levels, and I've been dealing with some guilt/ fear around it, particularly because I'm totally not effaced or dilated yet. Helps to hear some hopeful stories. 

hellogoodbye2

I was induced at 40w3d and started out at 1/2cm dilated. They started me out on Cytotec (a vaginal pill that softens he cervix). Contractions became regular pretty quickly. I was put on Pitocin, received the epidural, and had my water broken. Once they broke my water I went from 5cm to 10cm in 1.5 hours. I pushed for just under an hour. L&D was 24 hours in total. My induction went really well. 

wamam027

Not trying to thread jack, but I'm curious to see if anybody has any experience with an induction without an epidural? I cannot receive epidural, spinal, or narcotics of any kind and we are talking induction. 

JessicaB0627

ncm0328 said:

Not trying to thread jack, but I'm curious to see if anybody has any experience with an induction without an epidural? I cannot receive epidural, spinal, or narcotics of any kind and we are talking induction. 

I made it 13 hours into my induction without an epidural. I finally gave in but only because my contractions were overlapping and I wasn't getting any sort of break in between. I also was still 1cm after 13 hours. I felt really emotionally defeated and thought I was going to be in labor for 3 days. 

In hind sight, I really could've done it without the epidural! I think it's more mind over matter than anything, honestly. It's obviously going to hurt, but it can be done! Good luck! 

Bellodomani

ncm0328 said:

Not trying to thread jack, but I'm curious to see if anybody has any experience with an induction without an epidural? I cannot receive epidural, spinal, or narcotics of any kind and we are talking induction. 

No personal experience, but I have 2 good friends who had successful inductions without any pain meds. One of them was induced at 37 weeks for pre-e and her induction start to finish was only 5 hours! The other had pitocin to initiate contractions because her water had broken and contractions didn't start on their own. Her labor took a little longer (~12 hours) but she was able to go pain med-free as well. Both women had doulas who helped them out with pain management techniques, I know one of them used a TENS machine for the early stages and found it really helpful. 

thismakes4

ncm0328 said:

Not trying to thread jack, but I'm curious to see if anybody has any experience with an induction without an epidural? I cannot receive epidural, spinal, or narcotics of any kind and we are talking induction. 

With my second I was induced and was able to give birth without meds. I asked for meds because I felt like I reached my limit when it came to pain but I couldn't get it done in time. Also, the pain seemed to just stay at that limit for me. It felt so much better to push. And since every labor is different find what keeps you in the zone or relaxed. I had back labor with my second and my mom would massage my lower back through each contraction while I sat on a birthing ball and it made a world of difference as well.

yogahh

ncm0328 said:

Not trying to thread jack, but I'm curious to see if anybody has any experience with an induction without an epidural? I cannot receive epidural, spinal, or narcotics of any kind and we are talking induction. 

Thanks for threadjacking!! I really do not want an epidural, but now that I know I am being induced (unless LO has other plans for an earlier introduction to the world) I feel like I will have to cave and take the epi for the pain. Glad to hear the responses of the ladies that have done it before us  

salbb

Ended up induced, had epidural and c section - none of which was in my birth plan - BUT when you are in throes of it all and you just want baby here and healthy it all matters NOUGHT in the end. We came home with a healthy baby and me in tact and that's all that matters. I am a huge wobbler and I promise if I can manage everyone can!
all cliche but true! try and not worry it will be one day (hopefully) and done 

chelleb1017

My blood pressure rose at 39 weeks so I was induced a few days before I was due. Got to the hospital around 2pm and they used a drug to soften my cervix a few hours later they started Pitocin and I asked for an epidural when I was 4cm slept through the whole night and woke up that morning still pain free. Doctor broke my water and at 3:25 baby boy was born. Took about an hour of pushing but no pain just a lot of pressure. I did tear but not too bad and didn't even feel them stitching me up since the epidural was still working!!! I will be induced late this month also as I am on blood pressure pills and they induce between 38-39 weeks as a precaution!

kitandcat

slfezz said:

I was induced with DD1 at 40 wks and DD2 and 39 wks. 

With DD2 I was barely dilated and has a foley bulb inserted to get to me to 4cm before starting that pitocin. With both, things were pretty similar after that. Water was broke a few hours later and then things got painful and progressed quicker. DD1 was 8hrs total and DD2 was 15hrs total. 

