For moms who have been induced...

jendem8 · July 2014

Just curious about experiences for those who have been induced.

Has anyone managed to make it through without the epidural? My blood pressure has been high at my past few appointments, and now they're talking about possibly inducing me, which is so not what I want. I feel like if I receive pitocin, there's no way I'll be able to go through labor without an epidural, which I also really don't want. At least they're not talking about inducing me tomorrow or anything, because my doctor did say that at 37 weeks, my body is probably not ready for labor yet, which will up my chances of a c-section. Just wondering what your experiences have been. Thanks!

missmiss307 · July 2014

I have not, personally, but I have a close friend who did. She said it was rough but not undoable, obviously.

tahitiansun · July 2014

I was induced, but choose to have the epidural.

Just keep in mind, there are other medical ways to be induced that don't involve pitocin-which I hear causes the most intense contractions. I didn't Have it, I just had the foley bulb, which worked beautifully for me. It opens your cervix gradually and when it falls out, you are at a 4. My contractions started after it fell out and I progressed normally with no other induction assistance. It might be worth talking to your doctor about different ways to induce.

jendem8 · July 2014

tahitiansun said:

I was induced, but choose to have the epidural. Just keep in mind, there are other medical ways to be induced that don't involve pitocin-which I hear causes the most intense contractions. I didn't Have it, I just had the foley bulb, which worked beautifully for me. It opens your cervix gradually and when it falls out, you are at a 4. My contractions started after it fell out and I progressed normally with no other induction assistance. It might be worth talking to your doctor about different ways to induce.

Really good point. I keep thinking induction = pitocin. I will definitely talk to my doctor at the next appointment about alternatives. Thanks!

happylady07 · July 2014

I was induced with my first, they broke my water and started Pitocin a few minutes later. Hardest thing I have ever done, being stuck in bed on monitors through contractions, but I did it without pain meds. Would not have made it without my husband and mom's support, but really, the time I wanted to fold and get an epidural (my hubby bluntly reminded me it wasn't what I had wanted and didn't call the nurse for me), I was in transition and delivered soon anyways.

Honestly the reason I think it was so hard for me was how restricted your movement is, due to the constant monitoring, and being hooked up to an IV stand. Yes, Pitocin tends to crank you up to the intense contractions fast, without the usual warm up you tend to get going into labor on your own, which makes it harder/more shocking on your system, but the lack of mobility is what really got to me.

However, it can be done. Make sure you have a supportive person by your side, and be clear to them how much you want them to stick to your pain management plan. My hubby took my desire to go without pain meds very seriously, but someone else may have been pissed they didn't get an epi when they were begging for one (which yes, I did for a couple minutes at one point).

Labor is hard work, no way around it, Pitocin induced labor is sucky in it's own ways, but I have nothing to compare it to as I haven't gone on my own yet. Just know it IS possible

jendem8 · July 2014

happylady07 said:

I was induced with my first, they broke my water and started Pitocin a few minutes later. Hardest thing I have ever done, being stuck in bed on monitors through contractions, but I did it without pain meds. Would not have made it without my husband and mom's support, but really, the time I wanted to fold and get an epidural (my hubby bluntly reminded me it wasn't what I had wanted and didn't call the nurse for me), I was in transition and delivered soon anyways. Honestly the reason I think it was so hard for me was how restricted your movement is, due to the constant monitoring, and being hooked up to an IV stand. Yes, Pitocin tends to crank you up to the intense contractions fast, without the usual warm up you tend to get going into labor on your own, which makes it harder/more shocking on your system, but the lack of mobility is what really got to me. However, it can be done. Make sure you have a supportive person by your side, and be clear to them how much you want them to stick to your pain management plan. My hubby took my desire to go without pain meds very seriously, but someone else may have been pissed they didn't get an epi when they were begging for one (which yes, I did for a couple minutes at one point). Labor is hard work, no way around it, Pitocin induced labor is sucky in it's own ways, but I have nothing to compare it to as I haven't gone on my own yet. Just know it IS possible

