being induced more painful?

Susan - posted on 01/30/2010

no its not more painful, once labor starts and gets going, its about the same as if it came naturally, I've gone both ways, its about the same. Yeah the inducing does make it come on quicker but not more painful, I had to wait quite a while before they would give me my epidural and then they missed the first time, but the second one went and it made it a breeze. I'm not into the whole natural thing, I watched my sister in law have twins naturally, cause she got too far along for an epidural and it was downright scary.

Danielle - posted on 01/30/2010

I have only given birth to one child and I was induced with cirvidil...I have nothing to compare it to, but my contractions were piggy-backing and my labor was quick. So I guess it's all how you look at it. By the way, I never took anything for the pain either, if that helps. Is this your first child?

Jackie - posted on 01/30/2010

although i relplied before id just like to say that although i was induced both times i had an epidural with my 1st and i used only entinox (gas and air) with my 2nd and it wasnt that bad really x

Tori - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced with my daughter. I think it was good, the only bad part is that you are hooked to an IV and I couldn't walk around. The nice part was that I was only in hard labor for about 45 mins and then I got the epidural. All in all, it was a great experience. Especially if they break your water and enduce at the same time. The two together really speed things up.

Julie - posted on 01/30/2010

in my experience YES! I had to be induced 2 weeks early with my first pregnancy and the pitocin kicked my butt in more ways the one! lol They had to keep increasing the pitocin and then they gave me an epidural and it still hurt. I wouldn't give up any moment of it though. it was an experience. My second pregnancy i went into labor on my own and it was painful but not as bad as being induced!. You know what though everyone handles it differently.

Lisa - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced and it wasn't that painful. It just felt like period cramps. I had to be induced because I was losing fluid. It was a good thing I was becuase I was in labor for one hour and fifteen minutes, and ended up having her on the bathroom floor of the hospital. I'm afraid I would have had her at home.

Brooke - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced with my first baby and honestly i would do it again in a second. The contractions and the labor is alot faster so overall the whole experience for me was great. I heard about alot of people who are in labor for days and being induced made it alot quicker for me. although being induced doesnt always work for everyone right away, i was on the drip for a day and a half before i actually went into labor, but for me, if i was to not be induced it probably would have take DAYS!! i also got an epidural which was great!! i recommend both the induction and the epidural!!!

Shana - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced, causei had toxcemia, For me it was extremely painful. It is a long expereince too, so be very patient!

Sheri - posted on 01/30/2010

When I had my son on Dec. 26th of this past year, I was induced. I also got the epidural but it only lasted for a few moments before he was coming out. Of course everyone knows the pressure is what you feel when your pushing. To be honest the whole experience wasn't as painful. If you have had one, you should be pretty good hon. Don't worry whatever you decide, your body, mind, and support person will bring you through it all. Induced or not. Its not as bad as its made out to be.

Rachel - posted on 01/30/2010

There is no medical reason for inducing just because a baby might be big. Many, many women have delivered 9 and 10 lb babies naturally (without induction and completely vaginally) with no problems! If I had known this three years ago, I would not have allowed my then OB to scare me into inducing.



Note: ultrasounds can be off by something like 1 or more lbs in their estimates! So, unless you have a physical problem/condition that would make a normal delivery a problem, it is unlikely that a large baby would be a medical emergency requiring induction.



Also, keep in mind that being induced greatly - GREATLY - increases your chance of needing a cesarian. If you want to avoid a c-section, try to go natural unless a real medical emergency arises.



That said, allow me to explain my feelings regarding induction and medical intervention. I had a 9 lb baby boy nearly 3 years ago (June 6, 2007). I had a fairly normal pregnancy and he was my first child. I had mild pre-eclampsia the last month of my pregnancy, but nothing to be too concerned about. I was measuring pretty normal and was expecting a normal 7 to 8 lb baby until my doctor did an ultrasound at 35 or 36 weeks. At that point, my OB found out that, while I was measuring normal, my little boy was actually already around 7 lbs, which meant I was likely to have a 9 lb baby.



As a result, she started freaking me out, saying I may have to have a c-section because the baby would be so big. At the minimum, she wanted to watch me over the next couple weeks and if I didn't go into labor by my due date, I needed to induce. All this despite the fact that I'm 5'9", have good "childbearing" hips and no indicators that I would have problems delivering the child. At 38 weeks, my son was positioned well for a natural delivery and we still had no problems. Yet, she insisted we schedule an induction to avoid a c-section.



Today, I would have waited until 42 weeks to even discuss this unless there were any other medical reason for recommending induction. Even at 42 weeks, something like 95% of babies can be born naturally and with absolutely no problems (source was an official publication from one of the national pregnancy boards - I can find the exact quote and source if anyone wants).



