August 2016 Moms

Can we talk about inductions?

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Re: Can we talk about inductions?

  • Sekerambo said:
    Inductions do lead to a higher level of c-sections but if it's a safety concern, I would do it.  After going into labor naturally, I had pitocin after stalling out at 8 cm and it was horrible.  It also didn't work and I ended up with a c-section anyway.  Unless there is a legitimate medical reason I will never go on pitocin again.  
    @Sekerambo, do you have a source for this? ACOG came out two months ago stating that inductions do not lead to an increased risk of c-sections and may even reduce the rate when done at 39 weeks versus waiting until 41 weeks. 
    Married 09/2014
    BFP #1 11/19/15 | DS 07/16/2016
    BFP #2 09/03/17 | EDD 05/17/2018
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  • kecoff01 said:
    @Wolfie646 I was induced for high BP that turned into preeclampsia.  That was my first pregnancy and honestly I didn't give much thought to how I wanted to deliver.  However, if the situation presents itself again during this pregnancy, I would likely agree to the induction for the safety of all involved. Fortunately, I was 38+6 and my daughter came out perfectly healthy.  I have watched "The Business of Being Born" this time around and have decided that I won't go with any interventions that aren't medically necessary.  I have an OB who is very understanding and cooperative and has agreed to discuss what will be negotiable and non-negotiable during my labor and deliver at my 36 week appointment.  They have been very up front with me in saying that they will do everything they can to help me do it all naturally, but because of my history I should keep an open mind, which I will.  

    Also, my aunt had to be induced with her last baby and her midwife agreed to turn the Pitocin off after the labor was well established, and everything turned out perfectly.  I had not thought about that possibility until she brought it up to me, but it's something I want to ask my doctor about in case I do have to be induced for any reason.

    If I recall correctly, inductions can lead to a higher level of c-section because the Pitocin makes your contractions stronger than they would be naturally.  The stronger contractions can cause extra stress on the baby and could affect oxygen and heart rate, which would be reason for a c-section for a lot of doctors.
    Yeah, my friend had that happen to her, they didn't know why she was spotting so they decided to induce her, she had such strong contractions bc of the pitocin but she wasn't dialating.  It put too much stress on the baby so they eventually did a c section.  I would like to avoid this at all costs, if my health/baby's health was at risk I would def agree to interventions, but I would prefer to go the route of only is absolutely necessary/ last resort.  Sounds like you've got a great plan and it's great your doctors are understanding and accommodating! 
  • Something to keep in mind is that the panel "debate" (I use parentheses because debates usually have tworked sides but these docs just agreed with eachieve other) withDr. Lockwood and Dr Norwitz as not an ACOG recommendation or policy statement, it was a well publicized panel presentation. It doesn't represent a consensus statement and it has been heavily criticized.
  • I have wanted as intervention free a birth as possible from the beginning, but I am am getting increasing pressure to get a C-section for macrosomia concerns. I have already had to come to terms with likely being induced week 39 (AMA and prehypertension) when I would prefer to wait for a spontaneous labor. Now I am being pressured to not even try to labor but to schedule a c-section. I just feel I am being pushed so far from the birth I want, and the justification is a bit hazy.

    The baby is looking very large (over 10 pounds) but my family has a history of big babies and I am a big woman.  It is really hard because you cannot help but be risk averse in these situations and no one wants to look back with regret. I am waiting to talk to my OB whom I trust, but these decisions are just very personal, emotionally loaded and hard.  No matter how well educated you are or how much research you do there is always an element of fear that makes it hard to make decisions.

    For those that started with induction and ended up with a c-section: did you have an epidural?  Did that make the transition to c-section easier? Were you able to be awake for the c-section? If you were trying to not have an epidural did that mean you had to be put under for the c-section? 

    I know that technically any c-section that occurs after labor starts is considered an emergency c-section, but does that mean full anesthesia? 
  • @liljabee - I don't have the answers about beginning labor through induction but I can tell you that my "emergency" c-section did not mean full anesthesia.  My transition from unmedicated labor (including pitocin) to c-section was really smooth, even though I did not get the spinal until on the operating table.  My husband was by my side and was even able to watch the entire surgery.  He cut the cord and was also able to hold dd right away.  Both dd and my vitals were steady and strong so it was not a true emergency.   
  • @Sekerambo thank you. I have never had surgery so I am frightened of anesthesia.
  • @liljabee my induction ended in c section. When it came down to it for me, my body just wasn't ready for labor. Once we decided on the c section and they stopped the pitocin my contractions stopped completely. My body wasn't doing anything to help aid labor along. 

