Was anyone induced at 37 weeks with minimal dilation?

Nicole - posted on 03/13/2012

When my water broke, I was only dilated 1 cm. Don't focus so much on the numbers. I was on pitosin to help speed things up when I was in the hospital. You're body will take care of you.

Amy - posted on 09/21/2011

full term is considered 37 weeks. its the soonest you can have a baby and not be considered preemie. I was induced at 371/2 weeks because of pre-eclampsia (sp?) I was only dilated to 2 but I was 90% effaced. They started a slow drip the night before and then in the morning they turned it up. After they broke my water I dilated much faster and ended up having a natural birth by 3:35 that afternoon.

Cheryl - posted on 01/28/2010

I was scheduled to be induced at 37 weeks and 1 day with my twins and was not dialated at all. I ended up going into labor on my own once I was admitted to the hospital. Good luck and I recommend the epidural (allowed me to sleep through my entire labor).

Christina - posted on 01/28/2010

Both of my kids were at 37 weeks. My water broke with my 1st so they induced with cervidil to soften and thin the cervix. It took few hours to get to 10 but it was fast enough to have to go natural. I got PUPS with my 2nd so they induced with pitocin. I think I was only 1-3cm so not much and it was still really fast but baby didn't tolerate labor well so it was a bit scary too. You should ask your doctor what the plan is so you feel more prepared.

Marlene - posted on 01/26/2010

I was induced with both my sons. My first son was 10 days late and my second son was 12 days late. I wasn't dilated 1 mm with either child. It took a while for me to go in to labor even with the pitocin. I got induced the 1st time around 9 AM and my son wasn't born until 11:49 PM. My second son was the same thing. I got induced in the morning, and he wasn't born until 3:13 AM.

Lynn - posted on 01/26/2010

I was induced at 37 weeks because of high blood pressure. They did the meds that was on the string that sits on your cervix wall to soften the cervix the night before then when they checked me in the morning they didn't break my water because i wasn't far enough along they started the pitocin and i was on that all day until 6pm. They then stopped the pitocin around midnight they gave me a different med to soften my cervix more and we started again the next morning at 8:30am they broke my water and started the pitocin again. At 9:17pm that night I had my beautiful baby girl 8lbs 10oz!! So it took me two days to have my baby after being induced at 37 weeks. Good luck I'm sure all will go fine:)

Gina - posted on 01/26/2010

I have been induced and they will put a creme on your cervix to soften it, it might take longer to get labor going, but once it starts, it should have enough momentum to take care of the delivery.

Amy - posted on 01/26/2010

I'm a doctor I have induced people at 37 weeks and it doesn't depend on dilatation at all its how soft your cervix is. If you have a soft cervix that isn't to long they will break your waters and give you the hormone which your body uses to initiate labour. If your cervix is firm and long they will give you prostaglandin gel to soften it until it is suitable to start labour. Its a process that can take hours or days so take in stuff to do. Early induction has a much higher chance of ending in forceps or section. Good luck hope everything goes well.

Jennifer - posted on 01/26/2010

~~37 might not be so early. It's good that you've been induced before that way you know what it's like at least. I didn't know you had been induced before, I just mentioned my story because I wanted to give an example. Things don't always go as planned, or as comfortably as planned. C-sections aren't that bad. At least not my experience. I'm just worried about being able to do a VBAC.



Didn't know the stent was yours. I'm sorry you're in so much pain. For your sake I hope they figure something out soon!~~



37 isnt bad. like i said my second chose that on her own and she was fine. I would have no problem with a csection, as this is my last baby and i would have no plans for a vbac. I know alot of people have had bad inductions. im hoping i dont. they keep telling me because i have given brith twice before, and once in the past year that it should go quick. my first induction was very simple and honestly less painful than my second natrual birth.

Today is the amnio, i am getting ready right now to go and am scared to death. i am a total needle-phobe. :(

Leishelle - posted on 01/25/2010

I really don't have a answer for you but I was a week over and they induce me with 0 dialtion. i started dialating 4 hours before i had him. I can't tell you much after that because I went to sleep(on my own). If you want start walking around, take warm not hot tubs, or relax your body. Give yourself a message. It took me two days to have my son and I was induced.

