Being induced what to expect?

sunnytalk23 · January 2016

Today is officially my due date and still I'm not dilated but I'm scheduled to be induced next Tuesday @ night, due to high blood pressure, I never been through this before with my first child she came early, I'm nervous and I'm wondering what to expect and I'm also wondering is this going to lead to a c section if someone can shade light on this to ease my mind would be great

claireloSC · January 2016

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=What+to+expect+induction

Brianna0915 · January 2016

I think she's asking for personal experiences from people that have recently gone through it. I'm interested in hearing what other moms have to share about it as well!

carlyhammond · January 2016

I was induced due to high blood pressure, proteins in my urine and low (i really don't remember what was low- but if it kept going down I would have been denied anesthesia).

I went to my weekly appt on Wednesday December 23rd- I was told to go straight to the hospital for observation. I was tired,irritated, and scared. I thought I would go home after a few hours and all would be well in the world. I WAS NOT ready to have my baby. I wanted him after Christmas or his due date...
I get to the hospital, waited an hour - finally was "admitted" to the pregnancy emergency room (my brain is drawing a blank on what it's actually called- I fail) they collected urine,blood, hooked me up to the fetal monitor.... I settled in and watched tv.
Less than two hours later I was being admitted to the hospital and was told I was being induced my baby would be born my Christmas...
-insert ugly crying pregnant lady-
I was scared, SO was at work 45mins away he can't leave work, I've never been in the hospital and i was NOT mentally or emotionally prepared for this.
Moved to the high risk area of labor and delivery and settled in. About 8:15 I started round one of cervadil- my cervix was dilated to 1cm and was super thick...
That was SOOOOO uncomfortable, I had to stay in bed, it hurt ( ok it was f horrible pains, but imagine a cardboard tampon) I could feel it when I moved, when I peed it was just uncomfortable.
A very sleepless night passed , more blood was taken and at 8am December 24th they took out round one of cervadil I took a shower, my doctor came in and my cervix was still 1cm and I barely thinned at all.
My doctor order round 2 of cervadil and for me to be moved to labor and delivery at 5am December 25th.

Another sleepless night, at 3am round two was removed I showered and moved to labor and delivery.
My cervix thinned this time and I dilated to a 3cm...
Picotin was started at 6am Christmas morning. I slept I was comfy.. I was pretty ok..
Until 2:30 I was rudely waken from my slumber from contractions so bad I was in tears and I couldn't hold on any more.... By 3:15 I had my epidural and I was happy.
Fast forward to 8pm Christmas night my OB got to my room to tell me that we were going to stop pitocin and start again the next morning so I could shower, eat, rest etc ... That is until we checked my cervix which was completely thinned out, I had my epidural, and I was dilated to a 4cm (she was Super happy about this) ... So we continued pitocin.
I went to sleep, all was well in the world- except from some minor discomfort in my vagina... I could feel something heavy inside of me when I laughed, coughed, moved etc at this point I had my cathedar in and I thought that's what was bothering me.
Lab came in about 5:15 December 26th, she woke me up, took my blood, turned to put everything in those biohazard bags and (pop) -note I was on the monitor so I could seriously hear it- (gush of fluid)
I turned to SO and "babe, my water broke"
The lab lady didn't care lol I blamed her lol.
My Nurse came in, cleaned me up, called the doctor I was dilated at an 8cm, and she was determined I was going to have the baby any second.

Ten mins later my OB comes in running and checks me told me I still had a few hours and she was going to go back to sleep. Baby was still high up in my pelvic area..

This is when the contractions started back again. I was crying the epidural wasn't doing shit. Back labor was real.
I had two standing doses of the epidural and I was pushing the pain button so much the anesthesiologist told me to stop...
Finally about 9:30am my nurse decided it was time to push because my contractions were right on top of each other, and we were trying to get baby down...
My son was born at 10:21am December 26th. I wanted to give up. In fact I was screaming to my doctor I want to give up, I can't do this anymore... (I did it lol)

After everything was done, my doctor turned and told me- "you know, when I put you in the hospital I didn't think you would have a vaginal delivery. In fact when I got here this morning and saw you- I still didn't know if we were going to be able to have a vaginal birth"

But I did.. My son was born with A LOT of fluid, and the cord around his neck.
If we would have waited another week he would have been too big for my body and I would have had a c-section.

