Getting Induced

The question you need to ask your doctor is Am I ok? and Is the baby ok? If they answer yes to those questions, then ask Can we wait a few more days? Your body will know when to begin labor. A due date is just a mere estimate of when they think the baby will be ready. A more accurate estimate is actually after 41 weeks. I delivered both of my babies without pain meds and it was fine. A lot of work, but you just take it one contraction at a time. You just have to trust your body to do what it was made to do and laying in a bed is not a way to labor! Just know you CAN do it, but you need to have your husband be your advocate for you when you are in labor. During labor you will hit a point when you think you can't do it anymore. That is a good sign you are almost ready to push and you are almost done! Just get through that. Also remember that any medication you are given does get to the baby.
My best advice though is no matter what, as soon as your baby is born hold the baby on your bare chest and put the baby to your breast to begin nursing. The baby may just play around and not latch on, but it is such a crucial time to bond. So let your nursing and doctor staff know that before hand so they will know to give you the baby first before anything is done.
Write out your wishes and give it to your doctor and the nurses. They will respect your choice. Doctors are very valuable and should be trusted, but sometimes inductions are used as a routine procedure instead of a necessity, just make sure it is medically necessary. Good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful

A.,

I had to be induced and was able to make it through 15 hours of pretty hard labor with only 1/2 a dose of Stadall. The contractions are harder with pitosen, but you can go through labor with little or no meds. You are the only one who knows what your pain is really doing. Don't let them give you more medication than you want. If you have not done so write out a birth plan. Make 3 copies, one to take with you, one for your doctor, and one for the Hospital staff.

Due to not dialating I did have to have a C-section, but my baby would not have made it if we had continued with the labor process.

It was a wonderful experience, find something that helps you to be calm and make it as relaxed in your room as possible.

Blessings to you,

C. L

Hi, A.
I was induced with both of my boys. My oldest I was in labor, but he wasn't handling the labor well so they induced me to move it along. I did experience more pain in a shorter amount of time, but I got an epidural and I was fine. Know with my second I was dialated to 3 for a few weeks and after going over my due date my doctor scheduled me to be induced and I had no problems with that one either. I didn't experience as much pain as I did with my first and I think that is, because I was already in labor with my first. I took an epidural with my second as well, but before I even got pregnant I knew I would take epi's I am not to big on pain. The only reason you would need a c section would be if the baby is in the wrong position, not handling the labor well, but most likely you won't need a c section. I know alot of mom's that have been induced and it was fine. They will probably break your water as well and that should move your labor along.I also know alot of mom's that have had c sections and have been just fine as well. I know having your first is always a little nerve racking, but I am sure everything will be fine. My boys are 5 and 3 now.Meds or no meds is your decision completly. I don't think it is wrong either way. I have alot of mommy friends some took it and some didn't. I did, because I don't like pain. Get plenty of rest now, once the baby comes you will be exhasted. Congrats! and best of luck!

I had my daughter at 16 and they had to induce me. I'm 31 now and everything went well. I had her normal with no problems. I didn't have any shots. I was scared of the shot they put in your back so it numbs you. So yes i felt most of the contractions. The meds they used to induce me did make me vomit,but that was the worst of it. Don't worry it's still a wonderful thing that you'll always remember. Take plenty of walks,cause that helped me alot. Make sure to take alot of pictures, cause they change very quickly.well bye now.

I was induced with my second child. I went in on a Thursday around 5:30pm and the doctor starded the induction. My 3yr old and my husband stayed the night with me at the hospital. Right before bed, the nurse brought me 2 ambien and I think it was the best night sleep in a long time. When I woke the next morning, I had only slight contractions. My epidural was administered around 11:30am and baby was born by 2pm. It was much easier than the first baby was. Having that full nights sleep before hand made all the difference in the world. Maybe you should try requesting ambien.
And I didn't have c-sections. I haven't heard that one before.

No worries! I was induced with my first too, but it went smoothly. I had a vaginal delivery and was able to watch my baby crown and everything (the nurse brought a mirror in) - that was a cool experience! I pushed my little guy out in 10 minutes! Labor lasted a little longer (from 10pm until 3pm the next day), but I would do it all over again - the time actually FLEW by! I can't say that it was painful - just very uncomfortable, which is why I opted for the epidural. I also had an episiotomy, but in my case, I was pretty much back to normal after 2 weeks. I had some blood loss from a hematoma that occurred from my ligaments stretching to get the baby out (he was over 9 pounds)!

I too was induced. It really wasn't bad until my water broke. Only then were my contractions really painful. I had an epidural after enduring 4 hours of unbelieveable pain. It is certainly your choice but your child will not be harmed if you have meds and you aren't going to get a medal for doing it without any. I was in labor for 16 hours. It really wears you out to be in that kind of pain because you can't rest. I'm sure that some mothers will disagree with me. Just know that you have a choice and it's one that I don't regret.

