Induction experiences from BTDT mommas

CNYBride05 · June 2013

1. What medication(s) were used?

2. How long from induction to delivery?

3. Anything you wish had been done differently?

No flames or judgements please. I will be induced for medical reasons at 36w if I don't go into labor in my own. I'm on bed rest until 35w. I'm fine with induction - it's best for my babies - just wanting to hear people's experiences. TIA

CNYBride05 · June 2013

Oh, and I'm already 1cm, 80% effaced.

smilejenn · June 2013

1. Pitocin and cervadilt

2. My induction for my first child took about 24 hours. My second child actually went through two inductions. The first had to be abandoned when continuous contractions with no breaks put the baby in distress. A few days later I was induced again. It took almost 3 days, 2 days being spent just on cervadil.

3. My inductions were for medical reasons, so there's no room to wish that things had gone differently,

Hope yours goes smoothly!

crogers19 · June 2013

I was induced at 37 weeks for pre e. I was -1, 80% effaced and 1 to 2 cm. I was given pitocin at lowest level and Foley bulb to encourage dialation. Induction was started at 11 am on a Monday started pushing noon Tuesday 45 minutes later ds was born.

Magnesium for my blood pressure cancelled out the small dose of pit so they had to up it quite a bit. It was a long process but fairly easygoing.

monkeybutt61612 · June 2013

My water broke, but was making no progress. They gave me Pitocin. I labored for 30 hours, including 3 for pushing only to end up with a C-section because he was stuck. In all honesty, I wish i opted for a C-section sooner because even with pitocin, it took sooo long to get to 10 centimeters. I should have seen it coming.

Amanda&EricB · June 2013

Cervadil was started at 8pm. Around 2am I was having pretty noticeable contractions. By 7am I was having strong contractions. I did not need pitocin, as the Cervadil had me in full labor.

I was 10 centimeters at 1pm, and started pushing.

jess9802 · June 2013

Lurker here, but my answers:

1. What medication(s) were used? Cytotec to ripen the cervix and pitocin to actually start contractions.

2. How long from induction to delivery? I checked into the hospital at 39w2d at 10p and they inserted the Cytotec at 11p. I had another dose at 3a. At 7a I had gone from 2cm to 3cm and from 75% effaced to 80% effaced. It did not put me into labor, so they started the pitocin shortly thereafter. I was at 4cm sometime around 11a/12 noon (IIRC), OB broke my water, I got the epidural, was 8cm by 2:45p, and started pushing around 4:30 (they let me labor down for a bit after I was complete). Pushed for 40 minutes, gave birth at 5:21p at 39w3d. Labor was five hours shorter than my doctor told me to expect.

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? I wish I had gotten the epidural before they started the pitocin. That's what I'll do next time if I'm induced.

143BabyCakes · June 2013

::lurker::

I went in for a scan at 40 wks 2 days. I was induced due to low fluids. Not safe for baby to wait. They said it could take days. It didn't. I was 1 cm. Got a foley bulb until 4 cm. Then Pitocin for 1 hour. They shut it off b/c my natural contractions were doing the job. I had a hard back labor. Got a heat pad and an epidural but I could still feel the contractions. I was in active labor for 9 hours. Delivered him in 23 minutes. I wouldn't change anything even though being induced wasn't a choice. Trust your instincts and listen to your doctor.

[Deleted User] · June 2013

lurking from 2nd tri-

I was induced with DD due to IUGR at 39 weeks 1 day. IV with pitocin was started at 6 a.m., water broken at noon and started pushing at 2:35 pm, DD was born at 2:38 pm.

My epi did not take at all, apparently my spine is crooked... but it actually worked out better because I only pushed twice and she was out.

about 8.5 hours total from start of meds to birth! I know that there are a lot of inductions that are not like mine, but my labor progressed very quick once my water was broken.

jemasa33 · June 2013

Pitocin

18 hours

No

I was having contractions very close together but was barely dilated so they induced me at 40 wks 3 days.

mellieg8582 · June 2013

1. What medication(s) were used? Pitocin

2. How long from induction to delivery? about 7 hours

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? Nope

ashie624 · June 2013

1. What medication(s) were used? Pitocin and Cervadil

2. How long from induction to delivery? They started me on cervadil wed night, induced me with pitocin on thursday. By about 6pm thursday i was only 1.5 cm dialated and maybe 25% effaced so they stopped the pitocin and we did the cervadil again thursday night. Started me on pitocin again friday morning around 9am and I had her at 953 pm. It was a long 3 days, but I started out 0cm dilated and 0% effaced (I was induced to to high bp)

Also I did have an epidural at around 4 cm. But at around 9.5 cm it pretty much wore off and I felt the rest of the contractions and the pressure.

