What is induction like?

AshleyEH1 · August 2015

I am looking at induction at 40 weeks due to gestational diabetes if I haven't gone into labor naturally by that time (I'm almost 34 weeks now). I've been taking hypnobirthing classes and was going to try and aim for as low-intervention of a labor as possible. From what I've heard about pitocin, the contractions are much more intense and I'm concerned that my low intervention dreams are going to quickly go out the window.

For BTDT moms who were induced, what was that process like and how did it go for you? I am looking for any advice!

Kristyhana · August 2015

I think it's different for everybody but mine was pretty awful. I was induced at 40w4d and they started the pitocin at 5pm. I'd say it took an hour or so to start really working and then it was just back to back crazy intense contractions for 8 hours before I got the epidural. I could not manage the pain at all. Maybe if I had got more of a break between contractions but they were practically one right after the other.

joules11235 · August 2015

I was induced with my first a week past my EDD. I went in the morning it was scheduled. They set up an IV with fluids, broke my water, and gave me pitocin- although for the life of me I can't remember which order that went. I'm on my second, so I'm only aware of the induction labor, but it was horribly painful and ended up getting an epidural at some point through the process. Went so much smoother after that and just about napped until it was time to push. Pushed for a couple minutes, the whole labor from start to finish was about 12 hrs.

erinboehme · August 2015

I had pitocin with my first three. PP are right. It is rough, but I did have #3 pain med free while being induced. It IS possible! You can do it if that's what you want!

krae771 · August 2015

I was 10 days overdue when I was induced. I had to come in the night before and I got cervidil or some agent for ripening. Within a few hours, that caused some light cramping that lasted most of the night. The cramping felt somewhat regular by AM, maybe early labor? It was uncomfortable and enough to prevent me from getting any sleep but not "bad pain" for most of it but at the end it was starting to feel more and more painful. At 8am, they started low dose Pitocin and that was all I needed and I was in full labor within an hour or two. It was definitely miserable but I have nothing to compare it to. It did make the contractions start fast and pretty hard...it didn't feel like much of a gradual buildup like normal labor is. I got an epidural around 1p, took a nap for awhile, then I had the baby at 5:56 pm.

maiatene · August 2015

I was given pitocin at 40w2d because my water broke but my contractions were inconsistent and unproductive. I intended to go med-free but took the epidural bc the contractions were strong and uncomfortable (full disclosure: the nurse kept upping my pitocin dosage without consulting the doctor so I ended up getting close to twice the dosage).

I'm actually glad I got the epidural because it allowed me to relax and get some much needed rest (start to finish was 24hrs). I was still able to feel contractions but the didn't hurt, and I didn't feel any of the afterbirth cleaning/stitching... apparently the dr was elbow deep and I didn't even notice lol.

My best advice - read everything you can and try to mentally prepare for alternate scenario. Epidurals aren't the devil and it's not the end of the world if you have one... nor are you a failure if you have one. When administered correctly it's very helpful and if you are informed it'll be less scary. This time I'll probably get it as soon as I get to the hospital bc i like my sleep lol :-)

doe2813 · August 2015

I was given pitocin with both of my DD the first I was 10 days late and my second I was 38 weeks. I was started by iv with my first around 9am a hour later they broke my water and she was born at 1:53 pm that same. I did not have any pain meds or epidural. My second was the same I was started at 11 am, I was already 3-4 cm dilated they broke my water about a hour later and she was born at 3:48 pm again I had no pain meds or epidural. I think it is different for everyone. I'm hoping I don't have to be induced with this one since it will be my last I would like to go as natural as I can.

EricaOO · August 2015

I actually had a pretty easy induction. At 38 weeks my water broke but I didn't go into labor on my own. I got pitocin through the IV and waited several hours until contractions started. They started out pretty mild but I requested the epidural as soon as I was able to get it. The contractions definitely picked up but the pain wasn't unmanageable. After getting the epidural, I was numb from the waist down. I was able to sleep a little and I dilated more quickly since I was more relaxed. When it was time to push, the doctor told me when to push since I couldn't feel the contractions. Pushed for 40min and out she came. I had a pain-free birth which I know isn't for everyone but I had no side effects and it was a great experience for me.

arwestover3 · August 2015

I was induced with my first. Definitely find out how they plan to induce you! Like if they're going to use drugs to ripen your cervix and/or use a balloon to expand it, or just jump right to pitocin. Especially ask about the balloon thing if you're on the more drug-free side of things!

