What say did you have in your induction?

JandM524 · January 2014

I am being induced tomorrow. We're going in early and are planning on discussing concerns/the plan of action. For those who have been induced, what kind of say did you have in regards to the process and drugs?My doctor mentioned that she wanted to run antibiotics for Strep B at least once and possibly twice to be safe. I think that's overkill. When she was out of town I saw a different doctor who said getting the antibiotics is preferrable for sure but if he comes quick it there's only about a 1% chance that he would be effected. Also, I have heard that some people do the pitocin and then have it shut off once their body starts taking over. She didn't discuss this with me but when I handed the secretary the sheet to scheule the induction she had me already starting at the higher dose out of two options. I am 70% effaced, -2 station, and 3-4 cm. Thoughts?

peanutmuse · January 2014

I went with the recommendations. The only time I put my foot down is when I wasn't served dinner before starting Cytotec. Because of the fact that I knew I wouldn't be allowed to eat all night, I refused the first dose of Cytotec twice when they tried to give it to me. I had to send my sister out for food. The not being served dinner was a cafeteria mistake. They didn't bring up two meals to L&D that night. I was actually given two free hospital parking passes for the whole thing. I was really angry that they (a) didn't serve me dinner after not having eaten from 8:30am until 5pm and (b) trying to make me not eat for another 15 hours after that. Unacceptable.

TL:dr version: the only say I chose to have is the start time of the procedures. There are two key things to remember, in my opinion. Number one, they do this all of the time. They probably know what they are doing. Number two, if you really don't feel comfortable, you do have the right to refuse something or ask for alternatives. Trust yourself too.

brideandbreve · January 2014

I was induced due to low amniotic fluid with DS, and I had a little bit of say in how things went - but I left most of the decision making up to my OB because I trusted her.

I will say, I think getting 2 doses of antibiotics is a bit overkill. If you're being induced, there's plenty of time for you to get one dose in, and then you should be fine - and that's taking into consideration whether you even tested positive for GBS. (Although, to be fair, I tested negative for GBS when I was pregnant with DS, and the doctor on call from my OB's practice went ahead and gave me antibiotics just to be on the safe side, and I consented because I felt it was better to be safe than sorry.)

I had a pitocin drip, but once my water broke, it was about 15 minutes before the intensity and frequency of contractions picked up, and while waiting for an epidural, the nurse turned down the drip. Things progressed so fast, preventing me from getting an epidural, and the drip was turned off as soon as I announced I had to push. Whether the nurse consulted with the on-call OB, I don't know. Also, I was started off on a low-dose of pitocin around 7 AM, and then it was bumped up at noon.

My experience might not be helpful for you, but I wish you the best. I had a negative opinion about inductions, but my experience was a really positive one. Good luck and keep us posted!

JandM524 · January 2014

Thank you for the feedback ladies! I really appreciate it. I wanted to avoid induction and go naturally but was not so lucky. Either way, I am going in with a positive attitude. Going in having a better idea of what to expects has helped. Thank you!

OSUWifey09 · January 2014

I've been induced all three times. I didn't necessarily have a say in how the process went, but the OBs [a different doc delivered each baby] did a great job of explaining what they wanted me to do and why. I did let them know I wanted an epi, and I got it with my first two - but DD came so quickly once the pitocin started that I didn't get an epi.

I was GBS+ with my first and had two rounds of antibiotics, but they told me that the first round would be fine if DS came quickly [which he didn't]. May want to ask about the antibiotics.

I've also had fairly positive experiences with my inductions and hope it's the same for you. Good luck!

CopperT0p · January 2014

Mine was a bit of a different situation in that I needed pitocin to intensify my contractions. My water had been broken over 24hours and my contractions had only brought me to 90% effacement and 1cm dilated (which I had been stuck at for about 10 hours). Because I was a VBAC, my midwife and the OB we consulted with were in favour of using some pitocin to push me along.

I wanted to be able to walk the halls while on the pitocin, but the OB required continuous monitoring of my BP, FHR and contractions because of being a VBAC and because I'd been in labour so long already. So I was confined to the bed.