Good luck and don't worry. You will be fine.
L.

Don't worry about it, I have 3 kids and with all three I had my labor induced; I am not going to lie to you of course it was painful, but nothing out of this world, and I had all my three kids natural(no c-section). Don't worry and be calm thats the main thing when going into labor. Good Luck!!!!

A.,
I know every labor is different for every woman, but I was induced with my first baby in Dec. I had an epidural when I hit around 6 cm, but even before I had the epidural I never had any real pain. 2 hours after the epidural I was ready to push and my baby boy was born 45 minutes later. The whole labor from induction to delivery was 8 hours. I was so pleased with the delivery and it went very smoothly. When I went into the hospital to be induced I was already contracting every 2 minutes according to the nurses, but I never felt any of the contractions. I would definitely chose induction again if I needed to, because I felt really in control of every aspect of the labor! Good Luck!

A.,
I was induced with my baby and it wasn't bad. I was in labor for about 10 hours and did not have any complications. The pain did get bad but what do you expect you are pushing a baby out. The pain will all be gone as soon as you get your baby out. I think I was so caught up in her that I didn't feel anything else. Good luck, S.

Just make sure that you are being induced for a medical reason. The drug company that makes pitocin state on the drug insert, that it is only supposed to be used for medical reasons for induction, meaning the baby's or mother's health is in jeopardy if the pregnancy continues. Also, you may want to google the Bishop Scale which helps to indicate if the induction will be successful as opposed to increasing the chance for a c-section.

Don't worry about a thing. So much technology than 13 years ago, you should be fine!! I had mine induced with my precious little girl 13 years ago and it went fine!! (Thank God) I imagine, now it's even easier. No pain, no side effects, no nothing!! My baby just didn't want to come out into this world...(Cruel world now, can you blame her?...LOL) God bless you and your baby!!! Good luck!!!

Hi A. -
Well I was 19 when I had my daughter and I am now 33. So, 14yrs ago might be different then now. Im writing you because I said/thought all the same things you are. I was induced and still nothing happen for eight hours. Everyone told me it would happen right away. wrong.
I didn't want any meds either. Im telling you it doesn't get any safer than being in a hospital taking drugs. You really should consider it. I would NOT hesitate now after that pain to ask them for the epidural. The pain wasn't fun and because I said no meds all they could give me is that like sleepy medicine. To me it didn't help. I would strongly advice you to take the epidural. My experience was so painful I refused to have any more children because of it.
I felt maybe I should of researched the drugs a little better instead of being so scared of them. Hope my experience gives you some help:)

Hi I know how you feel. I was induced with my first baby. First I will say that every labor is differnt and I'm sure you have heard that already. I was in labor for 17hrs but that is because I ended up taking an epidural and it stopped my contractions. I also want to try no drugs but they do help ease the pain and let you relax more. Hope this helps you. Good Luck and congrats!

Hiya A.!

I was induced with my son. I was two weeks past my due date! I was induced at 7pm. Contractions started a few hours later. I was in active labor 6 1/2 hours later. I used the epidural. I couldn't handle the pain. I don't like pain at all! lol the epidural really helped. I was in active labor for almost 6 hours. I only had to push for 3 minutes and my son was born. I got lucky on the pushing time I guess. My son was a healthy 9lb baby! If I had to do it all over again I would! Epidural or not! :)

I was induced last March with my 2nd child. I thought it was fairly easy and nice. The doctor gave me the choice of when I wanted the epideral. I started at about 6 in the morning and had the epideral around 930a. Christopher Paul was born at 310p. I didn't dialate very fast until I rolled over onto my left side. Then I went from a 4 to 10 in 30 minutes. Some women dialate faster if they are up walking around. You'll just have to play it by ear since this is your first. I had my first when I went into labor. The doctor had to break my water however. I thought inducing went faster and it was nice to be able to pick the day. I spent from 3p to 1030p with my first. I guess that's less hours, but it seemed to go faster with my 2nd. Anyway I really enjoyed being induced, good luck and I hope your experience is a good one. I thought I would not use pain meds with my first wither, but once I got dialated to a 6 I was ready for something and got an epideral. So good luck on that one too.

S.

Out of 5 children, I was induced with the first 3. Yes, the contractions were pretty strong from it. I tried to have an epidural with the first one but it didn't work. They offered to redo it but I made them just remove it. The next two I was able to have naturally with no problems. My 3rd was so easy. Contractions were very strong but the delivery was very short.