McRad · August 2015

I don't have experience in this as I'm a FTM but the birthing class my husband and I are taking just covered induction. They said, and please do correct me if I received wrong information, you can ask for a lower dose of pitocin so contractions don't go from 0 to 10 from the start and gradually work your way up to the full dose.
They also added that you can ask to stop pitocin at 7-8cm to see if your body will take over.

wildbutterfli2001 · August 2015

Mine was awful. I was induced at 40+6 I think. Idk how it would have went if they had not used cervadil but they did and that made my cervix super sensitive and I got physically ill due to the pain of having my cervix checked. Tbh it felt like someone was in there with a razor blade. Mind you I have a high tolerance for pain this was like torture for me.
I got the epi at 2 cm because I couldn't handle the cervix check. The contractions were manageable but the checks were unbearable. I was in labor for 30 hours. Stalled out at 7cm and baby stayed having major decels in his heart rate. It was being very scary. The nurses would come in and flip me from side to side to try and get his heart rate up. That happened maybe 6 or 7 times before we made The call to just get him or safely and had a csection.

beanie1977 · August 2015

I'm going to be induced for the same reason and also doing hypno birthing classes. They want you to go all natural but from the sounds of it I will probably want an epidural right away!

alexisg777 · August 2015

Mine was awful... pitocin contractions are terrible. I ended up hemorrhaging and in the OR after my first daughters birth. I was 41 weeks when induced.

alz88 · August 2015

I was induced with my 1st at 12 days overdue. I had cervadil, pitocin, and my waters broken before she finally was born via ventouse at 14 days over due. It was awful. I'm not going to lie it was horrible. So much so that when my 2nd was born naturally on his own at 39+5 I didn't go to the hospital till I was pushing because I found the contractions extremely managable and nothing like the first time, so I was pretty much waiting for it " to get worse" not realizing that I was fully dilated ready to go! I remember sitting in the bath laughing and talking with my husband and just breathing away the contractions then all of a sudden I was like omg I need to push!! I would love to avoid induction again but obviously if it was a necessity I would do it,but be prepared mentally for it to be a rough ride! Good luck and all the best! X

ChariZae · August 2015

For my first, I was handling my own contractions very well with no medication. But because my water had already broken earlier, they were not satisfied with my progress (I think I was only 5 cm after 6 hrs, despite my contractions being less than 5 mins apart). When they started the pitocin, it was like I couldn't catch my breath. My natural contractions came in waves, with gradual increases. The pitocin contractions seemed to instantly reach the climax of the contraction, and came so rapidly. At one point the nurse showed me I was having 5 contractions in a minute (by this time I had an epidural). I was thankful for the epidural, as I was able to reserve my strength for the hour and a half of pushing that followed.

For my second, my water didn't break, nor did I have any active labor on my own, so it was a scheduled induction at 41 weeks. I asked for the epidural immediately, though they took a while to administer it. My second daughter was born shortly after and it was really an easy delivery.

rm0nique · August 2015

I had cervadil waited 4 hours and then had it placed again. After another 4 hours of waiting for cervix to be ready my water broke during a check so they started the pitocin. Not so bad at first the contractions started off mild and then gradually got worse. Once the contractions brought me to the point of tears I had the epidural. It was a breeze after that. I rested awhile and only remember pushing for maybe 15-20 minutes. My recovery was also a breeze. Not all inductions are horror stories. I also felt they took their time to prepare my body and not make it do what it wasn't already going to.

Knottie98277307 · August 2015

I was induced twice, and will be for my third and the first two went just fine. I had my first w/o epidural born at 38 weeks 8lbs 9oz. My second 37weeks 7lbs 7oz. Took about 7 hrs each time. My first I pushed for 2hrs, which is common with a first for many moms. My second I pushed for 15min. Both babies I had my membranes stripped and water broken. Just on pitocin. I had no issues

cindykinnear · August 2015

I was induced with both of my daughters. I had pitocin with both. The pitocin made me sick at my stomach, but wasn't too bad. The worst part was how fast the contractions came and they are relentless! One on top of another and very strong and painful :-( I had an epidural both times and then I had no pain from 4 cm on. With my first, the epidural wore off at 6 cm. that pain was unbearable. Luckily, they came in and gave me another dose and I made it through the delivery pain-free. The good thing about being induced was that I was able to schedule it, plan for it, and I had MY doctor who I know and trust. I know very few women who went into labor on their own and got their doctor. It's always whoever is on call, so it was nice to have the familiar face in the room!

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