    I did end up getting an epidural. I think it made the transition easier because all the anesthesiologist had to do was shoot some more stuff into the epidural. I was able to be awake and DH was with me. I think they only put you under general when it's a genuine emergency situation. 

    In in the end I know the c section was the best thing for us. My doctors didn't push me into it, they waited as long as they could with it being safe for me and baby before we realized that my body just wasn't going to progress. 
  • @liljabee, in general I would say if the OB overseeing your delivery starts to recommend an epidural, consider going along with it.  For some people it allows labor progress if otherwise stalling,  and it tends to also allow for a more controlled transition to a C/S if that becomes what is needed to safely deliver the baby. 

    Your specific situation is tough because nobody will be able to predict how your labor will go - but asking your OB how they feel about allowing you to do a trial of labor is good place to start the discussion. 


    Also thank you for the comments about the latest ACOG discussion.  I seriously doubt it will be a practice policy anytime soon (maybe not ever), perhaps the goal was to inspire better designed studies over the next few years. 
  • Wolfie646 said:
    I am honestly surprised about the amount of people I've seen on these boards saying they have scheduled their inductions/c sections already.  At the labor class I went to she talked a lot about the fact that you need to ask the right questions to determine if it is really necessary for any interventions - they should only be doing them if your/babies health is in risk.  And note, baby isn't actually full term until 39-40 weeks.  I actually just watched the business of being born and it's quite scary to see the correlation between inductions and c sections, and the amount of these things happening in the US versus other countries.  I don't think induction is something you shouldnt do if it's important for your/baby's health, I just think it's important to ask the right questions and make sure it's necessary! 
    I agree! I think now most DR will not induce unless the Mom has a health issue or the baby has an issue. I agree 39 weeks is the soonest induction should be done, but often a Mom's health issue can progress the last few weeks of pregnancy and DR want to make sure both Mom and baby are healthy. With DS #1 they wanted to induce at 37 weeks. I had an amnio and his lungs were not ready so they waited. I was doing fine, but if I was not they still would have induced me due to concerns of the baby dying by staying in longer.
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  • runsoncoffeerunsoncoffee member
    edited July 2016
    @Allisun85 I didn't read most of these so not sure what's been said but saw you may have cholestatsis. I was just diagnosed with cholestatsis too and will be induced this upcoming Sunday/Monday, right at 37 weeks. Given the potential for things to go wrong by continuing the pregnancy, I'm happy to be induced, even though it's not what I originally planned or hoped for. I am planning to go without the epidural for as long as I can take it! I'm not sure exactly what method of induction they'll be trying first, but I know pitocin will be in the mix eventually.
  • @Lynnlove28 @Nikkoli98. Thank you so much for the information. I was able to discuss things with my OB's partner and we agreed upon a cautious trial labor via induction week 39. Your comments really help. I think the not knowing is the worst part 
  • KJ1416KJ1416 member
    @liljabee I had a natural labor up through 3 hours of pushing. DS was stuck at 0, so my Dr recommended a c section. I was able to get a spinal for the c section and be awake for the entire thing. I think it depends on how quickly they need the baby out. My son and I weren't having any medical problems, so there was time. Also, it might depend on your physical/mental state. The first thing I said to my Dr when she recommended the c section was "can I get the epidural", because I was worried I would not have the option and would be forced to get a general. She said "because you are doing so well, yes". I 100% felt out of my mind from being in labor, pushing for so long, and being tired....
  • charmedlifex3charmedlifex3 member
    edited July 2016

    @court5608 Thank you for sharing! I agree, I'm happy to go along with something medically needed, and my doctors are being very cautious - both to make sure it IS needed, and if it is needed, to make sure it happens. Good luck with your induction, scary but hopefully it all goes smoothly!

