Inducing Labor - Covington,KY

I was not induced with my first child, nor will I ever consider it. However, with my first pregnancy I did have EXTREME pelvic pain. You very well may have pubic sympisis (sp?). The pubic bone is actually 2 bones and during pregnancy depending on how your ligaments stretch, the placement of the baby and just your body one side or the other can move up or down. This causes EXTREME pain. It is difficult to walk, stand, sit, or lay down. Basically there is no comfortable position.

A good chiropractor CAN help with this. The adjustment hurts like labor itself, I just about flew off the table...but it is only for a second and then you have relief.

With inducing the thing you have to remember is you are trying to jump start mother nature. For some women, it works well. It may be that those women were going to go into labor soon anyway. For others, not so much. In those cases, labor is hard and long and eventually stalls and then the women end up with a c-section.

Regardless of your physical condition, labor is going to hurt. It's just part of the process. I will tell you from my experience with pubic symphisis it didn't cause labor to hurt any more or any less. I too have a bad back. Have for years. My disc isn't herniated, so I can't speak to that experience. But with my conditions it didn't make labor any worse. It just was labor.

It is true what someone else said that often times the size estimates on the ultra sounds are not correct. I've had a few friends who were told they were going to have large babies, were induced or had c-sections and then the baby was 7lbs.

I would guess the hip pain is due to the baby being engaged and things stretching. The last few weeks are just uncomfortable for just about everyone. So, in that... I think your doctor is correct. However, as I mentioned before a good chiropractor can help with some of these issues and provide you some relief. I've been there, and know how your feeling.

Whether or not you go through with the induction is up to you. But, I would do my research. Don't just take everyone elses word for it. Epidurals can also offer a great deal of relief. Keep in mind, they too have a fail rate and do not work for everyone. I personally know women who they did not work for. But, for many women they do work. I ended up asking for an epidural and it really did help take the pain away.

Good luck. You're almost there!! You can do this!!! You are much much stronger then you think you are right now. I know the pain makes you feel very weak....but you are a STRONG!!!!

First, late-term ultrasounds are always wrong and by up to 2 pounds. So, to say that you know the baby will be big just isn't true.
Second, baby size has much more to do with mother's size at birth than father's.
Third, I know 5' women who have had 10+ pound babies and size zero women who have done the same. Any doctor that tells you you might be too small is either lying to you to get you to have the baby on their schedule or very uneducated on what it means to give birth to a big baby. Your doctor is right to tell you that there is no need to worry about the baby's size.
Fourth, you should keep in mind that 50% of inductions end in c-sections. THAT'S HALF. So, if you are trying to avoid major surgery (as every educated woman should be) you don't want to be induced for anything that isn't TOTALLY medical necessary.
Fifth, a "due date" is an estimate, usually based on a non-scientific wheel where they guesse at conception and can be up to 2 weeks off. So, unless you were charting your cycles, your 38-week-pregnancy could only be 36 weeks which means you induce when the baby is BARELY full-term and the lungs have a poor chance of being FULLY developed. Don't do that to your baby just because you are uncomfortable or scared of what women do sucessfully every day.

I know a mix of women. The ones who were induced had far more complications most ended in c-sections. The ones who had natural labors, pushed when the felt the urge and took their time instead of pushing as hard as they could every contraction, had big babies without even tearing. Big babies don't cause labor issues the majority of the time. You are putting yourself and your baby at much greater risk by evicting him early instead of waiting for nature to take it's coarse.

If you decide you just can't wait and your doctor says it's ok to do an early induction for non-medical reasons (the good ones won't do it no matter how much you want it), make sure you score high on the Bishop's scale for induction or you are guarenteeing that you'll end up with a section.

I induced Labor with my second one due to size. My first one was 9 1/2 lbs and my second, if I went full term would have been over 10 lbs. I had siatica (sp?) which is like the back and hip pain you described. My first labor was fast and painful because of her size so I feared the 2nd. With being induced, my body had time to adjust ( 10 hrs from start to finish) and get ready for delivery and it was virtually pain free (due to epidural of course). I would recommend it to anyone. But I have also heard of people being induced and it took forever. Good luck.

