Induced Labor

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!!!

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!

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.

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.

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!!

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!

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.

Just curious as to how things went

My first was an induction and my second was not. I LOVED the induction because I knew when everything was going to happen. It made my contractions come faster, but I had an epidural and didn't feel a thing. Both of my labor and deliveries were very quick and easy. The only thing different was my water broke with my 2nd on my own and I didn't even know. It wasn't a big gush like you see in the movies.
I'm glad I got to experience both ways expecially since I was so nervous with my 2nd because I didn't think I would know when I was in labor, and I kind of didn't!

Hi. I have two daughters and both deliveries were induced. I don't think it was any more or less painful than non-induced deliveries. I had an epidural for both deliveries; however, it didn't work for my second. When I went in for the induction, they hooked me up to petosin..not sure it's spelled correctly. This is what helps your dialation. I had successful inductions, but if your baby is not ready to leave the womb, she may not and you may be sent home. Thankfully, that did not happen to me. Since this is your second, your body is more prepared, meaning it's already been through the process. Everyone always told me the labor and delivery was shorter after your first. My first daughter was born 10 hours into it, my second was born 8. I liked being able to plan it with my OB, and know she was going to be there and not on vacation. Just talk about your concerns with your OB. Good luck!

it will probably be easier for u since u have already experienced childbirth. i had no idea what to expect, and i went from zero pain to OMG very quickly. i thought it sucked!also, since i didn't go through the normal progression, they had to use the "crochet needle" to break my water, which intensified the labor pains ten fold! and, i still went through 36 hours of labor, only to have an emergency c~section. i hope that your experience is better. good luck and bright blessings!

With my first I dilated to 5 cm and then stopped. The next morning they induced to get it started again. First they broke my water to get it going, and then they hooked me up to an i.v. with pitocin. I personally don't like it because you have to be confined to your bed. Laboring is easier when you can move around.

Best Wishes,
R.

My cousin tried to induce #2 (of 3) and it didn't work! She said it was FAR worse than #'s 1 and 3 when her body eased itself in to labor. Induction just hits you, contraction after contraction with little down time. She was hooked up to the pit for most of the day and her body didn't take over, nor did labor progress. She had to fight to go home and not get a c-section. As long as they don't break your water, there's no reason you have to continue with an induction if nothing is happening. The will turn off the pit and keep you for a while to make sure you don't go in to full-on labor and then let you go to see if something happens at home.
She went home and sent to bed that night and went in to labor on her own the next morning.
I don't know what your situation is, but except for a couple medical conditions and late-term (MORE than 14 days, not 7 or 10 like some OBs claim) the FDA and the WHO don't approve of induction. There is a fine string of events between your hormones and the baby's that come together to go through laobr and birth and when you introduce medicine in to the mix, you can start down a very slippery slope of intervention.
I have a few books with good info if you are interested. Feel free to PM me.
Good Luck!

There is no full-proof answer to this one. Many people have induced labors with bad experiences and many have wonderful experiences. Don't listen to the ones that are horrible and stressful. It is pointless. Just will stress you and baby. I had an induced labor 6 weeks ago, pain free, pitocin, and no epidural, water labor. It went AWESOME. Seriously. I would do it again exactly the same way if I had to - beginning to end the labor was 1 1/2 hours and lots and lots of pressure but it was totally doable. Good luck - it'll go great!

At a week and a half after my due date my OB and i decided to induce. I was also strep b positive so i was at the hospital by 7am and i had 4 hours of intravenous antibiotics. They were able to give me the pitocin through the iv. The contractions start out mild and build. I had Addison in 6 hours, completely natural birth.

I was induced with both of my children. My first I was in full labor from the start and her heart break would drop with every contraction. So they induced.Horrible labor!!! My second daughter I was induced because she was past due and her size. The labor came on fast but was nothing compared to the first. It would have been nice to have somne time between contractions to breath, but over all it went fine. Oh by the way she was 10lbs at birth. I am glad they induced and did not wait any longer. If I had waited there would have been a good chance I would have needed a c-section. Her head was so large they measure it 3 times to make sure there was no mistake! Remember everyone and every labor is different.

Cheryl

I was induced w/ my daughter and it went very well. My doctor broke my water in the morning and not much was happening. At about 1pm he started me on pitocin and it just flew from there. It took about 2 hrs to go from 3 to 9 cm. I pushed for 45 min and out she came. The only thing that was hard was the contractions were coming so fast I was having trouble keeping on top of them w/o rest. I would totally be induced again if need be though.

YES! Being induced is much more painful than natural labor. In natural labor your contractions work together moving from top to bottom of your abdomen, while induction causes the contractions to be chaotic and out of order, pushing the baby in different directions, rather than in one direction. Most women I know who had to or chose to induce also had to get the epidural as well, as the pain is significantly much higher than natural birth.
If you really want to make a good informed decision about it, I would strongly recommend reading, "The thinking womens guide to a better birth" by: Henci Goer. (pages 49-74) This book address everything about labor from c-sections to home births. It is non-byes, and just lays out the pros and cons to the plethora of decisions one makes when delivering.

I have only had one child and did have the pitocin or whatever its called cuz my water broke and i wasn't moving along. I had Back labor and it was really painful. However, that doesn't mean it was caused by that.
Everything i've read says it makes your contractions stronger/harder/more painful... obviously when you think about it... its speeding up the entire process of getting the little guy out! I wouldn't obsess over it though.... i also got the epidural and was very happy w/less than an hr of pushing... over a 9 lb baby!!!

I would personally avoid an induction unless it were medically necessary (for example, in the case of IUGR or preeclampsia, or if your baby is 42 weeks and shows no signs of coming). As other posters have mentioned, inductions are not fun. It's much better for you and for your baby if things happen naturally. Not to mention, if you induce simply because it's convenient (which, IMHO, is a terrible reason to induce) your baby may not be done "cooking" yet. Babies born before they're ready have a higher incidence of lung development problems.

Also, induction will increase your risk of other interventions (it's the whole "cascade of interventions" - induction is so painful you get the epidural. Things are going slow so they rupture your membranes. Then it takes too long and your baby goes into distress because the contractions are much stronger with the pitocin than they naturally would be. Then you have a c-section and wonder what went wrong.)

So I say avoid it unless medically necessary.

I was induced with my oldest....It wasn't to bad till the harder of the contractions hit...She was due April 17 they induced me May 1st...They ended up doing an emergancy c-section on me though because her heart rate dropped and I turned purple...I'm not sure if it was from being induced or what....I would just recomed that you be really careful...

Do not induce for no good reason! This is the new trend with OB's and most of the time it is to fit into their schedule! Is there a medical reason, a health or safety issue? If not, I wouldn't do it.

50% of people who are induced end up having a C-Section. If your first baby was fast and easy then just let your body do what it does on its own. If you try to make things happen that aren't ready, you may find yourself with a C-Section. Which, if it is to save your life or your babies life, it would be totally worth it --- but that is not usually the case.

Do your own research. Don't take what I say as truth. But, if you want to have a birth experience similar to the one you had before, you are have to be your own advocate.

My experience with induced labor was not so great. I was induced 3 days before my due date for no real reason. Knowing now what I didn't then (it was my first baby) I wouldn't have agreed to it. I was induced at 7 am and went thru 19 1/2 hours of terrible labor. In my case, however, the epidural didn't work. I'm sure that had something to do with the pain. My Mom, Dad, and husband all felt that being induced was the wrong option. The delivery was so bad that I ended up having a recto-vaginal fistula for which I had to have surgery for 6 weeks after delivery. 55 stitches later, I was no longer able to give birth naturally and my second (and last) baby had to be done cesarean. Again, I don't know how much of being induced applied to all these factors, but in my experience, it just wasn't right for me. Hope this helps you in some way and whatever the outcome, good luck to you and congratulations.
J. H.

So long as you and your baby are healthy I would wait.
I had to be induced, and everything ended up fine, but it was insane!
It was too fast and intense and there was no break between my contractions and it was blindingly painful!
I am happy that my daughter and I are completely fine, but given the option I would have waited.
If it is for a valid medical reason, you should follow your doctor's advice...but if waiting is an option I would wait.

I was induced with all three of my kids and I would love to have tried it without just once. Its just a more intense labor because the contractions arent gradual they are just THERE and pretty intense. Depending on your doctor they may not break your water or give you an epideral before they give you pitocin. My last one gave me the epidural too late so I felt every contraction and push for that matter. But overall the induced labor is good for moms who need to have their babies at a specific time do to medical issues. I had it with my first one 4 weeks ealry because of toxima and my second due to another situation and my third because he was 10 days late.
Bottom line it can be more painful because its not gradual, its like they give you the meds and then theres a contraction. Good luck though!!

My doctor let me schedule inductions with my 2nd and 3rd babies so I could have babysitters lined up for my older children when it was time to deliver. I was also able to do this due to very normal and healthy pregnancies. I love scheduling inductions! It's so nice to prepare my older children, have the house cleaned, laundry done, and the fridge full, so when I get home with a newborn everything is peaceful and organized.
No, inductions are not painful. With mine, I went to the hospital at 6:30a.m. They put me on the monitors, put me on pitocin, and broke my water. After a few contractions I would get the epidural and rest until it was time to push. I had both of my babies by the afternoon. Of course this is probably not the same for everyone, but it works great for me! Best of luck to you and congratulations!

Hello.
I am a mom of two kids. My girl is 3years old and I have a 5 weeks old boy. Both my kids was induced. My first was easy and my last was harder on every level. I went to the hospital early morning, got my IV with that stuff that induces labor.
Then you just have to wait. They broke my water and then everything started. I wanted the epidural after two hours of labor, but it didn't take. I was done at 4:42pm the second time and 2;04am the next day on my first time.
Don't worry about it and good luck.

E.,
I agree with most of the other moms. Don't do it unless its absolutely necessary. I realize that every person is different, but the thing that sticks out in my mind is that when your body is given pitocin, it stops your body's natural production of oxytocin (the hormone released to help deal with pain). So, any pain that you feel will be intensified.

