Induction vs Not Being Induced

I've had 4 kids all 1-2 weeks past their due date. All were vaginal deliveries with no pain meds and 2 were induced/2 were not. I think inducing can speed things along but I rated the pain as about the same each time. Good luck!!

I was induced with my first and not with my 2nd. My 2nd was a premie and as such was significantly easier on my (the difference between a 9# baby and a 6# baby). My recovery was easier as I did not feel like I was hit by a truck.

I was induced (barely) with my 3rd. They used the cervadil and that did the trick. They didn't have to do anything else.

Good Luck!

40 weeks is an estimate not an expiration date. There is absolutley no reason to induce just because you go past 40 weeks. And just because your doctor wants to induce does not mean you have to agree to it. You are the one in control, not the doctor. Even if they set an induction date for you, you don't have to show up at the hospital. They will not come to your house and drag you there. If you are induced also know that you have a much higher chance of ending up with a c-section and if that happens since they don't want to do an epidural on you, you will be put under general anesthesia and you will not be awake for the birth of your baby. Many of the clients I have if they were induced with their first baby they tend to go past their due date again. But everyone eventually goes into labor, no one has been pregnant forever. I think as a society we should throw out "due dates" all together. It is more of a due month. Some mom's carry their babies to 38 weeks and some carry to 42 weeks. This is all very normal. I am pregnant with #3 and I don't tell anyone what the due date calculator says. If someone asks when I am due, I tell them early Spring.

Your baby knows when it should be born, not some doctor. Let your baby pick its birth day.

Lisa
Midwife- Pregnant with #3

I was induced with my first - horrible & ended in c-section. Natural labor with next two - manageable. My nickname for pitocin is satan's serum. My advice is to wait for labor to begin on it's own. Best wishes for a wonderful labor & birth.
D.

Hi J.,

I was induced with my first baby. I was in terrible pain by the time I was 4 cm. and so had an epidural then. With my second baby (who came 4 weeks early) I had no idea that my labor had progressed so much because the pain was completely different. It was not nearly as bad! By the time I had what I thought was comparable to the pain I had at 4cm with my first one, we went to the hospital. By the time I got checked in, I was 10cm! Needless to say, I could not have an epidural by then! The last two hours were pretty painful but all in all it was much more bearable and for much longer when I wasn't induced.

Good luck!

E.
http://eliles-coloringoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/

Hi J.-

I was induced with all 3 of my children so I cannot speak to the difference between being induced or not being induced but I will tell you that even with being induced again, the subsequent deliveries were ALL much easier than the first! My first took forever, the epidural didn't work correctly, they had to use the vacuum at the end, it was awful!!! Of course my son was nearly 11 lbs so that had something to do with it :-)! Now with my daughter the second time around and my other son the third time it was perfect. Relaxed, easy labor, a couple of quick pushes and they were here. If given a choice I'd wait for it to happen on it's own, but if you are induced I would bet that this time around it will be much easier on you.

Good luck,
K.

I agree with all the posts so far too. I was induced with my first because they said she was small and concerned she wasn't ggrowing. The contractions were so painful and after she was born she was a perfect 6 pounds and the doctor said, oh I guess you were just going to deliver a small baby. I was so mad because there was absolutely no need for me to be induced! I think doctors are using this way too much to avoid lawsuits. My next baby I decided to have naturally and it was sooooo much better. The contractions were so managable until the last hour, but I stuck thru it and it was an amazing experience and the recovery was soooooo much faster and easier. I would definitely ask lots and lots of questions if your doctor brings it up--I firmly believe that a baby will come naturally and unless there is a significant medical problem--then get intervention. You can also ask for additional scans and a biophysical profile to make sure baby is okay--if he/she is then I think you can wait. I really hate the medical approach to delivering babies in the US. I had my second in Holland where they believe more in natural births and it was such a positive experience. It's great that we have all these interventions but they should not be used to speed things up or to accomodate people's schedule. You will be and the baby will be so much happy if things happen when they should happen!! Once you have a baby naturally you realize that the medical staff way over does everything!!! good luck to you!!!

