Inducing at 38 weeks

bryannatutcher · May 2015

Hello!

So I went into my 37 week appointment yesterday (4 hours of testing later) and really really long story short, I have a calcified placenta that is measuring about 42 weeks and my doctor wants to induce me next Monday or Tuesday. I am pretty worried about being induced! Like really worried. I have never known anyone personally that has been induced but I have heard horror stories. I just need some advice... A little calming down or just any positive feedback I can! (I don't need anyone telling me inducing is bad, don't do it, etc..) obviously they know what they're doing and if it's safer for her to be here than inside my uterus than I'm okay, but still I'm terrified!

Thanks in advance!

iheartpancake · May 2015

I'm being induced next week as well and am nervous, too. I just try and remember it's for the greater good of the baby and possibly my health, so I try and just go with the flow. I just keep telling myself women do this all the time and I couldn't be at a safer place than a hospital to have it happen. When it's all said and done and you're on the other side, I think you'll be glad you did it

Just please don't google other people's induction stories. Everyone is different and people are more likely to get on the interweb to put their negative experience than their positive one!

karaelaine1991 · May 2015

There are several moms on here who are choosing to be induced - I bet they can put your mind at ease! Off the top of my head @klkonwi and I believe I saw that @Sammy K is taking this route as well.

LaurenAnn0405 · May 2015

I was induced with my first pregnancy at 42 weeks because apparently DD didn't want to come out! I personally had a very easy induction-started pitocin around 11pm, pushed for an hour around 9am and she arrived at 10am. Everyone is different so my story might not relate to you at all but hopefully that puts your mind at ease a little bit that not all inductions are bad! Trust your dr's and nurses, they know what they're doing and they'll do what's best for you and LO! Good luck!

Sammy K · May 2015

I don't know anything about calcified placentas, but sounds like a good reason to be induced. I know a few people who have been induced and no horror stories at all. Apparently the contractions can be intense compared to natural labor. I had a fast labor with my first and basically started labor in transition so it was pretty f'ing intense naturally. If my second comes any faster, we won't make it to the hospital.

Trust your doctor. They want a healthy outcome. I know placentas deteriorate, so take their concern seriously. We're all along little scared and that's completely normal and justifiable. Talk to your support person and even your OB. It's OK to be worried! But you'll have your sweet baby soon and a healthy baby is everyone's first priority. Hugs to you!

TheEA · May 2015

Personally, I had a rough induction, but almost every other mom I know that was induced said theirs was easy. I opted to go natural and people are correct when they say that pitocin induced contractions can be really hard! I plan on getting an epidural this time!
Good luck! Try not to stress out because getting induced seems like the healthy choice for you and your baby. You will be fine and your sweet baby will be the ultimate reward and so totally worth it!

BabyList · May 2015

I was induced with my first. It was a piece of cake! I was terrified of induction and had heard and read all the horror stories. I went in at midnight, pitocin was started at 2am, broke my water around 7am, got an epi shortly after, was fully dialted a bit before 5pm, and she was here at 5:07pm. It was easy peasy and it was nice to not have to worry about the uncertainty of when will I go into labor, or is this the real thing. Most inductions end just fine, don't let the mommy bullies who want to out do you with the WORST stories scare you. Good luck!

spausek · May 2015

My first was by the book. Water broke, she arrived 5 hours later. No issues. With my second I had to be induced and I too was terrified. I was totally freaking out. My second delivery went almost exactly like my first. The pitocin wasn't as scary as I was anticipating and roughly within the same time frame (once my water broke) I had delivered my daughter. I know everyone and every pregnancy/delivery is different but my experience was very positive. I am hoping this third time is just as smooth.

Trust your body and your doctor and stay as calm as you can. The outcome is you holding your baby!! Best wishes to you!!

janat1717 · May 2015

My SIL was induced with 2 of her 3 and although she said it was more intense she didn't think it was too bad.

hswan26 · May 2015

I was induced with DD at 38 weeks. I was already at 3 cm and having some contractions so it was favorable. They broke my water and I got pitocin. My advice is if you are intending to get the epidural do it before they break your water because after they did the contractions were terrible. My induction lasted exactly 8 hours. I was numb from the epidural so my daughter was vacuum assisted. I would do it the same way again of given the choice. It was relaxing, no worrying about going into labor and just laid back.

liliwright · May 2015

I wasn't induced, but I was augmented with pitocin as I wasn't progressing. Like all the ladies said, every labor is different, regardless how they start or progress. Telling you my story won't help you understand what you are going to experience.

That said, I will say that, if they use pitocin, I would go with an epidural. The contractions can be more intense than 'natural" contractions. I had a friend who labored through pitocin for awhile and ended up with an epidural away and it helped a lot. So, you can try and see how you do!

One thing I CAN tell you, as person who has suffered a lot with anxiety and panic, is that NO situation is EVER what you imagine in your head. So TRY not to worry or imagine what will happen, because more than likely, it will be DIFFERENT! I thought for SURE I'd have lots of bad anxiety and panic attacks during pregnancy and I was FINE, even during my very long labor!!!!!

You can do this, mama!