I was induced with my daughter when I was 39 weeks. The reason I was induced was because the doctor said the baby was big enough and she didn't want it too big that I couldn't deliver vaginally. I was induced and everything was perfect. My husband was able to take off 1 week from work. I didn't mind the inducing but I know a lot of people hate it because it hurts like 10 time worse than normal labor. I have nothing to compare because I only have 1 child, but I won't lie either. It does hurt, but I can't imagine without the pitocin it would have been a piece of cake either.

If you want to delive soon, just try the home remedies to help induce labor. Look online on ways to induce and this way maybe you won't have to be induced and you can get the baby delivered before your 40 weeks. Good luck and congrats!

Your post brought tears to my eyes when I read it! I am so sorry that you are going through so much pain. I experienced something very similar back 5 years ago when I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter. I started feeling horrible pain & pressure in my pelvic and hip area probably 3 months into the pregnancy. It was way too early in the pregnancy to have the horrible pain I was having, and it continued on throughout the pregnancy, and 4 years after she was born! YES, 4 years!!! At the time I delivered her I was 35 years old. My OBGYN was not sympathetic at all and offered no solutions as to why I was still feeling so much pain even after birth! Just the simple task of getting in and out of the car and sitting on the floor made me feel like I was 80+ years old. It was horrible! My old-fashioned OB just told me, "well, once you have experienced childbirth, your body is never quite the same!" IDIOT! I searched and searched for what the problem was, meanwhile living with this horrible pain. I finally went to an orthopedic surgeon who determined right away and through some xrays that I had 'Osteitis pubis' basically tendonitis/arthritis of my pubic area. Through just a few sessions of physical therapy I felt 75% better, and after about 3-4 months of therapy just once a week, I felt 100% back to normal! It was amazing! I still have issues now and then, when the weather changes, when I lift heavy things, etc. but I know what sets it off now, and I know if I do my simple exercises it will provide relief. My fantastic orthopedic doctor was PISSED when I told him what my OBGYN had said and how he just dismissed my pain as something that I would just have to live with because I made the decision to have kids. This wonderful doctor told me that there is a reason behind every pain in your body, and he wasn't going to stop until he figured it out! What a saint! AND he put me with the BEST physical therapist EVER who was able to help me quickly - I feel like they changed my life. After 4 years of experiencing this pain, I thought I would always be miserable. Let me know if you want me to forward you the names of my doctor and physical therapist. If you are having the same issues, especially after birth, I'd be happy to pass it along. I am not sure if inducing will help or hurt your situation...I did get induced, but was only a few days early. My daughter was big - 8.2 oz, much larger than the first, which may have added to my problems in the beginning. Best of luck to you!

I would strongly suggest that you to go back to your doctor and explain how much pain you are in. There are medical reasons why an induction before the due date might be a good idea, but first, a good long talk about it with your Dr. is a really good idea. You might also try getting a second opinion from a Dr with more experience with pregnancy & back/hip pain.

Just a couple of other thoughts here:

The last few weeks of gestation are really, really important for the baby, and unless it's really necessary for medical reasons, it's really a very good idea to let the little one stay in the there and continue to develop. If you deliver early, your baby would really be a preemie, and preemies tend to have lots more health issues, short & long term.

Another thought: statistically, your first baby's weight will be closer to your own weight at birth than it will be to your husband's. I was 6 lbs 6 oz at birth, and my husband was 7 lbs 12 oz. Our son (our first baby) was 6 lbs 10 oz.

Maybe a compromise might be to go to your due date, and have a c-section instead of a vaginal delivery.

Good luck! My thoughts will be with you & your family.

Anne

Hi S.,
Well you're almost there! I too was a carrier of huge babies and I can still feel your pain;-) I think your doctor might be right(sorry) in that when you carry a large baby it hurts a lot all of the time. My last two kids were almost ten pounds a piece and the last few weeks are miserable. The perks are chubby babies seem healthy to everyone, they seem less easy to hurt, and everyone can find your baby in the nursery much easier! I was induced with my first son because I was overdue. I ended up with a 20 plus hour labor and a c-section in the end...bad experience for me. But with such a big baby it is a route you must prepare for. It's really up to you but just remember to enjoy the last few weeks being pregnant(as miserable as they are) because you can't have that baby put back. Do what you feel is right for you and safest for you and the baby. Good luck and hang in there,I swear you will forget all of it the second you see that baby!

