Induction - New York,NY

Hi, C. --

As you can see from the varied responses, there are as many different reasons for an induced labor as there are pregnant mommies. My OB recommended induction because my daughter was 5 days past her due date and because I had a small pelvic region he was concerned about her getting too big to pass through vaginally. He did not believe in C-sections unless there was an emergency, so the induction was meant to prevent that. Induction does indeed make labor more intense because it speeds it up...my contractions started at 10:30 AM and I was fully dilated and ready to start pushing at 9:00 PM. My daughter was born 90 minutes later...12 hours, start to finish -- not bad for a first-time delivery. I had absolutely no complications and because I was hooked up to every possible monitor during my entire labor and delivery it was completely safe. In the end, induction was the right thing to do in my case to avoid a C-section. Had my daughter been just a couple of ounces larger, I would have needed one.

As with any medical procedure, induction carries risks. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and see if you can arrive at a mutually benefical decision. Congrats and good luck!

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I had been in labor overnight in the hospital, and by morning I had dialated only 4 centimeters. I was told I had to be at least 5 centimeters in order for me to stay in the hospital longer. So,I was given a choice to either go home ( and come back again later) or to stay and be induced. I just wanted to get the whole thing over with as soon as possible, so chose to be induced, which took effect very quickly. There was no gradual increasing of labor pains, but instead rapid intense labor pains, and an hour later, by natural childbirth, my 3rd healthy baby was born. I was glad to get the painful birthing over faster!

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C.,
I had an induction with my last one and the only problem I had was the nurse increased the drip rate on the Pitocin causing my contractions to come to quick. This was resolved by reducing it and I was fine. I did deliver my son without any pain blockers and let me tell you, it was well worth it. I had had 3 c-sections and then 2 natural births and wish I could do it again but I had to have a hysterectomy a few years ago.
Hugs,
T.

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Both my kids were born by induced births, the first one a week late and the second one a week early (he stopped moving which he never did and the doctor said he was ok but we decided to do it anyway). I had no problems with either induction and would easily do it again if necessary. The first one it actually took a while to work as we started and I was only 1.5 cm but then it went quickly, the second one I was alrready almost 4 so they hooked me up said go get your epidural if you want and he was born only a few hours later. Both kids were fine and it was all ok. GOOD LUCK, hope all goes smoothly and quickly.

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I was induced - my first child - doctor said that he was gonna be big so we went with the due date. Turns out when they got me settled in the hospital and hooked me up to everything I was already having contractions on my own (that I could not feel apparently) and didn't know i was in the beginning of labor already! Anyway - I had the induction and I have to say i thought it wasn't so terrible. I didn't take any pain meds until I was 7cm, and finally agreed to an epidural when it was time to push. My sciatica was hurting too as well as horrendous heartburn which was immediately relived upon delivery. The part I liked best about the induction was when they gave me the pain meds at 7cm, they were able to slow down the drip and relieve some of my discomfort until the meds kicked in so I could rest up for the pushing part.

I know people sometimes say how painful the labor is for an induction, but never having had any children and he being my first baby, it really wasn't so terrible. If you are ready to deliver, I'd say go for it.

Best of luck!

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My only concern would be that inductions have a greater risk of ending in C-sections. I was induced at 37 weeks for medical reasons and was hoping to give birth vaginally but in the end I had to have a c-section and I think that it was due to the induction. Babies don't like being forced to do something on someone else's timeframe.

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I never wanted to induce because my understanding is that pitocin, the medicine that induces labor CAN be more painful than natural labor pains. Plus, if you wanted a natural childbirth without any drugs...inducing labor is a slippery slope - once you induce, more painful contractions, then you'll want more drugs, get an epidural, etc...

It's your decision...best of luck!
A.

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Hey C.,

I was 11 days late with both of my children and had bloody shows with both of them and a very slow start to labor. With both kids my labor never progressed so I was induced after a few hours in the hospital when nothing was happening. I had no complications except it really brought me into hard labor right away and I didn't have time to physically or mentally build up to the pain. I went natural with both (wouldn't recommend it with Pitocin) so it was difficult in that respect. I would do it again with the exception of I would make sure that I had an Epidural hooked up at the same time. I would go to full dilation within 45 minutes OUCH!! It hurts just thinking about it. There is no need to experience that much pain if you don't have to. I think the decision is up to you if your baby is not in any distress and you are comfortable then wait it out. I WAS one of those moms who just wanted to get on with it. After being 11 days late in the summer I wanted to get the show on the road but that's me I am a bit impatient LOL!! Good luck to you and your beautiful family.

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If there are no complications right now, I wouldn't rush it. Your baby will come when s/he's ready. My daughter was born 2 weeks and 2 days past her "due date" and was just right.

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Hi C.,

Congrats on baby #2! Just as every pregnancy is different, every labor/delivery is different. I happen to have been induced with BOTH of my boys (9 days after due date with the first, and the day before my due date with the second). Even though I had the same procedures done to induce my labor, I had two very different birthing experiences.

