Getting Induced?

[Bathsheba]

I'm really relieved to read that you are going to give an unecessary induction a miss! I have had 2 plus 1 that started naturally but had to be "sped up" because I wasn't labouring as fast as they wanted me to Induced labours are incredibly risky and I know the pain factor is secondary but once you are hooked up to the awful drip (which is part of the course with an induced labour... ouch I HATE that needle that has to stay in your arm preventing you from getting comfortable) i too started to get pannicky... far more so than when I was left alone to labour without all the interventions. I figure that labour is going to painful rgardless... it's meant to be... but I would MUCH rather labour without people hovering all over me distracting me from getting into a good mental place. I think that is one thing hopspital staff seem to forget: a successful labour is a mental process too. Getting myself into the right frame of mind was the best form of pain relief and you can't do that if people are poking and prodding you and forcing you to remain in an uncomfortable position... or worst of all, forcing you sit still when the strongest urge is to move around!

Kelly (BellyBelly) suggestion to avoid the epidural is also very wise. They are also not without risk. Personally despite the pain I never seriously considered having one. Most medical people (including my nurse mother) agree that they are best avoided unless you need surgery. And you know, even though my 3 births were painful it WAS incredibly satisfying pushing out my own babies (well the 2nd two... my 1st bubba had to vacuumed out due to an overdose of syncotin)... the feeling of immense accomplishment is something I would NEVER want to have taken away from me. I swear it makes you feel like you can do anything!

Anyhow... I know that ultimately you will have to be flexible about these things... but I really think there is so much wisdom here in this thread. All the best with your labour and birth and don't let anyone tell you that intervention in inconsequential... or should be considered as a matter of "convenience". I can tell you now that it is also highly "convenient" to be able to get up and walk around 30 minutes after you have given birth and tend to the needs of your baby rather than having to lie in bed waiting for drugs to wear off or having to recover from unecessary intervention.

[kawazuki]

i was enduced due to my body thinking it was in labour and stopping it and bub getting a bit upset by it all
i had gel applied in teh morning then checked that evening then re applied.

was laughing and joking around with hubby adn family most of teh day very relaxed no drip required, that was enough for my body to get the hint it was time

no complications i had an episiotomy but i feel that was from the epidural and also bubba decided she wante dto see where she was going instead of keeping her head tucked in nicely, she is still a sticky beek to this day

if there are medical reasons for you needing teh induction then go for it but if its just an elective thing so you can plan when baby is coming not a good idea.

also i dont know if taking all those medications is actually good it could give your body a false sense of security so to speak and not let you go into natural labour as it will be induced early by those emdications.

[Bathsheba]

Yep, Kawazuki also reminded me that with an epi the chances of tearing or needing to be cut is greater because your body can't feel the babies head descending... and due to the increased chances of forceps being needed. Thankfully I have never had a tear or been cut but I can't imagine it being painless while you recover.

[kawazuki]

my recovery wasnt to abd, i didnt have alot of pain. but i could feel the scar and it was a bit lumpy for a while

next one im aiming for no epi but will see how i progress.

i actually needed it to help em relax and let my waters break and bub descend i was so tense from teh pain i couldnt relax, but am looking at other ways of doing this with visulisation and similar going to talk to my Midwife next week.

[Bathsheba]

Yep, a good midwive or doula would have maybe suggested you pop in a warm bath or shower at that tricky point Kawa. Another thing you can't do if you are hooked up to an induction drip Warm water is the best thing in labour... one thing i was denied at my last labour... awful.

[ubba82]

I was induced with both my babies due to being overdue. My first went for 12 hours and I had an epi - no tearing and no intervention (forceps etc). My second went for 2 hrs this time no drugs, no tearing and no intervention.

Because it is all I know, I would be induced again. I didnt really have any problems. If I wanted to get up and move around they just unhooked the monitor (pain in the bum on their part, care factor zero on mine!) I would however prefer to go naturally and definately no drugs again, but I am not against induction or epidural.

In saying all that though, every person is different and will cope differently with different interventions.

I also think it would be unwise to be induced before your due date, especially being a first time mum you are more likely to go past due anyway. Just think to yourself - my pregnancy wont go on forever so I will get to meet my baby - just not sure when.

[*The_Mrs.*]

I do love this thread!

I am kind of bummed that my hospital does not have the jacuzzi tubs that some offer, as I would have liked to have done that.

I am really set on walking, because I have heard so many great things about walking while in labour. They say it eases up the contractions and helps speed things along. Plus I bet it helps keep your mind off of things.

Once again, I am still going in with an open mind but I know I can't promise myself about not having a epi. I would like to wait as long as possible though until I get one.

We shall see....

But definietly NOT GETTING INDUCED
(unless medically needed)

[AnnaChas]

no complications i had an episiotomy but i feel that was from the epidural and also bubba decided she wante dto see where she was going instead of keeping her head tucked in nicely, she is still a sticky beek to this day

if there are medical reasons for you needing teh induction then go for it but if its just an elective thing so you can plan when baby is coming not a good idea.

I had an epi for the same reason as well (plus I was also getting a temp) - he was too busy looking around!

I agree though - while my induction went well, I would not have done it were it not for medical reasons. Inductions for planning reasons are probably not a good reason to have it done.

[sloane]

jessica - so glad you've decided against the induction & who knows - your baby might decide to surprise you early anyways!!

i'm basically booked in for an induction because of high BP (that has been fairly well controlled with meds throughout the PG) and GD. i negotiated with the dr to get to my due date before it happens as the baby & i have been fine so far & i want to give my body every chance to go into labour spontaneously. i am absolutely gutted to be booked in for an induction because of the increased chances of further intervention.

[MamaPan]

good call jess...

[Bathsheba]

Sloane: hey don't worry... the main thing that helped with my last induction (at 37 weeks due to a health complication) was to make sure they gave me the lowest possible dose of syncotin... they kept wanting to put it up to a higher dose but I held firm... my birth took a bit longer then they wanted (although my baby was not in distress... they had no real reason to hurry me) BUt I managed to birth my baby despite them. The dose was low enough for me to still get the good breaks in between contractions. It's so common with inductions to get that awful one long continous contraction... which is when it gets risky for the baby... so make sure you get them to keep the level down especially if you are making progress dilation-wise.

[Fleur]

Jessica, wrt the epi, there was a good thread getting around a couple of days ago, don't tknow if you have seen it? I will see if I can find it & post a link.

FWIW I had one labour with, one without (& then one CS).... I would vote for labouring without one anyday, BUT I think you are very wise to keep an open mind, don't be disappointed too much by how your labour goes for you as with all the planning in the world, it can be unpredictable.

I'm not very good with pain either, but the pain of labour is different. Personally I'd rather be in labour than have toothache