Thank you! It's really good to hear that it's possible. I agree that the limitations on mobility would probably be hardest for me too. I'm really hopeful that I'll go into labor naturally before my blood pressure gets too out of control, but if they have to induce, it's nice to hear that I might be able to make it through without pain meds.

lookame3639 · July 2014

I was already dialated and effaced when I was induced.

i went to the hospital at 5:30 am and started on pitocin. Honestly I couldn't even feel the contractions until my water was broken. Once my water was broken then I started contracting painfully and asked for an epidural. A few hours later I pushed DS out and that's about it.

david_n_cole · July 2014

I have been induced three times and will likely be induced for this baby as well. For the first, my Midwife scraped my membranes causing my water to break. I had PIH and my BP was at 192/110 that day. My water broke an hour later and I hung out at home for four hours till heading to hospital. I was already a 3.5 cm and 90% effaced so they hooked me up to the pitocin. After 7 hours without meds, I finally caved and got an epidural. Surprisingly, I went from my 3.5 to 10 cm in 15 mins and started pushing within 30 mins of the epi.

For my second, again I was at 3 cm and 85% effaced when I went in for my planned induction. I had been contracting for two and half months and was exhausted. My doc broke my water and I was going to see how far I could go this time without meds, but then they warned me the anesthesiologist was going to be tied up for two back to back c-sections and another surgery. I said hook me up before he goes. 30 minutes later I was pushing and DS2 was born in less than an hour. Again I jumped from 3 to 10 cm thanks to the epidural.

For my third, I was again enduring months of contractions and my doctor (same one that delivered DS2) scheduled induction at 39 weeks. My water was broken, I was hooked up to the epi since I knew it was what my body needed to relax my pelvic floor. His birth was a bit more complicated since his head got stuck on my pelvic bone, but I was glad to have the pain relief. I had them turn down the epidural for both DS2 and DS3 when it was time to push so that i had better control.

My main goal for this delivery is to avoid the pitocin. I did not have a good experience with the medication or the forced waves of contractions. At one point my doula was clocking the contractions at 10 min long! She actually had to bring it to the attention of the nurses.

I have heard there is also a gel they can apply on your cervix to help dilate you in the hospital. I would definitely talk to your Dr. and see what your options are.

KittyMisha · July 2014

I was induced at around 9 AM after my water had already broken. I lasted until nearly 6 PM, but when the doctor checked me and told me I was only at 3 cm I gave in and got the epidural. I was at 10 and ready to push 2 hours later.

happylady07 · July 2014

I'll add that I went from 0-60 ridiculously fast on pit too. I was a 2 at check in, 2 hours into the Pitocin I was at a 3, then suddenly cranked up like mad and delivered before I hit the 3 hour mark. Shit got real.

ETA- my Pitocin was turned off completely when my nurse realized I jumped from a 3 to an 8 in less than 30 minutes.

AndromedaEclipse · July 2014

I was induced at 42+1 with pitocin and no pain meds. It was about as hard as I expected any labor to be. I'm actually excited to see what unmedicated labor without pitocin will be like. If pit is as bad as everyone says, this'll be a walk in the park.

IvyMagic828 · July 2014

I have no experience as I'm a FTM, but I find it interesting reading some of these stories and how getting an epidural seems to help speed up the labor process significantly rather than slow things down as many assume. I'm sure it depends partly on where you are in the labor process and other factors as well.. but to me it does sound like if you stall at a certain point in labor, getting an epidural can actually help you out. And of course in other cases it may slow things down. I'm not exactly sure what my plan is right now - I'm going to take it as it comes, but something to keep in mind.

jendem8 · July 2014

IvyMagic828 said:

I have no experience as I'm a FTM, but I find it interesting reading some of these stories and how getting an epidural seems to help speed up the labor process significantly rather than slow things down as many assume. I'm sure it depends partly on where you are in the labor process and other factors as well.. but to me it does sound like if you stall at a certain point in labor, getting an epidural can actually help you out. And of course in other cases it may slow things down. I'm not exactly sure what my plan is right now - I'm going to take it as it comes, but something to keep in mind.

