Inductions

coffeeandcupcakes

A thread for Mom's being induced and soon  to be induced. Post updates, questions, requests to help with boredom while waiting on your LO's, or requests for some extra thoughts and prayers!  We are all rooting for you and anxious to hear good news and updates!

whataboutscience

I was induced last time with pitocin (no epi) if anyone has questions. 41+4 and labor was 8.5 hours. Good luck ladies! The upside is you have a good idea when you'll meet your baby. :-)

PinkLady2015

whataboutscience said:

I was induced last time with pitocin (no epi) if anyone has questions. 41+4 and labor was 8.5 hours. Good luck ladies! The upside is you have a good idea when you'll meet your baby. :-)

What drugs/interventions did they use to induce? 

How did you manage the pain with no epi? I've heard the pit causes super strong and intense contractions that make a lot of ladies end up with one even if they had planned for an unmedicated birth? I'll be induced at 38+3 and had really wanted to go without the epidural. 

whataboutscience

I only had pitocin for the induction. I wanted to go as natural as possible and agreed to let them break my water to help stimulate labor as well. I was able to stay on a very low dose in my case and they actually had to cut me off near the end because the doctor barely made it in time to catch baby.

I honestly generally have a high pain tolerance and went in with the mindset that other women have done it before (my mom actually had pit, no epi for both her babies). I used some Bradley techniques like changing positions and relaxed breathing. I felt the first 8 hours were challenging, but tolerable considering what I expected it to be like. The last 30 minutes I was pretty miserable, but fortunately for me, I went from 6 cm to baby in my arms in that time, so it went quickly. I was pretty determined and I think that helped, but I know a lot of induced labors last longer than mine did. My body tends to be pretty susceptible to drugs (my dentist almost knocked me completely out once on laughing gas and swears he gives some kids more than me). I also got lucky and had the best nurse who happened to be well versed in Bradley method. She recommended different positions to try and kept cheering me on telling me how great I was doing. Good luck!

[Deleted User]

Thank you so much for this @whataboutscience! I was wanting to go without the epidural, but everyone I've talked to who's been induced said that it's pretty much impossible.

I'll be induced at 38.4 or 5 and I'm nervous about how long the cervical ripening drugs will take, too. Anyone have experience with those?

whataboutscience

Glad I can encourage you. I know two other women who have done pitocin and no epidural, so it's certainly possible if it's what you really want.

mamafox14

@schaze my mom also did pitocin and no epi when she had me because I was two weeks late. 

WVUPetunia

My first induction was difficult. I went in dilated to about 4 and effaced, but still had difficulty. My son ended up sunny side up, my pelvis is apparently narrow, and he got kind of stuck. I had to push for 2.5 hours. The total for labor/pushing was about 13 hours.

Today's (well yesterday's now) induction went so much better. I was dilated to almost 4 and effaced. Pitocin was started at 7, water was broken at 8:30. I got an epidural around 10 that worked beautifully until 11:45 when I dilated to 7 and it stopped working on contractions, but I was numb elsewhere (nice). By 12:15, I was pushing, and she got here at 12:50. I tore along the same path pretty much as I did with my son. No regrets on that one. I feel great and wish we could just go home because I can't sleep in this stupid hospital, hence why I'm on here, ha.

WVUPetunia

^I should also mention that the 1st was for full-blown preeclampsia, and the second was for pregnancy-induced hypertension. The first one required magnesium sulfate, and this one did not. That probably gave me a more negative view of the first birth overall because that stuff is the freakin devil.

Brittnic531

@schaze- I was given Cervadil for DD.  I had to be induced due to high bp when I was 39.3.  They gave it to me in two doses (I think they cut the pill in half).  My cervix was still high and closed and my dr felt like this was the best option to get things going.  The first pill was given in the evening and another a couple hours later. I know there are a lot of opinions on this medicine, but I trusted my dr.  and my induction as a whole went well! They broke my water in the morning, started pitocin about an hour later and DD was born 4 hours later.  There can be side affects with the medicine (which they told me about beforehand) and the worst that I had was mild cramping, like at the beginning of your period.  I did end up getting an epidural between them breaking my water and starting the pitocin.  I didn't go in planning to get one, but I was so exhausted from the night before (I wasn't planning on getting induced that day) and DD wouldn't stay on the monitor, so I didn't get any sleep because the nurses had to keep adjusting the monitors.  I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions! 

MDmomma1217

I was induced with DD at 41w 3d, with pitocin, no pain meds. Contractions were pretty easy to deal with (maybe about 2 hours) until my water broke, and DD was born 3 hours and 20 minutes later. If this LO doesn't make his arrival on his own, I will be induced at 39 weeks. Honestly, I had such a good experience the first time, I am ok if induction happens again. I've already started taking evening primrose oil per my midwife to start the cervical ripening process. Several of them have said they do not like using the foley bulb, but recommend the evening primrose oil starting at 35 weeks.

oandmplus1

PinkLady2015 said:

whataboutscience said:

I was induced last time with pitocin (no epi) if anyone has questions. 41+4 and labor was 8.5 hours. Good luck ladies! The upside is you have a good idea when you'll meet your baby. :-)

What drugs/interventions did they use to induce? 