That's my induction story.
I hope I didn't scare you. It really wasn't as bad as it sounded. The worst part was the pitocin contractions... It's said contractions with pitocin are ALOT worse than regular contractions...

You'll be ok, everything will work out and you'll see your baby one way or another. I don't think you really know about a c-section until you are in that moment.

claireloSC · January 2016

Well if you actually read the links I posted, there's lot of good information there. Yes, induction has a higher rate of c-section, but it doesn't mean you will have one. Contractions started with pitocin are generally stronger than natural labor.

What actually happens in an induction varies depending on how ready your body is. For some people, a foley bulb or cervadil is all it takes. For others, those are the first interventions, then they get pitocin and maybe some other stuff. Everyone's experience will vary depending on their bodies, the reason for induction, the gestational age of the baby at induction and so on. I think doing your research about what an induction may entail will actually provide more and better information than anecdotes. I don't know OP's medical history, but she does and will know what information may apply to her based on what her doctor has told her. Additionally, her doctor is the best person to discuss the plan with her.

ainverso · January 2016

I was induced at 39 weeks, 5 days this time. I was already 6 cm and fully effaced however so my experience might not be as helpful. They hooked me up to monitors, watched baby for 30 min, then checked me and confirmed the 6cm and effacement and station baby was sitting in. Hooked me up to pitocin and increased it every 30 min until I was in a normal and consistent contraction pattern. It's a slow process but it's better for baby that way. It didn't hurt until they broke my water and then the contractions got real. I was 8cm when they broke my water and within 15 min I was fully dialted and ready to push. Total labor from entry to delivery was 10 hours.

BarrettJ89 · January 2016

With my son (born a year ago), I went to my OB the day after his due date for my NST. My on came in and said he doesn't like what he had heard and sent me straight to the hospital to be induced. I was dilated to a 2 or 3. They gave me a quarter of a pill similar to Cervidil around 1130 am, which kicked my body into high gear. They planned to give me more, but couldn't because my contractions were too strong and too close together. After 4 hours, I asked for pain meds and got stadol. It made me loopy as all get out. But I slept... and had the weirdest dreams of all time. The nurses rushed in at one point because his heart rate went bonkers. I didn't care, I was practically drunk from the meds and mad that they woke me up. After about 4 more hours, I got my epidural (liquid gold). And slept through the night. My water broke while I was sleeping. By 630 the following morning, I was fully dilated. They sat me up for a few hours to help the baby descend. I started pushing around 1045. Pushed less than 10 minutes (4 pushes). Not bad at all.

I'm scheduled to be induced on Sunday with this baby.

mrhargr · January 2016

With my first I was having moderate contractions every 4-5 min when I checked in for my induction. They inserted cervadil to try and help things along. I hadn't made sufficient progress the next morning so they started pitocin and broke my water. Things were going really well until about 1 or 2pm. My blood pressure dropped (I have low blood pressure normally) and DD's heart rate dropped. They stopped the pitocin at that point to get us stabilized. Things stalled out at 9cm. Once we were back on track they turned the pitocin back on and she was born at 8:27pm after 1.5 hrs of pushing. I can't remember what point I got the epidural but it was amazing. I could tell when to push but was not in any pain whatsoever.

Latina211508 · January 2016

I asked to be induced with my second and third baby. They were both already over EDD and I asked because of their size (big babies for myself). I did not want them getting any bigger and then not being able to vaginally deliver them. I was put on pitocin both times. It just made me pee a lot with all the fluids. Personally I had two great experiences. Labored for 2 hours each give or take. I also had no epidural. But yes I was told you have a higher chance of having a c-section. It really depends on your body and your baby. Good luck.

alisongem · January 2016

I was induced today at 38 weeks due to an IUGR. They hooked me up to the pitocin and I got dialated to about a 4 before the pain became too much and I got an epidural. After that it was relatively easy!! (It helped that baby girl was small) but it was kind of nice being induced because I knew to plan on that date and I got to experience everything right there in the hospital with a nurse to help me if I needed it!

mamakculb · January 2016

I was induced on my due date with cervadil. I went to the hospital at 8pm, had cervadil put on at 830. My doctor planned to come back around 6am, take the cervadil out, and let me go into labor(possibly with pitocin) the next day. However, around 1030pm I woke with strong contractions and my water broke. My cervadil fell out a little while later. I had an epidural at the last possible moment. Around 3am I started pushing and my son was born at 3:30am.