So, after talking it over with my husband, we caved to the pressure and scheduled the induction for June 5 at 7:30 in the morning. We had to get there an hour or so early. So, with just a couple hours of sleep, we arrived at the hospital. We were checked-in, I was put on the monitors and was checked for dilation. I was 1cm and hardly effaced at all.



At this point, the doctors should have known not to induce me. There is a scale they are supposed to use for induction and it includes things like how far dilated, how much effaced and so forth. My score was like a 1 on a scale of 1 to 5 for being a good candidate for induction. This meant my chances for having a good labor were now drastically decreased because of the induction when my body wasn't ready.



So, we got started with the pitocin and we waited. And we waited. And we waited. My body did not like the pitocin. I had roller coaster contractions that would last for 5 or more minutes and go up and down, up and down, up and down until finally stopping for anywhere between 1 and 3 minutes before starting up again. It was miserable.



Fortunately, I had read some books on labor, in addition to my classes. I knew how to get in the best positions to let my body relax. I practiced breathing and meditation. That all took the edge off. Walking was out of the question because of the severity and length of the contractions from early on. Laboring in the water was also off limits b/c of the monitoring they had to do.



After 12 hours of this miserable existence, I was finally dilated to a 5. Yep, 12 hours and just a 5. I was exhausted. I wasn't allowed to eat, so my blood sugar was getting low. I was thirsty all the time, but was only allowed to have ice chips. My OB told me that, if I didn't take an epidural that I would probably have a c-section. So, I had the epidural. I was then able to not feel the contractions and dozed off and on for the next several hours. My poor baby was in all of this though and didn't get a break like I did. This is why many inductions can turn into c-sections - baby can go into distress because of the severity of the contractions that aren't progressing labor very well.



At 4 am, I was finally dilated to 10cm and fully effaced. They allowed me to start pushing. By 5 am, the epidural had worn off enough to where I could feel the contractions pretty well and knew when to push without being instructed. I couldn't do much with my legs, but I could feel where the baby was and when to push. So, those last 23 minutes were much more effective. Our son was born at 5:23 am, 9 lbs even and 22.75 inches long.



We were fortunate that he didn't go into distress and that we didn't have any other complications. But, the delivery did make him less responsive and we had a difficult time getting breastfeeding started because the poor thing was so tired (and so was I!).



So, that's why I hate induction for something as unnecessary as a large baby. It caused undue stress and challenges on my body and my baby. And for many women, it leads to unnecessary c-sections.



So, research this a little more. Understand the true medical reasons for needing to induce. Watch the movie "The Business of Being Born" and read more books about delivery, what is normal and is not normal, and perhaps even get a second opinion from another OB or CNM (certified nurse midwife - they have master's degrees and residency programs like an OB, but are trained specifically for pregnancy and childbirth - whereas an OB is trained for medical emergencies).



I'm not a hippy type, nor am I anti-medicine or anti-intervention. I have just learned so much about how our bodies work and am confident that childbirth is natural event - not a medical emergency - in most cases. I want other women to feel more confident in their pregnancies and not fear an event as natural and normal as childbirth.



Feel free to message me if you want more information, specific links and/or specific books that I found helpful in educating myself about childbirth and the options.



Best wishes,

Rachel

Katie - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced 3 days before my son's due date because my doctor didn't want him getting too big and I wouldn't be able to push him out. I went to the hospital the night before and at 3 am they gave me an IV of Potocin, at 7am my Dr. had to break my water and about 45 min later hard contractions started. 5 1/2 hours later with an epidural I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy!!!

I guess everybody's labor is different so it's hard to know exactly, but I was nervous too before I went in but I trusted my doctor and nurses completely and I think that's what made my experience better :) I hope that helps!

Robin - posted on 01/30/2010

In general, yes it is more painful to be induced as it is synthetic and does not produce pain stiflers that are naturally produced when you go into labor naturally. I suggest looking up childbirth classes that support childbirth not as a medical intervention. HypnoBirthing worked for both of my births as it really educated me and left me feeling completely confident in myself, my baby, and my options. It does not mean you ahve to birth completely naturally, but at least you can have options to help build your understanding which will eliminate the fear and you can make your own decisions. The mom's I know who used HB where completely happy and most knew they could do it naturally in the end in which everyone benefited!!!