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? Not really..it was just a long 3 days

CNYBride05 · June 2013

My doc mentioned Cytotec and if necessary, Pitocin. I'd rather not have Pit if it can be avoided, but am glad to hear less horrifying stories here re Pit than I've heard in the past .

I know it's impossible to know for sure til I'm in the swing of things, but if I'm already so effaced, do y'all think contractions will start with just Cytotec? I've been contracting (non-painfully) since 20/21w, but they (thankfully!!) have not changed my cervix too much yet. It's such a mindflvck to go from hospital bed rest and stopping labor to talk of induction! I'm just trying to wrap my head around it all

Oh, and I'm being strongly encouraged to get an epi since it's possible that Baby B will require a breech extraction or even emergency c/s. I'm bummed b/c I know it can slow labor.

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

LSzwaya · June 2013

I was induced for medical reasons at 36w4d. I was given cytotec and cervadil to ripen with no luck. A foley bulb was inserted and after that fell out I was given pit and my water was broken. I went in 1cm 50 effaced. 3 pushes and baby boy was out at 36w6d. I went in on 12/29 at 4 pm and DS was born on 12/31 at 5:51 am. I wish I had gotten the epidural sooner. I was so worried about my epidural stalling my labor but I actually dilated so much faster once I got it. The pit was so hard my body that I think not having the epidural sooner made it harder for me to relax and dilate. However, that is a complete hindsight "I wish I would have" because many women have the opposite experience. Good luck!!! Lots of love, CS!

CNJ4EVA · June 2013

What medications were used?
Cervadil and Pitocin
How long from induction to delivery?
Cervadil started at 7pm on May 30, Pitocin started at 7am May 31, delivery via c section at 8:18pm on May 31. So a total of 25 hours. 13 hours active labor.
Anything you wish had been done differently?
Nope.

gemini2005 · June 2013

I was induced at 39 weeks due to high blood pressure. I was 1.5 cm and 70% effaced and was given pitocin to start contractions. They broke my water right away and I made it to 4-5 cm before getting the epidural. DS was born about 11 hours after they started the pitocin after pushing for 20 minutes. I had a really good induction from start to finish. I'm in the same situation again (almost exactly two years later!) and have my induction set for July 3rd. I'm actually not nervous this time since everything went so smoothly last time. I hope you have a good experience, too. GL with your babies!!

audreid · June 2013

1. I was induced with Cervadil.

2. The entire process was 53 hours. I went to 4 cm extremely quickly, and then completely stalled for about 30 hours, at which point my doctor started pitocin. Once I got to 7 cm I got an epidural (which did NOT work) and my doctor broke my water. Once my water broke things progressed pretty rapidly and DD was delivered 90 minutes after my water was broke.

3. My induction was medically necessary due to hypertension. This pregnancy is going much smoother, so I am hoping to avoid being induced, but if I have to be, at least I know more of what to expect.

adoubleu12 · June 2013

1. What medication(s) were used? Pitocin. Induced at 35 weeks due to Pre-e and partial HELLP syndrome.

2. How long from induction to delivery? About 12 hours. I was 2-3cm.

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? Nothing that was in my control. The induction/labor part of my delivery was pretty easy. My epi didn't fully work, but it was nothing terrible. MH had just left on a flight out of state that morning, so that was a PITA getting him back in time. It was stressful, yes, but it went pretty fast. I had no issues progressing, in fact went from 5-9 in less than an hour. Delivered in the OR, because of high risk for c-section. Pushed Baby A out in about 13 minutes. Baby B refused to engage, kept her hand above her head. When they decided to break my water her cord came out 1st so it was an emergency c-section for her.
Again, completely out of my control, I wouldn't change the decisions I made. The only thing "Horror story" about my L&D was the D part.

mamabliss23 · June 2013

1. What medication(s) were used? Cervidil, cytotec, foley bulb, pitocin.

2. How long from induction to delivery? 3 days. I did get an epidural after the foley bulb as my water finally broke and the contractions came on very strong. I eventually fell asleep and woke up ready to push (which took several hours, but I had very little pain).