     We got the blood test back and it was not bad enough the doctors are sure it's not just my gallbladder causing (more) problems. Retesting next week to see if there is a change. FX it's just more of the same gallbladder causing problems...or that little guy comes on his own before whatever it is, is bad enough the doctors need to intervene! It kinda becomes moot if that happens :)




  • @Allisun85 I'm glad your tests came back better than mine! They looked into my gall bladder too but that was all normal. I've been freaking out this week with nerves about both the risks of cholestasis and the induction! I'm praying for as smooth of a delivery as possible... and am just thankful they caught the condition before it was catastrophic. Best of luck to you!!!! :smile:
  • @Igem4 sending good (and safe) vibes your way!



  • Bump! We are getting to the point some of us have been, or will be soon induced, so bringing this back to the front.




  • Thanks for bumping!  I'm going in Wednesday night to start induction because of cholestasis.  I'll be 38 weeks Thursday. Attempting a VBAC so will start with the balloon to ripen/dilate before moving on to anything else.  I think the anxiety level will go down significantly when we arrive at the hospital.  I've been a wreck the last couple of weeks!
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  • I'm now considering an induction at 39 weeks because I found out today at my 37wk appt that I'm GBS+. I realize this is very common and very minor, but what worries me is getting to the hospital in time to get the full dose of IV antibiotic once labor has begun. I'm a STM, so labor will inevitably be faster, and my first was relatively fast (11 hours from start of pitocin) considering it was a scheduled induction with an epidural at 41w1day. Having a toddler now really complicates things since we will have to wait for grandparents to get to our house (could take an hour) before going to the hospital (20min away). At my 36wk appt, I was 1.5cm dilated, 50% effaced and soft, and my doctor said I'd be a great candidate to induce at 39wks if desired, although at the time, I wanted to make it 40wks without intervention. But now with the GBS news, induction at 39 is sounding more appealing...

    would love any thoughts! Are there other GBS+ STMs (or more) facing this issue as well?


  • I'm being induced on August 4th at 37 weeks for preeclampsia!  My first induced labor lasted about 8.5 hours from the start of Pitocin, so I'm hoping this will go by really fast
    Me:  28  DH:  33
    Married:  10/04/2014
    DD1:  03/02/15
    DD2:  08/04/16
    Baby 3 Due:  11/23/18!

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  • Also being induced at 39w2d Monday August 1st. Ftm and super nervous, but ready to get this show on the road! Was told I would start cervadil Sunday night at the hospital and then pitocin around 7am Monday. Fingers crossed labor isn't too hard or long!  :#
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  • Also being induced at 39w2d Monday August 1st. Ftm and super nervous, but ready to get this show on the road! Was told I would start cervadil Sunday night at the hospital and then pitocin around 7am Monday. Fingers crossed labor isn't too hard or long!  :#
    You never know how your body will react to the meds. I wasn't induced but my water broke and I wasn't dilated or anything (and my contractions were barely readable). They gave me cervadil and in the end had to give me something to slow down contractions twice. I didn't even need pitocin!
  • charmedlifex3charmedlifex3 member
    edited July 2016

    @peachgal23 We're an hour from the hospital, so I admit being able to control being at the hospital when labor starts is attractive.

    There are some medical indicators to induce, but I'm the only one suffering- little guy is fine so far, so ultimately if I pushed to wait it out they'd let me (as of now- they are running blood work weekly at this point to make sure it stays that way!)

    We have a tentative eviction date of August 8. Our anniversary is August 9th, so I asked if we could do it either the 10th or the 5th (petty, and if it comes down to it we'll do it on the 8th.) The doctor is reviewing everything and will let us know tomorrow! The doctor does NOT want me to go past my due date, she said that is an unnecessary risk, with no benefits to anyone, so the latest they will let me go is my due date.  




  • @Allisun85 my grandparents' anniversary is 8/9 and it's also my uncle's birthday!
  • Just got scheduled for an induction 8/3 (one day shy of due date) if baby doesn't come sooner. I have to get to the hospital at 5 am, can't eat anything after midnight (should I actually do that?) and they say to do a Fleet's Enema before bed! Wasn't expecting that--has anyone else had that instruction?

    Married May 2014
    DD born August 2016
    Baby #2 due December 2017
  • I had my induction at 37 weeks due to cholestasis. It was quite the process but my body responded exactly how it was supposed to! It took about 48 hours til all was said and done. They did cervidil, the cook balloon, and finally pitocin. I was having contractions when I was admitted and started out 90% effaced. For all the awful things said about inductions it went much better than expected! Also, @mmclark10 my bile acid levels started dropping and the itching went away very quickly.. I saw you have cholestasis too. 
  • @cait5413 Pretty sure giving laboring women an enema is a very outdated practice. My mom mentioned she had to get them when she had us (in the 80s) but I've never heard of it being done these days.
      