Sara - posted on 01/30/2010

my youngest son ended up being 8.8lbs and his head was just as big as his chest so I totaly feel you on being too big to push through the pelvis.The only neg aspect to having c-section in my eyes was dealing with a contraction before they got you ready to deliver the baby. Because the contractions were strong, I had to brace my hands on my knees and when they strap you down I couldnt do that...nd OMG...it hurt....and then afterwards the only bad part was when I let the meds wear off. I completely recomend the post partum belt. I was up and moving around 2 days later from the surgery. Call me crazy but I hvent really stopped since then.

Lacy - posted on 01/30/2010

I just gave birth to my baby girl in October...100% natural. My doctor wanted to induce me 7 days after I was due. I told her I didn't want to unless the baby was in stress. I also have been told that inducing is more painful because the contractions are much more intense. Are you very likely to have a big baby? If not I would tell your doc that you really don't want to be induced. And even if you are having a big baby, as long as your body will allow the baby to pass through, I would say go for a natural birth!

Niki - posted on 01/30/2010

it is not more painful in the end but, it is a VERY lengthy process I went in on a monday and did not have my daughter until wednesday morning at 12:04am. I also had to be induced due to medical issues for the fear of her being to big, i was only dialated at a 1 1/2 they did the cervigel first then did pitocin, some people the cervigel work on, some it doesnt, i was one of the unlucky ones it did not work on, but my delivery was a breeze, i also had an epidural as well.

Heather - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced with my first with cervidil and it wasnt so bad it hurt but i made it through labour with out any pain meds :D to be honest i did ask for them though it was just to late by the time i asked, it was prob faster then normal labour but it was also very nice it was over fast, i was induced at 9 am and my son was born at 540pm. with the second i went in to labour naturally but my contractions were never that strong or close enough together so I was given pitocin to speed things up to a normal level and that labour was actually less painful then the first and just as alittle bit longer started having contractions in the morning 8am and had my next son at 845 :D docotors are trained to do what they do and they always try to keep yours and your babies best intrest in mind

Sara - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced both times. I might be more pain tollerant than most but my experience was that it was like normal labor I assume but just more rapid contractions. It just speeds up the process so that your not in labor for like ever. I ended up having epidurals with both boys and my youngest was apparently too big to come out naturaly so I had a c-section with him. They say the second go around gets easier....to be honest I think its gonna hurt either way but if your body actualy does what potosin is used for..then it should be quick....so either way natural compared to being induced is the same but just goes quicker....you will be ok....

Jackie - posted on 01/30/2010

hi i was induced for both my children and so im not sure of th pain difference but i was a bit more relaxed knowing exactly what was going to happen and when instead of worrying about every twinge and pain i had

Autumn - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced, but it was also the only time I've given birth so I really don't have anything to compare it to. That being said, my labor wasn't bad. Obviously it was painful, but I made it through without an epidural (and my entire pregnancy I said I would never do it without one!) and I only had contractions for 3 hours before he was out. It's probably different with everyone, so don't let anyone scare you!

Tina - posted on 01/30/2010

UH yes!!! have you looked into having your baby at home.. go to my midwifes website.. powerbirth.com.. before you do anything. get her manual and dvd then make a decision.. she will go over things that your dr probably didnt go over with you.... being induced is like going from 0 to 10 in .5 secs (some take a little longer) but your cervix needs time to soften and open... which your body does naturally. the way it was intended too... your body will be able to deliver your baby... my mom had a 10lb 14oz baby at home all natural with no problems... i had both of my children at home.. drs like to induce and schedule c sections out of convience... thats not how childbirth should be and i would allow anyone to tell you its OK to do so.. always listen to your body... it will be painfully naturally too, but your body will adapt.. and if you do the technique my midwife shows in her dvd your labor will not be bad at all... and once you see your baby all of it goes away.. it is more healthier for you and your baby to do it naturally

Jacqueline - posted on 01/30/2010

I had my son on time and went into labor on my own. But the nurse gave me something to induce the contractions so that I wouldn't be in labor forever. Being induced is more painful but they can give you a medication that numbs some of the pain. It's not as powerful as en epidural but it works wonderfully. I started out feeling loopy but the contractions weren't that bad.

Tessa - posted on 01/30/2010

Yup, if you aren't yet softened(ripened) or any bit dilated, you'll be almost certainly in a c-section. A whole night of cervadil, and my cervix was still hard with no dilation. They started the pitocin anyway.. yup, c-section here I come!