TheNewMrsY · May 2015

I was induced with my first at 41+3 because of abnormally low fluid. I did end up with a csection, but I also wouldn't call it a horror story! I know several people who have had wonderful inductions. I'll be thinking about you, hang in there!

frankengibbs · May 2015

Thank you for starting this thread! I'm being induced at the beginning of next week (I'll be 38wks this coming Sunday) as well because of low amniotic fluid and IUGR. Although this is my first, I've talked to my doctors and the collective of moms and from what they've told me the contractions can be a bit intense, but that overall inductions aren't as unholy as they're made out to be. Because of my particular situation, they'll be doing a slow induction to ease baby into it and see how she responds to contractions since sometimes small babies don't tolerate labor very well. Maybe this is an option you can discuss with your OB?
Anyways, as far as worries and anxieties, I feel ya! But worrying has never done anyone any good so do your best to take deep breaths and know that at the end of this you'll be holding your beautiful little blessing. I find that it helps me to wash things and prepare things for LO, take control over what I can.
Good luck!

Sammy K · May 2015

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories! I have made peace with my decision but it's reassuring to hear good experiences!

teather5 · May 2015

I'm being induced in the morning. Im thankful to read all these stories and will be sure to share mine too. We can do this, ladies! @Sammy K @frankengibbs

HayesRN13 · May 2015

Good luck @teather5! So exciting!

kkdb14 · May 2015

I too am being induced at 38 weeks (+5) Friday evening. Scared as hell, and all the stories on the internet have been beyond scary, but my mom and boyfriend's mom have had 3 inductions between them, and swear they were just as easy as their non-induced births. I'm trying to keep their experiences in mind rather than the ones from internet strangers. Goodluck to you! I'm sure we'll both get through it in one piece

CurlyMom78 · May 2015

I will be induced at 39 weeks because of my age and GD. My coworker was induced with both of her kids (one just in Dec) and they were only 7 hour long labor and with no issues. I'm not worried. She's going to come when she's going to come and I'll take her which ever way she comes as long as she is healthy. Go in with no expectations and everything will be fine.

CurlyMom78 · May 2015

Good luck too!

frankengibbs · May 2015

teather5 said:
I'm being induced in the morning. Im thankful to read all these stories and will be sure to share mine too. We can do this, ladies! @Sammy K @frankengibbs

Good luck! Looking forward to hearing your story and wishing you an easy labor!

shaq818 · May 2015

I was induced with my first and the labor was very quick and easy. Good luck to you.

SweetnessG · May 2015

I'm also being induced at 39 weeks because of the number of pregnancy this is for me, and the history of my previous labors. It was the best decision for me and baby. It will actually be my first time being induced and I'm not too worried about it. I try not to let other people's stories influence me or freak me out. Every pregnancy and every persons body is different from the next. And I agree with PP with not caring too much about how the baby will arrive. Just as long as it's safe and he's healthy. Good luck, ladies!

courtneylynn1020 · May 2015

I'm being induced Monday also! (: I've known for a few weeks so I'm sure that would've made it easier on you but just think there are a few of us out there doing it at the same time as you so your not alone! Also whatever is safest for the baby is the best route! I also like the fact that I don't have to worry about a BIG SURPRISE haha! I have already began to dilate on my own and I go back today for my very last check up/ultrasound! Can't believe only 4 days! Good luck mama!

micaelareppucci · May 2015

I was induced at 39+1 with my first because he was big (9 lbs 6 oz) and it was the easiest labor ever. I was terrified, too, mostly of the "what if's" but it overall went smoothly. I don't have much to compare the contractions to though but I have heard like others that pitocin makes them more intense. I do have to say though I haven't heard any horror stories about induction from anyone I know. Just the Internet haha.

Browder5 · May 2015

This is baby number 4 for our family, I have been induced with all of mine and no horror stories. Pit does make the contractions more intense and I did get an epi with all of mine which made the experience very relaxing and even enjoyable. My longest labor start to finish is 4 hours so i do believe induction makes labor go quickly but who knows it may just be my body. Labor I think makes all mamas nervous but IMO don't be scared of induction, from my own personal experience induction is a million times LESS scary and nerve wrecking than the thought of going into labor somewhere other than the hospital.

BEST WISHES!!!!

bebefish · May 2015

I feel your pain! I just found out this week that i'll be induced at (Ideally) 37 weeks due to BP issues. I'm at 34 and 5 days right now. We have to remember it's best for both baby and your health. Best wishes to you!

teather5 · May 2015

Popping in to quickly update on my labor/delivery yesterday from my induction at 37.2 (for high blood pressure).

Like many others, I was pretty fearful of a "difficult labor" with "more intense contractions" and a "likely c-section bc my body wasn't naturally ready" etc. I had heard them all... and although I know every pregnancy and every body is different (and as a FTM I have nothing to compare it to), my induction went wonderfully! Labored for 8 hours, got epidural after 4 hours. Contractions weren't terrible without it (at that point) and with it they were much more manageable but I still felt pressure (which for me coinsided with dilation and engagement changes). When it was time to push, it took me 2.5 pushes and he flew out! He's doing amazing and we are totally in love. Breastfeeding is hard (expected), but we are working hard on it! He's a little guy and I have huge boobs and suddenly flat nipples (possibly from IV fluid).

All in all, I have to just say to my fellow induction mommas- don't fear! Trust your doctor/care provider, body, and be strong for your baby. However it goes down, you can do it! In the end, all that matters is healthy baby and momma!

taboullio84 · May 2015

I was induced twice. They were quick labors with easy pushing. I found there pain was about the same for my natural deliveries honestly. So not all of the inductions are bad...

war6 · May 2015

Low amniotic fluid

Melindafuller34 · May 2015

I will be getting induced Thursday at 38 weeks and a few days for gestational diabetes. Not worried I had it done with my last two children it wasn't so bad.