Being Enduced... What do you feel about being started?

Jessica - posted on 03/10/2011

it is better to let yourself go into labour on it's own. however, i was induced because my baby was ready for about a week before i had him but my body was not having it. they made me wait till i was a day late before doing it. ive heard that it hurts more when you're induced....but i honestly have no reference. it was a lot less invasive than i thought it would be, if that helps at all. :) good luck. :D

Jessica - posted on 03/10/2011

it is better to let yourself go into labour on it's own. however, i was induced because my baby was ready for about a week before i had him but my body was not having it. they made me wait till i was a day late before doing it. ive heard that it hurts more when you're induced....but i honestly have no reference. it was a lot less invasive than i thought it would be, if that helps at all. :) good luck. :D

Lauren - posted on 10/30/2009

You ideally want your body to go into labor naturally. It's much easier on you, and is a lot safer for your baby. Pitocin can cause complications in labor, and really shouldn't be used to schedule the birth. That being said, it's your choice. I know all about wanting it to be scheduled. My husband is in Iraq, and I decided to be induced so that he could watch the labor and delivery via webcam. I had an ideal labor, but towards the end, my son's heart rate dropped dramatically as a result of the pitocin. I also plateaued at 6 centimeters for about 4 hours. During the last hour, I dilated 5 inches. As a result, my son dropped so fast that when he was born, his entire face was bruised. The bruising was so bad that we had to stay extra days at the hospital because he had severe jaundice and needed to be in an incubator. Looking back I know I should have listened to my mother and waited. However, your induction could go smoothly. Everyone is different. Knowing what I know now, though, I would let nature take it's course. You can't be pregnant forever.

Bethany - posted on 10/26/2009

Induction increases your chances of having complications and c-section.

I won't go into all the details about why, because it would take way too long. However, you need to know that induced contractions are generally worse than natural ones. The increased pain often leads to an epidural (if you didn't want one in the first place), which pumps drugs into your baby and puts you on your back (the WORST position to give birth in because it closes the pelvic opening). The drugs frequently cause "fetal distress" or the baby gets stuck, and you're rushed to an "emergency" c-section.

Also, if the baby isn't ready to come, then your labor won't really get going and most doctors will say that you have to have a c-section. They cannot force you to do anything, but will make it sound like it's mandatory.

If you do get induced, I would suggest going in and making it very clear that you're going home if the pitocin doesn't start any good contractions. Then, after a couple hours, if nothing happens, go home and try again in a day or two. I wouldn't even bother trying to get induced unless I was two weeks late or more.

Jennifer - posted on 10/26/2009

my personal experience with a planned induction .... a week before my son turned breech and because of the planned induction they decided c-section instead and scared my husband into agreeing. Had I not planned the induction I believe he would have turned back or at the very least had a chance (3rd pregnancy, 1st c/s). It was the worst decision ever made. If I get a number 4 I will probably have it at home so I don't risk another c/s.

My own experience not trying to scare you, just to give you something to think about.

Jamie - posted on 10/26/2009

I was induced (3 times) on a tuesday am and finally began contractions on thursday about 7pm. I guess some woman take easier to it then others but I would certainly do it if there was a chance your husband could not be there.

Jennifer - posted on 10/24/2009

I was induced due to decreased movement. I regret getting induced because you miss out on the miracle of labor starting. My opinion-let it happen naturally.

Michelle - posted on 10/24/2009

My first was spontaneous labor. My second was naturally induced since my water broke and contractions never started (15 hours later...docs want things started within 24 hours due to risk of infection, so I"m told.) SO, my midwife "induced"me by giving me raspberry leaf tea, black AND blue cohosh, and (shiver) castor oil. I think it was the castor oil that really kick started it! And then on it was like being socked in the gut by Mike Tyson! BUT instead of 30 hours, like my first, it was only 4 from taking the castor oil to holding him.



Also, might be helpful to note, after my first was born, they(the hospital) gave me pitocin (told me it was standard after birth to clamp down the uterus to help reduce bleeding.) The pain from the pitocin contractions was WAY worse than the natural contractions during labor. That said, I had drug free deliveries for all of my boys. So if you are having an epidural, pitocin probably wouldn't matter.

