Thoughts on Induction-need some natural mama guidance!

iLoveblueberries · May 2012

-I have been in prodromal labor now for about 3 weeks-meaning no sleep due to constant contractions at night. We have tried every natural thing to try to encourage sleep (wine, bath, massage....) and I tried Ambien for one night but had no success in getting sleep with that. I am really mentally exhausted and physically beat....I have given it my all but have really reached a breaking point.

-Got sent today for an NST (baby preformed well) and they did the first check they have done and I am barely 1 cm, not effaced, and my cervix is still long and thick. I am "overdue" at this point.
-I was hoping for a natural waterbirth without pain medication

One midwife has recd that I think about induction and I am. I am so exhausted and
it doesnt seem my body is making any progress even with the constant contractions....I am considering it even though it was never on the list of things that I wanted. However, another midwife is making me feel horrible about even considering induction and is telling me how it will fail because my cervix is not ready and that I should wait for my body to do things on its own. Part of me feels like induction is best because I am physically and mentally exhausted but the other part feel so scared that starting the induction process will lead to an outcome I dont want...and i feel like my care providers are not helping me make a choice. One tells me to listen to my body...the other one acts like I am an evil person for considering induction before 42 weeks. I don't want to rush into an induction but I also dont want to suffer through until 42 weeks just to have the same outcome.

Has anyone had a successful natural birth even with induction? What process did the doctors use for your induction? Any first time moms that went from a "fort knox cervix" and went into natural labor even after they were past due? Any other advice/things to think about?

Thanks ladies!

RockyMtnMama · May 2012

Are you able to sleep during the day when the labor slows down? Can you take a day off and sleep most of the day and then make a decision about induction? I just know how cloudy my head gets after multiple nights of insomnia and I wouldn't want to go into a pitocin induction trying for no pain meds without some respite before.

iLoveblueberries · May 2012

RockyMtnMama:

Are you able to sleep during the day when the labor slows down? Can you take a day off and sleep most of the day and then make a decision about induction? I just know how cloudy my head gets after multiple nights of insomnia and I wouldn't want to go into a pitocin induction trying for no pain meds without some respite before.

I am able to take at least a short nap during the day most days but it has been so long since I have seen a true "sleep" that even napping has little effect on the mental fog....but that is a concern of mine...that I would make a choice based on the fact that I have not had proper sleep.

sschwege · May 2012

Have you tried some natural induction techniques? Nipple stimulation, acupuncture, etc.

iLoveblueberries · May 2012

sschwege:
Have you tried some natural induction techniques? Nipple stimulation, acupuncture, etc.

Yes, I have basically tried everything but castor oil (which my midwife does not suggest)....nothing seems to have done anything for me...and baby is about as low as can go without falling out so you would think walking/yoga ball bouncing would do something but nada. :-(

sschwege · May 2012

iLoveblueberries:
sschwege:
Have you tried some natural induction techniques? Nipple stimulation, acupuncture, etc.

Yes, I have basically tried everything but castor oil (which my midwife does not suggest)....nothing seems to have done anything for me...and baby is about as low as can go without falling out so you would think walking/yoga ball bouncing would do something but nada. :-(

I'm sorry it sounds like you are having a rough go of it. I don't have any advice, but I hope that sweet baby is lying safely in your arms soon!

RockyMtnMama · May 2012

iLoveblueberries:
RockyMtnMama:

Are you able to sleep during the day when the labor slows down? Can you take a day off and sleep most of the day and then make a decision about induction? I just know how cloudy my head gets after multiple nights of insomnia and I wouldn't want to go into a pitocin induction trying for no pain meds without some respite before.

I am able to take at least a short nap during the day most days but it has been so long since I have seen a true "sleep" that even napping has little effect on the mental fog....but that is a concern of mine...that I would make a choice based on the fact that I have not had proper sleep.

I think I'd just try to nap several times per day for the next couple days and revisit the induction idea at your 41 week appt. Sounds miserable to wait, but like starting on an uphill battle if you do induce. Good luck with your decision.

ETA: Maybe try lunges up stairs and hills - that helped kick-start things with my first.

SWBs Wifey · May 2012

Keep in mind that during an induction, you MUST be monitored the whole time. Does the hospital you're delivering at have wireless monitoring available? The one I delivered DS1 at did not. I couldn't move more than 3 feet (the distance from the machine to my bed) from the machine, so I wasn't even allowed to get up to go to the bathroom.

kenna_4 · May 2012

Maybe you could try cervidil? It could soften the cervix and in some cases kicks you into full on labour. I'd try that before I'd go the full induction route.

GL - rest when you can!

sschwege · May 2012

One more thing I thought of, have you considered having your membranes swept?

mmmhilary · May 2012

I recently helped my cousin through a similar situation (though she was not post-date). I went to visit her, and it was clear that the stress of everything was causing her to "fight" the contractions. So I got some massage oil, some heating pads and hot towels, and focused all of my energy on helping her relax and feel better. Within a couple of hours her contractions started picking up, and she went to the hospital a couple hours after that. I know that when I exprerienced prodromal labor, I would get really anxious about the sleep I was loosing, and was this it or not, and all of the energy it was taking without going anywhere. If you feel like you may be doing any of this, try to just focus on yourself. Find someone to pamper and rub on you for HOURS. Focus on relaxing NOT because you think it will pick things up, but because you need it. Spend a lot of time with some really close people just loving and focusing on making yourself feel better. Good luck mama!

catsinawindow · May 2012

It sounds like your cervix needs ripening more than anything else. Have you been having sex frequently? Evidently, prostaglandins in sperm and semen help ripen the cervix. My OB even recommended this at the end of my pregnancy when an induction was looking likely (medical complications).

Another way to encourage cervical ripening are EPO capsules (I have no experience with these, but I bet other ladies here do). I also second a membrane sweep. It moved things along for me.

If you do need an induction, maybe consider the foley bulb. It helps you dilate to a 4 without any meds. Maybe it would put you into labor on your own so you wouldn't need the pitocin?

judahsmommy1 · May 2012

I have no idea if you've made a decision yet or not. I was also going to suggest the foley bulb as well. There are absolutely women who have been induced and have gone on to deliver without pain medications. I think part of the problem is that we have a very "anti-intervention" outlook when it comes to natural birth and I don't know that it's appropriate. Interventions absolutely have their place and the right person to make a decision about if an intervention is appropriate are the parents. If ANYONE is vilifying you for considering an intervention, I would say that is incredibly inappropriate. The other option, if you know that you want the baby out SOON, is to break your water and then continue with nipple stimulation. You just have to monitor consistently for signs of infection. Good luck!

Bblund · May 2012

This sound very familiar. AFter much thought and debate I decided to be induced. I had such severe pelvic pain it was unbearable. I decided on a wednesday afternoon and got ready to be induced Thursday morning. And guess what happened.. my labor started early Thursday morning and I had the baby med free. It was an amazing experience. My labor with my first dd was all medicated.

My doctor told me that most women who were in my situation and decide to get induced actually go into labor on their own. He told me once you decide , its then that you start to relax and your body relaxes adn then boom...

good luck!

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