I've had this "foley bulb" thing on my mind. We have potential to be induced because we're monitoring my high blood pressure and MH's coworker told him about this process. What was this like? Painful? Did you have cramping? How long did it take for the bulb to get you to 4cm... do they insert it and it's quick or is it a longer process? I'm googling and not finding the answers to my millions of questions LOL  

slfezz

@kit&cat 

The foley hurt a little during placement since its inserted behind your cervix but that was it and I it wasn't worse than a cervical check. The foley itself looks like a rubber tube that they inflate on one end. After placement and inflation, they taped the other end to my leg so whenever I moved it tugged in the other end to put pressure on the cervix, it didn't hurt but was weird. 

For timing, it's a slow process. I had mine place mid afternoon and the doc said it would probably say I till early morning. Everyone was surprised when mine fell out at 7pm. 

Let me me know if you have any other questions. 

kitandcat

Thank you so much @slfezz !! That is super helpful.

ayeshaohara

Kit&Cat said:

slfezz said:

I was induced with DD1 at 40 wks and DD2 and 39 wks. 

With DD2 I was barely dilated and has a foley bulb inserted to get to me to 4cm before starting that pitocin. With both, things were pretty similar after that. Water was broke a few hours later and then things got painful and progressed quicker. DD1 was 8hrs total and DD2 was 15hrs total. 

I've had this "foley bulb" thing on my mind. We have potential to be induced because we're monitoring my high blood pressure and MH's coworker told him about this process. What was this like? Painful? Did you have cramping? How long did it take for the bulb to get you to 4cm... do they insert it and it's quick or is it a longer process? I'm googling and not finding the answers to my millions of questions LOL  

I also had the foley. It was put in about 7pm Friday night and removed 11am Saturday morning. I was 4cm by that stage. I certainly wouldn't say it was comfortable. I started contracting pretty soon after it was inserted, I didn't get much sleep because of it. I self taped it to my leg so the catheter wasn't just hanging. The insertion was fine, unfortunately mine wasn't placed properly before they started filling the balloon so the syringe blew off and they had to reinsert it.

rlworzalla

I'm so thankful for this thread!  My doctor "made" me 1cm dilated at my appointment last week, this week I had gone down to about a fingertip.  Still barely effaced.  I'm 39w4d.  I'm planning on being induced because he hasn't dropped fully to be engaged.  I think DH is more afraid of me being induced, but he isn't the one to go through it!  While I can hope for the best, it's good to know experiences of others so I have idea of what possibilities might be.

Bltbear82

I had a successful induction, it started at 10 pm on Saturday night and baby was born at 5:43 pm on Sunday. It wasn't any longer or more painful than my previous labor where my water broke on its own. I had an epidural with both and honestly the one thing I did notice is my hips were much more sore this time. The pitocin level got quite high - to the point that they lowered it because I was having too many contractions too quickly, which is why I think my hips were so sore. But honestly my induction and previous labor were fairly similar except for the drastically faster pushing, which my doctor attributed to it being my second labor and not because of the induction. Good luck!

businessmama

I was induced at 36 weeks, freaking out because he wasn't low and my cervix was thick. They gave me cervadil the night before and by morning I was 90% effaced, dilated to 1. Started pitocin at 7 am, got epidural a few hours later (I was hooked up to so many things I couldn't walk so sitting there was killing me). After I got the epi, I was able to relax. I was fully dilated and pushing around 5:35p that night. I thought it would be a 28+ hour labor that ended in c section, but everything worked out awesome and labored only 11 hours! 

Bellodomani

@AliciaD39 @Bltbear82That is very reassuring to hear! I'm being induced for polyhydramnios on Monday, when I hit 39 weeks and my cervix is long and closed, so I've been feeling really anxious about having some nightmare long induction that ends in c-section. I did 30 hours of labor with my son, so I can handle long. I just need to be making actual progress. Good to hear some positive stories. 

and_peggy

Had an induction today. Went smoothly. Got the epidural as soon as I could because I'm a wimp. Unfortunately I have a weird reaction to medications and could still feel all the contractions. I labored from 8:30am until 6pm and pushed for about an hour. Her heart rate dropped a few times but all was well!

hollywoodave531

*lurking from June*

Just want to say thanks for this post and the positive stories. I have an early June due date but may be induced in the next two weeks due to pre-eclampsia. I have a fear of a long induction process that will lead to a c-section but this sort of eases me into thinking I just need to be prepared for any scenario. 

jessib899

@hollywoodave531
I'm worried too since this is my first baby that being induced will lead to an emergency csec. I'm 38 weeks today and the specialist doesn't want me going past 38.5-39 due to gestational diabetes. 

proudparent2b

Following, as my cervix is very favorable for labor, but LO doesn't seem to want to make his appearance. OB is giving me 1 1/2 more weeks for something to happen, but otherwise we'll be planning an induction at 41 weeks.

hollywoodave531

jessib899 said:

@hollywoodave531
I'm worried too since this is my first baby that being induced will lead to an emergency csec. I'm 38 weeks today and the specialist doesn't want me going past 38.5-39 due to gestational diabetes. 