My SIL went to be induced with cervadil at 38 weeks due to loss of fluid and a small baby. She had it put on in the evening like I did and taken off in the early morning hours. She had a little pitocin to help her contractions along but gave birth around 10:15am the next morning, no epidural.

MBourne14 · January 2016

Following this post as I am to be induced Monday morning and little babe doesn't look like she's going to come on her own before then....question, with induction, are you confined to the bed? I've also heard to ask for epidural right away so they have it set up since induction can make contractions come on strong and quick. Not that you have to take it right away, but at least it's set. Was this anyone's experience? Thanks in advance!

destinyb12 · January 2016

being confined probably depends on the circumstances, but contractions coming on strong and quick Also depends I never got around to getting pitocin because babies heart rate was already dropping and low and as soon as they started pitocin it got worse so they kept checking me and once I was 3CM broke my water around 9AM and from there contractions were awful but sitting upright helped ALOT. Got an epidural around 11AM and didn't get much rest as nurses were freaking me out constantly running in because of babys heart rate they finally attached some wires to her head to monitor better. Started pushing around 4 two hours &an episiotomy later she finally came out lol.

Latina211508 · January 2016

@MBourne14 I was confined to the bed for the most part. I had an IV and the monitoring stuff. But at the same time I didn't ask. I went to the bathroom constantly but had to drag everything with me. Once I had a catheter put in (I hated it) I was then 100% confined to the bed. I won't be getting that again.

carlyhammond · January 2016

I was on moderate bed rest with the cervadil- only allowed up to potty (dragging an iv pole with me and unhooking the monitor wires)
When I was moved to labor and delivery- I was allowed to the bathroom again dragging iv pole and monitor wires- while you are on the monitor you can't move.
I tried to be as still as possible because if I moved half an inch my son would somehow twist off the monitor and the nurses would run in to put him back on digging into my tummy to find him.
When I was put on the cathedar I was confined to the bed ( cathedar was put in December 25th about 3:15ish) after my delivery I was put on magnesium and I couldn't get out of bed until after 10am the following Sunday December 27th.
So I was basically in bed from Wednesday the 23rd to Sunday the 27th..

Every birth story is different- it depends on your course, what your doctor decides and your body.

kmo8986 · January 2016

I was induced with my first because my water broke and contractions didn't begin. 1. I would get an epidural right away if you plan on getting one, it was amazing. 2. I was confined to bed (except for the bathroom before the epi) because they were monitoring my blood pressure and constant monitoring of the babe.

katemariesf · January 2016

First time mom here. I was induced last Friday. After arriving to my appointment and getting settled in the room, I was given cervadil which is a medication inserted into the vag. I stayed in my own clothes, played cards with my husband, and went to bed. We were told the process would be long. After 12 hours of some cramping and contractions, nothing major, I was given a second dose of cervadil. My doctor wanted to take the induction slow so there would be less chance of me needing a c-section. After 12 more hours and some intensely painful contractions, the cervadil insert was taken out. My contractions slowed down. I was dilated only to a 1. My doctor called the room and sent me home. Not what I had expected. The thought of not going home with a baby hadn't even crossed my mind as a possibility. So, home we went.

My contractions continued through the night and next day, but slowed down and lost intensity. My doctor had been rescheduled for induction a day later.

The day of my second induction, I lost some of my mucus plug at home. I went back to the hospital for my appointment very discouraged. I read that sometimes people fail inductions several times. The nurse checked me and I had dilated to a 3. As she was giving me the next induction medication (something oral, not pitocin) my water broke on the hospital bed. The rest is a blur. Lots of painful contractions through the night and finally an epidural. I gave birth the following morning. He shot right out in a few pushes and I felt no pain.

