Did you have a good or bad experience being induced?

Hannah - posted on 09/26/2009

I had a FABULOUS experience being induced! My baby was due 8/29/09 and we agreed with my doctor that the risks exponentially increased after 40 weeks so we decided to be induced during my 39th week. This also helped insure my OB would be the one to deliver our baby and that's what we were most comfortable with. The main issue was going to be whether or not my body was progressing and if my cervix was changing prior to being induced.

The weeks leading up, my cervix began changing and my 39th week check up I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced at a -2 station. My OB could get his finger on my baby's head when he checked me. This all meant my cervix was changing on its own and I would not need Cervadil or any other agent to help ripen my cervix prior to induction. I however was not feeling any contractions but I never really did until later on during labor.

We went in around noon on 8/27/09 and they began a Pitocin drip. My contractions began on the monitor but I did not feel them at all. My cervix wasn't changing much but was still dilated 2-3 cm, and 80% effaced. A few hours in, my doctor came to check me and we decided he'd break my water. This is when I began feeling contractions and they started my epidural soon after.

I had a procedure years ago which left scar tissue on my cervix which preventing my cervix from changing rapidly but once that broke free, I went from 4cm to 10 cm almost instantly. I pushed for about 30-45 minutes and my beautiful baby girl was delivered at 1:43 a.m. on 8/28/09. I was in labor for about 12 hours and it was a pleasant experience thanks to the epidural.

From my experience, I would recommend being induced - early - only if your cervix is ready. If you are past your due date and your cervix is not favorable, you may need an agent like Cervadil to help soften your cervix before starting Pitocin. You shouldn't be discouraged, though, if your body never cooperates and you need a c-section. The main focus is to keep you and your baby safe and healthy. Best wishes!

Bonnie - posted on 09/26/2009

So many horror stories because people didn't have the right OB or facility.



I was sure I did not want to be induced unless it was absolutely necessary. I spoke to my OB and she assured me of what her standard practices were. I let her know that I didn't want to be induced, did not want any drugs, and did not want a c-section. In fact, I was down right terrified of having an epidural or a c-section.



In my third trimester I started measuring big so we had an ultrasound and sure enough he was big. My OB still didn't change my due date though. She said that she was comfortable with the date we had and that if nothing else he might come out a little big.



When I was about 36 weeks I started showing signs of preeclampsia. I was trending towards it so at the end of my 38th week she decided that she wanted to induce me at 39 weeks. I was induced exactly one week before my due date. I was started on pitocin. The dosage kept getting upped because the monitors were showing contractions but I couldn't feel them. After 12 hours and the pitocin maxed out they decided to stop the pitocin and see if they could do cervidil. In order to do the cervidil they had to wait until my contractions slowed down. After three hours of waiting for them to slow down they decided that cervidil wasn't going to be an option. The pitocin was started again and my OB came in and broke my water when I was at 2cm. As soon as she broke my water I finally started feeling the contractions. They were bad but manageable for a few hours. I would get a break in between them that was just enough for me to get my breath and refocus. I managed to get to a 4 but the contractions were one right on top of the other without any decrease in intensity. I finally decided that I had to have the epidural. The anesthesiologist was there within a couple minutes and it was instantaneous relief. I was FINALLY able to ENJOY my labor and delivery. With the epidural started I literally went from a 4 to an absolute 10 within 20 minutes.



I ended up pushing for 3 1/2 hours because I've got a stubborn little guy but I can honestly say that the whole experience was great. The worst part was the total of about 27 hours of labor that meant I had to sleep in the labor bed :-)

Nicole - posted on 09/26/2009

I have given birth 3 times and each time had some of the induction medication!! I don't think my body knows what to do!! Ask your Dr for a "sweep of the membranes" (ie an internal) first this worked on the 3rd pregnancy for me, but l didn't go into established labour so has some synto (IV Med). My obs told me that the induction meds just start you off on what would have been your regular labour anyway, l don't know if this is correct but a great mind set to have! I had 3 great labours and would do it again if l could. Just because you are induced doesn't have to mean extra pain...each pain is bringing you closer to meeting your baby so relax and think positive. Good luck.

Alicia - posted on 09/24/2009

I was induced at 40 weeks and ended up having a c section. The labor pains were not unbearable, but I was unable to dialate enough and baby's heart rate would drop after strong contractions. I wish I had waited to go into labor on my own.