Rachel - posted on 01/30/2010

i was induced with my first and hoping to go natural with this one, but as far as i no it might only be worse because your body isnt ready yet to deliver, go to your doc or midwife and talk things through, they are the best people to ask

Rebecca - posted on 01/30/2010

i got induced with my little girl and i expected the worst but i was actually suprised it wasnt that bad.with her being my first i cant really say if going into natural labour is less painfull or not.you are bound to be scared i was aswell as i didnt know what to expect.but i just had gas and air at the end of labour i didnt think the pain was un bearable.good luck xx

Andrea - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced with both of my kids and i did not have a bit of a problem with it and if i get the option with this one i am taking it i just worry that i won't make it to the hospital in time the natural way

Kym - posted on 01/30/2010

hi congratulations. ive had 4 babys my 3rd my waters broke but no contractions so i was induced by iv after nearly 30 hours i would say the contractions were slightly more painful but only because they come so fast and strong, my baby was born about 40 mins after iv was put in i had no pain relief and was able to walk through the contractions but i have high pain tolerance. but i would say that its only slightly more painful but the labour will be over alot quicker... hope this helps

Meghan - posted on 01/30/2010

I made it to my own due date and the doctor wanted to check me in the next week to be induced. I told him up front that I did not want pitocin or an epidural, and that I'd like to go into natural labor. He asked me then if I wanted my membranes stripped which induces a natural labor...sort of like tricking your body into doing what you want it to kind of naturally. He simply separated the amniotic sack from my cervix since I was already dialated and somewhat effaced, and within 12 hours small contractions started and within 24 hrs I was in active labor and pushing. The doctor gave me a small bit of pitocin when I stopped dialating at 9 cm, and stayed there for 2 hours - mostly because my son's head was so large. Pitocin made the contractions practically unbearable. My advice to you is ask about membrane stripping first. It's slightly uncomfortable, like a cervix exam, but not bad at all really. If he says no and you're left with the pitocin option, plan on having an epidural. I rocked it without the epidural and did fine until the pitocin was introduced, but at that point I couldn't request one and kinda wished I could have. Good luck with the decision you do make, I'm sure this pregnancy will go much better for you no matter what. :)

Michelle - posted on 01/30/2010

I was induced, and once my water was released, my family didn't want to come in the room. I did get the epidural, because within 15 min, words flew out of my mouth I swore I wouldn't say. :( It relieved a lot of pain, but they wanted me to try to push, but had told me my pelvic was to small, but still made me try. Once I started, they said I wasn't pushing, so they took off the epidoral, within minutes, it was completely worn off and I was a hell raiser. I ended up with a c-section and my son with a bruised up head for pushing. But they said I wasn't doing it right? Will I ever get induced again? NEVER! Of course I'll have to have c-sections from now on, but even if I didn't, after that first time, I would rather the c-section and the healing up then to be induced. Not trying to scare ya, but that was my experience. Again, we're all different, so it could be a simple walk through the park for you. I wish you the best of luck!!

Maria - posted on 01/30/2010

i was induced i wont lie to you but i ended up havin to get a c section which i think is more painful than a natural birth afterwards i was sore .....but everyone is different ... best of luck

Samantha - posted on 01/29/2010

It is much more painful as you don't get a lead into the stronger contractions, they start hard and fast so you tend be exhausted from the pain before you get to push. It can make the labour much faster however, so there is an upside. Try to walk around and change positions anything that helps take your mind off of it I didn't get the chance to do it as I was strapped to machines due to bubs doing mecconum in the womb had to be constantly monitored nearly ended in emergency ceaser due to his heart rate dropping but ended up natural. I didn't have an epidural as it was not the right thing for me,and can cause labours to last longer. Goodluck, you will do great and wont even think about it after your'e holding your beautiful little bundle joy

Amanda - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced with my child, she was just born 2 months ago. I went in at 6 am and started the medicine by 8. They let the medicine start to work and then came in a broke my water so that I would dilate quicker. An hour later they came in and put my epidural. I then slept for 2 1/2 hours and woke up feeling pressure. Not even an hour later there was my bundle of joy!

Ishala - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced for my first and it was terrible. It hurt so bad I had to have an epidural it was so painful then again I hate needles but for me it was tramatizing

Katherine - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced and I loved it! They started the IV and then I got to sleep through the night before I started having hard contractions. Once I started to get uncomfortable they gave me the epidural. The epidural was good so I didn't feel any pain. It was so much easier than I expected my first birth to be.

