Should I Consider Induction?

I have 3 kids - induced with all because I had gestational diabetes and they were all big babies.

No problems with the inductions at all... Good luck and congratulations!

Do what is best for mommy & baby. I have been induced 3 times and delivered vaginally all 3. The last 2 pregnancies my BP was the issues. Like you, the tests showed the baby was fine, it was me having the problem. I did not realize how much my BP was affecting me until I delivered and it bounced right back to normal. Good luck!

K.,

I had a similar situation (gestational diabetic) and was effaced and dilating. I was induced at 39 weeks and 6 days. We were still in labor for 17 hours because my little peanut didn't want to face the right direction, but other than that it wasn't too bad.
My suggestion would be to let your doctor schedule the induction and then see what happens.

You sound like me with my first pregnancy. My doc tried everything to put me into labor, I was dilated and effaced and my blood pressure was rising. I ended up being induced and had no problems at all. I was in labor for only 3 hours and did not have to have a c-section and my daughter was fine and everything went well. Your doctor knows what he is talking about and I don't know of any doctor that would induce unless it was necessary. He is right, your body is ready, just as mine was and it should go smoothly - mine did. Good luck!

A little about me - I have had two children, both natural no meds. I secretly roll my eyes at my sister-in-law who has "scheduled" each of her pregnancies to be induced to suit her time and date. So, you know where I stand.
That said, I fully agree with your doctor. At 39 weeks, your baby will be born full-term and healthy. So, it sounds like it is more important at this point to make sure that Mom is healthy. If your body is already preparing, I would think that things should go smoothly like nature intended. You are not inducing from ground zero, you are just giving Mother Nature a little help with what she has already started. I would take your doctors advice to be safe.
Just my opinion - hope you get enough feedback to help you make a decision you are comfortable with!

If you are already that far along (3 cm dilated), induction should go smoothly. I would generally go with what your doctor recommends unless it seems unreasonable, and this sounds reasonable to me. The likely of having a c-section if you are induced when you are already 3 or more cm dilated is much much lower since your body is already one its way. If he has good reason (and it sounds like he does with your blood pressure changes) then I would go ahead with it if I were you.

K., my first thought is that, if you're so close to being in labor that inducing would should go smoothly, then you are likely to go into labor naturally, soon, without inducing. Also, have you had any blood work done to confirm preclampsia? I had high blood pressure with my first (on bed rest) and during labor. They tested my blood while I was in labor for preclampsia and the numbers came back low enough to show it was safe to continue labor. My point is, at least based on my experience, preclampsia isn't diagnosed by blood pressure alone. You may want to look into additional diagnostic tests before you agree to interventions you're not sure about. And, congratulations on your first little on, she's almost here!

If you are already 3cm and 75% - I would go with the induction. I did induction for the 2nd and was at 5cm and 85% - they broke my water at 6:30am - nothing happened. They induced me at 9am - labor comes on hard and I delivered at 10:15am.

My first child - both delivered w/o drugs - I was in labor for 27 hours! No induction with this child and I took forever to dilate. Both children were delivered vaginally.
Proud mom of 2 healthy young men who are both in college.

M.

I was induced with my daughter (now almost 7) and was set to be induced with my son (2 1/2) when I went into labor in the hospital. Both experiences were good, but I think everyone is different. I hadn't even heard until after my daughter was born that some people have bad experiences being induced. With my daughter I went in at noon they broke my water, gave me medicine, etc and I didn't feel a thing until around 7pm- I was having contractions I just didn't feel them. I did not get an epidural for either birth. I too had blood pressure issues and for my 2nd gestational diabetes. I don't know that anyone can say whether being induced will be the right decision or not. Hopefully you have a good relationship with your doctor and can discuss your concerns. As long as you are making an informed decision, any decision you make will be the right decision for you. I'll be honest for me I think being induced also helped with my first time mom fears a little. I'm a total control freak and it helped a little because I felt like I was in control of the date not waiting for something to happen on it's own. I was more afraid of going into labor on the train on the way to work than anything (ha ha). Good Luck K

Ask for more details about how they use the pitocin. My induction (first child) was awful, but since then I've heard that the hospital was doing inductions in a way that would make them awful. The newer approach is to allow the drugs to move things along, but to let the body take over when things get started. The version I had (push the drugs hard and fast and don't turn them off) just made labor too fast for my body.

