It's just bizarre (or maybe not)...

[BellyBelly]

... that we're so quick to be told about the rupture risk for a VBAC, but it's never mentioned about induction (similar risk). Yet if you were to read the drug information on induction drugs, it's clearly there. Wonder if it's easier/better for them if we have more inductions and less VBACs... hmmm...

[SamiH]

Kelly, I just asked a midwife at clinic this exact question last week - I have had synto drip twice (let's not go into reasons here), but I was told it wasn't a risk at all. I will be trying to avoid it again as much as I can for my own reasons, but am concerned that the information is contrary to advice being given out!!!

I know it depends on type of drug used to induce, but I have been reassured that synto was safe???

[BellyBelly]

Ask to see the drug information on Syntocinon, or you could google it from the drug company and find this!

This is taken from the packaging of Syntocinon which has been recently updated:

“ADVERSE REACTIONS

The following adverse reactions have been reported in the mother: Anaphylactic reaction, Postpartum hemorrhage, Cardiac arrhythmia, Fatal afibrinogenemia, Nausea, Vomiting, Premature ventricular contractions, and Pelvic hematoma.

Excessive dosage or hypersensitivity to the drug may result in uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction, or rupture of the uterus.

The possibility of increased blood loss and afibrinogenemia should be kept in mind when administering the drug.

Severe water intoxication with convulsions and coma has occurred, associated with a slow oxytocin infusion over a 24-hour period. Maternal death due to oxytocin-induced water intoxication has been reported.

The following adverse reactions have been reported in the fetus or infant:

Due to induced uterine motility: Bradycardia, Premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias, Permanent CNS or brain damage, and Fetal death.

Due to use of oxytocin in the mother: Low Apgar scores at 5 minutes. Neonatal jaundice, and Neonatal retinal hemorrhage.”

I bet they would say, 'Oh but its such a low risk!'

Why can't they say the same for VBAC which is 0.7%? Thats a low risk to me? My last client was hyperstimulated on gels and ended up @ a c/s. Our bodies don't cope with strong labour at 1-2cms, its not meant to be like that. So she had an epi, baby stressed out then a c/s.

[BellyBelly]

Sam, have you thought about getting a Doula? There are some great ones in Canberra. Less chance of an induction then.

[SamiH]

Well I am determined so I hope mind over matter and all that. My waters broke last time and I hadn't started contracting 26 hours later - hence the drip.

I am getting my acupuncturist to make some raspberry leaf tincture for me, and going to do whatever I can in prep

Fingers crossed for me then!

Thanks for posting that info.

[BellyBelly]

Besides a doula, what would really help is reading some great books - with information comes power. I would recommend 'The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth' for starters. She is a researcher, it states all the facts and references and covers all the things you are likely to come up against. A doula will help you also, as well as private birth information sessions, perhaps reading New Active Birth too. Great book that, a must for any pregnant woman.

[christy]

Kelly I took studies into hospital with me saying the risks and showed my midwives, OB's & everyone while I was there that it was the same or less for a VBAC.... they all agreed until they wanted to induce me

[kirsty_lee]

OH MY GOD!!!! i was not told any thing about it being a risk whatsoever!!!! what's more alarming is the cardia arrythmia, i have a heart mumur already which they knew wtf!!!! im so annoyed

[BellyBelly]

I know someone who never had a cardia arrythmia until she had an induced labour, she thinks it was from the induction drug which is apparently possible?

[kirsty_lee]

I must say kelly, thank you for bringing this to my attention. Im HIGHLY disapointed that no one explained this to me before it was done. I was constantly told (cause i was scared of the IV) that it was nothing to worry about it was only a hormone and i wouldnt even feel it etc. Im disapointed in the midwifes im disapointed in the doctors and i feel cheated that i did not recieve this important information.

[Arimeh]

Kelly - thank you for posting this. Since I found out about the risk of rupture for inductions, it has made me soooooo cranky whenever I run into walls for my VBAC. They aren't telling women these facts, and there are women who are lining up to get their induction because they are over being pregnant!! Perhaps if "they" shed a little bit more light on the risks, then more women would be happy to let their bodies do the talking for them, instead of the OB's.....

[Matryoshka]

I agree, it seems so unnecessary to me to have a date set in stone but i can see how its easier for the mother and more convenient for the ob. However despite the risks, ironically everyone i know who had inductions has had fantastic enjoyable births, so whether thats a fluke or not, i don't know.... Obviously the risks should be more publicised, like with anything, but women are always going to want to have the choice and probably make it either way. I'm sure the ob's would down play those risks because their mindset seems to be that natural birth is fairly dangerous or cough-inconvenient-cough.

[kirsty_lee]

MummaB ... I WISH my birth was fantastic after being induced, it was a nightmare! i still feel sick when i think about it! i honestly dont know why women "choose" to go through this

[BellyBelly]

Did they like it because they got epidurals? Because after my first birth with the drip, then resulting epi, I felt great that I could 'enjoy' my labour after the horrific drip which I didn't realise was worse than normal labour - I just thought, oh this is what labour is, the drip has nothing to do with the fact I am levitating in pain, its just how it is - that was until I had a fluke natural birth and I realised I had it all wrong!!! What I was missing out on, oh boy...

[Matryoshka]

Nope - 3 all drug free and under 5 hours!

It doesn't make me want one though, as annoying as the waiting game is, it just feels un-natural to not have labour being baby lead. I guess i am lucky that i medically have not needed one.

[BellyBelly]

First time mums? It's really rare though - of all my clients since 2005, not many have short labours, induced or not. The shortest two were natural births, one babe born before I got to hospital and one babe being pushed out when I got to hospital!

[kirsty_lee]

thats what I dont understand kell.. I was induced because of meconium which was apparently spose to speed up birth. I had my iv in at 10pm and by 7 in the morning after 60mg of the hormone i was still only 2 cm dialated and nothing was happening besides ava-jayde becoming distressed. wtf was the point at all? i just feel cheated and annoyed

[Matryoshka]

First time mums? It's really rare though - of all my clients since 2005, not many have short labours, induced or not. The shortest two were natural births, one babe born before I got to hospital and one babe being pushed out when I got to hospital!

Yep! shocked me too, considering i'd been talking down inductions previously. I half wondered why i struggled through my own long yet spontaneous labour when i could possibly have had that experience... but as i said already it may be the right choice for some but not for me, the day/time, is not something i feel i should or want to control.