Being induced, whats it like??

[lanaktb]

I just found out i'm going to be induced on tuesday night. The doctor said i will have a catheter inserted into my cervix to drain( i think thats what he said, but after reading up on it i think he will be putting in a warm saline solution to reduce risk of cord compression ) the amniotic fluid and a tape of prostaglandin will also be placed. Once the fluid was pretty much drained and cervix dilated he was then going to ratpure my membranes then the rest is up to bubs and me to push i think. He said if it wasn't all going to plan i would then be off for a c-section.

Just wondering if anyone has been induced like this or similar and what it is like.

[Julie Doula]

Hi Lana,

Did he give any reason for this induction?

Is it what you want?

[corrblimeybabe]

Hi Lana,

Not really a helpful post from me, but I just wanted to say that I hope everything goes well for you and that I will be thinking of you and that I look forward to seeing the pictures of you and Leila when you have recovered and have time.

All the best for tuesday,
Clairexx (Bananas)

[lanaktb]

Yes the level of amniotic fluid is low, so he wants her out within the week does not want me going over.

[Ngala]

Hey

I was induced a few weeks back on the 23rd of July. First of all I want to ask, why would they be draining out the amniotic fluid??? I have never heard of that before....

Anyways, this was my experience... at 39wks I was told my cervix was not ready but I needed to be induced at 39w5d due to blood pressure probs. So I was told to go in to hospital on Sunday where I would have been 39w4d to get some gels inserted. The gels were to get my cervix ready. Anyway, we found out on Sunday night that I was already 3-4cm dialated (got there with no pain!!) so no gels were needed and I was sent home. Went back in the next day at 7am. At 8am they broke my waters and a drip was put in to pump my body full of the hormones to bring on the contractions. Contractions started about 1 hr after the drip was put it and turned up nice and high. Contractions were bearable at the begining but came on closer together and stronger. Because everything was happening so quickly I didnt like the feeling of it all so I had an epidural. About 3 anbd 1/2 hrs after first contractions started I started pushing and bub was out 40 mins later.

Here's my birth story....

The Birth of Avaleigh Jayde

I also created a thread about what happens in inductions.. Induction - what happens?

[paradise lost]

Hi lanaktb,

I think what your Ob is talking about is an induction of labour using a Foley's Catheter. This is a device usually used to drain the bladder which has a balloon on it, inflated once inside the bladder, to stop it slipping out.

In induction they use this to ripen the cervix. Some places use prostaglandin gels instead or as well (yours sounds like an "as well" place). Basically the prostaglandin gels are an artificial form of a hormone your body can make which ripens (softens and prepares) your cervix for labour. With the Foleys catheter they insert it through the cervix and inflate the balloon between the baby and your cervix. This increases the pressure on the back of your cervix, mimicking the action of the baby's head later in labour, which causes your body to make it's own prostaglandin-type hormones to ripen your cervix.

Once your cervix is softening, shortening and starting to open the catheter will fall out (or be removed) and your ob will rupture your membranes which will bring bubs head down against your cervix, making more pressure and hopefully kicking you into full-blown labour.

The use of the Foleys catheter is relatively new, and one of its benefits is that in VBAC women it carries lower risk of uterine rupture than prostaglandins do. If you're not VABCing i'm not sure why your ob is using this method - he might have found it has better success in inductions using both methods than just the gels as it engages the woman's body's natural hormones rather than relying on artificial ones.

Any induction carries risk, so it'd be wise (i'm sure you have) to talk about why bubs needs to come out with help and natural labour can't be alowed to kick in on its own. The placenta usually functions well until EDD + 14 and after that scans can be done to ensure your baby has plenty of fluid and nourishment coming to him/her. The less intervention, the less risk to you and baby IN GENERAL - obviously there are some rarer cases when induction is the safer option.

I KNEW it'd be useful eventually reading up on Foley cath. inductions LOL

HTH

Bec

[lanaktb]

Yes that must be the one he is using; i was trying so hard to pay attention but after he said i was being induced as bubs water levels were low i sort of went deaf...i was thinking everything at once and trying to listen...hard to do.

I think he just doesn't want to take any chances and he assured me she is ok, alittle small but within range - whatever their range is. She has been engaged for awhile now but she mustn't be as low as she can be maybe,,,not sure. I have had a cone biopsy on my cervix years ago maybe that has something to do with why he has choosen this method.

Thank you heaps for the advice...its made it more understandable for me... I'm so nervous as this is my first full term pregnancy.

[paradise lost]

Yeah i think you should get the news, then a break for an hour, and THEN have the procedure explained to you.