My advice is to be prepared for anything. It can move fast or very slow. Two times I was told I was going to possibly have a c-section, but I ended up delivering vaginally. Take some games to preoccupy yourself and distract you from the pain of the contractions. Your baby will be here so soon!

Sorry for the novel, but having just gone through this, I had to share.

shrsri · January 2016

I was induced on 26th at 5:00 am because my water broke and pain hadn't started.. After being induced I went into labor very fast and had terrible contractions by 9:00 am .. Didn't take an epidural and delivered at 10:31 !!

Rakastajatar · January 2016

I will type up my story I had to be induced.

Knottie1452445632 · January 2016

Well I have 3 children and they all were induced .....

Baby 1. I was admitted to hospital one Sunday evening as I was 12 days overdue. I had a pessary inserted at 9pm and then sat and watched TV. The midwife was cross as id refused a sedative to help me sleep as she said "you will need at least 2 rounds of pessary before anything happens" but I didn't want it. At 10pm that night I had my first contraction and let them get stronger, at 11:30pm they were very intense so I decided to tell one of the midwives - they were on their tea break and were annoyed that I disturbed them (honestly). Anyway at 1pm after being told to sit on my bed and "wait for someone to see me" I was 4cm dilated and in so much pain I was allowed to go to L&D! My phone call to hubby as this time was funny as apparently I was asking how he was doing rather than saying that I was in labour and to come in. Doh! Anyway was wheeled up to L&D was allowed gas and air which was great. A few hours later our baby girl was born at 4:28am after a 6&1/2 hour labour from start to finish! The whole experience wasn't too bad apart from a retained placenta (nothing to do with induction) and required antibiotics as got a nasty infection.

Baby 2. My waters broke at 39 weeks and then nothing (no contractions etc) for 24 hours so I had to be induced to avoid infection. I went in at 8:00 in the morning and had to wait for a bit as they were super busy! At 9:30am a pessary was inserted at 10am I had my first contraction and noticed it was back labour. All was fine and bearable for a couple of hours and then it got very intense so I was moved to a private room (was on a ward prior to that as they were so busy). Then the pains got horrendous as I said I felt the urge to push but on examination he was back to back and stuck!!! I was made to wait it out for 2 hours as they hoped he'd change positions (which he did) but my goodness that was the most horrendous pain I'd ever felt. After 30 minutes of pushing he was here and perfect - all be it with a squashed nose from being stuck. He was born back to back. He was born at 2:38 in the afternoon - so around a 4&1/2 hour labour

Baby 3. I was induced as I was 12 days over due. I went in at 8:00 in the morning (arrived early at 7:35 to shown I was keen). And unfortunately they had no beds on the postnatal wards and so didn't want to induce until things cleared a bit! Anyway all day I was made to wait with hubby, was sent for a walk, watched TV etc - this was the worst part - the waiting. Anyway at 4:30pm I said I'd had enough and got rather cross with them! Finally at 5:00 they decided to start induction. I was taken to a beautiful pool room (as if requested and the least they could do after making me wait!!). At 5:15 they broke my waters and about 2 minutes later my first contraction hit (it was almost instantaneous). The contractions were strong from the start (even though they didn't believe me). After a couple of hours and at 4cm dilated I asked to go to the pool - they reluctantly agreed as they didn't want to stall labour (too early to go in). Anyway the water felt wonderful - contractions melted away and it was bliss. A few more hours later (still contracting but not feeling too painful at all) they get me out of the pool to examine me (my labour had slowed down but I loved the water). Anyway on examination I'm only 6cm (this is after 5&1/2 hours of labour). They then notice baby is facing my leg so said it's going to be more of a difficult birth (great I thought!). I laboured for a further 15 minutes but was in absolute agony as soon as I got out of the water! It was so painful I was screaming for an epidural! They walked me to a different room and at 11pm I was screaming for them to kill me (so painful as baby was in the worst and most painful position for birth apparently). At 11:05 I said I was ready to push - they were still discussing epidural as I was 6cm only 15/20 minutes ago and so they didn't believe me - that was until I started grunting and pushing (I could t help it). It wasn't until my husband said "she's pushing you NEED to check her" that they believed me and said it was time time to push. 15 minutes later our daughter was born. So this labour was 6 hours from start to finish.

