Anyone had induced labor??

Question

Ok, I am asking this question because I am going to be induced on Thursday night, I was told that I will deliver sometime Friday morn. I am very scared.. my first 2 babies were early,
1st - 35wks, 2nd - 37 wks. They were also both small. This baby was already over 8.5 lbs. last week. I was told if my baby gets any bigger they cant guarantee a vaginal delivery, I have never had a c-section, and I do not want one. Thats another reason I am scared. Has anyone ever been in a similiar situation as I am, can you tell me your experiences with being induced? My labors usualy go really fast, will being induced change that?

Answer 1

My wife has had both, (vaginal and c-section). Afterwards, she said she perfured the c-section! (better healing time in the hospital and little, IF ANY, blood clots!

She had to induce on our first child. It wasn't bad at all she says.

The methods your practitioner would use to induce labor depend on the condition of your cervix at the time. If your cervix hasn't started to soften, efface (thin out), or dilate (open up), it's considered "unripe," or not yet ready for labor. In that case, your practitioner would use either hormones or "mechanical" methods to ripen your cervix before the induction. Sometimes these procedures end up jump-starting your labor as well.

Some of the methods used to ripen the cervix and induce labor are:

1. Stripping or sweeping the membranes. If your cervix is already somewhat dilated, your practitioner can insert her finger through it and manually separate your bag of waters from the lower part of your uterus. This causes the release of hormones called prostaglandins, which may help further ripen your cervix and possibly get contractions going. In most cases, this procedure is done during an office visit. You're then sent home to wait for labor to start, usually within the next few days. Many moms-to-be find this procedure uncomfortable or even painful, though the discomfort is short-lived.

2. Using prostaglandin medications. Your practitioner may try to ripen your cervix by inserting medication that contains prostaglandins into your vagina. This medication may also stimulate contractions — sometimes enough to jump-start your labor.

3. Using a Foley catheter. Your practitioner may insert a catheter with a very small uninflated balloon at the end of it into your cervix. When the balloon is inflated with water, it puts pressure on your cervix, stimulating the release of prostaglandins, which cause the cervix to open and soften. When your cervix begins to dilate, the balloon falls out and the catheter is removed.

4. Rupturing the membranes. If your cervix is at least a few centimeters dilated, your practitioner can insert a small, plastic hooked instrument into it and break your bag of waters. This procedure causes no more discomfort than a vaginal exam. If your cervix is very ripe and ready for labor, there's a small chance that this alone might be enough to get your contractions going. If that doesn't happen, your practitioner will give you the drug oxytocin (Pitocin) through an IV. Once your water has broken, most practitioners will want you to deliver within the next 12 to 24 hours because the risk of infection for you and your baby increases over time.

5. Using Pitocin. Pitocin is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which your body naturally produces during labor. Your practitioner may give you this drug through an IV pump to start or augment your contractions. She can adjust the amount you need according to how your labor progresses.


My wife had numbers 4 & 5 done... 4 didn't work fast enough so they went with number 5. And it went quickly! 30 minutes later, and the kid was out!

Good Luck and best wishes! (Don't worry too much... You'll be fine!!!)

Answer 2

Induced labors tend to be quicker than natural labors. I was induced 3 months ago, and delivered a healthy baby one pound smaller than yours is expected to be. I too was SCARED TO DEATH! I remember crying a lot the few days before and not sleeping, because I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's understandable, doctors don't tell you much, and it's hard to find anything but what the procedures entail online.

I went in the night before the induction and they inserted a Foley bulb into my cervix, which is just a catheter that they fill the tip with saline. It expands to a balloon of about 4cm, just behind your cervix. It will feel like a pelvic exam when they do this. They will tape the end of the catheter to your leg so that it pulls against your cervix, you will feel some cramping like you're having your period, but don't worry - it doesn't hurt! My husband and I watched movies that evening in our hospital room to pass the time until we fell asleep.

The next morning, you will probably wake up to find that your Foley Bulb has fallen out, and you are dialted to 4cm! This was the best part for me; to be that far and have not had any painful contractions!

This is when they start you on the Pitocin - a man made form of the oxytocin your body would normally produce in labor. Pitocin has a reputation for making contractions more intense than natural ones would be. Some woman like this because it makes your labor more "down to business" so to speak. I was induced for medical reasons (pre eclampsia), but would absolutely opt for a second induction with my next child. I found the entire process to be pleasant, and quick. My entire labor (1st time mom) was only 7 hours!

I'm not saying it won't hurt - childbirth hurts! But a planned induction is nothing to be afraid of; I would even venture to say it was one of the most - if not THE most - pleasant experiances in my life!

As for the c-section - my neighbor delivered both her daughters (who each weighed in at 10 lbs!) vaginally. Have faith in your body - it can do some pretty amazing things.

