I am being induced on Friday morning. Any suggestions?

Question

I am pretty nervous about it because I hear it is harder than normal labor and delivery...

Answer 1

being induced often takes longer than a natural labor because your body is not quite ready, ie the cervix may not have softened or started to dilate. depending on how fast they run the pitocin, the contractions can be painful and quick, but they can adjust the rate if it's too much for you or your baby to handle. get the epidural for sure.

make sure you ask your doc if you can eat or drink anything that morning. usually the answer is no, but check anyway.

Answer 2

All labor is hard. The use of contraction increasing medications could make the contractions stronger and they also speed up labor. I was induced at 8:00 in the morning and had my baby by 2:30 that afternoon. So, be prepared for things to go fast. They may also break your water or strip membranes, both of which are rather uncomfortable to have done. Good luck and get some rest, you are going to need it.

Answer 3

I don't have any suggestions except for relax. I was induced on Oct 13th at 8 am and I ended up have the baby at 1:18am on the 14th. It wasn't really that different than labor. It is just a longer process but the pain aint no different than having not being induced. The worse pain I felt was right before it was time to push. Contractions are painful no matter what shape or form they come, but being induced just helps the process along.

Answer 4

Being induced is actually kind of nice. It allows you to emotionally prepare for the pain. Also, the contractions will come on slowly, but steadily so you'll have time to get used to the pain. It may be slightly harder than natural labor, but it has it's bonuses too. Please, try not to get too excited about having the baby on Friday because inductions don't always work. I had two unsuccessful inductions and then ended up needing a c-section because I just wasn't dilating. Also, try to relax. I know this sounds silly because I'm sure you're ready to have this baby NOW, but try to enjoy your last few days pregnant. Take pictures of yourself pregnant. Pamper yourself. Relax as much as possible.

Answer 5

First of all hun good luck and congrats! I was induced with my first child. The contractions come harder and quicker. With my second daughter I was not induced. Labor was only about 2 hours longer then with my first. My only piece of advice hun is to work with the contractions when they come. I know they will hurt but just try not to tense up. That defeats the purpose of the contraction. It will go quicker if you do that.

Answer 6

Labor is a fun experience. I was induced with my second and it was no different then my first coming naturally on it's own. I felt less pain being induced then when my water broke with my first. Everyone is different, and handles pain their own way. Both labors with me lasted a total of 8 hours.

Answer 7

It is harder but oh so much faster! My first was 36 hrs... other two were induced and 4-6 hours labor. Don't worry too much... I promise it will be over before you know it and your beautiful baby will be here. Good luck and congrats.

Answer 8

first off, congrats

second: don't let anyone tell you it's harder. I was induced this past July and it was pretty easy. I went into the hospital at 6am. My doctor was not scheduled to come back to work until 6PM so they gave me cervadil to ripen my cervix soon after I got there (it takes about 12 hours to work). At 9am I was given pitocin to jumpstart my contractions, but somehow I was already starting to have them, I just couldn't feel them.

All this time, I was in the hospital suite with my husband cracking jokes, watching TV and taking phone calls (my bigmouth mom gave the number to my hospital room out, so since no one was there besides my husband, everybody decided to call directly to my room lol), I was scared, but I tried really hard to remain calm.

Then around 11:30am, the contractions got real. REALLY REAL. I asked to have an epidural. The anesthesiologist was explaining the whole proceedure to me, and I was in a lot of pain. I didn't scream out, but I was shivering for a minute. Then they got the epidural in my spine (YAAAAAAAY). From about 12 noon to 6PM, I was just in my room, still watching tv, occasionally drifiting off to sleep in between contractions. My doctor saw me at 6:40, told me she had to run to a quick meeting, and said the nurses should page her if anything happened.

Around 7... "anything happened". Contractions came hard, seems like the epidural was wearing off a little bit. I wasn't in real excruciating pain, but it was about as bad as my worst menstral cramps ever. they paged my doc, she came back and I started pushing. I was thinking to myself "stay calm, and try to get her done by 11:30". Fortunately, she had other plans. She popped right out at 8:22 (two hours after active labor began).

That last push I felt my womb closing back up (which felt a little weird) and I was thinking to myself "is that all? she's out? WOW"

I was so very happy. And dad cut the cord, they cleaned her up, and I was breastfeeding her before 10PM.

I heard alot of horror stories during my pregnancy, and I was expecting the worst (I'm 30, and this was my first baby). but I stayed calm and eveyrthing was okay. My little girl turned 4 months yesterday and she is such a fat little blessing to me.
I wish you and your child the best.

Answer 9

I have heard that it is a little more intense then the regular labor. But I am sure you will do just fine " keep your eye on the prize " ......and I got the Epidural with my third child I was scarred to get it but I was sure glad I did. You might want to check it out if it gets too intense.

Best of luck & congrats to you and yours.

Answer 10

Oh you poor girl! Mine all came naturally, but I've heard it's harder too, becuz the contractions start out strong. Good luck!!

(OOOH and Friday's a GREAT day to have a baby!!! It's MY birthday!)