The second time around was nerve wracking because I had been through it before, and anticipated it being the same. However, because my body knew what to do the second time, it all went much smoother!

In both cases, I had a 9 lb. baby boy (1st one was bigger, at 9lb. 5 oz.).

I had the Pitocin and had my water broken both times, but they were done in different orders.

1st time, I was started on Pit., then had my water broken when I got a bit farther along. 2nd time, I went in at 3 cm, so they broke my water first to see if I could get into a regular contraction pattern on my own. That didn't happen, so a little while later, they started the Pit.

In my first labor, ds was in posterior position, so I had AWFUL back labor. The second time around, ds#2 was also posterior, but turned early enough that I wasn't plotting to rip out my own spine.

In fact, my second delivery was sooo beautiful that I can't wait to do it again! It was the birth that I think most women dream of.

So, do you go for the induction? That really depends on your current level of discomfort. You can tell yourself all you want that it will all be over soon, but sometimes your body just doesn't know how to kick itself into gear! I was only induced the second time because I was in so much discomfort that I just couldn't take it anymore. I had sciatica pain & extreme swelling, but no hypertension or other issues.

Best of luck to you, and congrats again on #2!

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Hi C.,
Congratulations on baby #2! My first one was 9 days late and we were preparing to induce if he didn't arrive by 42 weeks. Thankfully, that wasn't the case, but my doctor told me that after 42 weeks things begin to breakdown in the womb (lining, etc) so it was in the best interest of the baby to induce AFTER 42 weeks. You've got some time - I'd wait a little longer.
I'm pregnant with my second now (due in 3 weeks) and hoping I won't have to be induced with this one. I'm sorry I don't have the actual experience to give advice on, but I'm glad you asked because I'm petrified that I'll need to be induced (as I've heard things too) and I'm looking forward to the responses to your question.
Best of luck with your new little one :o)

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NO INDUCTIONS!! Less than 10% of them are medically necessary and though it may be painful, sciatica is not on the list. Let your baby tell you when he/she is ready to make an entrance to the world. Just because the U.S. is extremely cavalier about using Pitocin does NOT mean it is safe for mother OR child.
Maybe your doctor has a vacation coming up?

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If you and the baby are not in distress, why mess with mother nature? My first child was born on his due date, my second was 3 weeks "Late" (do we know exactly when we conceive?), my third 10 days "late".

Do what your heart tells you to do.

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Hi!! Congrats!! :-) I'm not sure if this counts as being induced but I was only 37 wks when I had a bloody show and went to the hospital. They hooked me up to the monitors and found that I was having contractions. Doc checked me and I was 5 centi. Dilated. So what they did after a few hours was break my water and give me pitocin to speed up the contractions and make them stronger. I have my daughter 6 hours later. It wasn't that bad. Pitocin definitely make the contractions stronger and a little harder to deal with but it wasn't that bad. In your case, since everything is ok, I would wait since everything seems to be ok. Hope this helps. :-). Please let me know the outcome.

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Hi C.,
I had to laugh(at myself)when I read your request because I've had 5 babies and when people ask me about going into labor I always have to say I don't because I never did (on my own) all 5 of my babies were induced...it's rather nice knowing that I was going to have a baby on a certain day...
as for pain well it's all relative but when they started my induction they also started my epi...that's because my labors are so quick(one contraction and they're catching my babies)...but for the first 2 no epi and I lived to do it again :) When they say that they want to strip your membranes(if they do) don't be fooled by the "this will be a little uncomfortable"...it hurts like sin!! but it doesn't last long(and with someones hand up there how wouldn't it) anyway for all 5 I had over all good experiences and like every other mother in the world the moment you hold baby all discomfort is worth it!

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Hi C.: congrats.!!! I was induce after my water broke on my due date and had a normal vaginal birth. I didn't realize though alot of induction lead to c-sections. I don't know about you,but the though of it was scary to me. If there is no medical reason for induction, I would tell them no,no,no thank you. Its your baby, have it on your schedule, not the doctors. Its my opinion and all but child birth has been happing since the beginning of time, alot of the medical intervention is not necessary.

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I was induced for my first and was supposed to be for my second but he came on his own. After having both experiences I have to say the labor pains were SO, SO much more painful when I was induced. If the baby is fine and not in disstress HOLD OUT! I could no believe how much easier my labor was when it came naturally. Good luck!!

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C.-
I was planning on inducing with my second--scheduled and all, but she came a few days early. My MD said i could becasue it was ny 2nd--they would not have done it with the 1st--but since my body had been through it all already it was fine to do. It's gonna hurt no matter what--might as well schedule it so you can coordinate where your 1st will be and you can be prepared! Good luck
J.

I have 3 kids and I was induced with my third. I was afraid to be induced but I gotta tell ya - I wish all of them had been induced. I had no problems with the pitocin and the labor pains were the same as my other 2 kids. Go for it. Good luck!!!! Congrats!!!!!