I was induced with my first baby born Sept 2009. I went a week past the due date and the doctor sceduled me for an induction. It was the worst experience ever. I had to get an epidural because the pain was so intense. I didn't react well to the epidural and had really bad muscle spazms in my back.I was in labor for 17 hrs and would not dilate past 9 cm. I ended up having to have a c-section that I was not awake for. If i could do it all over again i would've chosen not to be induced.

As long as your health and the health of your baby is not in danger there isn't a need to induce. There is nothing wrong with going past 40 weeks again as long as you and your baby are both fine.
Ask a lot of questions. Doctors and nurses will try to scare you into being induced the more you know the better.

I was induced with my first...it was long 13 hours and painful, until I got drugs and was pretty loopy through most of it. Second baby was not induced...I was out for an evening with my girl friends was having mild contractions and ended up finishing dinner and going with them to browse at a bookstore until the contractions were 2-3 minutes apart for an hour...at which time we all though I should probably head to the hospital. My husband met us...start to finish 5 hours.

The contractions only got painful once I couldn't stand and sway through them...they wanted to monitor me for at least 30 minutes and put me in bed. Contractions flat on your back just plain hurt. Anyways, my girlfriends who were there the whole time except for the 3 pushes to get my daughter out (as compared to the 2.5 hours of pushing with my first). Said it didn't even seem like I had had a baby and made it seem like a piece of cake...compared to my first it WAS a piece of cake.

Oh, my second happened right on time at almost 39 weeks. It was like now that my body knew what to do...it just did it.

You will do great...the second is much easier by far!!

Was induced for the first and not for any of the others. One thing they didn't mention until right after I was delivering our first baby is that induction can effect the baby's body temperature right after birth (thanks for not mentioning that before when we were deciding on this elective procedure...UGH!) Although the induction seemed to follow a natural progression in labor another disadvantage was that I couldn't move around because of constant monitoring, and I didn't want to have epidural etc...when I was ready to ask, she was ready to be born. Later we figured she could have used another week or two in utero.

For second baby we were at home with a midwife. She was 9 days late so she came quickly, only about 3 hours and 15 min from the time I felt the first contraction to her birth. It was intense but not long.

Other children have come around the due date or again 9 days late. Most of the labors were longer than the aforementioned but much gentler.

I can certainly understand if you need to be induced a week or so after your due date, but hold out as long as you can. It was really a much better experience without it.

Tips for helping with labor etc. Start drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea right now! It helps with uterine toning. Easiest delivery I had was when I began drinking this weeks before delivery. Stay hydrated but not too...if you over hydrate you can diffuse the amount of natural hormones that help labor along...dehydration bad...again don't over do the water though. Stay warm, helps hormones :) Its good to relieve your fears about the whole process...fear interferes with your natural oxytocins being produced (and answers the question of why more babies aren't born in cars on the way to the hospital:) Move around and have a plan for how you want to do the birth. During the actual labor a hot tub or shower is wonderful for pain relief and relaxation.
Blessings to your whole family!

Induction doesn't work if your body isn't ready for it (the average gestational age of delivery is 41 weeks and a few days, you are not 'overdue' until you are 42 weeks.) You are also more likely to have a c-section, more likely to have a uterine rupture (especially with use of cervidil, which a couple of the ladies here had,) more likely to have fetal distress (merconium in the amniotic fluid and/or heart decels,) more likely to have placenta problems, and more likely to have hypotonia of the uterus which causes the uterus to not contract after birth and hemorrhages, which could lead to a hysterectomy or death.

The first time my sister was due, and her water broke with no contractions. she went in right after rupture of the membranes and within a couple of hours they started the pitocin. Her labor was horrible, and when she finally delivered she did hemorrhage and almost needed a blood transfusion (which has it's own risks unless you use your own blood which is safer.)

The second time she was due again and it was Easter Sunday and her OB had a flight to catch. My sister was doing well, but they gave her pitocin and broke her water. The baby was born in 4 hours (From the beginning of labor till the actual delivery.) Again, the labor was pretty hard from the pitocin and premature rupture of the membranes.

The third time she refused pitocin and stayed at home until she really felt like she needed help. The nurse in triage said she was a 6 when she got there and she was ready to push by the time the dr checked her.