Best of luck to you!

yogahh

Induction question- I really hate the idea of being bedridden for hours and hours. When you are induced, are you still able to be mobile with foley bulb? Pitocin drip? 

balamama

Piggybacking with another induction question - for those of you who are scheduled for inductions or who have had them, do they go through all the steps the same way no matter the state of your cervix? Because I've heard the failure rate for inductions is fairly high/more likely to result in a c-section for an unfavorable cervix (not dilated or effaced). I'll be scheduling an induction date at my appt Wednesday and haven't dilated in the past two weeks so I'm wondering what my options will be or if it's pretty standard no matter what.  

Bltbear82

I went straight to pitocin and was somewhere between 1-2 cm dilated but almost entirely effaced when we started. The doctor did say something about it being my second delivery when explaining her plan. It took just as long as my first labor (for example the first time I was 1 cm that morning and 6 cm a few hours later in active labor), so that may have been a factor. I was able to walk with my IV and pitocin until the epidural was placed. I just felt a little uncoordinated but it was nice to move around compared to the first time when I arrived in full on labor and had an epidural in triage. 

businessmama

yogahh said:

Induction question- I really hate the idea of being bedridden for hours and hours. When you are induced, are you still able to be mobile with foley bulb? Pitocin drip? 

I do not know about foley (I didn't have this - only cervadil and pitocin). I was told you can request intermittent monitoring every 20-30 minutes so you can walk around, but my hospital wouldn't let me. Definitely push for it because it will make you so much more comfortable through contractions! 

slfezz

I was able to move around with the foley just fine and I was taken off a lot of the monitors during the wait. Once the pit was started it was harder to move around with the IV but doable.

NinnyJean

@yogahh I actually just talked with my doctor about this this morning, she said that once labor has started there's really no difference than if I had gone into labor on my own, can still move around and can still use the tub. My hospital has wireless monitoring, so they'll be monitoring LO's heart rate the whole time but I'm able to be up and moving around

JessicaB0627

@yogahh With my first induction I wasn't allowed to get out of bed except to sit on the ball right next to my bed. I'm not sure if that was because of my blood pressure or because I was on pitocin though. 

epc5027

I was induced in one way or another with all three of my children & will be this time too. The first two experiences were positive, so I'll share those, my 3rd (Jan 2015) was at 35 weeks for preeclampsia, so obviously that was its own experience- I was induced with everything under the sun, had ivs in both arms, mag sulfate, couldn't get up. Ugh. I'll skip that story! 
My first son was born with a cnm in a hospital. I was 42 weeks, 2cm (and had been for weeks!), probably totally effaced... I forget all that, it was 11 years ago. I went to the hospital at 8am, got a 1/4 pill of cytotek (misoprostal), I had to lay there for an hour & then was able to walk around. Nothing was happening. At noon, they broke my water, that kicked labor into high gear, I got to 5cm pretty quickly. I had a room with a giant tub, so I locked myself in the Br until 630pm. I got out & was still at 5. I laid down, told everyone that I was just going to lay there forever, the baby didn't need to come out. I kicked everyone out... And then had to push...BADLY! I had a lip of cervix, the midwife pushed it back. My 9lb 1oz boy was born after 13 minutes of pushing. It was a good experience. 
My second son was born at home. We did a membrane sweep on a Thursday, another on a Saturday, I had sex either after that or that Sunday (this was almost 9 years ago, some details escape me). He was born that Monday morning after 4 hours of labor. That so far has been my easiest birth for the most part because I'm really not a fan of laboring with my water broken. It's just harder for me. 

mcb2016

@yogahh I tried cervidil and cyotec which both allowed me to walk around. If I had gotten to pitocin I highly doubt my drs would have wanted me walking around. I think they mentioned standing by the bed as an option. But I was dealing with high blood pressure. 

hellogoodbye2

Trying to stay active & being induced was a battle at my hospital. Of course they all say, "yes, you can be mobile!" but once you've been hocked up to the monitors it becomes difficult. I basically had to be close to my bed at all times. My baby was always moving away from the monitor, but I let the nurses worry about that....I refused to lay in bed the whole time.