So, talk to me about induction

MrsAB1316 · September 2012

After talking it over with DH this morning, we decided to go ahead and induce this Saturday at 41 weeks. Originally, my doctor was going to allow me to go to 41w5d, but since the risks increase after 41 weeks, it just didn't seem worth it to us to wait that long. (I'm still hoping that Baby AB will let us know who is boss by coming earlier than Saturday, lol...)

Have any of you STMs (or any FTMs who have already had their babies/know someone) been induced and still delivered med free?? I'd still like to try to go without an epi but I want to have as realistic expectations as possible. I know everyone is different, and it will depend on my own experiences, but I just was curious if anyone had been able to tough it out or if the Pitocin pretty much guarantees the epi.

TIA!

MrsAB1316 · September 2012

Ahh...thanks, Anita!!! And, Lilbit is kind of a rock star. Lol...not sure I could ever compare to her! Stick out tongue

I'm super nervous, but so excited and relieved to know that in a couple of days, I'll have my LO in my arms.

mb314 · September 2012

There was another post on the Natural Board asking whether people have had pitocin and then delivered without an epit. https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/68476763.aspx. The general consensus was that people could handle the pitocin until their water broke, and then the pain got really intense. Some got an epi, some managed to stick it out.

I'm curious though if others have experiences. I really wanted and prepared for a natural birth, but my MW is threatening induction because of some pre-existing blood pressure issues I've had.

Sage4200 · September 2012

Im in a similar situation. My midwife said they start with the lowest possible does of pitocin and monitor rather than just jumpstarting everything like an OB would. She said about 75% of her patients that planned a natural birth that got induced did it without the epi. Dont beat yourself up if you end up needing it. THe most important thing is that the baby comes out happy and healthy!

lollypop1989 · September 2012

My mother had six children, all induced with pitocin. With the first 5 she didn't have any pain meds. She had an epi with the last one, my baby sister, because she broke her tailbone about two weeks before giving birth. She would have gone without it except her tailbone was hurting really bad.

She says it was hard without drugs, but nothing she couldn't get through. And she hated the epi, even though it took the pain away from her tailbone. She said it was like trying to pick something up while having numb hands. She couldn't feel when to push and they had to tell her when. She's a big advocate of natural birth.

The reason she was induced with every single one of us is because she is one of the few people whose water breaks without having contractions first. She also had really long labors with all of us. Every one was between 14-20 hours long. I am sincerely hoping that I don't take after her lol.

Edit: Spelling

MrsAB1316 · September 2012

lollypop1989:
My mother had six children, all induced with pitocin. With the first 5 she didn't have any pain meds. She had an epi with the last one, my baby sister, because she broke her tailbone about two weeks before giving birth. She would have gone without it except her tailbone was hurting really bad.

She says it was hard without drugs, but nothing she couldn't get through. And she hated the epi, even though it took the pain away from her tailbone. She said it was like trying to pick something up while having numb hands. She couldn't feel when to push and they had to tell her when. She's a big advocate of natural birth.

The reason she was induced with every single one of us is because she is one of the few people whose water breaks without having contractions first. She also had really long labors with all of us. Every one was between 14-20 hours long. I am sincerely hoping that I don't take after her lol.

Edit: Spelling

Yeah, if I had a broken tailbone, I'd be requesting an epi, pregnant or not! lol... Thanks for all of the encouragement ladies. I do feel I can do this... I've endured some pretty intense pain before (3rd degree burns on my scalp and neck from a grease fire acccident, several kidney infections, bone infection in my jaw) and I know that labor will at least be a "worth it" type of pain. However, I'm of the mindset that even if I get the epi, I haven't failed...

mrs.kapow · September 2012

Is your doc going straight to pit?

I was induced and went epi-free (had IV drugs so I could hold off pushing until my mw arrived), but I never needed the pit. The cervadil was enough to put me into natural labor.

hterry85 · September 2012

mb314:

The general consensus was that people could handle the pitocin until their water broke, and then the pain got really intense.

This was the case for me with DD. If they have to break your water have them hold off as long as possible, because that's when it get really bad. But for me I was already to 8.5 by that point and they were getting things ready for me to actually push so I never got it.

Also keep in mind if you're already on an IV they can give you pain meds that way. Nothing like an epi, but still better than nothing.

lollypop1989 · September 2012

MrsAB1316:
lollypop1989:

My mother had six children, all induced with pitocin. With the first 5 she didn't have any pain meds. She had an epi with the last one, my baby sister, because she broke her tailbone about two weeks before giving birth. She would have gone without it except her tailbone was hurting really bad.

She says it was hard without drugs, but nothing she couldn't get through. And she hated the epi, even though it took the pain away from her tailbone. She said it was like trying to pick something up while having numb hands. She couldn't feel when to push and they had to tell her when. She's a big advocate of natural birth.

The reason she was induced with every single one of us is because she is one of the few people whose water breaks without having contractions first. She also had really long labors with all of us. Every one was between 14-20 hours long. I am sincerely hoping that I don't take after her lol.

Edit: Spelling

Yeah, if I had a broken tailbone, I'd be requesting an epi, pregnant or not! lol... Thanks for all of the encouragement ladies. I do feel I can do this... I've endured some pretty intense pain before (3rd degree burns on my scalp and neck from a grease fire acccident, several kidney infections, bone infection in my jaw) and I know that labor will at least be a "worth it" type of pain. However, I'm of the mindset that even if I get the epi, I haven't failed...

I'll root for you if you root for me! Big Smile I'm going to try and do this drug-free. I'm not against getting an epi, I just would rather go without.

I've broken my back, got drug by a horse through gravel and had road rash up my whole back that had to be scrubbed out with a brush, dislocated my shoulder, hyperextended my knee... The list goes on lol. No 3rd degree burns, but plenty of 2nd degree ones. On the other hand, I've never given birth, so I can't really say I'm "prepared," but I think I can do it. I'm lucky that I'll have my DH there with me the whole time, and probably my mom, if she makes the drive in time lol. You'll be great! Just don't stress about it. I know that's a lot to ask, but do yout best. I'm trying not to also.

jdp · September 2012

My sister did twice. She was induced with both kids and had very little in the form of pain meds. HTH!

AB&TB · September 2012

I was induced with DD #1, but got an epi after a couple of hours of contractions. But I never had any intentions of going med free either. I am certain that you can do it if it is really important to you.

I will be getting induced this Saturday as well. Good luck to you!

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