Getting Induced?

So I am having some extreme mixed feelings right now and would gladly appreciate any advice. :dance:

My Dr. informed me that if for any reason I wanted to be induced early she could induce me at 39 weeks. The thought of having my baby hear sooner is exciting and desperatly wanted. Yet, on the other hand I know that there are risks and I don't want to put my baby in danger for my own selfish wishes.

Has anyone ever been induced?
If you have how did it go, and would you do it again?
Would you recomend it?

I wasn't necessarily induced but they used syntocin to augment when it didn't go 'fast enough' for them and if anyone ever offered it to me again (not that they would since it ended in a c/s) I would run a mile... I would RUN while in LABOUR. LOL!

Honestly, it HURTS. It brings contractions on hard and fast, you get tied to the bed by monitors, which puts an active labour out the window, and even if they only use gels or ARM, they put you on a time limit that is almost impossible to beat if your body just isn't ready for labour yet.

Unless theres a medical reason I would REALY advise against induction, especially before due date! Your body and your baby just might not be ready for it yet.
I personally would wonder about an Ob. who offers that... ?

Yeah, the more and more i read up on it, the more and more i DONT want to do it.
I sounded good at the moment, but now it makes me nervous just thinking about it. i think I will continue to take EPO and RLt though, as it is all natural. That way if i do go into labour I will know it was naturally and not with Pitocin or gels. And the thought of an emergency c-section sounds awful!

I had an induction at 38 weeks due to preeclampsia. My ob told me at the time that there was in increased risk of c/s at the time, but we didn't really have a choice, except elective c/s. It did end in a c/s but due to my bp etc, not the induction itself.

I agree with Leasha; it is painful quickly. Also, because my cervix was not ripe, I required the prostoglandin gel to make me dilate. This meant more cervical assessment and things/hands being stuck up there more than if you go into labour spontaneously. I would imagine that at 39 weeks with your first there is a good chance your cervix would not be favourable, and that makes your chances of success lower. I was allowed to walk around while it was just the gel, but once you are hooked up to the drip monitoring is required.

Besides the risks and discomfort for you during labour, there are risks for the baby. It is quite possible that your baby won't really want to be out until about 42 weeks, so you would be taking them out weeks early. It is much better for them to be born when they are ready, not when mum has had enough.
Not having gone into labour myself the first time made the second time around more stressful too, as I didn't know what to expect; how many weeks would I have gone to? would it have been a long labour? Would I lose my plug/ have my waters break early? Basically all the stresses of a first time mum were mine again the second time round when I felt like I should know what I was doing. :doh:


I would recommend waiting to go into labour yourself unless there is a problem with the pregnancy going any further. My second pregnancy I went into spontaneous labour and it was a much better experience. We all get impatient, just hang in there. It will be worth it in the end. :D

Who cares about it hurting, unnecessary inductions put the mother and baby at risk... did you know you can have a uterine rupture from induction? Its not just a VBAC issue!!!! I'd be getting myself seriously informed if I were you...

To induce or not induce
Natural induction methods

I think your care provider is being very negligent by putting this option on the table to make their life easier. It certainly doesnt mean a safe option when you could have a safe, healthy birth without one.

I'm surprised your Ob offered this to you?

Personally, I would be saying no. Like berrme said, we all get impatient. I think that's part of the experience... when you do go into labour you are much less concerned with how much it's going to hurt... at least it's happening!

I was induced with DS2 and that ended in a CS... most likely due to issues that were there prior to induction, but still the whole experience overall was not too pleasant.

With DS1 I went into spontaneous labour at 40+12. By that stage I was just about ready to rip him out woth my bare hands! :lol:
But clearly he was ready & so was my body... we had a great labour & birth experience.

For myself, I'm trying not to get too hung up on when bub gets here (I know, sooo much easier said than done) - they come when they are ready, usually sometime after WE are ready - these are likely to be the longest few weeks of your pregnancy (for me atm!) Just relax & enjoy cookin bub to perfection ;)

Good luck :hug:

I was induced with my 3rd due to him being small for dates!

I would not recommend it because when they out the drip on the contractions come thick and fast and really irregular.

I say let nature take its course and see how you go!!

:hug: I know it can be difficult in late pregnancy. Honestly though, my first labour was 11 hours, and my second was much shorter (neither were inductions though) and I can highly recommend the labour where your body gets more time to warm up and get going. In labour I will take the marathon over the sprint any day.