K. - I was just induced and delivered for similar reasons. I'm glad your doctor cares enough about you to give you these options. I think people here need to understand that there is a difference between voluntary/convenience induction and getting an induction because you might have something that is potentially life-threatening.

For some people with pre-eclampsia, the blood pressure can rise rather quickly. One day I was fine, the next day mine shot up sky high. I never got to the blurry vision that you described, but your doctor probably told you that was a big sign that the condition is worsening.

Good for you that your doctor kept such a close eye on things. Letting this condition spiral out of control could cause seizing, both on the part of the mother and the baby. Inducing at 39 weeks is exceptionally low-risk, especially if you have a medical condition that could severely compromise both your health and the health of the baby. At this point, it's more important to deliver a healthy baby.

Hope all went well!

I think stripping your membranes is worse than induction. I was induced both times (once going from nothing because my water broke and the 2nd time from just a couple cm's). I found that the initial stages aren't that bad, but once they crank the pitocin it gets worse. I got to the point where my contractions were coming with no breaks for a couple hours and then I got the epidural. No worries, though. I say the best medicine is getting the baby out.

Can't tell you what to do, but I'll share my experience. I was induced 4 weeks ago tomorrow. I was just over 40 weeks and over 2 cm. We decided to induce because I had been experiencing false labor for 4 weeks, had had the membranes stripped repeatedly, and needed 8 hours of antibiotics through IV. I was nervous about it as I'd heard all the negative things you had. However, my experience was wonderful, better even than my very easy birthing experience two years ago. I thought the contractions with the induction were less intense and more regular. I didn't even need an epidural until 5 hours into labor, and I delivered about an hour after that (in 3 pushes)! So the only real negative was that it went too well and I didn't get the full course of antibiotics. Of course your body may respond completely differently, but I just wanted you to know that not all inductions are the nightmares you hear about! Good luck and I hope your experience is wonderful and healthy.

K.,
I was induced with both of my kids and would totally recommend. I have heard others didn't go as well as i thought i did, but if you are having problems with your blood pressure, it will probably continue to get worse. I wouldn't want to take the chance and wait and have the baby get stressed out or have other problems. If you are already dialated and thinned out you should have an easier time. It isn't easy any way you look at it....but the outcome makes it worth all the pain. Take the epidural, it makes it so much better!

If it were me, I'd wait unless there was a medical indication that required you to induce. As long as your BP is good and your baby is healthy and doing well, let your baby take its time - and remember, first pregnancies ON AVERAGE last 41 weeks 1 day. Can you take a blood pressure monitor home with you? Often your BP will rise in the doctor's office but be fine at home.

OBviously if there comes a point where the baby is better out than in, an induction beats a c-section any day. But I would definitely wait it out, especially if you would like a low/no intervention birth. With induction you will need to be continuously monitored, with an IV, and won't be able to walk/move around. You alreayd know that it increases risks of c-section, increases pain etc. One thing you can try if you DO need to induce, is use just a low dose of pitocin and use it just long enough to establish labor, then have them turn it off and let your body do the rest. Best of luck to you!

Sounds like you're getting very close, I would just relax and see what happens. If your baby and you are doing fine then why induce. Even though I'm such a hypocrite for saying that I've been given pitocin for 4 out of 5 babies. 2 were without any pain meds. The pain was bad, but it was over quickly. I know how you feel though, by the end of the 9 months you just want the baby in your arms!!

Congratulations!

She is almost here. Try to concentrate on that. I know it's hard to with so many unknowns with your first baby but no matter which direction things go you will be taking home a baby soon.

I would definitely listen to your Dr. about the blood pressure. I have a friend who was sent home to wait a couple more days her situation turned out badly, she had a stroke and has not fully recovered but the babies (twin girls) are fine. I debated about whether or not this was too much information to share with someone who was having their first baby but I decided I had to share what could happen from having high blood pressure. It's not something to dismiss. If you have trust in your Dr. then follow what they say.

Like I said before concentrate on the baby girl on her way. I have an 18 month old and already miss those sweet baby smells and sounds. Enjoy them, they are gone too quickly.

3 years ago I was heading toward preclampsia. My doctor did insist on inducing me and I have to say that the labor pains were intense but once I had the epidural the labor was very easy and quick. GO FOR IT!

Yes, one should always listen to the Dr. However, also listen to your body. Only you know what it is telling ya! I have had the preeclamsia and subsequent C-sections, that recovery time isn't a pic-nic? But I did have the placental abruption and blood loss. My babies were both a month early due to elevated BP issues. The latin term for "eclamsia" is LIGHTENING, because you never know when it will strike. That is why many a physician will ere on the side of caution. The alternative as I am sure the good doctor has informed you is stroke, heart attack. . need I say more. I wanted to be here to raise my babies.
Anyway, I had the cervadil and it takes a while for it to do it's therapeutic thing.
The pitocin does make your contractions much harder, but it does work?
My sister had better luck with her hubby inducing her?? Just a suggestion, free and fewer side effects . . ..you already have the side effect of that. LOL.

Congratulations on your baby girl! However she enters the world! She does make it a better place to be!

I had the same thing happen to me with my second child. With both kids my blood pressure started to raise and I had to stop working. With my 2nd they stripped my membranes at the office and sent me to the hospital. I was exactly 39 weeks. I was induced and had an easy labor and everything went well. No problems with me and no problems with my baby girl.
I have heard some bad stories about being induced, but I didn't want my blood pressure to cause any complications.

Good Luck :)

Two of my children were induced, and two were not. The difference was the difference between someone bumping into you with a shopping cart and running over you with a mac truck! That being said, if you need it take the stress off your body or for the baby's sake, get induced to help it along. Either way the pain does pass and life goes on :)

Hi there. I'm hoping you have already had a healthy birth by now! But just in case, I wanted to add a thought.

I certainly understand the desire to "let your body take over." But your body has already exhibited signs of early distress and early complications. This changes things for you.

If your pre-eclampsia progresses into eclampsia, you will, most likely, be put under general anesthesia and have an emergency c-section. Basically, you'll be unconscious and miss the whole thing. (I won't go into all the details of how completely different your recovery would be, aside from saying that you may spend an extra day or two in Labor & Delivery without your infant.)

Pre-eclampsia is a very serious condition. It doesn't sound like your OB is pushing very hard to "get you in and out, in order to turn over a bed" to me. Please do not disregard your OB's concerns about your health...you need to come out of labor as healthy as the baby.

Best wishes on a safe and healthy birth!!

I would consider the induction, but don't let them break your water when you first get there. Labor will be much more bearable if they give you the pitocin with your waters in tact. And, if it doesn't work, you can still stop the induction and go home and try again another day. Once your waters are broken, the clock is set for when you MUST deliver.

I had Gestional Diabetes and they induced on my due date, my son however was not ready. After 18 hrs of labor, we did a C-section.

I have heard others have much better luck. My girlfriend was induced because her water broke 8 hrs later a healty baby girl, no pain meds at all.

So far it sounds like your body is ready, so inducing should go better than my experience.

Good Luck!

Hi K.,
I loved being induced and would do it again.
For my first baby, the water broke, and I agreed to be induced with Pitocin. Very little pain but a real workout with pushing. All in all, quick and not bad
For my second baby, they induced because she was already 5 days late. Quick, with only 20 minutes of pain. 3 pushes and out.
For my third baby, they induced on the due date b/c my babies are good-size and they didn't want me to go overdue. 9 lb.s 4 oz. No pain at all, 2 pushes.
I had the epidural with all. So, for me anyway, induction was the way to go. That is just my experience but I figured it might be useful in that it at least wasn't a bad experience.

I was induced with twins at 35 weeks due to preclampsia and I would just listen to your dr you can have a stroke, do you wnat ot have this sweet little baby and be debilitated and not be able to talk to your child or worse? the induction did not hurt any more or less and I did not have a c section, it is better to be safe than sorry, I would try nipple stimulation to help things along and some women say walking putting on leg up o nthe curb and the other not, my other friend just bent over and her water broke and well they always say sex, goodle it and see what you are willing to try to get things strated more too, hope that helps and you have a safe and easy labor and delivery, happy holidays too!
J.

If you are lucky, you won't be reading this message until much later. Each time I had my membranes stripped, I went into labor within the following 48 hours. Granted, I was 10 days over due with my first, but my second was on the due date...

In the end you have to do what feels right to you and for your baby. I have 3 kids. I was induced with the first 2. With my first nothing was happening and nothing working so they induced. I ended up in labor for 36 hours. I was able to handle the contractions and labor pains for the first 28 hours with only lamaze, but after that I got an epidural mostly due to fatigue. It wasn't until partly through the second day that something started to happen, so I think baby will still try to decide if she's ready to come. With my second I was in labor for 11 hours. It was also a slow moving process. With my third I started going into mild labor about 9 or 10 in the morning, but was stll able to move around and eat etc. At about 7 pm. My contractions were sometimes 5 and sometimes 10 minutes apart and getting stronger. I called my doctor and went into the hospital and admitted at 8 pm. My son was born a little under 9 hours later. (i think it was only that long becuse I got an epidural which I think prolonged labor.) After all my rambling here are my thoughts summed up: The contractions were stronger and closer together quicker in the inductions. And be careful, because when I was induced they kept turning the pitocin down/off, so baby could be delived on doctor's schedual (ie: after all her patients of the day at the office) When I was not induced I did go into labor 1 day after my due date, but 3rd child. I spent most of the day trying to relax, but was able to move around my own home, sit on my own furniture, and most importantly EAT. It took all day for my contractions to get strong enough to do much. So the contractions built slowly in frequency and intensement. Good Luck. I hope you can decide what works best for you and your baby.

Hi K.~
I really think you would be completely fine being induced. I was induced with both of my children, and likely will with my current pregnancy as well. Although I can't personally compare it to going into labor naturally, I had no problems at all. My laboring went really well, and I was never even close to needing a c-section. I was only induced because I was fairly small & they were concerned that the babies would be too large for me. My first son I was induced at 38 weeks, and with my second daughter I was induced at 36.5 weeks. Like I said, it all went perfectly well, and it was kind of nice knowing when I'd have to baby to plan accordingly!!
Good luck with whatever route you choose!!!
Congrats on baby #1
J.

I'm 33 weeks pregnant right now, so I am not too far behind you.

If you were planning on having a natural birth I would be afraid of an induction too because pitocin makes those contractions 100 times worse. So if you are going to go natural try and see if your dr. will let you wait it out.

But if you planned on getting an epi anyway, then I'd probably just go for the induction next week.

Good Luck, hope you go into labor on your own so you don't have to worry about this. FX for you.

PS. try to get labor going on your own, go for a long walk at the mall, do squats with a fitness ball, have sex, etc.

Keep the ultimate goal in mind: a healthy baby and mama. If it means inducing, the benefits outweigh the risks. I will be inducing my fourth on Monday for a mulititude of reasons, actually I have required petocin (being induced) for all my births) and understand your fears, but you sound like a perfect candidate at this point, and by the way, mine have all gone perfectly! Good luck!

K.,
I have had 2 children both induced and for no better reason than I was "ready" to go at 38 and 39 weeks. I don't have anything to compare it to but labor hurts period. I strongly suggest an epidural I didn't do it the first time but I did with the second one 8 weeks ago and it was great! I would be more afraid of preeclampsia than induction! Good luck to you!

-Jill P.

I agree with the other posters - it sounds as though your progress so far will help the induction along - should you get to that point. With my son, at my last appointment before he was born, I was already a week overdue, 75% effaced, but not dialated at all. My dr. had said that by Monday (my appt. was a Thurs.) if the baby hadn't come we would talk about induction, but in his opinion he'd see me at the hospital over the weekend. He was right = no induction was necessary as I went into labor on my own on that Saturday......even so there were other problems with the progression of the labor and I ended up with a c-section.
The reason I mention this is, if you do end up with a cesarean (not saying anything in your post tells me you'd need one) don't feel like you failed in any way. I did this - I thought, "this isn't what I wanted, I didn't really give birth, etc., etc."
Good luck to you - hope all goes well

Hi K.. I know this is a bit of a scary time, when your first baby is about to arrive! In the end, you should follow your gut and do what you feel is best for your body and your baby, but I will share my experiences with you in hopes that it helps.

I have 2 children (ages 4 and 8 mos.) and was induced both times. The first time, induction was necessary because my water broke and you must deliver within 24 hours due to risk of infection. I was 3 cm dialated and not really having contractions, so I was started on pitocin as soon as I was admitted. The delivery was a breeze, no problems whatsoever. My 2nd child was induced due to her size. She was born at 39 weeks and already weighed 8 lbs 10 oz. Since babies can gain up to a lb a week in the last 4 weeks, there was concern she would be close to 10 lbs, increasing my risk for c-section. Also, I was suffering from PUPPPS, and my doctor didn't see any reason to prolong that agony. Again, the delivery went very smoothly, even more smoothly than the first. My baby was delivered after only 13 mins of pushing.

At 39 weeks, there is no need for the doc to prove that the baby's lungs are developed in order to induce. If your baby was under 39 weeks, an amnio would be necessary to show the lungs were developed and induction was safe, but you are past that point now. That should give you some level of comfort.

Hopefully, my stories have helped. I know you are concerned that inducing is risky, but almost everyone I know has had an induction with at least one of their children and had no complications. The risk of c-section is always there, regardless of induction. The longer your baby stays inside you, the higher your chances for c-section are as well because the baby is getting bigger and bigger. Either way, you should do what makes you most comfortable. Be an educated patient and take your doctor's advice into consideration. But in the end, it is your baby and your body. Do what is best for you.

Good luck and congrats on your pending arrival!

K., Congrats on the upcoming birth of your first baby. What an exciting time! I have experienced both induced labor and spontaneous labor, and the induced labor was definitely more painful. I was induced with my first baby because my water broke, but labor did not begin. I was given pitocin and had to wait until I was 4cm before I could receive the epidural. I was extremely uncomfortable. I felt like my uterus was being ripped out of my body. My second delivery went much better. The OB stripped my memebranes and I contracted that whole day, and was 3cm when I got to the hopsital. They gave me the epidural right away, and it was a very pleasant experience. I had the baby about 6 hours after I got there. With my third (just born in August) I had to have my membranes stripped twice. The second time worked and I went into labor that evening. The contractions were intense, but still not as intense as when I was induced with pitocin. When I got to the hopsital, I was 6cm, and the baby was born two hours later.

After being induced the first time, I never wanted that again, no matter how miserable I was. Stripping the membranes should work if you are 3 cm and 75% effaced. If it doesn't, ask the doctor to do it again and really get in there and do it. That's what I did when it didn't work the first time. As long as your blood pressure is ok, I say try to let it happen naturally.

Best of luck!

Suzanne

Hi K..
I think you need to do what you and your husband think is best. Either way, you will soon get to meet your little girl!