If you had a relatively easy time the first time, there is a good chance that it will go that way again. A lot of drs want to induce because of the convenience factor. Remember, they work for you, not the other way around. Stand your ground, ask questions and demand answers.

Good Luck!
B.

Do your homework. If there is no emergency reason, then why induce? YOur baby will tell you when he/she is ready to be born. YOu increase the risk of a c-section with induction and your baby may not be ready to come out into the world yet. Not until 42 weeks is it necessary to be induced or for some other medical reason. Although, lately doctors are giving some pretty lame reasons for inducing. It's for their convenience, period. Do what you want, don't be conned into anything you are not 100% comfortable with. If your first delivery was easy, then your second will probably be too, why risk something happening to your baby?

I was induced with my fourth child, and it flew by FAST! hey induced me because i was dilated at 3 cm for 2 weeks, with no progression, but still having real labor pains. At any rate, they started the IV for the induction at 8 am, gave me the Pitocin drip around 8:30 am, anesthesiologist gave me my epidural at 9:00 am, and my daughter was born at 9:14 am!!! If i would have known how fast it was going go for me, i would'nt have bothered at all with the epidural! My 3rd child came fast too, but he was all natural...because by the time we reached the hospital, i was 8cm dilated, and too far along for an epidural!

I know each person is different, but mine went lighting fast. So much so, even my OB doc was surprised! He thought i'd go 3-4 hours in labor before delivering based upon the delivery time of my last pregnancy, but turns out, it was only an hour or less! It didn't hurt me to be induced any more so than natural labor. And i didn't notice any adverse side effects form it afterwards. But i was numb from the chest down for about an hour from the epidural! Made it difficult to hold on to my new baby. That was an annoyance. Then my legs itched as the epidural wore off, so they gave me benadryl. If you, or rather, your Doc thinks you may have a fast delivery with induction, i say try to avoid an epidural. The after-a-effects are bothersome. Good luck to you! My little sweetie is now 6 months old!

I was given protuston (spelling) to help my labor. I was in labor the day I went to the doctor. It did not progress fast enough for them so the ruptured the embronic sack. I would discribe it as very unpleasant. It took more then one try to break it. There is a lot of pressure during it. The flow of the fluid is not pleasant if you gross out easily. I cannot discribe the birth as more painful or anything like that. I do not take pain killer because I have a high pain threshold. I was annoyed by the constant "Do you want something for the pain?". I had already told them no before the labor and delivery because of health issues. I was to busy working to think I was in pain. It took about 12 hours. We were both fine. I wish it had been different. Both my deliveries sucked. The only good part is the doctor told her two interns that they would never have as good a patient as I was. They were told to watch my breathing and technique. I was working with my labor not fighting it. I was not scared just doing my job. Labor is work so what else are we suppose to do?

I would try to go without induction unless it is absolutely necessary (ie your doctor is not willing to let you go any longer). My first labor was induced, it was that or wait to go natural and probably not get the strep B antibiotics in time (which I tested positive for) because I was so far progressed already due to pre term contractions. With me I wanted to try the natural approach first so she broke my water first. Since I was progressed pretty far I was hoping that would be enough. After this my midwife had to leave for a bit and instructed the nurse to start pitocin if nothing had happened in a half hour. She only waited about 20 min and then started it....I had just a tiny tiny bit and my contractions were fast and hard and right on top of each other...no breaks. Now, my labor was only 3 hours, which is good in a way, but it was very hard and intense and I had a major tear because my body didn't really have time to stretch out properly. I think no matter what you do, anytime pitocin is involved it's going to make your labor harder and faster.

I would reccommend no, as for me at least, it was MUCH harder. Wiht my first, I was scheduled to be induced, but when I went to check in, I was already in labor Her was born 6 hours later, after only pushing 10 minutes. My younger 2 were both induced, due to medical necessity, and it was HORRIBLE. I couldn't get out of bed, I was in horrible pain both times. My youngest is 21 months old, and I still have some residual pain. I know it is different for everybody, but most women I know have not had great induction exeriences. If I could have waited for the babies to come on their own, I would have.

I've not had to go through this but I do know of something you can do to speed up your dialation once your labor is going. All you need is a rubber glove and some KY type of lubricant. Once your labor is going put on the glove and put some lubricant on your finger. (this sounds gross but it works and you are gonna want to do this yourself!) Massage the inside of your anus in a circular motion for about 5 minutes. This will help speed up dialation and you will have that baby in no time! I wish you luck!

I was induced with both of my sons. The first because I had getstational diabetes and we were worried about the size. The second was convenience. My husband was switching jobs and we needed to have the baby with the insurance before he switched. I was very clear with my doctor that I didn't want a c-section. I asked him if he felt I was dilated enough when I went in to hopefully avoid it. I was 3 cm with the first one and almost 5cm with the second one when I went to the hospital. My guess would be that if you are a working mom of a 2 year old, you are busy and may be dilating by the day. I had an epidural with both and the 2nd one was barely in time. I know they say sometimes that the epidural can slow things down so I did try to hold out as long as I could before getting one. I had no complaints and both births went very well. Everyone is different and you need to do what is right for you. Best of Luck!