Same - and I have heard both sides of this before... it seems that if you're fighting against the contractions (which I'm sure is really hard not to do) then your body is tensing up and not allowing you to dilate, so when you get the epidural, your muscles can relax and therefore dilate faster. It is interesting because so many people say that epidurals can only slow you down. I can only imagine that if you get pitocin your body would have a hard time keeping up with the pain of progressing so quickly. Impressive that some ladies have gotten pitocin but no epidural!

jeannej86 · July 2014

I went into labor naturally shortly after 38 weeks. I wasn't dilating like I should so 12 hours later they gave me pitocin. I was pretty head strong about not using an epi but after an hour of pitocin and only being at 4cm, I gave in. I was really mad at myself at first but in hindsight I'm so thankful I did. I really did enjoy the birth of my daughter!

ShadowsRainFalls · July 2014

happylady07 said:

I was induced with my first, they broke my water and started Pitocin a few minutes later. Hardest thing I have ever done, being stuck in bed on monitors through contractions, but I did it without pain meds. Would not have made it without my husband and mom's support, but really, the time I wanted to fold and get an epidural (my hubby bluntly reminded me it wasn't what I had wanted and didn't call the nurse for me), I was in transition and delivered soon anyways. Honestly the reason I think it was so hard for me was how restricted your movement is, due to the constant monitoring, and being hooked up to an IV stand. Yes, Pitocin tends to crank you up to the intense contractions fast, without the usual warm up you tend to get going into labor on your own, which makes it harder/more shocking on your system, but the lack of mobility is what really got to me. However, it can be done. Make sure you have a supportive person by your side, and be clear to them how much you want them to stick to your pain management plan. My hubby took my desire to go without pain meds very seriously, but someone else may have been pissed they didn't get an epi when they were begging for one (which yes, I did for a couple minutes at one point). Labor is hard work, no way around it, Pitocin induced labor is sucky in it's own ways, but I have nothing to compare it to as I haven't gone on my own yet. Just know it IS possible

I had an induction with pit, but was still able to move around. I walked around the hospital pulling the IV stand, and even labored in the tub for a while before I finally flipped, unable to take it, and asked for an epi (which took an hour to place and didn't end up working) I was only stuck in the bed for 30 min after the non working epi before i pushed DS out.

noycela · July 2014

I wasn't induced with DS, but I did have high blood pressure starting at 36 weeks. From what I understand, high BP alone is not a reason to induce, so unless there are other indications of pre-e, you may want to pressure test your doc on that one if you're really trying to avoid induction. Of course, if it's pre-e, you don't want to mess with that and it's better to induce. It was a battle with my BP from 36 weeks on and a bit stressful, but my 24 urine test and blood work was ok, and DS was born at 41w4d.

happylady07 · July 2014

ShadowsRainFalls said:

happylady07 said:

I was induced with my first, they broke my water and started Pitocin a few minutes later. Hardest thing I have ever done, being stuck in bed on monitors through contractions, but I did it without pain meds. Would not have made it without my husband and mom's support, but really, the time I wanted to fold and get an epidural (my hubby bluntly reminded me it wasn't what I had wanted and didn't call the nurse for me), I was in transition and delivered soon anyways.

Honestly the reason I think it was so hard for me was how restricted your movement is, due to the constant monitoring, and being hooked up to an IV stand. Yes, Pitocin tends to crank you up to the intense contractions fast, without the usual warm up you tend to get going into labor on your own, which makes it harder/more shocking on your system, but the lack of mobility is what really got to me.