And KK, I think your comment was completely rude. Just because I chose to have a natural childbirth, does not mean that I am a "preacher". We all make our own decisions.

K.,
Well I had a friend who induced herself naturually. She did it thru nipple stimulation. I'm not sure if she used a breast pump or not. Talk to your doctor and see if they can give you some advice on this. I do know my friend did mention that this is something that you have to be very patient with but it worked for her. Good luck with your decision.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I am very happy for you. You will need to do what you think is right for you - but you made some comments/concerns that I had, and some that were not quite correct, so I thought I'd add my story if it could help you. Everyone is different, but I had 3 kids, all induced. The first one I was 42 weeks and nothing happening, so they did the cream at night, then pitocin, and an epidural -- it was TERRIBLE. A really bad experience turned worse (IMO) by an outcome of a "c" section. I listened to the Drs and I was not happy. With my second child I did NOT want this to happen. I watched his weight/size and had my membranes stripped at 37 weeks. I was walking around 6 CM's dialated and 50% effaced. No progress, so at 41.5 I weeks I had them break my water (no cream, no meds, no epidural, no pitocin, etc). I had a beautiful baby boy in 2.5 hours. With my 3rd child there were complications and I was 3 CMs dialated, fully effaced for a few weeks. Nothing. At 39 weeks they broke my water (again, no meds, no pitocin, no epidural, etc). It was a harder labor, but I had another V-back with a beautiful baby. Pitocin is linked to a higher risk of C sections - but you can get induced w/o just running a pitocin drip. While the pain was TERRIBLE, it was short lived and I enjoyed the birth and recovery MUCH more. Induction doesn't increase the risks of a C as much as the meds and other interventions. One med leads to another - beware and be simple! ;-)

Good Luck and know a healthy baby, any way she comes, is the end all goal!

Many blessings!

I was 3 days past my due date and dialated to a 3 when I was induced. I had no difficulty and my labor was not super intense. I asked for an epidural about 3 hours after starting pitocin and all was well after that :o) Good luck in whatever you decide. Little girls are soooo fun!

Hey! I just gave birth Dec 2 and had a really similar situation! 39 weeks, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia risk, first baby, non-stress tests showed no problems with baby/placenta/etc, mucous plug gone.

My OB stripped the membranes on a Friday visit and suggested we induce on Monday if nothing had happened already. When I checked in Monday night, I was dilated to 3.5cm and partially effaced, which made everyone think things might go quickly. They did not - my water broke early Tuesday morning, but it took a LONG time for things to start happening. I delivered early Wednesday morning (about 30hrs after initial water breaking). The baby's heartrate stayed stable throughout the entire time.

My doctors would not have started talking about c-section until closer to the 48hr mark after water breaking (probably varies depending on if you have a little leak or a big gush) - so I agree that's probably not that big a risk.

As for pain - I have nothing to compare it to. It was bad, and long, and frustrating that a lot of my laboring didn't feel "productive". But I think that's not uncommon for 1st-time deliveries. I waited a looong time to ask for pain meds because I wanted to minimize what went through my system (eventually did 2 rounds of fentanyl and then an epidural for the final 7 hours) and the physical pain was surprisingly exhausting. (I'm an athlete so I went into this with really high endurance.)

Summary: if I did it over again, I probably would've asked to wait until Weds to try inducing instead of being eager to start on Monday. BUT my blood pressure was really barely borderline-high - a couple readings in the 150s but mostly 130s. Had it been higher I wouldn't have hesitated.

K., I bet you're in labor as I type this :-)

For my first child, my water broke before I had any contractions, and I went into labor on my own later the next day. The labor wasn't too painful. For my second child, I was induced at 39 weeks because the doctor thought the baby might get too big. I didn't use pain meds for either delivery. (No, you don't win any awards for doing that.)

