Looming Induction :-(

Toni79

To say the least, things are not going as planned.  And emotionally, I don't think I am dealing with this well.

Before I even got pregnant, I knew I wanted a natural birth (no drugs, no interventions).  My plan was a natural birth at a hospital with a midwife.  I even switched practioners (from an OB to a midwife) at 30 weeks becasue I felt my OB wasn't on the same page as me.  I love my MW, she has been great!

However . . . I am 41 weeks and 4 days . . . and even the best MWs still start to worry and want that baby out!  BTW - I went through IVF, so there's no concerns about a mis-calculated due date.

On Wedneasday (41w1d) I had an ultrasound and a non-stress test.  Everything was fine.  So that bought me a few more days to let nature take its course.  My MW could also "strech" me to 2 cm. 

On Friday (41w3d) I had another non-stress test.  Again, everything was good and that bought me a few more days.

Unfortunately, they won't let me go past 42 weeks.  They actually want the baby out before I hit 42 weeks.  So if I haven't gone into "spontaneous labor" by Sunday night (41w 5d), I will be induced, and would likely deliver Monday (41w 6d).  I'm actaully scheduled to go to the hospital for the induction on Sunday at 7 pm (less than 24 hours from now).      :-(
 
To say the least, I'm not thrilled to be having the induction talk with my midwife (although I know if I was still with my old OB they would have induced me by now - probably without the extra testing).  

Thankfully she doesn't want to start induction with Pitocin.  She'll want to start with a prostaglandin gel (Prepidil).  Apparently the gel induces labor gradually, and you have the time get used to the contractions building up (like you normally would).  Unlike Pitocin which essentially just skips over the build up and takes you directly to the stronger contractions from hell.  She also said that Prepidil works more gradual than Cervidil.  She said, if I respond well to the gel, I wouldn't need Pitocin, and could go on without any other interventions/drugs.  But that also means, if I don't respond well to the gel, then I would need Pitocin, and I know what that can led to! 

I am thankful that she would want to take the induction slowly.  However I really didn't think it would come to this.  I've cried and cried some more.  I keep thinking I'll go into labor at any minute, but now I'm really being chased by the clock!

I had a dream last night that I went into labor.  I was so excited!  Until I woke up and realized it was just a dream!

I feel like I've done everything "right" throughout this pregnancy.  I've read a ton of books, eaten well, taken Bradley classes, prenatal yoga, etc.  The past two weeks I've been doing every "old wives" tales to induce labor:  I've been drinking RRLT since 35 weeks, I've walked so much my a$$ is hurting, had sex every day (some days twice), eaten pinapple, spicy food, accupreassure points, nipple stimulation, etc.  Notihng is working! 

I just feel like all my planning has gone down the drain.  I know I could probably "fight" my MW, but at this point I am just as concerned as she is.  I'm thankful that she's let me go this far (I know my old OB would not have let me).

I'm really hoping I go into labor tonight or tomorrow.  But at this point I'm loosing hope.  I already feel like I've failed. 

E&RMommy

You did not fail.  Look at what it has taken you to get to pregnant and the length of time.  Just as it was a different road for you to take to get pregnant, your initiation of labor is a bit different.  But the GOAL is what truly matters.  I know it's so hard to let go of what you want, but what you want is your baby. 

I wanted a vaginal, unmedicated delivery but breech twins had a different plan. 

Hang in there.  Don't get too worked up and remember that hearing your baby crying will change everything. 

ETA:  You're already 2 cm?  That's great.  At least you're not closed, thick and high.  That's a very good sign.

 

apple_green

Right there with you girl! Pretty much the same situation. It's really frustrating. I feel fine and as long as it was safe, I'd be fine being pregnant for another month. But every time I have to go in for a NST I'm paranoid that they'll find a reason to induce. And even if they don't, I'm quickly approaching 42 weeks and will have to consent anyway. I mean I don't have to, but you know what I mean. Just keep doing what you're doing! I'll do the same, and hopefully we both go into labor tonight!!

amandaleigh1

I don't know if my message here is coming too late, but I was in a similar situation last week. My fluid levels were going down, I have an ivf baby with SUA and I was over 41 weeks.

I was induced initially on cytotec, because I was not dilated at all and not really effaced. Further baby had not dropped.

The cytotec did ripen my cervix somewhat, but it also was giving me mild contractions like once a minute so we had to stop it after 8 hours (2 doses). We waited to see if labor would get going, but it did not. So I did the very lowest dose of piticin for a couple of hours, after which I asked to have it turned off, and they did, and my labor continued at its own pace. I did end up with continuous monitoring and an iv, which later on I needed. The iv was only hooked up though when I or baby needed fluids. I labored in the tub for 5 hours with telemetry belts, got thru transition and made it to pushing all without drugs. I pushed for 3-4 hours, went back on the pit to get more pushing contractions. In the end I was so exhausted and baby was posterior, that I needed vacuum to help my little one get past my pubic bone.

I am do glad I still had my birth mostly natural, and my little one was born alert and bright eyed, which was the point for me anyways.

Point is, you can still get the birth on your own terms even if you need induction. 

judahsmommy1

I'm sorry that it looks like things might not go how you want them to. Hopefully you're in the hospital as I type this and are well on your way to the birth that you want. If you are not, try to keep your ACTUAL goal in mind. Your actual goal is a healthy baby, born in the way that is healthiest for both of you. You're at a point where the healthiest thing for both you and your baby might be to induce. Try to focus on the positives in the situation. 1. You get to meet your baby. and 2. There are things available that allow you to have your baby in a healthy way even though you're approaching post-dates.

It is disappointing not to get to have the experience of going into labor on your own. I know, I've been there, and suspect I will be there again with this pregnancy. Just keep working on having the best birth for the two of you! 

Toni79

Thanks ladies for all your kind words.  I was reluctant to post this at first because I was afraid I would get some negative replies that would make me feel even more like a failure.

Well, here it is 10:30 am Sunday, and there's no signs.    I don't have to leave to go to the hospital until 6:30 pm, so I've still got about 8 hours for something to magically happen on its own.  But at this point I'm not getting my hopes up.

This was never the plan, but you don't know what decisions you'll make in life until you are faced with them for real.  When we started to see a fertility specilist I was ok with the "low intervention" stuff, but was not ok with IVF . . . but after 3 years of trying, I changed my mind (still took me 3 IVFs!).  I guess this is similar.  I never wanted to be induced or have any other meds, but here I am almost 2 weeks after my EDD, and its time to take action.

DH keeps reminding me that we're just going to take it one step at a time.  That I shouldn't focus on the "what ifs" (what if the gel doesn't work?  what if I need pitocin?  what if this all ends in a c-section?)  That I should just focus on relaxing and let the gel do its work.  Then if needed we'll discuss further options with the MW.

The goal is a healthy baby!  And from the begining we've always said that if the baby had a differant plan than us, we'd have to go with the baby's plan.

Thanks for sharing your stories too.  Hopefully I can still go without an epi and have an alert baby for BFing!

kami1977

I'm so sorry you're in this position.  I faced something similar with my second DD.  I went over my due date with her even though my first was born a day early and everyone expected me to go earlier.  My doctor wanted to induce at 41 weeks and I got her to agree to 41wks 5 days. I cried when we set the date and then I started doing everything in my power to get DD to come.  I truly believe I got myself so worked up about being induced that it actually kept me from going into labor.  I was feeling stressed and just couldn't relax.  The day before I went into labor I did acupuncture and castor oil and vented here.  I figured I'd try acupuncture the next day but after that I was done.  I knew I'd tried my hardest to avoid an induction and it was time to accept that may be just the route DD was going to come.  I went into labor at 1am in the morning.  I really believe I had to relax and accept that an induction was a possibility in order to into labor.  

Take today to relax and just enjoy the last few hours with your DH.  Don't do anything to try and get labor going, just enjoy your time together.  Your baby will be here soon and in the end you did what was best for your baby and you.   Good luck and best wishes on a healthy and easy delivery.

Toni79

kami1977:

Take today to relax and just enjoy the last few hours with your DH.  Don't do anything to try and get labor going, just enjoy your time together.  Your baby will be here soon and in the end you did what was best for your baby and you.   Good luck and best wishes on a healthy and easy delivery.

Thanks kami!  DH actually made the same suggestion . . . no long walks or sex today!  Just relax and save my energy for the laboring tonight and tomorrow!

I had a nice carb filled pasta lunch (since I'm only supposed to have a "light" dinner).  I'm gathering up my last few things (I've been mostly packed for nearly 2 weeks!).  Then, I'm going to take a nice relaxing bath.  And then its time to head to the hospital. 

I still have mixed feelings, but I'm just trying to stay positive.  I'm pretty sure I got all my tears out yesterday!

judahsmommy1

It's the next morning and I know that inductions can take a long time. But I'm hoping that you either have your baby in your arms right now or are very very close. I'm looking forward to your update!