How did you manage the pain with no epi? I've heard the pit causes super strong and intense contractions that make a lot of ladies end up with one even if they had planned for an unmedicated birth? I'll be induced at 38+3 and had really wanted to go without the epidural. 

I was induced last time at 40+2 (due to gestational diabetes), and was only given pitocin. It was started around 6 or so am, and the IV got displaced at one point which slowed things down, but I had my son around 2 pm.   I didn't get the epidural until the last minute because I was managing ok with out it.  My contractions weren't horrific until they broke my water and I jumped like 3ish (can't remember exactly) centimeters to complete within an hour.  My epidural never took effect it happened so quick.
It wasn't a bad experience for me, but I know everyone is different.

foxa319

Wow everyone else's last inductions seemed pretty good! Mine was rough! 

For ds I was was induced at 36 +2 for cholestasis. I went in on a Wednesday night at 7 pm for cervical ripening. I was closed, thick and high. I had cervidil x 2 doses. Then a foley balloon for 12 hrs. This was now 24 hrs in and I very uncomfortable and only at 2 cm.  The foley balloon stayed in and low dose pitocin was started. This went on for another 12 hrs and I got to 3 cm. At this point I asked for Iv meds just to get a little rest and I was given stadol (makes you feel super loopy but in a good way!) I was able to get some rest and the nurse came in, gave the foley balloon a tug and it came out. My water broke on its own at some point that day but I stayed stuck at 4 cm for most of the day. Pitocin was started and increased by 2 ml/hr every half hr. By Friday evening I couldn't take it anymore and was so exhausted and got an epidural. It worked fabulously and I was able to get some sleep for the first time in 2 days. I still wasn't advancing past 4 cm though and around 4 am I maxed out my pitocin dose and it had to be turned off to give my receptors a chance to clear. I slept for about an hour and a half and woke up at 530 feeling a strange popping sensation at my cervix. Dr came in and checked me and I was 8 cm, 2 mins later I was fully and I pushed ds out in 15 mins. My induction was a little over 60 hrs, the dr's were about to come in and have me sign paperwork for a c section! Really glad in the end my body was able to figure it out! 

Im being induced tomorrow night!  again for cholestasis, I'll be 36 + 6. I haven't had any cervical checks so I really dont know what to expect for tomorrow! I have high hopes it will be better! I just had ds June 6th of last year so sure hoping that makes things easier this time! 

winnie1122

Good luck @foxa319!! Hope everything goes a little quicker and easier this time around!!

whataboutscience

@foxa319 Wishing you an easier time tomorrow!

KASG

@foxa319 ooh! good luck tonight!

coffeeandcupcakes

@foxa319 good luck!

LF93

@foxa319 Best of luck to you and LO!

sboston06

@foxa319 - good luck today!!

[Deleted User]

@foxa319 good luck!

Schmooie730

Good luck @foxa319

foxa319

Thanks ladies! I've been here since around 9 started the induction process at 10 with a dose of cytotec. When I first was checked I was 1 cm, 60% and -2. They checked me around 2:30 and I was 2cm 80% -2 so I made a little progress. I was started on pitocin after that and have been contracting every 2-3 mins since around 3! They aren't very painful yet but hoping it's helping a bit! I'm a former L&D nurse here where I am delivering and my favorite dr and best nurse friends are all on from 7p-7a so I'm really really hoping to deliver tonight with all of them here!!! fingers crossed to me posting a birth announcement by morning!!! ❤️

mrsmommya

I went to 41 weeks with my DD and went into labor on my own and now have a different doctor. I am not sure her stance on induction but am curious who started their induction with very little to no progress on their own. I have heard that if you aren't progressing on your own first then a successful vaginal delivery is unlikely. Kind of like forcing your body to so something it isn't ready for I guess.

LadyFleck

@mrsmommya I was induced with my first without any dilation or effacement (low fluid and high heart rate at 39.5 weeks). I was put on pitocin at 10pm, epidural at 5am, water broke on its own at 1pm and baby came with 45 min of pushing at 7pm. 21 hours of induced labor and I had no problem progressing or delivering. 

deuxbouledogues

@mrsmommya I really think its different for everyone. I had no dilation, long hard closed cervix, the whole 9. We were induced early (36+6) due to medical necessity. I ended up with a c-section after 60 hours. My body was just not ready. 

Singingmama10

@mrsmommya With DS I was barely effaced and only a half cm dilated.  They gave me cytotec (which I DO NOT recommend. it gave me constant contractions all night long) and then pit in the morning.  I delivered DS vaginally.  

mckcak23

@mrsmommya I delivered at 36 weeks for preeclampsia and I was a fingertip dialated. I started on Friday 6/3 at 6 pm and delivered on Sunday 6/5 at 1205 am vaginally. It took a long time to start getting progress but it is possible depending on the situation. 

mandyjulie

@mrsmommya Another mom here who was induced early with no progress but ended with a vaginal delivery. I got cervadil Fri night, started pitocin Sat morning, had my water broken at 6 pm and from there progressed up to 10 cm by 2 am. Pushed for 40 min & she arrived.