All I can say is that contractions using pitocin are significantly more painful than contractions when your labor progresses on its own. But if you are planning on getting an epidural, then it shouldn't make any difference. You should definitely consider induction if your blood pressure is getting worse. If it is holding steady, then just keep in good contact with your doctor and you can both come to a decision next week. Good luck! You'll be holding that precious little girl in your arms soon!

Definitally. I was induced at 37 weeks with my twins and my entire labor was 6 hours and had them both naturally (no c-section) and got my epidural with in 3 hours on the onset of labor. I was not induced with my second pregnancy bc i went into labor 9 days before due date and my entire labor was 6 hours as well. Both ways went great for me, but i liked being induced because i feel it went quicker off the start and i got my epidural a lot quicker bc i was in the hospital the entire time. Do what you want, but in my case, i did well with being induced. good luck.

Hey K.!

I was induce twice and it is nothing to worry about. With my second daughter, I was kind of in the same boat as you. I was already effaced and dilated, in fact, I was already having mild contractions. The petocin (drug used to induce) helped things along. Things went very smooth and baby was born with no problems. Don't worry. The doctors and nurses will be there for you! The pain I would guess is about the same no matter what, you are pushing out a babe! Good luck and God Bless you and your family!

My son is 10 now, but back when I was pregnant, they decided to induce me because he was a large baby and they were concerned about preeclampsia. I had NINE HOURS of Pitocin - and no labor! The nurses kept coming in and checking on me and saying "You're still here?!?" I watched 3 movies and my family went in and out... finally, the doctor told me it just didn't seem to be happening. They had never seen anything like it! I was starving and asked if I could go home and eat- I told him " Right now, I would rather have a sandwich than a baby!" We went home and my mom and I spent the next week walking up and down the neighborhood trying to induce labor. It was bitterly cold, and I went in every day so they could monitor the baby's vitals.

Finally I went into labor while eating a big breakfast of pancakes and bacon at a restaurant! My son weighed almost 10 pounds and had a very large head, but he came out when he was good and ready!

So try the induction if you want, but don't worry too much about it either way. Once labor starts you will be so wrapped up in it, you won't be thinking about woulda, shoulda, coulda. And try eating a big pancake breakfast- it worked for me! Good luck and congratulations on your little girl!

Hi K.,

I started having contractions at 39 1/2 weeks, but was not really dilated. I also had high BP and was very dehydrated. After some therapeutic rest in the hospital (morphine to help me rest through the contractions) I dilated to 4 cm and my water broke. Then things stalled out. They wanted to put me on pitocin, but because of the reasons you mentioned (painful labor, greater risk of c-section, etc.), I was hesitant. My doula said that since I was already 4 cm, I was probably going to have painful contractions to dilate the rest of the way, whether they were natural or pitocin-induced. So if you've already dilated a bit on your own it may not be so bad (I had already been in labor for a while when they gave me pitocin, but my daughter was born just over 3 hours after they started giving it to me). I hope that helps, at least somewhat.

Best of luck for a healthy labor and birth,
R.

Your body is meant to be able to give birth. I've seen parts of The Business of Being Born and my best friend has given birth at home 4 times! Doctors want to be home for dinner. Hospitals are a business. They want you in and out. All this pitocin and C-section business is just a way for them to "turn over" more beds. Let your body tell you what to do. Doctors have convinced so many of us that we're incapable of doing this without drugs and tons of intervention. Baloney! Get good nutrition so your body will be ready when the time comes. See, once you get in the hospital and go on pitocin, they don't let you eat. Of course, you're going to need more intervention that way.
That's my opinion. I'm no doctor. But my doctor specializes in home births and if you want to call him, you can at ###-###-####. I don't know what advice he can give you without seeing you, but his name is Dr Rosi (pronounced Rosey) and he's great.
Whichever way you deliver, your baby ends up in your arms, so you've got to do what seems best to you and don't freak out over anything (keep that BP under control by drinking plenty of water and deep breathing)
Congratulations on having your new little sweetie.