Just a couple of thoughts for you...
Late term ultrasounds are notoriously wrong as far as weight is concerned, I have know so many people that had them and they were up to 2 pounds wrong.. its hard for them to get a good assessment when the little one is so crowded in there!
Big babies do cause alot of bone pain, with my 3rd (10lbs 6oz) my pelvic pain was so bad that I could barely walk, my Dr just sort of shrugged and said, that should go away after delievery, I didn't like that response but most OB's dont like to take the baby early unless its health related.
Any time you take a baby early even if its only a week it runs the risk of having underdeveloped lungs. My cousins son was taken at 37 weeks and had to be in the NICU for a week with a torn lung. I know at this point it seems like you'll be pregnant forever, those last few weeks seem to drag on and on, but it will pass soon.
Good luck with what ever your decision, and enjoy your new little one!

I have had 3 out of 4 kids induced and my best experience was with the child who was not induced. She was 11 pounds and I am not a big person and she came out beautifully and I had the best recovery time with that one too. I did have more back pain with that one because I hurt my back while pregnant. They gave me something to take the edge off the pain in my back and everything went smoothly. My last child I was afraid that he would be bigger since his sister was 11 pounds so I had them induce before my due date. (3 of my kids were 2 weeks late) It was the only time I felt sick after delivering. Even he had some minor issues after birth that went away once I breast fed him. Not to scare you but the child I had induced earlier has had a lot of health issues. He is on the autism sprectrum. He had developmental delays in language and speech. He has dyspraxia. He is having eye surgery next month for strabismus. He is the greatest kid, I just wish he had things easier. I do look back and wonder if I let nature take it's course if things would be differently. Not everyone has the same gestationial time for pregnancies. Mine was probably 42 weeks. We induced him at 39 weeks. If you have had other kids that she be your indicator on what to do. Also see how your siblings have fared and your mother. Genetics is a good indicator.

I wish I had advice for you. I am very sorry to hear about the problems you are having. I have never had to deal with disc problems. I will say I had a late u/s that was on the money for my child's weight. U/S said he was 8 lb. 10 oz. and one week later I delivered and he was 9 lb. 4 oz.
Considering babies gain 1/2-1 pound/week towards the end, we were on the money. I 'knew' each time that I had a big baby, and my smallest was 8 lb. 15 oz, so trust your instincts. I know you want what is best for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor, explain your concerns. He/she is the one who knows best what you can deliver. Size of the mom doesn't determine pelvic size, which is most important on what size baby can fit through the birth canal. I would have a serious conversation with my ob.
Best of luck!
R.

I induced my middle child at 38.5 weeks because I was nervous she was getting too large (I don't have bone or joint problems, but am small build). Turns out that that elective induction was probably the wrong choice for me and my baby in that situation, because I now understand the risks to her and me were larger at induction than if I had waited for natural labor (there was no good reason to induce in my case). I didn't ask a lot of questions and my doc didn't offer the information. Although the L&D was normal length and smooth, once I read about what happens to the fetus just a couple days before the natural time of labor, I felt bad that I had forced her out. (I read a couple articles about how the fetus practices breathing and clears fluid from the lungs; stuff like that). I have since vaginally delivered a thrid baby that was larger than my two girls, and he came out just fine without meds in 1 hr. 28 minutes from when I first woke up with the labor signs.

In my opinion, it seems that most of the time in healthy pregnancies, our bodies do not grow babies larger than we can deliver. You sound like you are really hurting. Would it make a big difference in the pain if the baby were smaller? Or do you feel like you need the pregnancy to end no matter what the size? Epidurals can be lovely (I have delivered both with and without an epidural). I regret inducing my middle child, but I didn't have a good reason to do it in the first place. Good luck!

I was induced w/ my 1st, went into labor naturally with my 2nd. In fact, nat. labor is so much "easier" and the contractions are less intense, that at 1st I didn't realize I was in labor!! Induced contractions are intense and painful. BTW, I didn't have an epidural with either one.

Good luck,
L. D

ps, as far as u/s and size goes, I was induced b/c they worried the baby was too small. The tech did the ultrasound and came up with 7 lbs 5 oz (obviously, not small but average)... the doc did it and came up with 5 lbs 15 oz and the ACTUAL birth weight ended up being 6 lbs 5 oz. So just goes to show you the accuracy of late-term ultrasounds!!