Aven - posted on 01/25/2010

My earliest pregnancy induction was at 36 weeks...I am Type 1 Insulin Dependent Juvenile Diabetic since age 19. My first pregnancy at age 26, I was only a finger tip prior to induction, and Xand is now 23. The efacement of the cervix will determine if the Dr will use a cream or medication to thin the cervix. So ask ? You may have heard your Dr say " 1cm dilated and 80% effaced" for example. The cervix has to be ready (thin enough) to then continue through dilation to delivery. The "pitosin" drip (induction medication) will be adjusted according to how well or not your body responds and continues to dilate. And how well you tolerate the pain progression of this will then determine some of the next choiices for you. From the beginning or later in the induction to help push the delivery along you and your doctor will decide if you want him to "rupture your membranes" which is about breaking your water sac...surrounding the baby. Your doctor will also let you know how many cm's dilated he needs you to get to before he will administer an epidural if you plan on having one. Pain medication is usually given once you ask for it. Every pregnancy is different, 3 of my 4 pregnancies were induced for Diabetes and additional concerns. All my children are healthy and none are diabetic. My last pregnancy was 5 years from the previous pregnancy and this induction took the longest to get to delivery. The first induction ended in an emergency C-section. My second induction after my cesarian was monitored and timed carefully and took 6 hours from start of drip to completed vaginal delivery.
I hope you will be surrounded by loved ones through this time, and being your third I hope you can relax. Your body has done this before....that is a very good thing...breathe...breathe...and know we are all pulling for you waiting to hear great news about what a fabulous job you did !!
God's richest Blessings Jennifer to you and yours.
Aven

Sara - posted on 01/25/2010

37 might not be so early. It's good that you've been induced before that way you know what it's like at least. I didn't know you had been induced before, I just mentioned my story because I wanted to give an example. Things don't always go as planned, or as comfortably as planned. C-sections aren't that bad. At least not my experience. I'm just worried about being able to do a VBAC.



Didn't know the stent was yours. I'm sorry you're in so much pain. For your sake I hope they figure something out soon!

Tracy - posted on 01/25/2010

i was induced at 36 weeks, they used a gel for 3 days prior then on the friday i was 1cm so they were able to get in and break my waters....

Jennifer - posted on 01/24/2010

~As far as why they are inducing you, I would ask about it first. 37 weeks seems kind of early to me. If the kidney stent is like what my son has, where one of the kidneys is dilated, it's not a problem. We did ultrasounds to keep it checked on while I was till pregnant, and all my CNMs and the physician said it usually resolves itself after birth. If you're not dilating your body has a reason for it - you might not be ready. So I would not only ask about what they're planning to use, but also if it's REALLY necessary.~



my stent was because of a large stne that had severely blocked kidney. nothing could pass. The stent is insanely painful and has been causing consistant contractions now for weeks that do nothhing but put me in agony for up to 14 hours at a time. 37 weeks is NOT that early. My second came on her own at 37 on the dot and was considered term. I am being induced because my CNM and the maternal fetal Dr agree i shouldnt have to be in this much pain. its not good for me or the baby to be stressed or to have to be on constant pain meds.



Im sorry your induction was so bad. :( i have been induced before and it was not awful.

I actually at this point would welcome a csetion over even being induced. i am already in pain and not looking forward to the pain of laor at all!

Tisa - posted on 01/24/2010

I was induced at 37 weeks to the day. I was dilated on 1 cm. I was given a pitocin drip. That went on for about 4 hours, no change, so they broke my water and I was fully dilated and delivered in about 4 more hours.

Sara - posted on 01/24/2010

I was induced with my son last week. He was my first. I will never do that again. For me they did Cytotec/misoprostol twice the week before. I really wanted to use the birth center but that Saturday I would officially be 42 weeks [well, according to our dates, anyway]. So I didn't go into labor on my own Saturday by midnight and they induced me Sunday. They used some balloon thing first to see if I would dilate. By 5 pm I was at 5 cm, so at 7-ish they hooked me up to oxytocin. At 10:30 my water broke and the rest of the night I had contractions. They started getting REALLY bad around 1 am. I don't think my CNM would have agreed with me but I felt like he was coming down. They had to give me an epidural for the pain around 6:30 am, and I was only at 6 cm. Around 10 or so my baby's heartrate was dropping below 100 so they said something about a cesarian. It wouldn't go up. I was having really bad contractions again so they gave me another epidural - the first had come out when I was rolling around trying to get a better heartbeat. It was even stronger though because we decided on a cesarian. I am overjoyed to have my little boy in good condition, but I'm kind of ticked about the surgery. His head had molded because my body was trying to birth him but it wasn't ready. That is my horror story. lol.



