Facing possible induction: Pitocin or AROM?

BlinkingLight1

First, thanks so much to those who have offered their advice to me so far... I've been a bit of a PW lately

I'm not comfortable waiting much longer for him to come on his own. This has been a really tough decision for me, because I've dreamed of going into labor on my own since before I got pregnant.  It looks like that may not happen any time soon so I'm looking at my induction options.

Which would you prefer if you were planning a med-free VBAC? Pitocin or AROM? My midwife assured me I would not be "on the clock" with AROM as long as I'm making progress. 

ShannonMacHappy

I would choose AROM. Have you tried any other natural induction techniques? I went into labor at 41w5d after taking castor oil and walking a BUNCH! I also did blue and black cohosh for a week, but they didn't do much for me. I know others who it has worked for tho. Would you consider doing/trying castor oil before AROM? What does your MW think about that? Either way, I KNOW you can do this!!

BlinkingLight1

ShannonMacHappy:

I would choose AROM. Have you tried any other natural induction techniques? I went into labor at 41w5d after taking castor oil and walking a BUNCH! I also did blue and black cohosh for a week, but they didn't do much for me. I know others who it has worked for tho. Would you consider doing/trying castor oil before AROM? What does your MW think about that? Either way, I KNOW you can do this!!

I'm currently doing the homeopathic version of black and blue cohosh (I forget exactly what they're called now... cimicifuga and something else). I talked to my MW about castor oil and she said if it makes me poop it would make baby poop... and I don't know if I'm comfortable adding that possible complication.

BTW - what is "walking a bunch?" I can walk for about an hour straight, and then my back starts killing me and I start to swell up so I usually stop. I always say I'm going to walk for HOURS... and then give up about an hour into it because I'm in a lot of pain. So, just curious how long you were walking

Thanks for the confidence!

BJKL

I had AROM with my DD and I delivered 2.5 hours later.  I would definitely try this first as long as they think your body is ready.

 oh and i walked 3 miles every other day at a good clip when I was overdue and all it did was cause false labor. Boo.

NurseLaLa

Tough call... I would try a small dose of pitocin, mostly because of this: 

 

https://midwifethinking.com/2010/10/09/the-curse-of-meconium-stained-liquor/ 

Xles10

I would choose AROM for VBAC just because of the uterine rupture concern. Of course it's a really low risk, but if I didn't have to I wouldn't want to take anything to increase the intensity of uterine contractions

ShannonMacHappy

Xles10:

I would choose AROM for VBAC just because of the uterine rupture concern. Of course it's a really low risk, but if I didn't have to I wouldn't want to take anything to increase the intensity of uterine contractions

This is why I think AROM is better for you too. FWIW, I took my castor oil at 6 am, walked a mall (up and down stairs) for two hours from 11-1 p.m. Labor started at 3 p.m. 

mhickey12

I am so excited for you! I can't wait to read your birth story- you have been waiting so patiently!

AROM is definitely acommitment. You are not leaving the hospital until you walk out with a baby in your arms. If you go with pitocin and you are a "failed induction" you still have options. BUT your options are becoming more limited because you are post dates.

I understand that you are hesitant about castor oil. Go to the drug store and try a Fleets enema. It's a more gentle way to get things stimulated.

pinksweetpea2

BlinkingLight1:

I talked to my MW about castor oil and she said if it makes me poop it would make baby poop... and I don't know if I'm comfortable adding that possible complication.

This is an OWT...I am actually pretty surprised your MW is passing it off as a real medical advice.

The draw backs of castor oil are that you might get diarrhea and if you go into labor quickly, you could have to deal with diarrhea and labor.  Another drawback is that the diarrhea could cause dehydration- another think you don't really want to deal with during labor. The ladder can be prevented however by drinking a lot of liquids (like Gatorade or Recharge) in the hours after taking it.

That said, I tried it...it didn't work for me, but it did cure my constipation.

I personally would try castor oil before agreeing to an induction.  

 

BlinkingLight1

pinksweetpea2:

BlinkingLight1:

I talked to my MW about castor oil and she said if it makes me poop it would make baby poop... and I don't know if I'm comfortable adding that possible complication.

This is an OWT...I am actually pretty surprised your MW is passing it off as a real medical advice.

Really? Where did you get that information? I ask because if there is proof somewhere it's an OWT I'd like to present that to her.

mhickey12

I had two successful castor oil inductions- both under the instruction of my CNM. My second baby did have light meconium but he was post-dates. So who knows if it was from the castor oil or not. I did feel much better having emptied my bowels pre-labor!

Chenny555

I agree with the others that for VBAC, AROM seems like the best option.

FWIW, I was induced with cervadil/pitocin at 41 weeks and it failed.  They started the process again at 41w1d and nothing happened until they broke my water at 41w2d.  My labor went pretty quickly after that even though she was 9lbs and posterior.  I really wanted to avoid a pitocin induction and tried absolutely everything else to get labor moving on its own.  Nothing worked for me until they broke my water.  I was also assured I would not be on the clock and luckily, it never came to that.