Induce or not to Induce?

mrstrahan26 · February 2015

I am 38 weeks pregnant and only dilated 1cm. I have been like that for 3 weeks with no change. My dr has offered me induction next week since I am so huge and miserable. I am in constant pain with a cracked rib and pelvic pain, can't sleep which is causing headaches and just ready to get her out. I know there are some risks, but being 39 weeks do you think it's safe to get induced? I just want to do what is best for my baby. What would you do?

PeanettyGoodness · February 2015

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I've been talking with my doctor recently about getting induced next week once I hit 39wks. Though, the decision for me being induced will depend on a few different factors. I'm currently having a problem with my blood pressure, even on 600mg of labetalol a day(which they just upped to 900mg last night). So, it's really a matter of weighing the risks for each thing.

I'm going to be doing a bunch of research on induction methods and will be asking my doctor a bunch of questions if we get to the 'official' talk and scheduling point of an induction. Though, in my case, if my blood pressure isn't staying where they need it with me taking all this labetalol, I'll probably just agree with being induced, since the high blood pressure is riskier.

Chcaggie1 · February 2015

I'm being induced at 39 weeks b/c my doctor recommended it. She was very clear that induction was her recommendation and explained why. You said that you doctor "offered" to induce you. I would point blank find out what is your doctors recommendation... induce or wait? And go with that.

lynnz52 · February 2015

Darn it, I have my 38 week appointment today; I really hope I don't have to induce. I have had zero symptoms that anything is progressing, no dilation, no braxton hicks contractions, no loss of plug, no cramping, nothing. The only thing progressing is his size. I guess I'm not sure what I'm going to do either.. probably just do what my midwife suggests. Sorry I can't really give any better advice than that either.

Beth.1212 · February 2015

Usually, when an induction isn't absolutely medically necessary I would lean away from it. Your situation is slightly different where you're actually injured and the pregnancy is quite possibly making it worse. I could see going either way. On one hand, if the pain is keeping you from getting rest, you're going to be in worse and worse shape with each passing day and won't have as many reserves to help you as you labor and during those early days of motherhood. On the other, an induction is more risky than a spontaneous birth, and strictly speaking you don't seem to *need* an induction, so why take on those extra risks?

If I were you, I think I'd wait it out unless I felt like I just couldn't take it anymore. I really could see either decision having a lot of merit, though.

BlueWaffleSpeshul · February 2015

Lurking, but I'm surprised your doctor would talk about induction if you are only 1 cm. My doctor wouldn't even consider it until I was at 4 at my 39 week appointment, and that was only because of my BP issues. If you aren't progressing, induction is highly likely to be converted to a C/S. I can see how you would be uncomfortable, but I wouldn't go for induction unless I had progressed more by the next appointment.

tropicbreeze · February 2015

Personally, I wouldn't be induced. I was induced due to pre-e and the process was not fun. It was a 28 hour induction and I was a few hours away from a c-section. I was confined to a bed for that entire time and on a ice chip only diet. Hang in there mommas! Not trying to talk anyone out of one of they have their heart set on it, just letting you know my experience.

MariahChrystine · February 2015

I was induced with my first at 42 weeks and it was terrible the pitocin made contractions so much harder, I was in labor for over 30 hours and could only have ice chips plus it all ended with a c section and I couldn't eat after that either. I'd personally hold off if I were recommending. That's just my experience, not trying to make any decisions for anyone.

ladz15 · February 2015

I was induced as my BP was rising 3 days before my due date. For me I was aready 2-3 cm and from the time I was induced I had my boy in 10 hours as a FTM. Was tough but made it through and for me was a good decision and had him vaginally.

katecham · February 2015

I was scheduled to be induced with both but I guess scheduling it tricked my body into labor. With my first I went to the hospital the morning of the induction (induced due to ongoing heart problems and hyperemisis) with contractions, they gave me the first dose of pitocin to regulate contractions and he was born 6 hours later with 15 min of pushing (8 lbs 11 oz). With my daughter I went in to be induced (swelling, 14 lb water weight gain in 2 weeks, recurrent UTI, borderline hyperemisis) and immediately started contracting every 2 min and water broke within 15 min of arrival. I had NO signs until then. 4ish hours of labor and 10 min of pushing (10 lb 9 oz baby). I agree that you should ask your dr why they think an induction is a good idea. In my case there were medical reasons and I had a "favorable cervix." If your body isn't starting the process (even slowly) then an induction will only make labor long and miserable.