Go to the EGOSCUE website. You should be able to pull up a couple of e-cises (exercises) or positions to help relieve your pain. There is a book called PAIN FREE WOMEN that takes you thru EVERY stage of pregnancy and all of the aches, pain, etc. associated with and tells you and shows you how to take care of those as well as why they occur. Too bad you didn't know about this weeks ago. Author - Pete Egoscue

Regardless, I'd give it a shot. You have NOTHING to lose (except your pain.

S., I read the other responses about being induced my first 2 were it was time for them to be born, I also had epidurals with them. They came out fine my thrid fell right out, my 4th was delivered by a mid wife and weighed 10lbs.1oz If I had to do it over again I would be induced no one should have a big baby I had nothing for pain with him I wish I would have taken the epidural. I to had a lot of discomfort and pain carry them it felt like someone was allways pinching me, my doc said to walk well how can you when it hurts so bad. I would talk to your doctor mine never wanted the baby to get over 8lbs. I would go with what your doc says he knows what is right for you and your baby. My first was 8,8.5,8.5 then the 10lb 1 oz Good Luck in the end it is worth it.

My first child had to be delivered early because I was low on amniotic fluid. She was two weeks early...they sent me to the hospital that day after my Ultra Sound. My daughter was 5 lbs. 7 Oz. With my second child I had to have a few more Ultra Sounds to make sure my amniotic fluid was ok. It was fine, but the doctor still decided to induce me on my due date to be on the safe side. He was 7 lbs. 5 Oz. It was easy and I had an epidural with both. I was ready to have him...we all know how misserable we can get towards the end of the Pregnancy! :D
So, both of mine were induced and are fine.
Hope you feel better soon!
Congratulations!

It depends on the doctor if they will induce or not. I work in an ob unit and some don't like to induce. We have many women who come in to get induced and it doesn't work and they go home and have to wait for natural labor to take its course. Or sometimes the failed induction ends up in a c-section. I understand about big babies. My first was 8lbs 3oz, and my 2nd was 9lbs 13oz... luckily those were both c-sections, I am preggo w/ number 3 now and he looks like he will be bigger than both those two. I get an ultrasound today to find out just about how big...and I still have till Feb!!

S. - Both my children were induced before their due dates. Both due to size. My first child had to go under lights for jaundice. Other than that, no issues. This was back in 1984 and 86. If the doctor gives the go ahead...induce. My labor was short and sweet with both. (6 hours and 2 hours).

Hope this helps!

T.

I have heard many stories where an ultrasound shows a baby to be a certain weight and after birth they are as much as a pound or more smaller. Its really hard to determine an exact weight through ultrasound. And family history can also be a shot in the dark. What does your doctor suggest? Personally I would try to wait as long as possible to be induced. Usually nature will tell you when the baby's ready. I was induced with my second, but I was 39 weeks, and already dilating, and had been having contractions for weeks. Every situation is different. Try to go with your gut feeling, and listen to your OB. I know its hard sometimes, but they are experienced and educated and usually know best. Best of luck to you!

Hey S.,

I know the last few weeks of pregnancy are absolutely miserable. But about the sleeping and doing anything normal, I can assure you that won't change at all whether you're 37 weeks pregnant or taking care of a newborn -- one or the other will be keeping you up all night. I'd opt for pregnancy because at least it's quieter. :)

You put your baby at higher risk of complications if you induce early. They're still developing and even those last few weeks are important! And your estimated conception date can easily be off by a week or more, meaning you'd be having a preterm infant. Induction is riskier for you and baby than natural labor, and will increase your likelihood of a C-section which is a painful healing process in itself.

And even worse, ultrasounds aren't even that good at estimating fetal weight. They're easily off by a pound or more.

Make sure you ask your doctor about the risks of inducing early, whether you would be able to deliver naturally at term, what he can do to help you manage your pain better, and how accurate ultrasound is at predicting fetal weight.

Good luck and congrats on the baby! K.

Sorry to hear about all of your pain. That is no way to spend your last few weeks of pregnancy. What have you tried for pain management? I would recommend considering acupuncture or massage therapy. I have used both for severe neck pain and both can work well. They also can be performed safely during pregnancy. You should not have to suffer through all of that pain, as it can negatively affect your baby. If you are constanly stressed and in pain, you will actually produce more cortisol, which is a steroid hormone and has numerous side effects on the body. I am a vet and do not believe in allowing my animal patients to suffer through their pain, so I am alarmed that your doctor is not more concerned. Acupuncture and massage therapy are both effective in pain management and also for relaxation. Plus, they are drug free. Just be sure that if you choose one of these methods, they are administered by licensed professionals.

ps- If you are sqeamish about needles, I will say that the acupuncture needles are very tiny, much smaller than those used for blood draws or vaccines. You can barely feel them go in and once they are in you can't really feel them at all. Plus you get to lie in a dark room with relaxing music-I fell asleep during my treatment sessions for my neck. Afterwards, I had much more mobility in my neck and was pain free.

