I am hoping to hear some experiences with induction!
My first was what they call a precipitous labour (under 3 hrs). I had first contraction at home, called midwife, went through transition in the car, got to hospital fully dilated and baby came shortly after. No time for meds of any kind. The experience was scary and chaotic, but also felt natural like my body knew what to do.
This time around my OB is suggesting induction. I do not want a home birth, it's just not for me. I also don't want to give birth in the car or anywhere else unexpected. My OB said we could induce as early as 38 weeks. My first came naturally at 39 weeks. She said if at any point at an appointment I am 4cm dilated or more...she would send me for induction.
I don't know much about induction, except the horror stories regarding pitocin and the higher risk for c section. Has anyone had an induction without pitocin? Just by breaking water?
Hoping to hear some of your stories! Good bad ugly!!
Re: Talk to me about induction!
Having a baby before means they’d most likely offer a pitocin induction, or depending on your doc and the position of baby, they might break your water as an induction. There is also something called a foley bulb, or catheter, induction, but you need to be at least 1cm but less than 3cm dilates for it to be an option.
Personally, my twins (2nd pregnancy) were induced because my water broke. It was a long labour, I was able to deal with the contractions without pain med (although I had an epidural placed in case of a stat c-section, there were no meds running) and delivered both babies vaginally.
Good luck!
ETA i was induced with pitocin.
The plus side was, her baby was born on my SS's birthday!
My induction took 12 hours from walking through the door to when she was out. They started with a very low dose of pitocin and after a few hours they popped my waters. Honestly, it was the easiest out of my vaginal deliveries. By the time I hit 10 cm I pushed twice and she was out. The only complication was that her cord was wrapped around her neck twice so I had to hold through contractions without pushing. That sucked.
The only advise I can really give you is to gather as much information as you can, talk it through several times with your doctor and your partner, and do what you feel is best for you and babe.
@momoflogan20 oh man that sounds long and rough BUT I am very happy you were able to deliver vaginally after all that hard work!
@HoosOnFirst that is exactly my concern. I want my body to be as close to 'ready' as possible. My OB seems to be very understanding and will monitor closely near the end to hopefully ensure we don't jump the gun!
@elothair thank you for sharing! I have heard that often times women labour similar, even with interventions. I think with the induction I will still labour fast, but I honestly wouldn't mind it going a bit slower than my first!
They started me on a med at 11pm that would fully thin my cervix. I was told it would likely start some contractions and dilation, but that I would need to start pitocin first thing the next morning.
At 6am DS’s heart rate was dropping every now and then so they skipped pitocin and broke my water. I was given an epidural. He was stubborn and still wouldn’t come down into my pelvis, so they decided to do a c section around 9am since his heart rate was still dropping every now and then.
While they prepped me, he dropped all the way down, I dilated fully, and they decided to try vaginal. 20 minutes of pushing and he was out. No pitocin, no csection.
@kimmerann3 wow that must have been quite the experience! I bet it was a huge relief to be able to deliver vaginally in the end though best of luck to you this time around!
@krzyriver wow that is so crazy! Stinks you had to through the prep, but what an amazing outcome!
I had midwives with my first and after his birth they HEAVILY advised home birth for #2 but I just cant do it, personally. They never mentioned induction. I am with an OB this time and it was her first suggestion. I have just really stressed that we monitor dilation closely and don't induce too early...
Fast labours run in my family. My moms longest was 1.5 hrs and shortest was twins in 20 mins!! Its ridiculous when u think about it lol
I went naturally at 41w... was in labor for 37 hours and needed pit to move from 6cm, though it was a very low dose. I had an umcomplicated vaginal birth and the contractions didn't seem to change.
So I'm of the opinion you have no idea how it'll go. Hopefully based on your first labor you might use pit, but a low dose just to jump start you. Once your body figures it out it'll do it's thing, and they can top it then. I think if they're looking at you being 4cm prior to induction the Foley bulb is out.
At 38 wks I had them check and I was 2-3cm dilated. They did a very small sweep and there was a lot of blood. That's when she told me she didn't think I would make it to 40 wks.
I lost my mucus plug 2 days after that, and gave birth 4 days after that. I have no real way of knowing but my midwives think when I got my first contraction I was most likely already 6-7cm. Contractions started 2 mins apart right off the bat.
How did your labour experience go?
Let me know how your appt goes and what the doctor suggests! Always nice hearing other opinions
With DD2 I woke up at 5am 3 days before my due date and my water broke all the way. Had one contraction (I think? It felt weird) and then went in to the hospital. They confirmed that I’d ruptured and discharged me, telling me to come back when my contractions began or in 24 hour if they didn’t. I walked around a bunch at my IL’s condo which is right by the hospital for most of the day, but by early evening I’d totally lost my patience and hadn’t had anything close to another contraction so we went back in to start my induction. Started right with pitocin this time because I was already 2cm dialated, and I had my epi placed immediately. Watched the election results in horror for a couple hours (it was the night trump got elected) and then turned it off and went to sleep when it looked like he was going to win Florida. Woke up a couple hours later to ask the nurse to turn up my epi or something bc I was uncomfortable, but it turned out that was because it was time to push. Pushed three times I think and then I was done! Had the OB coach me through when to back off so I didn’t tear as badly and only had what she said was barely a 1st degree tear. I was completely better a week later.
I’m a huge fan of inductions and epidurals. Never had to rush, had everything right there when I needed it, and in both of my deliveries I only felt unmedicated contractions for 30 minutes total.
Exactly the same experience. It was awful really.
OP, I'm confused as to why your doctor is suggesting induction at this point...?
I do have the option of course to go naturally and avoid induction - I am just very afraid of how fast it could go and where I'll be. Will I even have someone with me to drive, will I need to call an ambulance etc.
@missmaehurt wow yes I can only imagine how long and draining that must have felt. 36+6 is quite early, you don't have a lot of options with pre e though I can imagine...doctors want to ensure a safe baby!! I hope this time around things are smoother or you can opt for RCS if you wish
Is there anything worse than transitioning in a car? I think not
If my mother had to be induced for both of her labors (her water didn't break for either) and both my brother and I were more than a week late, does that increase my chances for the same situations to arise?
@sliztee that's a good question, I can only speak to the quick labours but my mom, my sister and myself have all been very quick. I would be curious what your doc says if u ask!
My midwife has already said I would be induced at 40 weeks if baby has not already made his/her appearance due to AMA. I really hope I can go into labor naturally to avoid this.
This go around I will have a scheduled induction for other reasons. They’ll try every method before Pitocin (at my request) first.