Danelle - posted on 10/24/2009

I was 10 days past my EDD and I was showing signs of preeclampsia and the doctor gave me a choice of waiting a few more days or being induced. I decided to be induced. It was a great decision because I had more control on the when and how. I admit it was painful but I was able to deal with it. You realize how strong you really are. I had a great doula couch(my sister) and my husband who was the best support system. You will want your husban there and if that means being induced then I would recommend it. Doctors wont give you a c- section unless you need it. Just trust in your doctor to do the best thing for you and your baby. My doctor was on call the weekend I gave birth and that is why we chose that weekend to do it as well. I would do it again if I needed it.

Amanda - posted on 10/24/2009

I think it is really important that he's there with you during labor and the first hours and days of your baby's life! I had to be induced because of sudden onset preeclampsia, and while it was kind of strange to be in the birthing room and not in hard labor... I would do it again the same way. With me, they put in suppositories to thin out my cervix and then a pitocin drip to dilate me. I was in the hospital for a few days, but I got to walk around, take a bath, and I got to make sure that I got meds and the epidural when I wanted and needed them. I understand the want for a natural birth because I wanted one too, but when the time came, I had to do what was best for me and my baby. I don't regret it at all and I feel that my delivery after being induced was pretty normal. Ultimately it is your decision, just know that as long as you are doing what you feel is best for you and baby, you are making the right decision and will never regret it :)
Good luck and congratulations!!!

Jessica - posted on 10/24/2009

It depends on how you're being induced. Pitocin brings hard labor on FAST (zero to OMG), whereas 'membrane stripping' releases natural hormones that bring on labor within 48 hours.



I had my membranes stripped with my 2nd (I went 11 days overdue, I have a really comfy uterus apparently LoL)

Monica - posted on 10/24/2009

i did it and this is my first so dont know if its any different then going into labor but i was fine and so was the baby..so i would do it again

Desiree - posted on 10/23/2009

Induction can be more painful that natural way because you have more intense contrations for a longer period of time. (of course this isn't always the case) I was induced and hated it! I was in labor for 2 days on the highest does they could give me of pitocin. I feel that if I had let nature take it's course things would have gone differently.

Katherine - posted on 10/23/2009

I went through 38 hours of natural back labor before I finally let them hook me up to Pitocin. The 4 hours I was on Pit made those 38 hours look like a cake walk. If they're inducing you before you go in to labor naturally, just know that it can increase your rate of having a c-section by 50%.

Hayley - posted on 10/23/2009

i was induced and if i have any more i would beg to be induced again, it was painfree as I had the epidural straight after they broke me waters! it was all controlled and only 4 hours all together, Had a vacuum though so the recovery was slightly longer but all was worth it :)

Charlotte - posted on 10/23/2009

I was induced and experianced quite a painful time. All was okay with the essary's its when my water wouldnt break so they interviened. I will be honest ive never felt pain like it. I will admit this was with my first so I cant compare to naturally going into labour. Id still think that going into labour natural would be better if you get the chance as I now have a bad experiance,

Amy - posted on 10/23/2009

You should have your baby the day you are induced. I was induced and had my baby 10 hrs later. I was fully dialated within 6 hours. They gave me a pill in my cervix and then gave me patosin. I would have rather gone into labor naturally, but I was overdue. I thought it was going to be pretty rough being induced, but everything happened really quick.

Jamie - posted on 10/23/2009

It is better for your body to be ready, as well as your baby. Research shows that the more medical intervention you have, the higher your chances are of having a c-section. With that said, you could always do a round of cirvidil. That will only put you in labor if you are close already. If you go in labor, great, if not, go home and give it more time.

Teresa - posted on 10/23/2009

I would not induce just for convenience. That being said, I was induced at 37 weeks w/ my twin girls. I was already dialated 5cm, had frequent contractions and bedrest for 3 months, 45 minutes away from the hospital, and terrified of going into real labor and delivering twins at home... alone. I still never went into real labor and had a c-section. It ended up being a good thing since baby B was STUCK in my ribs and probably would've ended up w/ an emergency c-section anyway.

Michelle - posted on 10/23/2009

I wouldn't take the chance of playing God....especially just for convenience. Your baby will come when it's ready and if it needs a little help thats one thing but to work around a schedule is just playing God in my opinion. Both my babies have been induced. I was past my due date the first time, and the second time she had to be delivered 3 weeks early due to complications. I'm pregnant again and I'm going to wait it out until my doctor thinks I should be induced.