Tara - posted on 09/21/2009

Well, I had to be induced because there wasn't enough amniotic fluid left for my daughter. I had already asked my doctor to strip my membranes the week before, they started by breaking my amniotic sac, in hopes of labour starting on its own, it didn't so they gave me oxytocin through an IV. Everything went smoothly, didn't have any problems at all. My daughter was born 5 1/2 hours after they broke my waters, she did well, I did well, it was a pretty good experience. Good Luck to you.

Fallon - posted on 09/20/2009

I had an awesome experience being induced! I was afraid that it would be rough, especially since I was induced 5 days before my due date, but it went amazing!!! My doctor had me go to the hospital at 10pm (on my b-day!) and they started me on petosin(sp?) I did not feel a thing, slept through the night. At 6 am she checked me and I was dialated to a 3 so she broke my water. I immediately started feeling contractions. What helped me the most with them was sitting in the glider moving my hips. When they got pretty bad, I had my epidural about 1pm. At 3pm I started pushing and she arrived at 3:57!!!! Not all experiences are bad, but every woman is different so just go with what you gut tells you is right for you and baby!

Lesley - posted on 09/20/2009

Yes and no. I was induced at 39 weeks and 1 day due to gestational diabetes. While the process didn't take that long, what happened with my dr was the worst part.



I was induced at 9:30am - they placed a pill into my cervix to help open it and I had an IV with the pitocin as well, my water broke at 12:30pm and my intense contractions started, I had an epidural at 3:30pm and at 5:05pm, my daughter was born after 6 pushes.



However, my daughter was up really high when I went in to be induced and twice during intense contractions, her heartbeat dropped from 160 to 60 and it was very scary. This is the only reason why I took the epidural after my dr insisting and it helped calm me down and get oxygen into me to get her heartrate up.



In the end, everything was ok thankfully! Good luck to you! xox

Christina - posted on 09/20/2009

I was induced at 39 weeks. I had been contracting for a month prior but only dialated to 2. I thought is was going to be a long labor, but it went rather fast for me. All of my babies prior were fast with out induction. So I think it depends on the person. If you are a fast labor person, then you will most likely be a fast labor person even with induction. I didn't even push with my little one. The contraction did it all. The doc wasn't even ready for her. Thank goodness I had my legs flat to catch her :-D

Kristin - posted on 09/20/2009

My induction was a piece of cake! I went into the hospital, got settled in. I was given an i.v. with fluids for about an hour and then they started the pitocin... every hour or so they stepped it up a notch. You could definitely tell when the pitocin increased because the contractions very quickly got stronger. My water broke on it's on, I had no membrane stripping, I had a dose of Stadol around 4 cm. and then got an epidural at 8 (I went from 4 cm to 8 in 45 minutes) and a few hours later, I had my beautiful boy! I recovered really quickly too, was up and about later that day. This was my first baby, so I really don't have anything to compare it to, but it wasn't scary or terrible, or anything like that... smooth and uneventful.n Good Luck!

Tiffany - posted on 09/20/2009

Why would they start with IV and pitocin first? Are you dilated because if not they should start with a cervical ripening agent first like Cervidil which helps soften the cervix thus starting the effacing process which includes the thinning of the cervix plus the dilating part. Ask if you can have a non-stress test to make sure the baby is fine while you wait it out. I think inductions should be saved for medical reasons. maybe agree at 42 weeks but it depends is the baby measuring big? still moving a lot? there are these factors to consider as either one would indicate you may want to forge ahead ith induction. can inductions take longer - yes especially if your body has not made any change ie. cervix is still thick and closed although the induction may kick start the process giving you a faster labor there is no way to predict the outcome!

i had an induction at 3 days prior to my due date for gestational diabetes and althogh everything went well 12 hours of labor i wish i would have fought harder to wait only because the pitocin was tough to manage without pain management so i ended up getting an epidural when my goal was natural labor. but i had a healthy baby in the end so thats what i choose to focus on!

good luck!