Even if bubs is engaged they don't come down hard on the cervix until later on in labour - the foleys balloon also acts in the same way a stretch and sweep does in separating the membranes from the back of the cervix which again helps stimulate hormones. It could be that the foleys cath will help "break down" any scar tissue that's there from surgery which is why he's using it. It does have good outcomes in the study i read. Of 52 (38 first timers like yourself) women 40 delivered vaginally (10 of those had forceps or vaccuum extraction), and of the 12 who didn't 4 failed to progress at all (the catheter plain didn't work), 2 had foetal distress, 5 had meconium staining and 1 had cord prolapse. There were no cases of infection and the mean labour time (mid point of all lengths of labour) from induction to delivery was 8 hours (so some were longer, some shorter).

With induction as with any sort of labour it's important to keep as active as possible, avoid staying on the bed and keep upright if you possibly can. All of these things will help things progress and help you to avoid needing forceps or ventouse help.

If you don't want to be induced you can ask for your levels to be checked again, sometimes they improve at the next scan.

Best of luck hun.

Bx

[BellyBelly]

There is an induction article on the main site moreso aimed at those wondering if they should be induced or not, but it's comprehensive and has all the different methods of induction and what it feels like, there is a very good analogy in there. HERE.

[lanaktb]

Thank you

[Julie Doula]

If you don't want to be induced you can ask for your levels to be checked again, sometimes they improve at the next scan.

Good point - one of the jobs of your placenta is to produce amniotic fluid. The supply is continually replenished. If you are healthy and your diet is good, and you're drinking plenty, this all helps your placenta function well and do it's thing of producing amniotic fluid. Natural fluctuations do occur, just as with all of nature.

Hope all goes well, Carmen.

[lanaktb]

Yeah he explained pretty much all the risks not too much on side effects. I myself am overweight although i have had a pretty good pregnancy all considering. Have only started to have trouble late in 3rd trimester ie swelling, carpal tunnel and my blood pressure has been between 140/80 - 120/75 all the way through pregnancy. I also have cysts so i think being that i will be full term wednesday (40wks) he doesn't want to risk anything.

I'm just nervous as its all new - the unknown is what makes my mind think over time. I'm happy to be induced as i would hate to think if i delay it and something was to happen i would never forgive myself. The speciallist i have has been really fantastic and has gotten us so far as we could of nearly lost her at the start with extremely low progestrone levels, so i feel bubs and i will be safe in his care.

Today i'm more excited than scared though, specially when i feel her moving about - makes me smile knowing i will see her by wednesday. My next biggest task is breastfeeding as i have pcos and have been told i may have some troubles - but we'll see

Thank you everyone for all the advice you have all help ease my mind.

[Liz]

Just wanted to pop in and wish you all the best for your induction, and to say that I had PCOS but didn't experience probs with breastfeeding. I've read that you could start expressing whilst still pg to give things a bit of a kickstart (and who knows.. the nipple stimulation might help you have a spontaneous labour rather than an induction!).

All the best!

[Erin_25]

Hey there, I was induced the day after bubs was due. I went into hosp @ 7pm to have the gel & then the doc said he would come back 8am next day to break my waters & hubby could go home. Though within an hour of having the gel I was in labour & as I've been told often happens with induction the contractions were very strong very quickly and extremely close together. They started a min apart!!!!
Anyway bubs was born @ 5.23am next day. It was all very intense & full on from the very start as is often the case with induction, but had no major complications.

[BellyBelly]

I have merged both posts together for you, it was too confusing! It's also called a balloon induction I think?

People will try and think of reasons you can't breastfeed all the time - Cailin has PCOS and has always had too much milk!

Pethidine in labour and delayed feeding (e.g. in c/s) are more likely to cause bf probs. Join the ABA you will get heaps of support and a great breastfeeding book free, with lots of lovely pictures too

[lanaktb]

haha thank you bellybelly - i didnt know if i posted in the right spot before.

I've read that you could start expressing whilst still pg to give things a bit of a kickstart
Yeah i read about that also and have been trying to express but without any luck. I've packed bottles and formula in my labour bag just incase, but i'm going to try breast first.

[becmc]

I have a friend who has pcos and was told she may have troubles bf, but she actually had soooo much milk!! I wouldn't give it another thought. You have enough on your mind already. Succesful bf is all about support and encouragement imo, so take it one step at a time!

[New Dawn]

I was induced with my first DS and they told me first they would put in the jell on sunday night then check on monday put in more jell monday afternoon and have drip on tuesday and have baby. But how it really happend is they put the jell in at 9.30 pm sunday night sent DH home at 11pm gave me a sleeping tablet at 1130pm as I was haveing some pains then new nurse came in at 12am found me still awake took me down to labor ward to have a bath I couldnt get into the bath so she check and I was 4cm dilated rang my DH he came in at 1am and I push DS into the world at 2.59 am so sometime all you need is a little jell and baby get the right idea. Good luck hope all goes well and let us know what you have