BethAnn - posted on 10/22/2009

labor is labor.....no matter how it starts

Courtney - posted on 10/22/2009

Personally I would do some research as to the side effects and rates of ceasarean from being induced. Personally I think doctors should leave well enough alone. Our bodies go into labor when they are ready and forcing them to before then is not a good thing. I understand wanting your DH there, but that is not a good enough reason to be induced IMHO.

LaFatima - posted on 10/22/2009

The difference is that the pain is immediate. It is not gradual.

Lesley - posted on 10/22/2009

I was induced 1 week earlier because of GD. My baby wasn't ready unfortunately and I think she suffered more than me as she went into distress two times with her heart rate dropping from 160 to 60. However, the process was simple and I have nothing else to compare it to. I was prepped by 9:30am, water broke at 12:30pm and at 5:05pm, my daughter arrived. She had to be helped out with some vacuum forceps. It's personal preference I believe. If it's a medical reason - you have to do it. But if it's important for your hubby to be there and his wife going into labour doesn't warrant a day off or a sick day - then you will have to choose induction. Some women are induced and go for hours, even a full day before the baby actually comes however so be forewarned! Good luck at whatever you choose. xox

Hannah - posted on 10/22/2009

Can I just add that by more intense, yes I mean more painful, but still think it was worth it. Although I didn't have a choice - they had to induce me as the baby's heart rate was dropping, something they wouldn't have known if I had had the home birth they were encouraging me to have. Thank god for doctors is what I say, don't know if she would be here without them.

I also think the induction left her a bit shell shocked. And she cried A LOT in the first few weeks.

It's a good idea that someone else suggested, if your husband's days off can be more flexible? It's true that being induced makes it incredibly different, a healthy baby as an end result is the most important thing, but you being happy with your birthing experience matters a lot too.

Hannah - posted on 10/22/2009

I was induced and I have to say it was more intense, but sooo quick, wouldn't have changed it, that would be my preference over a long, tiring, drawn out labour any day. I just had to put all my trust in the doctors and think 'there's no going back now, just let them do whatever!'. You will be so glad you husband is there to share it with you. Good Luck!

Christine - posted on 10/21/2009

Quoting Tammy:

When there is an intervention in labour the cascade effect occurs most times. One intervention needs to be relieved by another intervention. So being induced causes stronger contractions which then leads to epidural. Epidurals slow progress make you unable to urinate and have blood pressure drops. This then leads to A catheter for urination and a increased risk in forceps delivery or ceasarian. I never recommend medical intervention unless there is a danger to the mother or fetus.

Yes...Tammy said it well.  I was given pitocin to get things going.  I didn't think it would hurt, they said it wasn't a big deal.  Now looking back, I really, really wish I hadn't agreed to it.  We messed with the natural progression of labor.  We screwed things up, which resulted in an emergency c-section.  Woman have been giving birth naturally, vaginally for a long, long, long time.  I strongly feel now, that if there is no danger to the mother or baby, there is no reason to mess with nature, there is no reason to induce.  The baby will come when he or she is ready to meet the world.  You live and learn...I did.  Believe in your body's ability to give birth.  I wish you well with whatever route you choose, and hope for health and happiness for you and your family.

Jillian - posted on 10/21/2009

i was scheduled to be induced the day before my EDD due to high blood pressures, they did not want it to lead to preeclampsia, when i went in i was already 4 cm so they gave me pitocin to regulate my contractions but i think they overdid it because by the time i was pushing my contractions were every 30 sec, and i didnt have time to breathe inbetween. i pushed for three hours like this because she got stuck, she was too low to do a c- section so the had to use forceps. it was really funny cause they put those suckers in turned her head just a fraction of an inch and she came flying out. doc had to drop the forceps and catch the baby so the forceps ended up giving me a huge laceration which needed stitches. on top of all that i ended up getting a spinal headache. i was so glad when it was over!!!

Francesca - posted on 10/21/2009

I was induced. They gave me a hormone drip at 10am, broke my water at 2pm. Ella was born just after 9pm that night. It was great because I was in and out of false labour for the two weeks before and was exhausted. There were no complications. Everything was as picture perfect as it could get. :)

April - posted on 10/21/2009

this is just my personal experience, but i regret it. my baby did not respond well to the pictocin and it forced a c-section. I had my heart set on a vaginal birth and that all went down the drain. also it wasn't my idea to be induced...i believe my doctor did it to avoid a christmas baby (my son was born on dec. 22)

Lisa - posted on 10/21/2009

I was induced a week early with my baby due to minor medical problems. I just went along with it and I've regretted that decision. Induction usually causes much more intense contractions and can make the labour a lot more painful. I ended up with back to back contractions for 24 hours before they had to assist the delivery. I had no breaks in between contractions and it was absolutely horrendous. That coupled with a midwife who didn't seem to have a clue, as I found out afterwards the dose of pitocin they were infusing was too high and that's why I had no rest between. So in total I was in active labour (more than 3 cm) for 28 hours.