Ashley - posted on 01/29/2010

Kimberly Dages post really shows that it is a different experience for EVERYONE! A positive note for you is, I haven't seen anyone post with a really horrible experience from being induced. Your doctor will probably give you tips and maybe even the "castor oil smoothie" recipe to help you induce labor 'naturally.' (That's what started mine!!) After I was put on pitocin, I was in labor from 2 cm to 10 cm in a matter of 6 hours. Total from home to delivery was 10 hours of labor. I was contracting first on my own, but it wasn't doing anything as far as dilating. It was quicker (MUCH) for me! Giving birth doesn't feel good, period. I think we can ALL agree on that! I wish you the best, whether you go on your own and from induction. :)

Heather - posted on 01/29/2010

I've only had one baby... I was 6 days over due and got induced. From the time the IV was in my hand to the moment I was holding my daughter was 4 and a half hours. I had no medication for pain and can honestly say it wasn't bad at all. Everyone has a different experiance, I'd deffenately heard a lot of negitive stories about inducing too but I can honestly say it was a very positive experiance for me.

Kimberly - posted on 01/29/2010

I have 3 kids now and I have never went into labor on my own, and I personally regret it. I feel like I have missed out on a special part of labor and delivery also, I have heard and know lots of people say it is more painful and that it take longer when being induced. I hope this helps you with questions.

Emily - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced and it was hard and went to fast and i couldnt get an epidural but i think just natually it just takes longer, induced gets it over with...i also heard the epidural also makes ur labor go longer

Regan - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced at 6am and delivered my daughter at 6pm. For me, the induction went very smoothly, the contractions were not too painful-I got an epidural at 11am and was able to relax until fully dilated.

Holly - posted on 01/29/2010

i have only had one child so far and i got induced. i was having contractions every minute. and i ended up having an emergency c section so they put the epidural in me and i didnt feel a thing until it wore off but my baby made me forget bout the pain i was in and the 20 staples in my stomach. once you have your baby you forget about all the pain you went thru

Tanya - posted on 01/29/2010

well i don't know how it feels because i had both of my kids natural but with my first one i was in labor for 82 hours an i had her natural an she was 7 pounds 11 ounces an 21 inces long an my second daughter i was in labor for 15 hours an i pushed her out with no pain meds an she was 10 pounds because my doctor did not even tell me she was that big an she would not even do a c- section on me an i wished she would have because on top of that she never even told me that she had a heart defect an i had to find out 12 hours later when they took her from me an know she is 2 months old an last friday she had to have a heart transplant. my sister had that an she was up set first an scared but she said she never new wat hit her it was so quick an if it is gunna save ur life then i would do it . good luck god is with u

Linzie - posted on 01/29/2010

nope. doesn't hurt a bit. i'm 20, first baby, induceded, scared shitless~ all good!

Callie Anne - posted on 01/29/2010

Oh and I did have an epidural...so I didnt feel a thing, just a small cramp in my side then bam my son was delivered in less than 30 minutes

Callie Anne - posted on 01/29/2010

being induced is not painful at all...its pretty much exactly the same. I had no problem with it at all...but I had a wonderful midwife that took her time and told me exactly what to do. Oh and I was induced 3 weeks early with my first baby because of high blood pressure

Kristina - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced with all three of my children and although i can't compare to a normal labor i found it to be more intense because it speeds up the whole process. My second baby i went from 6 cm to holding her in my arms in 30 minutes, the doctor wasn't even there my mother delivered her with her bare hands (thankgod she is a nurse). My last baby, who is now 5 months old came even quicker than that and was also delivered by my mother!!

Jennifer - posted on 01/29/2010

Well first thing, don't listen to everyones scary stories the day before. That doesn't help! I was induced with my second with epidural and it was as smooth ride.

Darlene - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced with my son at 32 weeks, don't be scared. Any labor hurts, they give good medication. Good luck with the baby.

Ashley - posted on 01/29/2010

Everyone has their own opinions. For me, I was in labor but they still had to induce as well because I wasn't dilating. A friend was induced and she had less pain than I had before I had been induced.
It's a 'mind game' if you wish to call it, when you're induced -- you're better prepared and your mind is more set and focused.
You can request stedol with your pitocin, as well. (Stay-dawl is how it's pronounced.) It's basically a very strong muscle relaxer and helps things progress faster so you're in pain for less amount of time.

Tessa - posted on 01/29/2010

Yes, it is much, much, much more painful. Prepare yourself for the worst! It is NOT like natural labor at all. I had "transition" like contractions from the very beginning, and they were only 20-40 seconds apart AT MOST. I had no break, and that went on for 10 hrs before I finally accepted an epidural.

Rebecca - posted on 01/29/2010

I was induced and i found myself to be a little uncomfortable the closer i got to delivery. I have a very low pain tolerance and was able to get through it ok. The worst part was actually pushing but after my dr realized the baby was too big they took me in for a c-section.

Jessica - posted on 01/29/2010

it was not for me I did not feel anything until it was time to push I had meds in the IV I slept until it was time to push