getting induced, any advice?

ntalamantes89 · October 2014

I'm 37 weeks and I'm getting induced in two weeks. This is my second pregnancy, first one I went into labor naturally, was in labor 18 hrs and got the epidural. I keep hearing stories about how much more painful contractions are when being induced. Anyone that would like to share their advice/experience?

dogsombrero · October 2014

I was induced after my water broke and labor didn't start. They used the pill suppository, Foley catheter and pitocin. I got the epidural 7 hours into my induction. It didn't feel good but I'm pretty sure it hurts no matter what.

amieeyoung · October 2014

I was induced last time, but don't have anything to compare it to. I am hoping to go into labor naturally this time so I am nervous about that. My advice is to take things to pass the time as it could take awhile to ramp up, and you'll get bored.

Beevol · October 2014

I was in early labor when I got pitocin with my first baby and after my water broke my contractions went from bearable discomfort to OMG PAIN. Before my water broke, I felt no difference between the pitocin contractions and the pitocin-free contractions.

I had them turn the pitocin off after a couple of hours because I wasn't making any progress and the pain was way too much and it went back to bearable discomfort. My labor continued to not do a darned thing to my cervix, so I got an epidural for a nap and so that they could turn the pitocin back on.

CandaceC1020 · October 2014

Not trying to be nosy (or a jerk) but is there a medical reason for you to be induced?

ntalamantes89 · October 2014

No medical reason, I didn't quite understand fully but he said something along the lines of limited space at the hospital.

ntalamantes89 · October 2014

I agreed to it because I trust my doctor. I have been going to him for 7 years now and even when I moved cities I refused to switch so I drive a good length of time just to go to his office and in this case the hospital for delivery.

ntalamantes89 · October 2014

I already said that he mentioned limited space. Why there is limited space? I don't know and it wouldn't even matter if I did know. It is totally out of my control. When I posted this thread I was seeking advice as to what to expect from an induction not extreme judgement about my dr or his decision to induced or me agreeing to it. I was under the impression that this board was about support.

ntalamantes89 · October 2014

And where exactly did you get your medical degree from?

allrightmeow · October 2014

ntalamantes89 said:

And where exactly did you get your medical degree from?

Oh brother......

@ldanl Don't you know you're required to have a medical degree to question why your doctor is scheduling you for procedures?! Now go back to not quite understanding fully like the rest of us!

taahira · October 2014

Ive been induced at 42 weeks due to labor not starting by its self. I also gone into natural labor. Induction was extremely painful, long (39 hours) and my DD became distressed. I wouldn't recommend induction if you can go into natural labor. My natural labor, progressed well (7 hours) both me and my DD was far less traumatized.

LightBright515 · October 2014

Lol at predicting space on L&D 3 weeks in advance.

Dani0329 · October 2014

I would say you would have benefitted from a birthing class, because they go into great detail while unnecessary inductions are risky business. They also warn you that not all healthcare providers follow guidelines and will frequently suggest induction because of their own schedules/wants/needs. Also, if you are attempting a induction with a low bishop score, chances are high for a csection. It's never a bad idea to be knowledgable about your own healthcare, so that you can be an advocate for yourself, knowledge is power.

robsbabygirl08 · October 2014

I was induced with my DD at 38Weeks. I was dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced when they started the Pit. I cried when they mentioned induction because of all the horror stories I had heard, but it had to be done (Pre-E). It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I delivered my DD 6ish hours after the Pit was started and I only had to push for about 20 minutes. I hope this delivery goes as smooth. Good Luck!

jcrising · October 2014

I was induced at 39 weeks because I was 40 and at that age, they don't want you to go past your due date because of the increased possibility of complications. I went on pitocin immediately and got a spinal epidural at night (about 12 hours in; no active labor and water hadn't broken) and they put a balloon in my cervix to try and get labor going. That was the most painful part, and after a total of 30 hours, no labor, they did a C-section. Ugh. Not sure how much more painful it is than regular labor, but I would talk to your doctor about it.

Also, don't get upset at the PPs who are asking about your doctor's decision to induce. That is a geinuine concern, and since you didn't seem to understand the decision yourself, everyone is trying to help you make the best choices for you and your baby. Lack of space at the hospital does seem like an odd reason to induce. What if you were going to be late? It is totally reasonable to ask why you are being induced. You can ignore those questions if you choose, but with a few exceptions, these kinds of questions do come from a place of support. Please take it as such.

Beevol · October 2014

jcrising said:

Also, don't get upset at the PPs who are asking about your doctor's decision to induce. That is a geinuine concern, and since you didn't seem to understand the decision yourself, everyone is trying to help you make the best choices for you and your baby. Lack of space at the hospital does seem like an odd reason to induce. What if you were going to be late? It is totally reasonable to ask why you are being induced. You can ignore those questions if you choose, but with a few exceptions, these kinds of questions do come from a place of support. Please take it as such.