When I went into labor on my own with the last two, the pain was amazingly powerful. I had to have a shot into my IV because I couldn't push due to the amount of pain. My last one was the worse. From start of labor to end of delivery was 45 minutes but the contractions were so terrible I was shaking. The doctor had a shot given to me to ease the pain just enough to push because I couldn't do anything.

If I had a choice for the last two, I would have preferred going thru induced labor simply because the pain was considerably less then what I had from natural labor.

I was induced with my first one cuz of his size. I too wanted to go with no meds, but the contractions came on very sudden and very hard. After I agreed to have meds, I was able to relax and somehwat enjoy the birth. I pushed for almost 3 hours to. But he was a pretty big baby and my first, so it isn't uncommon to push that long. The did have to use the vacuum, but he came out healthy and ready to nurse.

A.-

You don't have to get induced if you don't want to. If you are healthy and the baby is not in danger there is NO need for an induction. Sounds like you have done your research let the baby come naturally. Women have been birthing children for years before our time so I thought I would just "encourage" you to tell your doctor you would like to wait! :) Be the boss of your body.

_n

Hi A., my first baby was induced and everything went well. I had an epidural about half way thru the contractions. Markaine was the anesthesia they used. It supposedly doesn't cross thru to the placenta. Anyway, there were no ill effects. Well, I did become incontinent for about a week. That means I had to wear adult diapers. Mommy and baby both in diapers--ha! Not all women experience this. Anyway, remain calm. It was the most awesome day of my life!

I was induced with my last child. The inducing is not bad. It is if the baby decide to wait still. I told the doc that she wouls have to break my water my oldest didn't break it. My mom even had to have it done with me and my brothers. but she wouldn't she said the baby would do it. So I was in labor for 12 hours and that is painful. But when the doc finally broke my water at 5:15 am my daughter was there at 5:45 am.

I was induced with my second child in July and I could not really tell a difference in the contractions from when I had my first child. I think it is probably different for each individual. I had also heard that being induced doesn't necessarily make the contractions more painful than going into labor naturally, it just makes the process go faster, so they are getting painful a lot sooner. Best of luck to you:)

A.,
Inductions are normal I think. I had to have 2 of them and may have to have another one in March. I am pregant with my 3rd child and sometimes you just need a little help to go into labor.Yes, sometimes the contractions can be painful but, that is what child birth is all bout. If you don't have any pain meds I would have to call you a real woman. With both of my previous pregencies I had to have epiderals. I can't stand pain but, child birth is the most incredible thing that you can experience in life. It is such a blessing. Well, good luck to you and congrats on your baby.........

Why are you getting induced? I'm one of the horror stories - so I'll just leave it at: ask your doctor to wait to break your water. It (the bow) significantly reduces the pain of the contractions, and increases your mobility.

Typically (at least here), once your water breaks they want you flat on the back in the bed - which is about the most painful position to be in at any point - to prevent cord prolapse. If your doctor will wait until the baby's head is engaged, the overall induction might take longer (mine was 23 hours), but the risk of complications is less.

I was induced at 42 weeks and had no pain meds (its managable but hire a doula to guide and encourage you.) After 36 hours of labor I had a c-section. I kept begging for them not to cut me, but the clock had run out, as far as they were concerned. I do think this was due to the induction. We were just wrong about my due date. Actually, I knew that I ovulate late in my cycle but my dr. paid me no heed when I would tell her that. So I feel like they tried to take my baby out before she was ready then they cut me open because they made that mistake. She would have come out when she was ready. Yes, there is very strong satistical evidence to show that more women have c-sections (which are hard to recover from if you ask me) because of induction. My baby showed absolutely no signs of being over 40 weeks. She was thin, hairy and covered in vernix. The placenta was perfectly healthy. Even the ultrasound which said that she weighed upward of 8 pounds was way off. She was barely 7 pounds.

Now I am about to give birth to my second and my chances of having a repeat c-section are so overwhelming that I have decided that the only safe thing to do is to give birth at home. I can't face that hospital routine again. My body is smarter than any man's brain when it comes to giving birth.

OK, sorry if this is sounding a little militant, but I really feel violated by what they did to me. As for the pain, don't worry about it. I had very strong induced and very strong natural contractions and to me it all felt the same. Hire a doula and prepare yourself for something very strong. Don't think of it as pain, think of it as strong.

Good luck to you.

Hi A.,

First off congratulations - I know this feeling first hand and let me tell you its wonderful. My first daughter (9 months old) was born naturally from an induced labor. Although I did take an epidural (if that is how it is spelled - hope you can understand)the labor was generally smooth - no cause for concern. But everyone is different and if you are planning on experiencing this proceedure with out medication you are a braver woman than I. I think that you will be fine and will pray that this goes well for you especially since this will be your first!