I didn't care about the rate they increased the dose (which ended up being increased every half an hour). I trusted their knowledge. I was hoping to avoid an epi, but it turned out the contractions were way to strong for me to handle. I asked for one about 2 hours into pitocin.

I did ask when I was 9cm if they could turn down the epi towards the end so I could feel the need to push, but it turns out I could already feel it without them changing it.

Definitely ask questions and make sure you feel fully informed. My midwife/OB/nurses were very good at talking everything through with me so I would be aware and I felt more confident in my decisions because of that. I think it also helped calm DH down.

MrsGraham06 · January 2014

I've been induced for 3 pregnancies, and had pitocin on the other due to no progress. I listened to the OB's advice, and what they were saying, but I trusted their judgement and agreed to what they said. I felt I had the option to say no, but never felt the need to.

mrsjenni · January 2014

I've been induced 3 times so far and heading for a 4th on Monday. I was GBS+ for 2 of the 3 thus far and I am again this time. Although you may not want the antibiotics, that is pretty standard treatment to have 2 rounds for GBS+ during your labor (induction or not). I see no reason NOT to get both rounds of abx, really. Why do you care so much if it's the best course of action for both you and your baby?

Also, my OB and I have already discussed how my induction will go this time and she even wrote it out for me. I have very fast labors (longest was 7, shortest was less than 4), and with being 6cm dilated to start AND GBS+, we plan to start the abx first, wait 2 hours, start Pit with the 2nd round of abx, wait an hour and then break my water. Do I hate that I have to wait an extra 3 hours before even really starting my induction? For sure. But I know that's what's best for both me and my baby.

ChuggingWater · January 2014

I went with the recommendations both times
Especially this time due to being induced for HELLP

Stella2008 · January 2014

I've been induced with all three of my pregnancies, and the plan has always been exactly the same. We did talk about it ahead of time at the doctors appointment prior to the induction date. My progress was almost exactly the same as yours except that I was at a -1 station, and all we did for the induction was start out with a low dose (6-8, I think) of pit and then within a few hours we were able to turn that down as my body had taken over.

As others have said, if I were you I'd trust your doctor's recommendations. Your doctor will be checking in with L&D during the induction and so if you have concerns once things get going, such as turning down the pit, just talk to them about it and I'm sure they will explain why/why not. As for the antibiotics, I think 2 doses is standard (although I have no personal experience with that). As others have said, what's the big deal?

gina0485 · January 2014

I had very little say as my induction was urgent and baby's health was dependent on delivery. The orher optikn was a section which i desperately wanted to avoid if I could do so safely. I was not willing to go against medical advice for that reason. I hated cervadil and wish to never have it again but it got me a healthy baby boy.

brideandbreve · January 2014

Just wanted to pop in and say, I had no idea it was routine to do 2 doses of antibiotics, so I stand corrected since that appears to be the case.

(Sorry ladies!)

joynalanson · January 2014

Apparently the double dose is the first, then they do it every 4 hours. I had to get induced because my water broke a day before. I feel like they did right by me because they took me off pretty quick once things got ramped up. I would have Prefered to not have had any meds, but I also would have Prefered my water not to break ahead of time.

Laurenlavay · January 2014

I'm late to the induction party but I'll throw my story out there anyway. FTM, I didn't anticipate being induced last week (due date was 21st) but I went in for my 40w appointment on the 22nd and my BP was high. They sent me to L&D, monitored me and baby for about 5hrs, continued to have high pressures, talked with me about induction. I really wanted to avoid it at all costs. After talking with the doctors about it I realized that they really do know what's best for me and the baby. They wouldn't suggest it if they didn't think t was necessary, so I decided to go along with the plan (they gave me the option of declining but told me I was higher risk of complications if I went into labor on my own. With the induction they could control the situation. Made sense to me. )

I was 3cm on admission, Got abx for GBS+ (I also don't see any harm in multiple doses), started pitocin at 10pm, had a FANTASTIC epidural, was able to nap through most of my labor, and had baby at 9am after 20mins of pushing.

Moral of this unnecessarily long story, if I had to do it again, I would. I don't know if I would schedule an induction, but that's just me.

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