As far as why they are inducing you, I would ask about it first. 37 weeks seems kind of early to me. If the kidney stent is like what my son has, where one of the kidneys is dilated, it's not a problem. We did ultrasounds to keep it checked on while I was till pregnant, and all my CNMs and the physician said it usually resolves itself after birth. If you're not dilating your body has a reason for it - you might not be ready. So I would not only ask about what they're planning to use, but also if it's REALLY necessary.

Mary - posted on 01/24/2010

i was with my second one and it took me 3 days to have her she weighed in at 6 lbs

Sara - posted on 01/23/2010

I was almost 40 weeks when induced. They thought I would need to be "marinated" doctors words not mine to help me dialate, but I didnt need it after all. The doctor broke my water and I was hooked up to a potassium drip and my son was born 4 hours later.

Jennifer - posted on 01/23/2010

this is my third child. my first was a Pit only induction, started at 4cm at 8 am and had her at 237 pm. my second i went into labor on my own and had her naturally no epidural.

i just wanted to know what the cervadil was like. i know i would not be going home after getting it.

Annah - posted on 01/23/2010

I was induced at 37 weeks, because I was having contraction and was dilated to 2. They started me on patosin at 7am. Now when I started pushing that's a whole nother story. It was my first also. He is now 2 and doing great. Not sure what you want to know but I hope this helps.

Becky - posted on 01/23/2010

My 1st child was induced @ 37 weeks & dilated only 1cm. Because of the reason for my induction I stayed in the hospital overnight before the actual induction. She used cream of some sort so I would be effaced, then the next morning I was started on Pit. To speed the process a little I was manually stretched from a 1 to 3. This hurt more than actual labor because I didn't have the epidural yet. In the end, I had a beautiful baby girl with no problems. I'm sure you will be fine. Just make sure to ask your doctor all the questions you can think of. I didn't, so was unprepared for any potentials.

Teresa - posted on 01/22/2010

good luck, i am sure it will be fine. All of them can make your contractions a bit stronger thats why it is very importantant to relax and work with them. (easy said than done i know) Its always a great thing to ask questions when you are nervous or unsure about something. After your doc puts the cervidil in you should be on the monitor to trace the babe response for min 30mins. They will do your vitals as well, then if everything is ok, use can usually go home until you began labor. Most people i know have to have at least 2 sometimes 3 goes at the cervidl. There are those that respond very quickly to it. Relax, breathe (most important) and enjoy your babe when he/she comes. :)

Jennifer - posted on 01/22/2010

my second was born on her own at 37 weeks and was just fine other than some sucking issues.

I have had Pit, and it wasnt awful. but they never used the cervidil ( which is what i think she said they will use ) because i was already greatly dilated. i know if they do induce i will go in at night and then pit in the am.

Teresa - posted on 01/22/2010

there is prostaglandin that they use to induce which is like a cream like substance and there is another one that is attached to a string and is placed at the cervix wall. Both ripen the cervix and can cause contractions. If they want the babe out right away, you will probably end up with the pit. (oxytocin). It will be just like the last one. IV, vitals, monitoring babes heart rate and contractions. It will do the same thing when you are fingertip or 4cm. Being that this is not your first child i bet it wouldn't take long to progress. The nurses will regulate the flow so that you are in an established labor but not having back to back contraction where you can't get a rest in between. I had my first child at 37wks. I had no problems with him. Babes are fully developed then and are really good fighters! Good luck and best wishes with all. Hope it helped. Just remember to relax and work with the contractions. Focus on something and not the pain. The more you relax the less tight things will be and babe will be in your arms before you know it!! :)

Maggie - posted on 01/22/2010

I never got induced. I have heard that certain things make you have very fast very strong contractions. The one that you should try to get is Oxytocin - it ripens the cervix and stimulates the uterus but more slowly than some other things so it's less intense and less likely to overstimulate.

Avoid Cyotech (although I read it's not used anymore you should still find out!) because it has been known to cause such severe contractions that it causes uterine rupture. That's bad for everyone involved.

Once you find out what they use at the hospital where you will be delivering you can google the name of it and find out what it does.

Jennifer - posted on 01/22/2010

do you know what the initial stuff feels like, does? i have been induced with pitocin alone. it was painful but tolerable. but i was already dialated a good amount.

Maggie - posted on 01/22/2010

They usually use something to soften and thin (ripen) the Cervix then Pitocin to start the contractions. You should find out what they will use before you go in so you can be prepared (some things cause faster, harder contractions than others).

Annah - posted on 01/23/2010

I was induced at 37 weeks, because I was having contraction and was dilated to 2. They started me on patosin at 7am. Now when I started pushing that's a whole nother story. It was my first also. He is now 2 and doing great. Not sure what you want to know but I hope this helps.