Puddles03

@mrsmommya I was completely closed and no effacement at all at when I was induced at 40+1 I had a double balloon inserted and the next morning started on pitocin and water broken. I was in labour for 6 hours and ended up delivering vaginally. It's completely possible with no indication of labour/being "ready".

mrsmommya

Good to see so many vaginal deliveries!  I for some reason have this fear that I will be increasing my risk of c-section if there is talk of induction.

jwittwer

I was completely closed and no effacement at all when I was induced at 41+3. I started with cervadil to soften my cervix, but DD did not enjoy it and they removed it. The next morning I started the pitocin drip. I had nonstop contractions all day and finally elected to get an epidural around 10:30 pm. By 2 or 3 am, I had only reached 4 cm dilated. After the last check at 4 something, DD's heart rate plummeted and a swarm of docs came in. They told me I was having an emergency c-section as they wheeled me downstairs. I asked where my husband was-- they said scrubbing up to come into the OR. By the time we got downstairs, I asked again where DH was- this time they told me it was an emergency c-section and he wasn't allowed to be in the room. A few minutes later I was unconscious. I don't remember how long I was out, but even now I regret missing hearing DD's first cry, DH being unable to cut the umbilical cord, not being able to do skin-to-skin right away. 

I'm so glad to hear the positive stories of induction as I feel mine was far from it. Also, tired of having my feelings about it invalidated by, "well at least you got a healthy baby." That doesn't make the trauma go away. Hopefully this LO won't put me through the same thing!

mrsmommya

@jwittwer Your story sounds similar to my sister with her daughter, it was also emergency and she was unconscious. The fact that she didn't hear her first cry, hold her, or get those pictures of those first moments has always been a challenge emotionally. Of course every mom is happy with a healthy baby, but I still think you are entitled to those feelings of loss and maybe even emptiness because the birth didn't fulfill all those wants. I can say she accepted her next two c-sections much better and found ways to make sure the experience was as fulfilling as possible. 

lalamilk

have a question For those ladies who have been induced, are you allowed to eat at all or can you not eat once you go in to get induced?

deuxbouledogues

lalamilk said:

have a question For those ladies who have been induced, are you allowed to eat at all or can you not eat once you go in to get induced?

For me I was allowed to eat unrestricted until pitocin where it went to clear diet and then after I got my epidural it went to ice chips only. I started with cyotec/cervix ripening meds only. 

whataboutscience

@lalamilk I would guess it depends on your hospital because it used to be standard that you couldn't eat during labor. Now the rules are changing some places. I was allowed clear liquids on pitocin. Didn't stop me from sneaking a small snack from home when no one was around.

blissylissy86

Usually depends on the hospital. Some are letting you eat, some aren't. One of my friends delivered at a hospital that only allowed ice chips. Not even water. 

Jodi1980

When we did the hospital tour a few weeks back the nurse mentioned they are renown for their flavored snow cones for l&d....i'm so happy to know that  

lalamilk

Ooo snow cones sound awesome! Thank ladies for your answers!

ESchreinerWrites

I was induced with my first (now 7). I am now a HUGE fan of induction (though I have heard horror stories). I was 39 and some change... maybe 39+3, don't really remember. We went in on the night of June 7th and they put in some cervidil (sp?). They gave me a sleeping pill and told me that, after breakfast, I would take a shower and then they would start pitocin. Well, didn't end up going as planned. At some point I started having contractions. I was kinda out of it because od the sleeping pill, so not sure when. I just remember being hella uncomfortable because, in order to keep him on the monitor, I needed to be on my back, but eith the contractions it hurt quite a bit to stay that way. But, ultimately, the night flew by (probably thanks to the sleeping pill) at 7am the next morning they brought in a breakfast for me. I started to sit up to eat it and heard this HUGE pop on the heart monitor -- then a gush. I called the nurse who confirmed my water had broken. (So my husband ate the breakfast). After that, contractions started coming hard and strong.. about a minute apart. I told them j wanted an epidural, which seemed to take forever to get. I remember holding on to the rail of the hospital bed and just trying to breath. All the while, mind you, I'm still a bit groggy from the sleeping pill. They finally came in and gave me my epidural. Two minutes later, the nurse came In to check me and said I was to ten... it was about 8am by this point. So I started to push. He ended up being sunny side up, so I pushed for almost two hours before he came out. 

All in all, would do it again. However, I think I might request NOT to take the sleeping pill this time.

allthingscozy

@Jodi1980 I am seriously jealous your L&D has snow cones that is so awesome! 

Jodi1980

@Backbypopulardemand if I could send DH for orders to you and all July mamas, I would