should I be induced or not?? v confused

I was induced with my DD, who was 9 days past EDD. I was given a choice by the OBS on call (not my OBS - who was on holidays) as I had been in pre-labour for four days. I truly didn't believe that I could possibly continue to pre-labour for another 24 hrs or even longer, hence the reason for my choice for induction. (mind you I was trying to avoid induction) I had my waters broken and put on the drip. I continued to pre-labour for another 2.5 hrs before being 'in labour' (considered to be when you have 5 contractions every 10 minutes). Contractions were extremely intense, hard to breathe through and b/c I was induced, bubs & I were constantly being monitored so I was stuck on the birthing bed, which really bothered me.
I tried gas, which didn't really take the edge off the pain, but gave me something else to concentrate on rather than just the contractions. OBS suggested further pain relief as I was struggling with the contractions and I had an epidural, which in my opinion was the best thing for me to so. In the end I only became 6/7 cms dilated and the OBS suggested I have a c-sect b/c bubs was tired and becoming distressed and so was I. (OBS did give me the choice to continue to labour). After discussing same with my DH and sister, I chose to have a c-sect. Do I have any regrets, the answer is no. Whilst definately none of the above was in my 'plan' of how I thought I would labour or go into labour, I truly don't think I would have coped with another day or days of pre-labour. Do I think induction increased my chances of having a c-sect? I truly can't answer that but bubs was high and posterior, so chances are even if I went into spontaneous labour, that I may have ended up having to have one anyway.......
I suggest doing research, discussing with your OBS, midwives, partner etc.. and trusting your instincts.
Goodluck with your decision, it will be the right one for you and your bubs.

I had to be induced as my waters began leaking a week and a half before my bub was due. It was quite a surprise for me to have to be induced as I didn't realise it was so important after your waters break (can cause infection and ba dangerous for bub). I had waited two and a half days before going to the hossy.
I am another person who would say please try to wait. Though I do understand you being over being pg- I too had been pg for over 12 mths due to miscarriages. But in my experience,(which was not a god one!) induction can be quite painful, though I haven't experience a full term natural birth.
My labour went for 24 hours, and thats from nothing- no contractions etc...to full on labour in about an hour or so. I was pushing for 3 hours because bubs wasn't ready to be born and wasn't in the birth canal and wouldn't descend. I was continually threatened with c/s and vacuume extraction because things were taking so long and though my waters had broken (hind waters only) I had to have them artificially ruptured too, which was really painful. The only thing that stopped them doing a c/s was that bubs was fine so they let me keep trying. Though by the end of everything I was so buggered that I was very tempted by the c/s!
Bubs ended up getting stuck twice and was quite lethargic when born. I then ended up haemorriging (sp?) my placenta got stuck and I needed 3 blood transfusions. I was very sick afterwards and as a result (I believe) I have had alot of trouble bf and was in tears everyday for about five or six weeks, due to the dissappointment. I had really wanted to go into labour naturally and wanted to try to do it all naturally. In the end I just believe that my baby was not reasy to be born. I would have rathered to have daily monitoring than have gone in to have an induction. Your bubba will come when it is ready. But if you really do feel it is in your best interest as well as bubba's then you are the only one who can make that decision.
There are alot of horror stories here about induction, but I think it also has alot to do with how you feel about having it done also. If you are feeling positive about it being done then your frame of mind is that youare ready to have bubs. I wasn't and I felt everything was going wrong, so I think that had something to do with how it all turned out and of course how I feel about it now. If you feel positive about it then it would be a more positive experience.
Good luck with your decision, it's a tough one.

Hi Spring,

I am being induced due to my baby having a medical condition that requires early delivery. Before my pregnancy, I thought that having an induced labour was pretty normal, not much to it, just a routine procedure. Now, being faced with it myself, I know that there is alot more to it and things to take into consideration. Luckily I have had nearly 20 weeks to learn all about it and prepare.

One thing that may help you decide is having a bishops score test done which determines whether your cervix is actually favourable for an induction. If it's not then it may well help you to hang in there a bit longer, or give you the confidence to go ahead if you score well. I would also find out how labour is actually induced at your hospital. Do they use gel or cervadil for cervical ripening? How many days do they expect it to take etc.. etc... this may also help you make an informed decision.

Please keep us updated on how you are going.

August x

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I am feeling a bit better about waiting, although it chops and changes with my moods. I really don't want to be induced and would much rather go into labour naturally and hopefully I can keep myself sane until it happens. If only someone could put something decent on tv at 3.00am in the morning it might make the time pass quicker. I think I will ask my husband to tell all the family to stop ringing me and making me feel worse by constantly asking has anything happened yet. When is it going to happen?? Like I know!! I am seeing my ob tomorrow and he has said he will have me monitored regularly. Hopefully that means everyday as that will be the only thning that reassures me that the baby is still alive and not in distress.

thanks again and hopefully my baby will make it's natural arrival sooner rather than later.

Puggy, have you thought about doing a kick chart at all, or even trying to get a hold of a doppler? being able to write down how much baby moves and hearing a HB will be a huge comfort to you in between Dr's appointments. And do you have an answering machine or caller ID? if so screen your calls - I know family can be well meaning when they call the see how you're going but all it does is drive us batty LOL. You could even leave a message to say tht everything is OK and that when something does happen you will call them. Plus there is nothing worse than trying to rest in the last few weeks/days only to be interrupted by phone calls.

Having a Dr who isn't into unnessesary intervention will work in your favour too - he will be able to help you cope with your anxiety and not make you feel pressured into something you don't really want.

Good Luck

Induction is a very personal experience.

When I wore a younger woman's clothes I was very pro natural birth. It was the only way and the best. Now, I still believe that to be true... well partly It's the best way if possible. Now, I would define myself as being pro informed/safe choice...

What I have discovered is that sometimes it's not possible. Our psychological health is as important as our physical - perhaps more so. If our heads can't give birth our fanny's sure as hell won't.

I too have suffered many losses. Three of those were second trimester losses. One was a missed miscarriage and another I birthed. I understand the fear attached to waiting for a baby to be born when you have experienced what you have. To truly understand that incredible fear is difficult for some folk to grasp.

I think it's quite untrue that induction is a dirty word on Belly Belly and I just want that to be put out there... If I felt an induction was best for my mental health or that I perceived that my baby was in danger I would line up no probelem... Perhaps I will. Am I afraid of judgement or chastisement??? Not at all. I think we are all mature and together enough to realise that no-one knows what goes on in our heads in the wee hours. Perhaps we have worked for months to release that fear.
I believe that these types of statements are damaging and just plain unhelpful. I KNOW that you will not be judged. Birth isn't an olympic event. We make the best decisions we can at the time. What you need to do is ensure that you make an informed one.


What you as a woman and a birthing Mama need to do is read up. Seek out the information - Sherie has linked you to some great articles. Seek out some others too - make an informed decision after learning.

Now, the risks of intervention ARE greater if you are induced. Things like forceps, episiotomy, c/section... You need to way up if that risk is okay FOR YOU. You are the decision maker and I understand so well my love how hard these decisions are.

Good luck on your journey. You will be supported here no matter what your decision is. And there are many who can help with info if it's needed. :hug:

Well said Deb!! :)