Induced Labor

I was induced due to gestational diabetes. I went in already 2 cen. dilated. I had my water broke by the Dr. This was not painful at all. Felt like I peed my pants. Then they started the pitocin (SP?)My labor was not hard or painful. About 2 hours in I had a epidural, and about 6 hours later my son was born. I have heard some very positive and very negative stories about induction, but you need to remember everyone is different.
In my case, I would do it all over again because of the positive experience I had.
Good Luck to you!

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I was induced with both of my kids. My doctor gave me an epidural before giving me pitocin or breaking my water. So I really didn't fel any contractions. There was pressure, but no pain. I was told that induced labor has more intense contractions than natural labor, but I don't have anything to compare it to, so I really woudn't know. I didn't have bad experience. It was short labor with no pain. If you have the same exerience I did....I would definetly recommend it.

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My 2nd two kiddos were both induced. I didn't find it anymore painful than my 1st birth. With both of them, I showed up at the hospital at 6am and got started on pitocin. Baby #2 was born at 5pm (with only 10 minutes of pushing) and baby #3 was born at 2pm (with literally just one push). I was walking the halls and was fairly active until the last hour or two of labor when I asked for a light epidural (well... normal epidural but I had a slow drip). I could still feel everything but it wasn't painful. I could also still move around in bed - like get on all fours.

I don't understand the whole "tied down to the bed" statements. I was up and walking around, sitting in the normal chair in the room and chatting with the nurses in the hallway for most of my labors. Hospitals have wireless monitoring so you can do that - you just need to ask. By default, the nurses hook you to the wired one in the room because (I was told) that's what most moms want to do.

Both my inductions were done a week before the due date for several reasons... they were big and to greatly reduce scheduling stress (no family in town to watch other kid(s) while in hospital). In both cases, I had already dilated to 2 and 3cm and was mostly effaced. If your cervix isn't ready, induction is more likely to be more painful and more likely to fail.

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I've been induced with all 3 of my children. The first was due to pre-e. Since my cervix was not ready at all, I was admitted the night before and meds were "inserted" for it to ripen. Induction was started at 6:00 in the morning and I delivered at 3:30. Contractions weren't bad until 5 cm (when I got the epidural). Then, I was able to take a nap!

With my second, I was at least dilated a little. I was induced at 7:30 am and delivered at 1:40 pm. This was a requested induction due to our insurance changing at the end of the month & husband's availability. My 2 yr old was there throughout the entire process.

With my last (born April '07), I was induced b/c of high blood pressure. They did have me stay in the hospital the night before. I think they started around 5:30am and I delivered well before lunch time.

Since it's all I've known, I'd be afraid of going into labor on my own. As long as it's before the epidural, they'll let you out of bed. You just have to wheel your IV with you.

I can't really compare it since I've only had it this way. But, each labor it different even when you do it the same way as last time.
Good Luck!!

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I was induced with my one and only because I was 9 days overdue. I was in labor for 8 hours, pushed 22 minutes, and that was it. I didn't use any painkillers. I was using a neighbor's timeframe as my own, and she was in labor for 12 hours when she was induced. For me, they just hooked me up to an IV and started dripping pitocin into me. Every so often, they'd come in and increase the dose so it moved my labor along. I don't have any natural labor to judge it against, but one family member who does told me that it's almost like when you're sick with the flu. She said you can either have it really bad for a day and be done with it, or you can have it fairly minor but it drags out forever. I loved being induced. Should I ever have anymore kids, I would opt for an induction. And if I were to go into labor naturally, I would ask for a pitocin drip to speed it up. The worst part to me is the IV needle. I hate all needles. I also firmly believe that just about everything we endure is mind over matter. If you go into labor (and especially an induced labor) thinking it's going to be the worst, most painful experience of your life, then you're right. But if you go in with a positive attitude, that your body is made to deliver babies and can handle it, then you're right. It's like the old saying, "If you think you can, you're right. If you think you can't, you're also right. It's up to you." Again, I did it with no drugs. I moaned a little bit. And that was it. My daughter's parents came to visit when I had been in labor a good few hours when the contractions were starting to really make themselves known, and they joked and said I couldn't be in labor, because no woman in labor is as relaxed as I was or laughing. Good luck!

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Do not freak out, as with anything baby/labor related it is up to the individual, being induced doesn't mean it is going to be worse or better than a natural birth, it just depends on your body and how it will react. I was induced and was in labor for 12 hours and delivered a 9 lb. 3 oz. baby with no anesthesia. The funny thing about it was all sorts of moms told me that being induced would get me in and out in no time at all, I was thinking the whole time that I would have the baby in 2 or 3 hours and that it would be a piece of cake. Of course it hurt like heck and took much longer than I "planned", but having a baby hurts! Being induced has its advantages and disadvantages just like any of the other million choices we obsess about when we are pregnant, trying to make everything perfect. Ironically, whatever we "plan" for when it comes to our labor and childbirth and infancy, etc... never works out the way we envision it will so do what you feel comfortable with and don't be distracted by others experiences as yours will be unique, the important thing is that you are under a good doctor's care and no matter how much harder or easier induction makes the labor, the result that you want is a healthy baby. Good Luck with everything and don't worry too much.

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Here is what I found with my labor and delivery experiences. My first was induced. I went to the hospital scared to death of pitocin because of the horror stories I heard. THe doctor first broke my water and then they started the pitocin. THe contractions started right away but they didn't bother me (not painful). The discomfort didn't set in until 6 hours later and I managed the pain with narcotics. THe pain I had was just back labor from the baby descending. The pitocin was started at 4:30pm and the baby was born at 6:30am. I pushed for less than an hour and no complications besides some bad taring. I believe the baby will come when ready and the induction will only work if the baby is ready to come out. I delivered a 9lbs 5ozs baby just fine. I hope these responses help. Just remember everyone is different and pitocin affects everyone different. I would definitely ask your doctor more details. THe size of the baby could be a factor too. Listen to your gut feeling too. Good luck with this!!!

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