I was left feeling really traumatised by it all and when I have my next baby I wouldn't get induced unless it really was life or death. Every mom is different and some people will have great labours being induced. But personally I think a baby will come when he is ready and shouldn't be rushed into it for convenience sake.

I'm not saying this to try to petrify you as I know labour is a very nerve racking thing. But you don't know how it is going to go and I would give it some very serious thought before going along with it.

Michelle - posted on 10/21/2009

i was induced both times for medical reasons it's not something i'd recommend doing for convince your baby will come when he/she is ready...both of my labors were short and i managed both without epis so tha'ts going to depend on the situation

Angela - posted on 10/21/2009

I was induced 9 days after my due date, it was a very long tedious process... I was administered the gel at 10:30 am, they broke my water by 1pm, and I didn't progress much so by 6pm they issued the pitocin, that was the hardest part of all, it made the contractions so much more intense, i had a very hard time relaxing through all the contractions, that I wasn't dialalating, by 10pm I was given demeral, which if I had to do it again I wouldn't have that stuff, it made my son dopy when he came out.. I finally had an epidural by 1am and it was the best thing ever, I fell asleep 3 cm, and woke up 9 cm, yahooo....When i do it again, I'll be waiting for mother nature to take it's course cause that pitocin sucks... and I certainly wont wait for the epidural next time, that stuff is great....
just my two cents :)

Layce - posted on 10/21/2009

That was another thing i was worried about was my dr being there... how our hospital works is one dr is on all 3 days one is on the next 3 days and the next 2 for nights and the weekend... one of the dr's is my next door neighboor and i cant stand him!! i would probably do anything to keep him from delivering my baby! i would rather have the baby at my house with my cousin (she's an RN in the OB) but i would rather not do that either! Thanks for pointing that out Stephanie... and on my due date i had 2 the first one i got when the baby was 6 weeks was November 23 and the next one when the baby was 19 weeks was november 8 and i would be doing this some time the week of the 12 so there is just a few days between the 2...

Hannah - posted on 10/21/2009

It will be different, because your body wont be ready. I would say it is a huge mistake to get induced unless there are problems. Try inducing yourselves with out chemicals, have sex and have your husband work your cervix (VERY gently) If that doesnt get you started dont get induced. Really. Your whole experience will be different.

Tammy - posted on 10/21/2009

When there is an intervention in labour the cascade effect occurs most times. One intervention needs to be relieved by another intervention. So being induced causes stronger contractions which then leads to epidural. Epidurals slow progress make you unable to urinate and have blood pressure drops. This then leads to A catheter for urination and a increased risk in forceps delivery or ceasarian. I never recommend medical intervention unless there is a danger to the mother or fetus.

Stephanie - posted on 10/21/2009

I was induced with my son and I was so happy that my Dr did it was great my husband was there and my mom and sis they popped my water at 5pm and by 3:23 am my son was delivered and the best thing was that My Dr was there as well .I'm expecting at the moment and i'm due Dec 26th so I'm thinking that I will ask my Dr ti induce me before the 25th .

Rebekka - posted on 10/21/2009

I was induced at 37 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. Because it was so early, I had to have cervadil to ripen my cervix. The 12 hours the cervadil was in was the worst. It started out as horrible period-like cramps, then to contractions all night long. The next morning Pitocin was started to move me to active labor. I went from 0-10 in about 35 minutes. I went too quickly for an epidural, I was nursing my daughter by the time the anesthesiologist got to the room! So, in general, the pain is worse (the contractions are more intense b/c they're drug induced and not your body's natural contractions) and it can go very quickly. If you don't need to be induced for medical reasons, I really don't recommend it. Unless I'm as sick as I was this time, I don't want induced again!

Jennie - posted on 10/21/2009

i was induced with george and it was instant pain! no relax and have a bath etc but i was over due, i personaly dont think baby should be induced just for the convineance of work etc especialy if they are going to induce u early. but its up to you ill only induced if my nexy baby is estimated to be bigger than my first because george wasnt breathing when he was born bcoz i had such a hard time getting him out bcoz of his size.