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  • @cait5413 Pretty sure giving laboring women an enema is a very outdated practice. My mom mentioned she had to get them when she had us (in the 80s) but I've never heard of it being done these days.
    I thought it was weird. I assume it's so you don't poop on the table, but I really don't care. I'll talk to my doc about it next week. Our appointment was over and the nurse just handed me the paper saying I was scheduled (which included the instructions), so I didn't get to ask any questions really. The enema just seems weird; the not eating past midnight I assume is in case the induction fails and you have to have a c-section but laboring for hours with no food does not seem like a great idea. Hopefully, baby will come between now and then and it will be a moot point!

    Married May 2014
    DD born August 2016
    Baby #2 due December 2017
  • @cait5413 the enema does sound weird. When I was induced with DD I ate breakfast the morning I was in the hospital and then when they decided on the c section they made me drink something that would neutralize everyone on my stomach. I would probably eat something the morning of before you go in because it could take a good while before you have the baby. Is the hospital you're delivering at an older hospital?
  • @cait5413 I ended up being induced Saturday after my water broke and was only having weak contractions. They gave me a mug full of ice water and toast when I got hungry. I delivered in the same hospital 6 years ago and wasn't allowed anything but ice chips when I was in labor. Things have changed recently, so I would definitely ask your doc. 
  • @cait5413 @stephanie7693 My hospital told me I was allowed food up to 4cm, then only "clear liquids" - but if it was a mostly clear liquid, it was fine to ask for. Broth, popsicles, water, juice all fine. They did also say they would turn a blind eye to food being brought to me, but as per their legal department they couldn't endorse me eating, or provide me with food ... "As much as we'd like to given the new research...*grumble*"



  • Allisun85 said:
    @cait5413 @stephanie7693 My hospital told me I was allowed food up to 4cm, then only "clear liquids" - but if it was a mostly clear liquid, it was fine to ask for. Broth, popsicles, water, juice all fine. They did also say they would turn a blind eye to food being brought to me, but as per their legal department they couldn't endorse me eating, or provide me with food ... "As much as we'd like to given the new research...*grumble*"
    During my last induction I asked to eat a Cliff bar that I had brought before one of the times they upped the pitocin.  The nurse basically said the same thing.  Eat your food and we dont say anything unless its like a greasy cheese burger or something that isn't going to end well.  

    So ladies, pack your snacks!  I also packed "clear" gatorade.  

  • When we did the hospital tour they told us they are still on the ice only during labor protocol, supposedly because of the anesthesiologists. Which I understand,  even though it is outdated, but they are making me come in at 5 am to be induced and say only eat a light dinner and don't eat or drink anything after midnight, which seems silly  to  me. I'm not going in for a planned surgery, and even if I did have a c-section I probably wouldn't be knocked out either. I'll talk to my doc and hopefully baby will decide to come before induction day. Thanks, ladies!

    Married May 2014
    DD born August 2016
    Baby #2 due December 2017
  • my hospital in CT just had one of the top anesthesiologists from Yale medical center join. He's bringing in a lot of new options like nitrous oxide, and epidural drips on demand (like when you need more, you press the button instead of just getting the complete dose). I guess his policy on food is changing things too, because from what i hear his opinion is "how are these women supposed to push babies for hours with no energy?" so although legally they only allow like ice chips and sips of water, they don't do much if they happen to see some light food being consumed (crackers, toast, chicken broth, etc). 
  • oh the epidural button is amazing, @caitlinj187!  However mine wasn't "hooked up right" last time!  I would push, wait, push, wait... and nothing happened!  This time I am going to make sure they get it right from the start.  On demand pain relief is a necessity!


  • Thanks for sharing @jacmkelley

    I'm glad to hear of successful inductions for the second time around. 

    I wasn't induced with my first but am facing it with my second. I love to hear the advice and personal stories. 
  • My induction process is in the birth announcements. Aside from it taking longer than I thought, it went really well! I'm not sure why I thought it would be quicker. 

    @court5608 yes, symptoms were gone almost instantly. I had it with my first as well and same thing, soon as he was out, I felt great in terms of itching. Glad you and your baby are doing well! 
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