Best of Luck! I'm sure everything will turn out ok.

Answer 3

Hi, I have had an induced labor with all 3 of my kids. If they are inducing you, you haven't gone into labor yourself, and you are probably still only dialated to 2 maybe 3, when they induce you they are going to give you potossin in your IV bag which will bring your contractions on more. As labor progresses they will end up popping your water bag and if it does not pop on its own. You could go really fast, but, if your not too far dialated it will probably take a while.. With all 3 of mine they were 8hrs of labor.. most i couldn't feel because of the epidural :) . I do not know if you have decided to have an epidural or spinal block, When you are induced your contractions are alot more painful. So u might want to think about that along with being induced. I hope this helped..

Answer 4

i had my third pregnancy induced,i was given an iv but they felt it was taking too long so they gave me pills as well,it started around 830 am i delivered at 250pm,i didn't have a very good experience because induced labour causes irregular violent contractions,they also didn't give me the epidural till the very end because they said the dr. was busy,isn't that crazy?
you will have better luck i'm sure,just tell them before hand that you want the epidural as soon as you feel uncomfortable,i don't think the babies size will make that much difference,theyr'e just trying to prepare you incase,hopefully your baby will come on its own before thursday night,if not it will be ok
try to have someone help you out at home for the first few days and get a good rest,if not do only what you have to
takecare and best wishes to all

Answer 5

I had an induction at 41 weeks, I was told I was late & the baby was big too... I really wasn't late!!!! * I went in two days before my induction to have ripening agent placed on my cervix; it was jelly like & cold they just used a syringe with a tube attached to pump it up in me!!! It was more unpleasant than painful. They monitored me for a few hours to see if I would start labor in my own!

The next morning I had a bit of blood streaked mucus & a few very weak contractions! I wasn't due for the induction, for another day, but we got a call in the morning that another woman awaiting induction for that day went into labor & had the baby early & there was an opening.

So we went. They hooked me up to the EFM machine (electronic fetal monitoring- which I found out later, having it continually throughout your labor increases your chance of c-section!!!) And administered the pitocin (which I found out later can cause fetal distress, & also increases your risk of c-section!!!) They gave me my IV's (which can also cause fetal distress- any time there is fetal distress there is an increased risk of needing a c-section!!!)

I labored 8 hours with no meds. Then I had Fentynl 3 times (the max they can give you before your body builds a tolerance) I was at about 6 cm's about 11 hours in. They broke my water around that time. (Which I found out later can move the baby into position before s/he is ready - and not always into a good position! My baby was facing my side!)

After that I received an epidural (I was also not explained until recently the effects that can have on your labor/delivery/ you & your baby!)
It did take the pain away...Around 430 am I was at 10cm. I pushed well for 1.5 hours, before they saw that the baby wasn't in a good position to come out & that he was starting to have distress!!! (At the time it all seemed like a surprise, but I know better now!) They rushed me off for emergency c-section!!!

My son was very healthy! I was very weak & tired. My epidural also went very high; they thought it would stop my heart or my breathing.

Not everyone’s induction is like mine, But a lot/most do end in a c-section!!! I will never have another induction/hospital birth again after what I have been through & learned in "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth!" By Henci Goer.... This is her web site:

http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/

*(Average 1st time pregnancies are 41 weeks 1 day, & pregnancies with prior births are 40 weeks 3 days...But you can go two weeks past that safely!

I WILL PRAY FOR YOUR SAFETY & FOR A HAPPY & HEALTHY OUT COME FOR YOU! May God bless you what ever your decision!

Answer 6

DONT let them use Pitocin or oxytocin!! Your labor will be SOOO horrible and long and hard and miserable.

Insist that they first use every other method possible, stripping your membranes, breaking your waters, and even prostaglandin medications, such as cervinex which is used to gently ripen and dilate the cervix.

Using oxytocin and other such medications causes extreamly hard and severe contractions which work your body to exhaustion and do little to open the cervix, so you can go on in truely painful active labor for HOURS AND HOURS. Most hospitals and doctors will avoid using those drugs, but others still insist on using them every time. They stress our your body, and the baby, and can result in a higher risk of complications.

DONT LET THEM.

Answer 7

I was induced with my second son. They said it would take atleast 4 hours before it would start working, it actually only took 10 min. to start my labor. To me it made my contractions hurt worse than when I had my first son naturally. I don't think I'd do it again, personally. I had my son 4 hours later.

Answer 8

labour might be tougher this time around but don't be afraid, even with your first one, remember how afraid you were then....joy came and worries went. this will be the same. my first child i went through this and ended up with an emergency c section. it's not the greates thing to go through but you might even like it better. ask to be awake it you have this done!!!Congrats, and you'll be just fine!!!

Answer 9

induced labors are usually quick