Layce - posted on 10/21/2009

I do plan on getting an epidural i would like to be less pain! haha my mom had to be started on all of her kids and everythind was fine... but it still is scary... i just have mixed feelins on both i guess thanks for everything!!!

Elle - posted on 10/21/2009

I wouldn't be induced before my EDD unless medically necessary. After your EDD I would see how flexible hubby's days off could be. But if hubby can't change his schedule based on when you go into labor then I would probably want to be induced (unless you want a drug free labor- I did 3 hours of drug free pitocin then the pitocin was stopped but the effects were still going 3 hours later when I had my c-section. worst 6 hours of my life!!!!)

I understand doing everything you can to have your hubby there. We're a military family and I gave birth 2 months after moving to a new duty station- no friends, no near by family- there was just hubby and me (my sister lives 3 hrs away and eventually got there too). You will need the support of your hubby! Good luck, I hope you have a wonderful birth!

Kimberly - posted on 10/21/2009

My personal opinion would also be to avoid an induction if at all possible. I was induced with my first and after 8 hours of labor, they forced me to have a c-section. Since I had mine, I have personally known 5 good friends who've also been induced and then had to have c-sections. After this happened to me, I switched to a midwife for my current pregnancy and have done a ton of research. While many inductions work out as the mother intended, it is my belief that you just cannot force a baby out who isn't ready yet. Can your husband not take the day off when you go into labor? If he can, then I would just wait until you go into labor naturally. The contractions will come on more slowly and naturally, your birth will probably go much more smoothly, and I believe you will have fewer complications and interventions...Good luck to you and your family however you choose to go! :)

Cristal - posted on 10/21/2009

With our youngest, I was having contractions for 12 hours, but they were just shy of ebing close enough together and strong enough to really get things moving. My doctor broke my water and put me on pitocin to get the contractions steady. Technically that is being induced. It was fine. He broke my water at 9am and Sydney was out at 12:30pm. I did everything else, just needed the DR to help get things moving in the right direction!

Lisa - posted on 10/21/2009

i, personally would say don't be induced unless you have to be! depending on what they use and for how long then it can make the whole process far more painful. this is in my experience anyway. on the other hand i'm not sure how i would have coped with labour without the support of my other half!! i wish you all the best and be reassured that whatever decision you make it will be the best one in the circumstances. good luck xx

Brandy - posted on 10/21/2009

I think that it's better to let the baby decide when it is ready. But that is just my opinion. And I was forced to be induced even though I am so against it, I had no choice and it can cause a very intense, very long labor. I had no choice because my water broke and the baby was running out of fluids inside of me but I still hadn't had any contractions. I was in hard labor for 17 hours and had only dialated 4 centimeters because my body wasn't ready but the IV was forcing the labor anyways. I finally got the epidural then and it still wasn't for another few hours that I was able to start pushing. It is entirely up to you but I know that with this pregnancy, I will do whatever I can to avoid putting myself throught that again.

J - posted on 10/21/2009

I totally understand why you would want to do that. But, in my opinion, it's better to wait for nature to take it's course. My first two were all natural and were much easier on me. My third, was much more complicated. We knew he was much bigger than my first two. The doctor wanted to do a c-section vs. inducing. Well I decided I could handle being induced and could handle delivering him. Well I don't know for sure if it was the meds they give you or what, but, I did not feel good through the whole process. Nothing went right and I ended up with a c-section at the end. Not saying that that is what will happen to you. But, I would take natural over inducing any day.



Unless you are terribly overdue...I wouldn't choose that route. I'm sure there will be many different opinions...that is mine.

Marcy - posted on 10/21/2009

Layce-

I went in to my doctor on a Thursday, They put a little balloon (filled with saline solution) inside me and sent me home. I stayed at home all day (it was my birthday...great birthday gift right a balloon up your crotch?) and then on Friday they admitted me to the hospital at 7AM. They started me on the patosin drip (sorry spelling is wrong and I'm too lazy to look it up) and I gave birth at 7 that night.



We don't have any other kids so I don't have anythnig to compare it to but I would do it over again the same way...I liked the control of knowing when I would go in to labor.

Summer - posted on 10/21/2009

i was induced and it was great. i do really think your hubby should be there througfh your labor and delivery, if he isnt he will regret it later... plus you need the support