I wish you the best and in advanced, congratulations! You will do great!

Congrats on the new addition!!! I had my second boy May 2006 and he was induced. Doc was going to be out of town and I was already dilated to a 2 and wanted her to deliver. Got to the hospital at 5a.m., was checked in and hooked up to monitors and IV by 6. They started the pitocin around 6:30 and broke my water at 10:30a.m. Boy did it start then!!! Then pain was there but not as bad as the first one (all back labor the first time). We started pushing at noon and after 3 contractions Christian was born. No worries for me. Hope this helps and good luck!!!!

Its okay to be nervous. I was induced with my daughter. I went in early firday. I was in labor with her for 13 1/2 hours. I had her vangel. I did 7 1/2 hours with no med's. Then the last 6 hours I had some. It was almost right a way i felt the contarctions. I had all back laber. I wish that on NO ONE. I cryed boy did i cry. My doc had to cut me 4 times because angelina was on my plevice bone. If I did not get her he was already to do an c-section. I wish you luck and remember to breath. Good luck you and your baby. God Bless.

My son (my first) was induced in 2005. I was in labor for less than 4 hours and only pushed for about 30 minutes. I was terrified, but it went very smoothly (I did have an epidural with a pump so I could take as little medication as possible). Just listen to your nurses- push when they say, and try not to scream so you can breath and push better.

I was induced with both my 1st and 2nd -- my first was a bit longer and harder, but I don't think my body was ready (I was only 37.5 weeks). My second was a breeze in comparison! Only 4 hours, they gave me just a bit of Pitocin, broke my water and I went the rest of the way (I was just about 40 weeks). I went natural with both, no pain meds at all. I don't judge those who do it either way! I believe it's doable if you set your mind to it, but it's definitely hard and you shouldn't kick yourself if you need the meds -- it's okay! Good luck!

My 2nd delivery was induced because I could no longer walk or get up without being in horrible horrible pain. Labor was a bit more painful but I think that was only because of the shape my body was in. I took no pain meds and I was fine. Oh, and no c-section here! I was induced both times (with both my babies) and no c-section and no meds). I'm sure you'll be fine! If you were willing to do it without pain meds to begin with, you'll be okay. Good luck! And BREATHE!

i was induced with my second baby. yes, the contractions were more intense, but the upside is... the labor didn't last as long as the first! i didn't have to have a c-section. hopefully you've been doing perineum massage to get the tissues prepared. good luck to you and congratulations!

p.s. i should mention that we induced because he was already BIG (9 lbs, 10 oz) the third kiddo was 10 lbs 13 oz!

Hi A.,
Nicole has given you very good advice. If your induction is unavoidable because of medical reasons then . . .If you have any female friends of relatives who can hold the same vision of your birth as you would like to have then ask them to assist you and your husband at your induction. If you get to wait for natural labor to begin, then this is still very beneficial.

My experience is that women cope better with their contractions when they are up and moving around. You will probably be required to be monitored constantly so you need to know that you can stand by the side of your bed. Bring a large exercise ball with you to sit and rock on during contractions. Change positions and use your intuition to move through your labor. Use gravity as your friend.

Your body will follow your thoughts, so you will do better if you think you can.

Wishing you the best,
R.
Doula and Mother to Ben 16yrs and Daniel 12yrs

PS Please post when you can and tell us what happened.

I would say don't be afraid of going with the pain meds because, millions of women before you have had perfectly healthy babies with pain meds and it also doesn't make you any less of a woman for doing it with the pain meds. I was induced with my second child and it took a little longer but it was fine, you won't even remember how bad things hurt after it is all over and you are holding your baby in your arms. Good Luck!

Iam 22 and pregnant with my 3rd.I got induced with my last one which was only seven weeks ago.My water broke at 32 weeks.They admitted me to the hospital and my contractions stopped.They induced me with pitocin at 34 weeks.I have to say I was planning on delivering naturally but that didnt work.30 minutes into my labor I was feeling the type of strong contractions I had with my previous natural delivery at seven centemeters and I was only 2.I couldnt do it with out drugs but good luck though.

I was induced with my first because I was past my due date and my dr. felt if the baby got any bigger that he would have to do a c-section.
that said, yes the contractions were very painful. tho with my first i didn't have anything to compair them to.
I also didn't have any drugs. after they started me on the drip my baby was delivered about 4 hours later, just 45 minutes after they broke my water. I will tell you it was a hard 4 hours.

But if you feel like you can't take the pain anymore by all means ask for some pain meds. I was able to deliver vaginally. I have never heard that c-sections are common with inductions.

talk to your dr. if you feel espically uneasy.

good luck! and don't worry, you'll do great!