You are 37 weeks, you aren't even due yet. 30% effaced is wonderful, many women don't dilate at all until 100%effaced. Do lots of squats and walk. There are other typical things you can try (like primrose oil and 5W and castor oil...and lets not forget sex!) Medicallized induction, without another reason such as pre-e, shouldn't even be considered until 41.5 weeks or maybe 42 weeks.

Hi J., my first pregnancy was induced. I ended up having a c/section. I personally don't think is a good idea. The drugs that they use to induce usually causes tachycardia on the fetus. I remember being very afraid because my babies' heart rate was very irregular. The heart rate will go up very high then it would drop drastically. I personally don't recommend it. Talk to your Obstetrician and see what they recommend.

Best of luck,
Elisa M

I was induced with my first four days before my due date and while it was definitely painful, my body was ready for it and there were no problems with either me or my son. With my second, I had scheduled an induction four days before my due date but I went into labor on my own about six hours before we were to show up at the hospital. My daughter was a much faster delivery with a lot less labor time, but I feel like that was due to the fact that she was my second, not that I wasn't induced. I think that as long as your body is making progress on its own before you go to be induced, then you probably won't have a terrible time. However, if you are not at all dilated or effaced, the induction stands a good chance of not working or creating a much more difficult and painful delivery. Best of luck!

I was induced with my first and scheduled for an induction with my second. I developed pregnancy induced hypertension with both pregnancies. Once I made it to 37 weeks with my first pregnancy(considered full term) I was induced. The labor was long and painful. I never fully dilated and ended up having a c-section. With the second one they scheduled me for an induction right after I reached 37 weeks, but my daughter decided she was ready to come a couple of days earlier. My water broke on its own. The labor was long and painful. I ended up with a c-section. Both my daughters are happy and healthy. I don't believe my c-sections were related to induction or no induction. The second labor was almost as long as the first labor, but I knew what to expect and it wasn't as bad. If there is no medical reason for an induction I would just wait until the baby is ready to come out.

I was induced with my second child, but not with my first. My experience was that the petosin contractions were much more intense than natural ones. Your natural contractions will ease in to it, but petosin just comes on hard and are much more difficult to deal with. Your next labor should naturally go faster. One average they cut the time by half. If you had an 18 hour labor the first time, for example then the next should be closer to around 9.(just on average, not exact, you understand) I hope this helps. Good luck.
K.

I had natural child births (ie. epidural-free) with each of my two kids. With my first, my water broke and after about 26 hours of labor, they started me on a pitocin drip. I was on the pitocin for about four hours. So I know how tough a pitocin assisted labor can be. Yeah, I was able to do and I never even thought about asking for an epidural, but it was pretty intense.
With my second, my water didn't break and I had no pitocin and it just a much easier labor (even though my second was three pounds bigger than my first!). So the second birth is way easier and faster and a non-pitocin birth is way easier too!
I think, when the time comes, you'll just be amazed at how easy the second one is. You and your body will just remember what to do.
Also, have you considered having acupuncture to induce labor? With the second, I was a few days late. We did the acupuncture thing and I went into labor within 24 hours.
The woman I used here in Austin is Melissa Light. Here's her email: ____@____.com
I can't say enough good things about the experience. I knew my doctor was going to talk about inducing and since I'd have pitocin before I *really* wanted to avoid that.
If I were you, I'd mention it at the next doctor visit. Most acupuncturists won't do it until you've reached your due date. But you can schedule it ahead of time. <g>
And remember, if they want to induce, you can always just say no. Hard to do, I know, but it's your right.
Also, be sure to talk to your doctor about your Bishop's score. Here's a link with more info about what that is:
http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/reasons-to-induce-lab...

Good luck!

Hello J.,

My vote is to not be induced, if possible. The ultimate goal is you and your babies health. My first child was a "major" induction. (18 weeks gestation) He had a fatal birth defect and did not survive. (12.5hr delivery) My second child, labor started by nature and then they gave me pitosin to speed things along. The pitosin(sp.) was horrible. Yep, labor is painful and I'm a wimp with pain. My second labor was 11.5hrs. If you research some positions you can labor "in" that may help you. I have since read that laying in bed to labor is not the best position. My second child is a healthy 7 year old little girl. I wish you and your little guy the best delivery possible. Remember, the pain is temporary and so worth it.
Take care,
Danabeth