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? I was happy that I was able to deliver vaginally after a very long road. I was induced for medical reasons at 37 weeks (small baby, low fluids) and I trusted my practice to guide me. There was nothing that could have been done differently.

erbear · June 2013

1. What medication(s) were used? cervadil, the pitocin

2. How long from induction to delivery? 55 hours. Cervadil started on Monday night, she was born (via c-section) Thursday morning.

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? a million things, starting with not being induced from nothing.

bumpuser7698452 · June 2013

1. What medications were used?
Cytotec
I was at 2cm and I think 50 when I was admitted. Luckily contractions started about an hour after placing the cytotec so I didn't have to get the pitocen.

2. How long from induction to delivery? 5 hours

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? Nothing. Labor and delivery were still an amazing experience and it couldn't have gone better.

No Longer ERL · June 2013

1. 2 rounds of cytotec no pitocin.
2. 11 hours start to finish...I was 2 cm to start and probably starting labor ob my own.
3. Had my epidural at 5 cm and was fully dilated 2 hours later.
4. Nothing it was a perfect delivery.

lisamoe · June 2013

CNYBride05:
1. What medication(s) were used?I had cytotec pill placed x3 then started Pitocin. I needed the pill inserted before starting pit because I wasn't dilated.
2. How long from induction to delivery? 26hrs
3. Anything you wish had been done differently? I wish I wasn't induced, but due to high bp and swelling it was a must (I was 40weeks 3days as well). It just sucked because the process was so long for me. And once the pills were placed I couldn't walk around, which its very uncomfortable laying inbed that long. I also couldn't eat the entire time, which didn't help when I needed energy for pushing. I don't regret it, because it was necessary and I did have a good outcome and didn't need a csec (most people will try and scare you by saying you will probably need a csec if induced). Overall, it wasn't horrible--just long! GL to you and hope you have a nice and easy delivery.
No flames or judgements please. I will be induced for medical reasons at 36w if I don't go into labor in my own. I'm on bed rest until 35w. I'm fine with induction - it's best for my babies - just wanting to hear people's experiences. TIA

JCWhitey · June 2013

CNYBride05:
My doc mentioned Cytotec and if necessary, Pitocin. I'd rather not have Pit if it can be avoided, but am glad to hear less horrifying stories here re Pit than I've heard in the past .
I know it's impossible to know for sure til I'm in the swing of things, but if I'm already so effaced, do y'all think contractions will start with just Cytotec? I've been contracting (non-painfully) since 20/21w, but they (thankfully!!) have not changed my cervix too much yet. It's such a mindflvck to go from hospital bed rest and stopping labor to talk of induction! I'm just trying to wrap my head around it all
Oh, and I'm being strongly encouraged to get an epi since it's possible that Baby B will require a breech extraction or even emergency c/s. I'm bummed b/c I know it can slow labor.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I'm curious as to why you would want the drug that is not FDA approved for inducing labor and even the manufacturer warned that it should not be used to induce labor and yet you don't want the one that is approved. Seems a little backward to me. I'd do some serious research into Cytotec before making up your mind. Also look at Cervidil (which is FDA approved to induce labor and carriers fewer known risks). A lot of doctors prefer Cytotec because it's cheaper, not because it's better for you.

jess9802 · June 2013

JCWhitey:
I'm curious as to why you would want the drug that is not FDA approved for inducing labor and even the manufacturer warned that it should not be used to induce labor and yet you don't want the one that is approved. Seems a little backward to me. I'd do some serious research into Cytotec before making up your mind. Also look at Cervidil (which is FDA approved to induce labor and carriers fewer known risks). A lot of doctors prefer Cytotec because it's cheaper, not because it's better for you.

Perhaps because clinical research trials (superior research to what a layperson can conduct on Google) have shown inductions with Cytotec more likely to result in a vaginal delivery at 24 hours compared to Cervadil - thus, it is associated with fewer failed inductions. My OB, who has conducted clinical research trials, including one on Cytotec vs. Cervadil, didn't particularly care which medicine I used (after all, I was paying the bill, not him), but he did have a lengthy discussion with me about the safety and efficacy of Cytotec. It is what I chose, and what has been used on thousands of women at my hospital for over 20 years, without issue. My experience was Cytotec was benign and unremarkable. It did not cause contractions, but it ripened the cervix a little bit.