Sarah - posted on 09/19/2009

I was induced at 38 weeks for high blood pressure. I had the Cervidil (cream on a strip inserted next to the cervix). It took 2 days and 2 insertions for it to take. I woke up at 5:30am (I was in the hospital during my induction) with a contraction and my water broke. I had a speedy dilation (5 hours) but then my labour got stalled. My baby was face up and I had a large head, difficult to decend through the birth canal. I was stuck at 9 3/4cm for 2 hours before I was allowed to push (very painful). I pushed for 2 hours, but he didn't come down (not because I was induced, but because of his presentation face up). I then had an epidural, then needed to augment the labour with Pitocin, waited 1 hour, then pushed for 2 more before he was born. I would highly recommend an epidural (there are no prizes for going without). I found the induction to be an exciting period of time, but tiring because it caused cramping for the 2 days it took for it to work. Being my first baby, I can't say if it was more or less painful than going naturally, but I think labour hurts no matter how you start it. The key is good pain medication, breathing, good support people, and distraction. I had soft music and low lighting, very soothing and calming environment. You'll get through it either way, it's 1 day, but it changes your whole life because afterwards you get to hold your beautiful baby and love them more than anything else in your world. It's incredible, and definately worth all the pain!

Nicole - posted on 09/19/2009

I was induced with my first; natural, fast labors with #2 and #3. My first baby had to come at 39 weeks because of pre-eclampsia. I was not "ready" but I had him within 9 hours with no complications. By far, the pain was the worst with the induced labor. The contractions were stronger earlier and closer together. By 5 cm they felt like they were on top of each other. I couldn't breathe or move (this because of the pre-e) so it was difficult. I asked for an epidural with this one. By comparison, I was 6 cm with my second by the time I arrived at the hospital and while definitely painful, I was able to work with them, if that makes sense. He was a week and a day late. With my third, I had such a fast labor, that I actually had her in my car on the way to the hospital, but the pain was the easiest with her (probably because she had a smaller head than her brother, lol!). It was so much easier that I didn't realize how close I was to having her - her labor was still less than an hour so it didn't much matter!



If you go in fearing the pain, it will make it worse. I would suggest waiting past your due date to go into natural labor. Just my opinion. And yes, they start the pitocin with an IV. I never had my membranes stripper or water broken. But with my third, I was going to be induced (large baby) and my doctor said they would start with pitocin enough to bring the baby down to where the water could be broken. If it's done too soon, there's the risk of cord prolapse.



Best of luck!

Clara - posted on 09/19/2009

I was induced with both pregnancies, and they weren't horror stories, either. It depends on your medical profession, your mindset, and your hospital/birthing center's rules. My first was stillborn at 32 weeks (but I was already 2.5 cm before the pitocin started). I delivered her almost exactly 4 hours after the pitocin was started. My second, I had pre-eclampsia (it developed in less than a week!), but I was already 4 cm at 35 weeks and contracting every 10 minutes. I delivered her also almost exactly 4 hours after the pitocin was started.



Like others have said, though, induction shouldn't be something just routinely done because a person passes a certain week (until 42 weeks, anyway, as YES there are risks after 42 to 42 1/2 weeks). You may have ovulated later than the calendar expects, so the baby isn't really ready. Or, little one may just need two or three more days to turn to the correct position, or whatever. Try natural methods first--foot massage from a licensed therapist, the herbs (raspberry leaf tea and some spicy food are supposed to work wonders!), and, of course, there is the saying that what got you pregnant can help you deliver too! (It's the natural prostaglandins in orgasmic sperm secretions.) BUT, DON'T do the epsom salt/castor oil thing. Sure, they may start labor, but, as they cause cramps in you and extra bowel movements, they will likely do the same in little one. So, meconium. Not a good idea. Hopefully, though, you'll just breeze right on to a natural delivery, sans induction or drugs!!



Good luck and wishing for a happy, healthy delivery!



Clara

Julianne - posted on 09/18/2009

I was induced at 39 weeks because they were worried about preeclampsia. I went into the hospital Saturday afternoon and they started with prostaglandin and that was slow to get started and they kept replacing it every 12 hours until Sunday evening when my water broke. My contractions started after that and around midnight Sunday pitocin was used to continue my induction. My son was born at 7:22 AM Monday so it was very fast and intense. I recall immediately afterwards I was not happy about how it went, but now that a year has passed I am glad it went fast.