CutieBug1 · February 2015

Hey ladies, just to Follow on with this topic, I am being induced tomorrow morning and was wondering if anyone being induced watches what they eat in preparation the day before? Should I have a light dinner? I am normally a big eater

Ceefome · February 2015

Do you know the dr/hospital policy on food during induction and labor? Some hospitals won't let you eat once you get there, and inductions can take a long time. I'd eat normally the day before and carb up for breakfast.

CutieBug1 · February 2015

Thanks @Ceefome‌ !!! I didn't think of that. Will look it up or call them up! The doctor and midwife didn't mention it to me so I figured it's not that important. But still, I want the experience to be as pleasant as possible ( if possible...)

mia92 · February 2015

I'm 40 weeks and 3cm and my doctor said the only way I could get induced is if I had a medical problem.

chelseabeauvais914 · February 2015

I was induced at 39 weeks and 5 days, Went in at night and got cytotec and they broke my water in the morning. I ended up needing pitocin but I would say that overall I had a really great experience with my induction.

babybou3 · February 2015

I'm being induced at 7am on Thursday. I was told a normal dinner was fine and a light/normal high carb breakfast. They said to just be aware that some people get nauseated during delivery and make sure it's not something that you wouldn't mind if it came back up

. Good luck!

akrose79 · February 2015

I'm 41+1 and they want to schedule induction Friday (second one, I canceled the first one), I'm praying, (begging) God to send this baby out; I really don't want the induction. My three previous girls came on their own and labor was quick & easy. I want to do this on my own and avoid any 20 hour labor or c-section.

ja61 · February 2015

Try some accupuncure and Pinnaple core , I think it helped me

cutlerr2 · February 2015

Loved being induced with my son. I had no induction with my 1st and wound up in labor for almost 3 days b4 i was admitted to the hospital. Let me say that i was in inactive labor for those days. I was contracting regularly 3 min apart. But i wasnt dilating n my water hadnt broke hospital sent me home 3 times. My son i was induced at 11pm. Water broke around 4am and he was born at 6am. It was short sweet n to the point. My first 2 kids were born on due dates. My third however i am currently 41+1 and they scheduled and induction for the 24th when i will be 42 weeks Im just ready to have him out at this point

hawynne · February 2015

I was induced with my first for medical reasons (two vessel cord and no weight gain from 36-39 weeks). I was induced at 39+1, 0 cm, 0% efface meant and it took 64 hours. I pushed for three hours and they were threatening a c-section because I was "so tired." It was honestly the worst birth experience, I'm suprised I even volunteered to have another. The only nice part of an induction IMO is knowing that when you check in you'll check out with your baby. I will refuse an induction this time until we hit 42 weeks but that's just my perspective. Best of luck either way!

mommaa1615 · February 2015

I was induced Monday night & they told me to eat a light meal with protein before I went in. I only had a granola bar & was starving. They did let me order food after I had 2 rounds of cytotec. I was so scared of being induced but loved my experience. After they gave me pitocin/broke my water time flew! Good luck

yoursincelery · February 2015

I'm really appreciating all these induction experiences. I have one scheduled for 41 weeks to the day (which is what everyone at this practice does) and at this point I'm just more relieved to have an end date in sight than I am nervous about the process. Then again I don't know how they plan to induce me. Should probably ask. But the office did tell me to not have anything to eat or drink after midnight (induction set for 5:30 am). I plan on eating a big, filling dinner and drinking a lot of water before then.

ambernicole06 · February 2015

I was induced on the 9th because I was having problems with high BP at 37 weeks I was only 1 cm dilated. They started cervidil because it was my first child and that did make me crampy all night on the 9th then the next morning they broke my water and a few hours later they started the pitocin. The pitocin did cause my contractions to get stronger which is what it's supposed to do and I got my epidural at 3 centimeters. I was fully dilated at about 6 pm and we started pushing at 630 (dr was delivering another baby so we had to wait a minute lol) 20 min of pushing later my beautiful baby girl was here one day short of 38 weeks and she was perfect! I know everyone's experience is different but being induced is not always bad

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