I'm not going to judge someone for making a medical choice that suits them and their family - you do you. But, I definitely think that as patients, we have a right and as mothers, we have a duty to at least understand and agree to the medical interventions used on our bodies.

I would have a hard time trusting a medical professional who wanted me to do anything without first explaining why and what the risks and benefits would be. Statistically, inductions are linked to higher rate of c-section, and c-sections are major abdominal surgery with their own risks. Lots of people are induced and it turns out fine, but there are risks attached.

hollystoybox · October 2014

At least 3 of my friends have been induced in the past two years, and none of them had any complications or c-sections because of it. The only thing I've noticed is they tend to stay in the first stage of labor longer. My sister in law had contractions she couldn't even feel for almost 2 days. She was mostly bored. The risk for c-section is higher IF your baby isn't facing the right way (aka sideways or head up)/cervix isn't showing any signs of being ready to deliver. Your doctor should check your cervix/baby's position in the weeks leading up to induction to ensure no expected problems. My doctor said anything after 39 weeks is full term and fine for delivery. Most doctors won't let you go more than a week past your due date anyway before inducing you to prevent a giant baby that you can't deliver (which could end in c-section, too). There's always a risk natural or induced of the baby's heart rate dropping and needing a c-section during delivery. You can't prevent that. If you trust your doctor and the baby is head down with your cervix starting to open and efface, I think the odds are your induction will go fine. Bring some games to play in the hospital while you wait. Good luck!

Amstreagle · October 2014

triplea598 said:

LightBright515 said:
Lol at predicting space on L&D 3 weeks in advance.
This. I don't know why you're putting yourself and your baby through an unnecessary induction if you have no medical reasoning behind it AND you're not even waiting the full 40 weeks.

I was induced at 41 weeks because my BP was getting a little too high. I went in at 3am, they started pitocin at 4:30am, my water broke around 7am.
I got my epidural at 10am and wasn't ready to push until 6:30pm. My son was born at 7:40pm. It was a long ass day. If/when I have a second child, I'm hoping I won't have to be induced and will go into labor on my own...even if that means going 42 weeks.

I was also induced due to high BP but at 38 weeks.
I had my water broken around noon and pitocin started right after that.
By 3pm I was at 4cm and stayed there until around 3am. During those 12 hours my baby's heart rate dropped so many times and to points where nurses were rushing in turning my body in different directions and giving me oxygen. It was really scary.
At around 4 they called the doctor for a possible c-section because I was only at 5cm.
The doctor got there at around 5:30 and I had progressed to 9cm. Ds ended up being born at 9:26am.
It was a terrible labor and ds had not formed the ability to latch properly. I feel if he'd been left in there a little longer I'd have been able to breastfeed as I planned.
If there is no medical reason to induce let your baby cook a little longer. I wish I'd had the choice.

llambrose · October 2014

I was induced at 39 weeks due to low fluid. They started pitocin at 6 AM, got the epidural around 8:30 AM, contractions during that time were uncomfortable but not terrible, I started pushing around 11:30 AM and after 3 pushes, she was born at exactly noon. My induction experience was very positive, I didn't have any negative feeling about it at all. Good luck!

troynababymakes6 · October 2014

Im an OB nurse been one over 10 years. My advice is to ask what your Bishop score is prior to agreeing. Bishop score is a scoring tool for cervix related to dilates toon, effacement and station. Score less than 6 indicate that cervix is NOT favorable for induction. Our providers have to document this score prior to doing any intervention. If score is less then 6 cervidal (vaginal insert) can be placed. Problem with cervidil is that the fetal monitor is on continuously for 12 hours while it is in. L&D beds are uncomfortable bed to try and rest in. If your cervix is open (1-2 cm) a Foley catheter can be inserted which also aides in cervical ripening without medication. This is nice because fetal monitoring is intermittent and allows for mom to lay on side and other more comfortable positions. Once cervix is (ripe) they can start pitocin through your IV or break your water. Issue with breaking water is that once it happens there is no going back and if your body is not ready and requires pitocin along with it you may be in for a long induction. Also breaking water is not without risk...you can have a cord prolapse, which would mean an emergency c-section. Also the clock starts ticking once your water is broke because your risk for infection goes up once the bag of waters is no longer there to provide a barrier between the vaginal checks and your baby. Often IV antibiotics are started at 18-24 hours after water is broke if baby has not been born yet. If you start with the cervidil, then the pitocin and then breaking your water you are potentially looking at 24+ hours of labor. Pitocon also requires being monitored continually and very limited freedoms to move around and relax. Benefit of Pitocin is that it can be turned off if it does not cause labor (which can happen). ACOG (American college of obstetrics and gynecology) does not endorse non medically indicated inductions prior to 40 weeks.

It's your decision (obviously), but please make an informed decision. Best wishes!!!

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