Kristi - posted on 09/18/2009

FWIW, I had three sessions of acupuncture starting at 40 weeks to help get labor going. I also used Evening Primrose Oil (I swear that it helped get my cervix prepped). I tried a few other things as well but I think these two made the difference in getting me into labor on my own.

Sarah - posted on 09/18/2009

I had my first 3 children completely naturaly and when my 4th was getting closer to being born my midwife wanted to induce because he was on the smaller side. As nervous as I was hearing all the horror stories of inductions I went for it. I got my pitocin drip started at 6 AM and my son was born at 1:14 in the afternoon, drug free just like my other 3. Not all inductions go badly, some can be quite good as mine was and just as speedy as labor that onsets by itself!

Jessica - posted on 09/18/2009

Just let it be born when its ready. It doesn't wanna leave your warm tummy. :-) haha

Eating spicy foods and well.. having sex also helps jump-start labor in overdue pregnancy. How about taking a hot bath? That too.

Just thinking of natural ways to start labor before that start drugging you up to make more money and giving unnecessary C-sections....

Jennifer - posted on 09/18/2009

I was induced at 40 weeks with my first child, and was fortunate to have a good experience. I was started on an IV with pitosin, the amount of which was gradually upped to get me into a consistent pattern of labour. After 3-4 hours, the doctor broke my water. In total, I laboured for 14 hours, without any pain medication. My son did have some distress near the end of my labour, but I was able to push him out in 40 min., and therefore avoid any emergency c-section. I have heard many say inductions are more painful, but in my case, that was not true. It did hurt, a lot, but I have had two babies since that came on their own time, and they were no less ( and no more) painful than being induced. Your anxiety over induction and labour is so normal though. Have you thought of hiring a doula to advocate for you during labour?

Kristi - posted on 09/18/2009

Wait as long as you can for induction (they should be willing to give you up to 42 weeks). At 41 weeks my OB was applying tons of pressure for me to induce due to the Thanksgiving holiday (didn't want to inconvenience himself or the other OBs, ugh!). He said that given how my cervix looked that he seriously doubted that I would go into labor. I refused the induction and opted to go to 42 weeks. Well, at 41.5 weeks I went into labor on my own. I labored at home from 2am-7pm (I had a doula too) and was 7.5cm when I got to the hospital. I am convinced that if I had gone to the hospital earlier they would have tried to push pitocin on me. Even at 7.5cm I had tons of pressure applied to break my water and get an epidural. I delivered at 2:38am. Next pregnancy I will be going with a midwife.

Minnie - posted on 09/18/2009

I was induced with my first. I was really clueless, and let my OB push me into it. She induced me with cytotec, and failed to tell me that it's not approved for use for inductions and that it is known to cause extremely strong and frequent contractions, which lead to fetal distress.

So, I did indeed have the very frequent and strong contractions, the nurses ran around like chickens with their heads cut off, flipping me back and forth to raise her heartrate. I was posititve I was going to have an emergency cesearean, but I birth quickly, it turns out, and started pushing her out- they were paging my OB constantly, who only decided to show up when she was coming out.

Stupid hospitals, I hate them. Laboring and pushing on my back hooked up to wires. It's nuts. She was wisked away because they were worried about her oxygen levels, and she was really unsettled from the drugs.

So, went completely opposite route with my second, and had an unmedicated home waterbirth.

Carla - posted on 09/18/2009

I was induced both times. I had a prostaglandin tablet inserted first to ripen my cervix and allow it to dialate, first time round I had 3 of the tablets inserted, first one at 9am on the saturday, my contractions started at 2.30am sunday. They weren't strong enough and I needed pitocin. When my water broke at 3-4cms I opted for an epidural as it was very intense and I wasnt getting a break between the contractions. I didnt have my daughter until 3.06am on the monday! 25 hours of labour :(



With my second though I had a totally different expereience. I was given the prostaglandin tablet at 9am on the sunday, there were issues with too much fluid but thats not due to being induced. At 5.30pm I started feeling a little crampy so I went for a bath (fully expecting it to be a long labour like my first one) My water broke at 5.50, again I was 4cms. I got taken into labour ward straight away and by the time I got there I was ready to push. My son was born at 7.15 pm without any pain relief as there wasnt time to even think about it! 1h 25mins of established labour, and less than 20 mins before feeling like I had period cramp. Very quick and easy induction, and he was 9lbs 4oz!