I was induced with my son because I was high risk related to clotting issues and high amniotic fluid. As people told me later, induction tends to be more intense than regular labor because it forces your body to start labor before it's really ready.
We ended up in an emergency C-Section 6 hours later. Even before the C-Section I had already decided that was not the route I would take next time at all.
On a side note, my aunt has 5 kids, with 2 or 3 of them she was told they would be above 9 lbs and they were all below 8 lbs. These were all with the older ultrasound. I know they can get more accurate results with the newer ultrasounds--3-d ones? My son's dad has a younger child now too. No one in her family had ever had a child less than 9lbs and she had a 6lb 5oz. baby full term.
Personally, I'm just hesitant on inductions.

I was induced, for medical reasons, with my first daughter at 37 weeks. It didn't work. Basically I had to lay in bed for two days and nothing happened. NOTHING! It was awful! My problem was pre-eclampsia, so I HAD to deliver the baby. I wound up with a c-section. With my 2nd, I talked to my doc about induction when I was 38 wks and he said he won't do induction unless you are already dilated, unless mom or baby is in distress. I have known so many people that went in to be induced before they were dilated and the induction didn't work. Most of them were sent home and told to wait. I highly doubt your OB will do anything until the baby is at least 38 weeks. That's considered full term. I would contact a chiropractor and see if an adjustment might help relieve some of your pain. The adjustment might be uncomfortable, but it's a LOT better than being in constant pain. And make sure you talk to your doctor about your induction questions. If you and your doctor think you won't be able to deliver vaginally, then a c-section might be your best option.

S., Dont always go by husband or your family history. My daughter was induced 1 week early because of blood pressure and they told me she was going to be 9lbs and according to my family history she should have been between 7 1/2 and 8lbs and she wasn't even 7. My son on the other hand was 2 weeks early and he was almost 8lbs. Also as far as induction goes, eveybody is different. My water broker 2 hours after they started my induction and finally at 11:30pm I would up having a C-Section. You need to talk to your doctor. good Luck.

Congratz on the little one, but am so sorry you are feeling so badly. I did get induced with 2 of my 4 little ones & will most likely be induced sometime in late June early July. Although both my boys were close to term - my doc & I feel more comfertible having me go into labor assisted in the hospital then at home. You see I deliever very quickly... sometimes only 20 min after my water brakes and I live about 25 min away from the hospital, plus check-in time and doc live 15 mins away. With my daughter, he sat down just as she popped out... after that he choose to induce me for my future little ones on days he is at the hospital.

I did have more discomfert with my 2 yr old... he was 8# (my others were all 7 lb 2 oz). My last ultra sound with my 2 yr old was wrong on his weight... they said he was only going to be 6# and I told them they were nuts - he's not smaller then the others he is bigger... after he was born the doc laughted and told me I was right, guess mom's know their bodies a little better then the machines do. My pains went away shortly after I had my boy... but it did take a little while to "heal" up just like everything else does.

My sister had a 10# little girl a few weeks after my boy was born... she had to have a c-sect. Her little girl was stuck in a bad posistion and couldn't turn for delivery. She was in a lot of pain through out her pregancy, but she also has 2 hurniated discs in her lower back. And the pressure could be to much from time to time... but she did feel better after she delivered.

Good luck with everything - I truely hope your pains go away after the delivery. Your little one will be here soon - keep your eye on that for now.

Have you been to a chiropractor? I have scoliosis, and I could barely walk (much less sleep!) from 7 months on. I started going to a chiropractor every 1-2 weeks, and it made a world of difference. He found that the problem was in my tailbone & hips, and a it was a very easy adjustment. He was also able to teach me some back & leg stretches to take the pressure off my trouble spots.

I was induced a week early, partly because my doctor told me horror stories about too-large babies. My son was only 7lbs 11oz! I have to say that I would never get induced again unless the baby's health depended on it. The complications for myself & my baby were not worth it!