First of all, Congrats!!!! I've had 3 pregnancies and 2 of them were induced. My first pregnancy since it was my first and I was 19, my doctor didn't want the baby to grow big that would end up hurting me through the labor. I agreed to it and I was in labor for 34 hours. The nurses inserted those little pills for a whole 24 hours, and nothing. The following hours the pain increased and the doctor decided to pop my bag and then it went fast. My second pregnancy the same inserted the little pills (only 3)and slowly after my bag popped (on its own) I dialated and then POP baby comes out. With this last pregnancy I wasn't induced or anything, my baby was already head down ready to come out. I don't know I felt as if though not being induced was much easier for me. But due note that the fluid in the bag where the baby was was low, which was the reason that the doctor didn't want to prolong the pregnancy. I delivered my last baby at 38 weeks, and my other two were at 40 weeks. Its like one of the other comments said, its up to you to be induced unless there is something wrong with your baby then don't even hesitate to go against your doctors orders but just wait it out. Walk more is what kinda helped me out. Prepare yourself mentally, I think that's why my baby came naturally with out inducing.

My first baby, I went into labor at 43 weeks. My doctor was about to drag me in to be induced. The labor and delivery were wonderful (no paid meds at all). It was fast, and virtually pain free. With my second baby, my doctor said that I needed to be induced. I was past 42 weeks, and he told me it was time. Again, I decided to go the no meds route. This labor and delivery took much longer, and it was more painful. The pain was manageable, but it was much harder on me. I would wait as long as your doctor will let you!!!

Hi J.,
I can see lots of moms have already responded to you but I was gonna share my experience. I have 3 children, the first two were delivered with inducement because I didnt think I could do it without it. On my second child the inducement went extremely bad for me and the baby as my spinal sack was popped during the process so I was literally in pain the whole time after I had my daughter for 2 weeks. Everyone has horror stories about inducement, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. My 3rd child however I was not able to be induced and I opted for no inducement as well. It was a good choice because I didnt feel horrible after having her, I wasn't blown up like a blowfish, I wasn't groggy and everything went as planned with no complications. To be honest I did really feel a thing when it came time to deliver my last child because the pain is the last thing on your mind. All you can think about is just pushing and getting that bundle of joy free. The contractions before hand were a little gruesome but it wasnt horrible. My 3rd's delivery was much faster than my first 2. My first delivery was 27 hours, my second delivery was 3 days (she was stubborn) & lastly my thrid delivery was 2-1/2 hours. Drastic....I know....lol. I do have to say that although it seems scary I really wish I hadnnt been induced with my first 2 children. I believe it is an experience and that maybe you should consider doing without the inducement, its better for you and the baby without it. Hope this helps any at all for you and congratulations on baby #2.

I was induced the first time and not the 2nd. Both were a vaginal birth with no medication whatsoever. My 2nd showed up at 39 weeks (exactly as my 1st one to the day) and came in about 6 hours from the time my water broke on its own. I was doing sudoku in the bathroom thinking I just had to have a bowel movement. ha ha. The sudoku worked for a while. By the time I got to the hospital I was 8 cm dialated and 100% effaced. It's all in the breathing. In and out slowly and imagine that baby coming out. Imagine letting go-since the whole 9 months we are trying to keep them in and safe now you have to imagine letting him go and see him coming out. Have someone there to help keep you breathing and telling you how good a job you are doing and how things are progressing. It got a little crazy for me at the end because he was coming so fast and I had to yell at the room (nurse, midwife and husband) for someone to bring me back and help me breathe and to focus on them. They did and out he came. Healthy as can be the way it was intended to be. You are a strong woman and can have your baby vaginally without medication. Your body knows what it is doing and so does the baby inside you. Breathe and having someone tell you it's going okay and controlling the room is what helps. Lower the lights, get music (even though I hated the music and had to turn it off with the first one-didn't even have time to think about that the 2nd time), get everyone out of the room, don't let them check you a million times, get up when you want to and move around, get off your back as much as possible, try and get in positions that feel right to you, which may be getting on your knees (on the bed) or squatting a little. Try and feel what is happening and know you are going to be okay. The pain will only last so long and you will be okay at the end, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and your sweet baby will be there too! To get things going get out and walk some. I hope I haven't rambled too much!!