I've never had a natural non induced birth so I'd like to experience that with this last baby - having said that I'm happy for him to be induced if I go over at all as he's measuring large and the fear of him being big and getting stuck petrifies me.

Anyway my experience of induction isn't bad - at least mine have all been quick

Good luck you'll be fine and tenement the more you relax the quicker you'll have baby

sterlinggirard · January 2016

I was induced with my dd 8 years ago. I went to hospital due to the fact she wasn't moving at all. Telephoned my doc & she said to come to hospital. I got there, they checked me immediately, tried to get her to move with no success. They then decided after an hour, to admit me. They hooked me up to different IVs, then a nurse told me that they will be administering Pictocin & I will feel a burning in my veins. I felt it almost immediately, it was like my veins were on fire, then after 5 mins, it became less painful. After about 2 hours on Pictocin my contractions started to get more intense & I couldn't talk anymore. After 5 hours laboring hard, I felt a huge pop in my pelvic area, the nurses said to each other I think something is happening & sure enough baby's head had dropped lower & I was fully 10 c dialated & ready to push. She was born within that hour. So a total of 6 hours after arriving at hospital.

EvaD84 · January 2016

I got induced yesterday at 9am and delivered at 3.34pm same day. It was the day before my due date.
I was already 3.75cm dilated after my 2 membrane sweeps when induced with pitocin n having amniotic sac ruptured.

By 11am pain was getting unbearable but i wanted to avoid an epi so i got an injection of another pain killer which helps you sleep thru minor contractions and numbs a bit of the pain. By 1.15 pm pain was unbearable i thought and nurse said i was 8cm dilated.

Around 2.45pm i had excruciating contractions and urge to poop n nurse said i was 9cm and to not push or i will tear super bad. I had to breathe and hubby gave me oxygen mask everytime contraction popped up n i was crying by 3pm telling hubby every contraction i had i felt i needed to push n he said i had to wait till 4pm which is when nurses dr predicted i would be fully dilated...

By 3.15pm i told hubby i felt babys head enter birth canal n he called nurse and they were coaching me on how to push as i was 100% dilated and 19 mins later after 5 pushess baby was out.

Nurse had to page dr and tell him baby is coming out now and he did an episiotomy as my perineum was very tight.

One of the head midwives did say if u r struggling to dilate, laying on ur left side helps baby turn into correct position and speed up dilation and labor but it will hurt more and hubby reckons her advice is what sped things up..

I will say after my 1st labor experience, i don't judge women who go for an epidural but i was focussed on not having one or getting pain meds if possible so i wanted to try and follow my birth plan if possible...

Good luck to other ladies and i would still do inducing because it still helped my labor along... Lots of deep breathing, resting and squeezing hubbies hands and back rubs helped alot... Back pain is worser than the cramps i reckon... I never felt pain during episiotomy but i could hear n feel incision made

Leah6120 · January 2016

Ladies who did a cervadil induction.. are you allowed to eat? I'm going in tomorrow night and they are inserting it and then not checking me until the next morning. You know preggo needs that early morning snack.. just curious.

Jessdub10 · January 2016

@Leah6120 first time around I was not allowed to eat after the induction began... after a day or so they felt sorry for me and let me have broth, Popsicles, and jello.
This time I have an induction scheduled for next week, different hospital, and Dr. advised I eat well before I show up because no food is allowed once they start the induction.

morganw0902 · January 2016

Went to my 39 week check up Wednesday and was told that my amniotic fluid is low, I'm not dilating, my cervix is closed and I've had absolutely no contractions. So I'll be getting cervadil induced this Saturday on my DD. I'm a FTM so I was a little anxious and scared when my OB told me this because she said there is always a risk of a c section and i dont want it. I'm hoping I can stick to my birth plan of going natural, however I'm just excited about meeting our baby girl!!

Leah6120 · January 2016

@Jessdub10 thanks for the heads up! Looks like I'm hitting up the pizza place next to the hospital haha.

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