However, it can be done. Make sure you have a supportive person by your side, and be clear to them how much you want them to stick to your pain management plan. My hubby took my desire to go without pain meds very seriously, but someone else may have been pissed they didn't get an epi when they were begging for one (which yes, I did for a couple minutes at one point).

Labor is hard work, no way around it, Pitocin induced labor is sucky in it's own ways, but I have nothing to compare it to as I haven't gone on my own yet. Just know it IS possible

I had an induction with pit, but was still able to move around. I walked around the hospital pulling the IV stand, and even labored in the tub for a while before I finally flipped, unable to take it, and asked for an epi (which took an hour to place and didn't end up working) I was only stuck in the bed for 30 min after the non working epi before i pushed DS out.

---stuck in quote box---
Yep, I already knew it but my last hospital was CRAP. So much hatred for that place and their ridiculously out of date policies. Seriously.

momnamedandrea · July 2014

I was induced at 42 weeks. I was still only 1cm. I went in on a Saturday evening and had DD on Monday at 11pm. They tried all the inductions (cervadil, gels, foley bulb) before pitocin but they didn't work. I had pitocin for a little more than 24 hrs. In the beginning I walked a lot (pulling my I've stand) but I had to be hooked up to the fetal monitor every half hour, so I tried the ball and a rocking chair. Eventually I got to tired and was stuck in the bed...not going to lie it sucked, I really did not want an epi, but got to a point that I was so tired. My midwife suggested I try fentanyl first to see if that would give me the break I needed to keep going. It worked well for me, I even got a short 30 min nap...it lasted about 1hr. I ended up pushing for 4 hours...but DD came out ok and once she was out the pain was gone! If you have to be induced, maybe look into the Bradley method, it helped me to visualize my contractions as a wave and ride with them instead of fighting them.

discohiker · July 2014

I posted in the other thread... https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12401184/induction-stories#latest

boymomstrong · July 2014

I was induced with my son and during labor discovered i was immune to the epi and about 90% of baby safe pain meds... I went the whole 36 hours with nothing to take the edge off... Its not ideal but i survived and am having a second so it is possible... Good luck...

kdugan90 · July 2014

I was induced with my first two pregnancies at 39 weeks. With my first, I went in the morning and they hooked me all up and gave me small doses of Cytotec. I dilated to a 4 from a 1 in just a couple hours and they broke my water when I got to a 4! I still had an epidural ( I wanted to relax and enjoy my daughters birth ) but my daughter was born 4 hours later with 10 minutes of pushing and I can honestly say nothing hurt except for the burn when her head was crowning.

With my second daughter, I went in the morning again and this time they started the pitocin right away. I was confused as to why they didn't start it the same way as before because I came in at 1 centimeter dilated just like the last time but I went with it. I got an epidural again before my water was broken and I thought all was going as well as my first. I started getting contractions one ontop of the other and by the time it was time to push, my epidural wasn't working anymore no matter if they turned it up for me. The contractions from the pitocin pushed my daughter down into position a little faster than she was ready and while I was pushing, they discovered her shoulder was out of socket and wrapped around her and she wouldn't come any further. On top of the pain from the contractions, I had three nurses on my bed pushing on my belly while my doctor was trying to pull her out! The good news is, they were able to unwrap her arm and get her out but I do believe the pitocin and the almost constant contractions aided in what had happened.

It was strange for me to go from an almost painless first birth to a scary & painful second one! My doctor told me that pitocin is often used first for subsequent pregnancies before anything else which is why I was put on it straight away. My girls are 3 and 4 years old now and both perfectly healthy! I am 37+1 now due with my first boy! I have the option again to induce at 39 weeks due to him being a little bigger and if I decide to, I will definitely go the route I did with my first and try the Cytotec again. (I know there are horror stories about it but if used in the right setting and the correct way, I believe it's relatively safe). I will not use Pitocin again unless I absolutely have to! ... And to me, the epidural was a way for me to relax, get some rest, and not be miserable the whole time! Good luck.

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