ETA: The fear-mongering over Cytotec drives me batty. Yes, as with any drug on the market, it can be misused and have negative side effects, and many of those were common when its benefit as an induction agent were first being explored. Over the years the use of the medicine has been refined in terms of contraindications and dosage. ACOG and WHO believe it can be used appropriately, and indeed the latter considers it an essential medication given its shelf stability and cost.

CNYBride05 · June 2013

JCWhitey:
CNYBride05:
My doc mentioned Cytotec and if necessary, Pitocin. I'd rather not have Pit if it can be avoided, but am glad to hear less horrifying stories here re Pit than I've heard in the past .
I know it's impossible to know for sure til I'm in the swing of things, but if I'm already so effaced, do y'all think contractions will start with just Cytotec? I've been contracting (non-painfully) since 20/21w, but they (thankfully!!) have not changed my cervix too much yet. It's such a mindflvck to go from hospital bed rest and stopping labor to talk of induction! I'm just trying to wrap my head around it all
Oh, and I'm being strongly encouraged to get an epi since it's possible that Baby B will require a breech extraction or even emergency c/s. I'm bummed b/c I know it can slow labor.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I'm curious as to why you would want the drug that is not FDA approved for inducing labor and even the manufacturer warned that it should not be used to induce labor and yet you don't want the one that is approved. Seems a little backward to me. I'd do some serious research into Cytotec before making up your mind. Also look at Cervidil (which is FDA approved to induce labor and carriers fewer known risks). A lot of doctors prefer Cytotec because it's cheaper, not because it's better for you.

And I am curious why you need to sound so condescending... It must be nice to be the resident expert.

I don't WANT any of this, but it's been a scary and eventful pregnancy and I trust my doctors. What I want is healthy babies and healthy momma.

CNYBride05 · June 2013

jess9802:
JCWhitey:
I'm curious as to why you would want the drug that is not FDA approved for inducing labor and even the manufacturer warned that it should not be used to induce labor and yet you don't want the one that is approved. Seems a little backward to me. I'd do some serious research into Cytotec before making up your mind. Also look at Cervidil (which is FDA approved to induce labor and carriers fewer known risks). A lot of doctors prefer Cytotec because it's cheaper, not because it's better for you.
Perhaps because clinical research trials (superior research to what a layperson can conduct on Google) have shown inductions with Cytotec more likely to result in a vaginal delivery at 24 hours compared to Cervadil - thus, it is associated with fewer failed inductions. My OB, who has conducted clinical research trials, including one on Cytotec vs. Cervadil, didn't particularly care which medicine I used (after all, I was paying the bill, not him), but he did have a lengthy discussion with me about the safety and efficacy of Cytotec. It is what I chose, and what has been used on thousands of women at my hospital for over 20 years, without issue. My experience was Cytotec was benign and unremarkable. It did not cause contractions, but it ripened the cervix a little bit.
ETA: The fear-mongering over Cytotec drives me batty. Yes, as with any drug on the market, it can be misused and have negative side effects, and many of those were common when its benefit as an induction agent were first being explored. Over the years the use of the medicine has been refined in terms of contraindications and dosage. ACOG and WHO believe it can be used appropriately, and indeed the latter considers it an essential medication given its shelf stability and cost.

Thank you. This is also what we were told and feel comfortable with our MFM team. This whole process has been scary and full of unexpected twists and turns. I appreciate your response.

HeatherMc78 · June 2013

I was induced at 39 weeks with both of my sons.
1. I was given pitocin and cervadil.
2. Pregnancy 1 I was given cervadil around 9am and pitocin around noon. My son was born at 10:02pm.
Pregnancy 2 I was given the meds around the same time as previous delivery and son 2 was born at 6pm.
3. I will definitely get an epidural for this pregnancy.. It made the experiences easier. I learned from the first pregnancy not to take strong pain meds after delivery. I was sick and dizzy the first day of my son's life. I couldn't hold or bond with him.

MammaBear81 · June 2013

1. What medication(s) were used? Pitocin

2. How long from induction to delivery? anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on which child (I was induced with 4 of them). Came in around 7am to check in, all of them were born before 2pm

3. Anything you wish had been done differently? No, I've had great experiences with my inductions, didn't even need pain meds or an epidural