Perhaps it will help you to think how special it will be if your bub gets to choose their own birthday? That helped me be patient, to hang in there and wonder which day they would choose. I also just imagined myself going a week past my EDD, so I wouldn't get impatient too soon.

In the meantime, keep putting your feet up as all good pregnant ladies should (:p) and arm yourself with knowledge on good ways to labour, positions you might find comfy (though a lot of that is instinctive), breathing through contractions, write some birth intentions/wishes down, make sure your partner knows how to support you.
Here are the BellyBelly birth articles, I know I found some really helpful when I was pregnant for the first time.

I was induced at 38 weeks and 3 days due to blood pressure issues and issues associated with my diabetes. While my obs and I were aiming for a natural, non-induced labour, it was something that needed to be done. I was very apprehensive about it, however my obs was fantastic. The whole experience was a lot better than I had expected - but I am sure that was due to my obs trying to make the labour as 'natural' as it could possibly be given the circumstances.

I had the prostoglandin gel initially on Thursday night, then they let me sleep. I got checked on Friday morning, more gel was applied and another check on Friday afternoon, then again on Friday night - no more gel was applied at the afternoon or evening checks. On Saturday morning, at 6.15am, I got my waters broken and then we waited. The drip was inserted, but from what I could tell, the dosage was kept fairly low the whole time. My dilation went along nicely, my contractions did come in hard and fast, however it was not anymore painful than I was expecting. This being said, I do have a fairly high pain tolerance, so I don't know if that made any difference. DS was born at 4.31pm.

Although I was initially apprehensive about the induction, I was happy that it was done and was pleased with the way it went. I do think, however, that it was a better experience than I expected because my obs was fantastic. She didn't rush the whole process more than necessary.

Anna :o That's probably the most laid back induction I've ever heard about. I'm glad your ob tried to imitate a natural pace a bit.

Hang in there - the last few weeks of preg can be uncomfortable, we've all been there.

Let bubs come on it's own, if there is no reason to induce don't do it!


gl xoxoxoxo

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Anna :o That's probably the most laid back induction I've ever heard about. I'm glad your ob tried to imitate a natural pace a bit.

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Nelle, I know - I was expecting a completely different experience, and almost had myself in quite a state when we first went into the hospital. The whole process was so laid back that I was even reading a book for a while during the morning, laughing with DH and suggesting what he should be twittering (we were trying to keep family and friends here in Oz and overseas up to date with the progress of the birth).

Oh, and I also had a sleep for a couple of hours!

Well I have put some thought into it and believe I will not be induced. Too many risks involved. I know sometimes induction can go very well, but it is hard to tell what the future holds for me. i like the idea of waiting to see what day baby chooses for her birthday, that does sound more fun. I dont mind waiting.

Good Idea Jessica! Your bubba will come in her own time!!! I was induced due to high bp and even though I had a resonable experience I don't want to be induced again. I felt like I missed out on the excitiment of wondering of if it was time and it was super painful!!!!!!. I certainly wouldn't have said yes to induction unless there was a medical reason for it.

Yeah that is one thing. If I had to be induced due to a medical reason or if she was well past two weeks late, than I would definitely say yes to the induction. But, my gut is telling me to stick to my guns about this one and not get induced.

Besides it will be fun to go through the whole natural labor process.... well plus the epidural ;)

You'll get a more natural experience if you can avoid the epi... especially first time mothers, more likely to have foceps and vacuum, which involves episiotomy, if you have an epidural. Also you risk the bubs no coping with the epi (have known of a couple who have crashed from one, cos it lowers blood pressure, hence oxygen flow to the baby). If you need one, then by all means have one, but if you can avoid planning to have one you'll be more likely to have a much more natural experience. Your body needs time for the natural endorphins to kick in.

I would love to go without the epi but I know I can't promise myself that just yet. I have severe anxiety issues with pain, and if I end up panicking I will probably have one. I would rather be happy than miserable and shaky when she is born. Though I do have huge respect for the women that can have a completely natural child birth. My mother did it with all three of her kids! But she told me she knows I probably could not handle that. lol :lol:

Another thing I have accepted is to go into birth with an open mind. i dont want to have a complete step by step layout of the birth. I am going to try and go as far as I can with out pain management.

i also really want to be able to walk during labor, I heard that really speeds things up!

I am so excited

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 :rolleyes: 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 :hug: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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):D

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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.

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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.

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.

good call jess...

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.

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 :lol: