Induction options

Minipenguin

 I have an appointment on Thursday with my MW to talk about being induced. I will be 41 weeks on Saturday and my MW said they will let me get close to 42 weeks but if I go too far then I will need to be induced. Thursday, January 31 will probably be induction day if I don't go spontaneously before then. They're not pushy about it at all and I think I could hold them off until Monday but TBH, I worry about how safe it is to wait that long.

So anyway, I can't use pitocin in the birth center (if there is an emergency then they will give it to me but I will need to be moved into a regular maternity room to be monitored). I was wondering if there are any induction methods I should specifically look into or ask about. My MW said I can have my water broken in the birth center and they will give me 24 hours to begin progressing (not give birth, just start progressing) before they will move me to start pitocin. She said I can start in a regular room and get pitocin. I know they also sometimes use a Foley bulb. Is there anything else I should ask about? If you were induced, what was your experience? I want to have a vaginal birth so it may be better to start off with pitocin and then have them stop giving it to me once labor begins to progress on its own. I won't be able to use the BC but I've also heard that having your water broken is very intense and doesn't always start labor so I may need to transfer anyway.

Any thoughts are appreciated! tia.

 

ETA: I'm delivering in a birth center that is inside a hospital. If I go into a regular maternity room, my MW will still be in charge of my care.

alanap

I was in the same boat as you with my second. My MW was very open and willing to let me make the decision. I decided on AROM breaking my water with my first. Irth started my water breaking and it was a wonderful experience. However, when we arrived to be induced my position was not favorable for AROM so we went with pitocin to start. She promised to stay very conservative with the pit and let me lead.

It started at 11am and DS was born at 8:05pm. It was completely different from my first birth in many ways. I hated having an IV and being confined to a bed. The contractions were strong and right on top of each other. I started shaking like I was in transition when I was only 4 cm. But both my husband and my sister were right there with me and I managed to pull through and DS is amazing.