Pros and Cons of Inducing

steph30032

I’m only 38 weeks right now but the doctor is already talking about scheduling me to be induced. It wouldn’t be for any medical reasons, more for convinence. So I’m just curious what the pros and cons are of inducing. Does it make labor last longer? More painful? 

schmoozie14

Following...I am in the same situation 

burnsmommy27

I think that varies greatly. Depends on how your body is progressing. I've had 2 inductions, each for a different medical reason. The first was a breeze, 12 hours start to finish. The second was much harder and much longer, 22 hours. I've heard pictocin makes contractions more painful but have never been in active labor without it. 

gilsam1

I think the research says it's more favorable if you're already starting to dilate (Google Bishop scores) so make sure they plan on using the cervical ripening medication before the pitocin. Also, I believe the research doesn't endorse induction for "convenience" but rather only for medical reasons. Of course, if you're past term  (like 41+ weeks) them you could consider that a medical reason I think. 

mindaa

Check out the website called evidence based birth. It includes a really detailed article about induction. (Under the topic of "due dates")
The book Expecting Better also has a good chapter on induction, but I don't know if it's worth it to get the whole book this far into pregnancy.

PhillymommaX2

I was electively induced with my second at 40+2. I was 2 cm and soft. Pitocin is no joke but once I got the epi I didn’t feel anything. It was 6 hrs start to finish with one push. This time I am due Monday and getting induced Tuesday per my request. Again I am 2cm, soft and the baby’s head is on my cervix. I will get the epidural again so I’m not worried about the more intense contractions. I’m happy to have it scheduled bc I can make plans for my 4&5 year olds and my husband will take the week off. I like planning. 
If my cervix wasn’t favorable or if this was my first child I wouldn’t induce unless medically necessary. 

Samsmommy6515

I’m getting ready for my second elective induction, both at 39 weeks and change. My previous labors went fast and I love far from the hospital with little two little toddlers who need a babysitter. For me it isn’t worth the stress of waiting for baby to come on her own. 

Talusia17

With my first pregnancy my water bag ruptured and I was not dilating nor contracting to avoid the risk of infection the started me on pitocin. They started me off with 6, then increased it to 12 and when that didn't get things going they went to 24 milli units per minute, they had to override the limit on the pump and broke my water bag. After that things started progressing. My contraction were unbearable and I was still not dilating and I couldn't get an epidural until I was 3 cm dilated. No breaks what so ever in contractions. 7 hours later I got an epidural once, I got that I started to dilated and started pushing two hours later.  This time around I'm hoping there is no need to use pitocin and I would not want to be induced if it's not medically necessary. 

Dani0329

I refused induction with my first but lived in a different state and knew it would be 1 of 4 doctors at my practice delivering.

Now we live in a rural area where if it’s a weekend or your doctor is out of town, any ob in the area can deliver. Some here have a high csection rate, some give episiotomies to everyone, sooo I have to decide what to do.

They won’t induce before 39 weeks obviously, so there is always the chance he could sooner and I get no say. I guess my advice is make the best decision for you. I will say I know I’ll refuse induction if I’m not favorable.

Ready4theParty

I was induced at 41w2d with my first.  As others have said the pitocin is no joke, but with the epidural it's doable.  The one thing I did not want with my first was an induction, but I wasn't dilated or showing signs at 41 weeks that labor was going to happen.  
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[Deleted User]

I was induced at 38 weeks with DD for medical reasons. I wasn't dilated at all, and the cervical ripening drugs did nothing for me. Pitocin contractions are ROUGH. I was in labor for 43 hours total and it was so draining. Personally, I would refuse induction again unless for a medical reason or I go late just because my first experience was unpleasant, but some people's inductions go beautifully! 

babymakes9

I was induced with my 3rd and 4th both at 39 weeks because my ob made the decision (she was worried the babies were going to be to big). It was the worst! Pictocin contractions are no joke.  I would avoid it if medically necessary. All of my other labors have been pain free compared to those. In case it makes a difference,  i have never had an epidural,  so that might ease the pain and make it less harrowing.