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3rd Trimester
Tips for a successful induction?
I am going in for my induction in one week, I was wondering if anyone had some good tips for the coming week. I really want a vag birth, had one with my son, and honestly a Csection scares me to death, thanks to my mom. She had a bad c section with my little brother when I was 15 and I really really don't want one.
My Dr is fine doing a vag birth with me, we talked about my choices and agreed inducing at 39 weeks and 4 days due to med reasons. She plans on admitting me and using Cervidil to ripen my cervix over night, then start me on pitocin drip at 8am. As my last apt Tuesday, I had no dilatation, and hard and thick cervix but the baby was in position and very low.
While I want to get the ball rolling, I have no urge to drink a bottle of castor oil, or go off roading. My Dr told me to walk, yoga, and sex would help. I was wondering what others had done to get ready for an induction that was helpful.
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Re: Tips for a successful induction?
I wish I had more advice (hopefully other ladies will). The only thing I can say is make sure that there are REAL medical reasons to induce b/c the best way to have a succesful vaginal devliery is to go into labor on your own as LOTS of inductions lead to c-sections b/c the body just isn't ready to dilate and progress.
But I guess the more "favorable" your cervix is i.e dilated and effaced the more likely your induction is to be succesful if you're closer or sitting at 1cm you'll have a much harder road ahead of you than if you're 100% effaced and 3/4 cm.
Good luck
Yeah, there are real medical reasons, my placenta is starting to show signs of breaking down due to diabetic, and now I am having liver enzymes that have my Dr baffled since I have excellent blood pressure and keep going up and then back down to normal.
My Dr knows how terrified I am of a C section, and is willing to work with me to get me as ready as possible but she also told me if I have to have a C section it will be last resort, but she wishes I would just go that route since she worried about the enzymes. She also assured me I would not have my mom's issue, and would do everything to make sure I had the birth I want. ( I love my Dr)
She is hopeful that I will start dilating soon, since the baby is right there, in a good position to start and that I went from 0 dilation with my first to 10 with in a hour. She said right now my cervix was like Fort Knox, but she plans on doing a check on Tuesday, and Friday morning I have a U/S before my induction so she can see how thick my cervix is. It has been 2.5 to 3 since 26 weeks, and she thinks it might be thinner.
Would your docs try stipping yur membranes a few days prior to induction? My last pregnancy this was done (I was 2cm) and it put me into labor...its worth a shot to atleast get you dialated a little if you do make it to the induction date
Our beautiful son was born July 2008.
2010: 2 IVF's,1 FET = 2 BFN's, 1 c/p
Feb 2011-Unmedicated FET= BFP!! DS #2 born Oct 2011!!.
Having a already ripened cervix is a real must. My doctor wont try induction before 41 weeks unless you are 2cm and 50% before the induction date. She will only do it after 41 weeks because the baby is already late. But she tells you first thing that you could possibly have a c-section or a really long and drawn out labor (they have to tell you this to cover there butts) Remember everyone is different. You could start completely closed and induce fast. GL
I think if I had to tell myself anything (I was induced last time) in retrospect, it would be to put off the epidural as much as possible, if not then the entire time. That way you can stay mobile, change positions to put the baby in a more favorable position for delivery if needed, etc.
And then another really good thing is to eat as much as you can. I ate cereal and it just wasn't enough to have energy for delivery. I seriously needed protein!
Married since 06/19/2004|Anna born 11/19/2006|Charles born 11/1/11
Double undergrad graduation May 2011| Me: Psychology, DH: Communication| A long journey!
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I had successful induction. My cervix was 1-2cm dilated. I lucked out, but having your cervix ripe is essential.
Try
Evening primrose oil is an excellent source of prostaglandins, which we already determined readies your cervix for labor. It can be taken orally as soon as 34 weeks, and can be applied directly to the cervix at full term (36 weeks). The general recommendation is two 500mg capsules per day until week 38, at which time you increase to 3-4 per day. The entire capsule can be inserted vaginally (inserted just before bed, it will dissolve before the first time you wake to use the bathroom), or you can use the oil on your fingers for your perineal massage, then also rub on your cervix (assuming you can reach it). Applying directly to the cervix is optimal, but the beneficial ingredients are absorbed through the external skin or the stomach also.
Sex! It will ripen that cervix
I waited until I was 5cm to get my epidural. Pitocin contractions are usually pretty bad, and mine were no exception. Just hang in there until you are progressed enough for your epi. If baby is not in ready positon, then try using an exercise ball, walking, squatting position, and anything else your childbirth instructor or doctor recommended.
Have a really good "last meal" b/c once you are in labor anything you eat will come back up. That is what I was taught in childbirth class, and boy was it true.
Most of all - RELAX and go with the flow! When they ask you for what you're experiencing be honest. Get as much rest during early contractions as you can as you'll need the energy later on. Relaxing also allows your body to do its job to birth the baby. The more you can get your body to relax with or without the help of medications, the better. Also, focus on quick digesting carbs for eating. You don't want a heavy protein based meal sitting in your belly, but you want something that will give you quick energy to the extent possible without completely messing with your blood sugars.
Doing "squats" (like you would at the gym to a full 90 degrees or more) I've heard will help open up your pelvis a little more)..
I was induced at 37 weeks with my daughter and I wasn't dilated at all.. and since I didn't know in advance about it I wasn't able to even try anything to try to help. But she was in position (head down and low).. I don't think they used Cervidil (sp?) but they put these little pills right next to my cervix 1 every 8 hours but they can only use 6 of them. It took them all to get me to dilate to 2 cm at which they broke my water, and as soon as they did I started contracting right away so I didn't need pitocin at all..
I ended up being in labor for 4 hrs and only had to push for like 30 minutes!! I didn't think it went to bad..
So my advice would be not to stress yourself out about it!! Just do whatever the doctor said!
Good luck!
Lurking...
I've had 2 successful inductions, the only difference is that I was dilated and effaced before each (3cm w/ DS and 6cm w/ DD). That really helps. The one promising thing is that you already have a child, so your body already knows what to do. Once the Pitocin starts, your body should be like "ok I remember this" and kick into action. My induciton with my second was insanely fast (granted I was walking around at 6cm for 2 weeks before it) and I only had to push for 5 mins. Second births are much easier!
GL!
Carter Robert 7.18.08 | Brynn Sophia 5.24.10 | Reid Joseph 9.10.12 | Emerson Mae 1.27.14