HELP! They want to induce me on Wednesday!!!?

Question

I am 37.5 weeks pregnant, and I've been experiencing high blood pressure for the past month (with no other signs of pre-eclampsia, or any other conditions). Still, as a precaution, my doctor wants me to induce when I'm 38 weeks. We have scheduled to get the gel put in Wednesday night (14th), and if that doesnt work, the Pitocin the next morning. I am 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated. Still... I was planning on delivering without pain medication, but I've heard SO Many horrible painful stories about Pitocin, and I'm worried I will need an epidural! That being said, I'm willing to try almost ANYTHING to go into labor naturally before Wednesday (I only have 2 days so I need suggestions fast!!!). Everywhere I look online, people say "Oh I was 10 days past my due date, and this worked" but it seems like that could also be coincidence. Does anyone know surefire ways to induce labor 2 weeks early??? Or, does anyone have experience with using Pitocin and NOT needing an epidural??? THANKS GUYS!!!!!

Answer 1

I had two children.

With my first, my water broke, but labor didn't kick in. Pitocin. Once, labor finally got going it was horrific (not to try and scare you) My contractions weren't regular so they were not predictable. I ahd no way of knowing how long they would last .. I ended up getting an epidural.

Second baby, problems arose again. My babies heart rate was low, so I got induced (with pitocin) at 38 weeks. This time, the contractions were very regular, so I felt as if I was "under control" and that I could handle it. I successfully had baby number 2 with no pain medication. (it still hurt)

What worked the second time for me, was keeping myself distracted. I watched the food network (I was so hungry and couldn't eat) It was very distracting. I did a few puzzles, etc. Until it got bad around 7 centimeters. From that point on, it was all focus and breathing, to keep myself from screaming. Just remember that it will only last a finite amount of time, and that You CAN do it. Think about babies, or choclate, or anything. Just don't focus on the pain.

I also found sitting up helped. I would lay back to rest imbetween contractions,but when I felt one coming on, I would pull myself forward and tightly grip the bed. Try to use your uterine muscles during the contraction. (kind of like a situp, except it is a differnt muscle)

Wish I could help more. Good luck!

Answer 2

As a past induction canidate I would highly suggest that if you need to go through this due to the SAFETY of your child and yourself, which at 38 wks is just fine for delivery, then I highly recommend an EPIDURAL. NO not a spinal, they are different. A spinal is shots in your legs, it is like what your mother would describe as a "saddle block" is it just your pelvic area that is effected and it is quiet painful. Almost unbearable to be accompanied with patocin.
But the epidural is a thin needle down your spine and it blocks off your entire middle region. YOU will not feel a thing, and the effects wear off sooner then the spinal. It does hurt I won't kid you but only a few seconds and all pain is gone.
With my DS they induced me 1 month early because I have PUPPPS- 12 years ago they had no idea what it was and for his safety and mine they decided he was of good weight to deliver. So after all the annoyance of hives 3 to 8 months, and all the pain of induction I brought my beautiful Angel home for Christmas.
The intensity of the patocin is what causes so much pain, you contact longer and harder with each contraction. I do not know anyone that has been induced and not given ANY pain medication. If you can do it then GREAT, but do not beat yourself up if you cannot handle the pain. I had 16 hrs of hard labor with my DD without A DROP of anything, but with my DS induction I could barely handle 2 hrs!

Everything will work out just fine. Before you know it you will be bringing home a little angel of your own, relaxation is the best medicine during pregnancy. If your doctor is comfortable with all this and you are not second guessing the delivery then please just let it happen.

Answer 3

We tried everything to get me to go into labor early. Nothing worked. I was 90% effaced and 3 cm when they started me on pitocin and broke my water at 38.5 wks. I know that usually if you are induced things tend to go quicker so your contactions will get harder faster, but it will also be done sooner, too. My labor ended up being only 6 hrs (my first baby) and I never got a full dose of the Pitocin. My aunt had a similar situation and got the gel. Her labor was only 4 hours (first baby). The only thing I can tell you about the epidural is keep an open mind. You may feel like you need it, it is a lot of pain (not to scare you). There have been billions of women who have done this completely naturally in the past.

Answer 4

For my last son I was induced at 38 wks and did need an epidural. However I was 40 wks 3 days with my second child, induced and didn't need the epidural. So I guess each pregnancy is different. Prior to my son's delivery I tried everything in the world that I could think of to bring on labor naturally...however none of it worked for me...castor oil, laxatives, sex, walking, hot baths, tea, etc....tried it all and NOTHING but an upset stomach!!!!

So I don't know what would be best to describe, the pitocin contractions are bad, I was induced for all 3 of my children, and never got to feel "natural" labor, but like I said with the second one it wasn't so bad, 8 hours after the start of the pitocin...baby was here. So hopefully that same fate will head your way! Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 5

There's no surefire way to induce labor, but there are many ways to try. You could try sex, nipple stimulation, or light exercise like walking. Not everyone has a horrible birth experience with Pitocin. I have seen many of women do with out a epidural, there are other options to ease pain when in active labor. Keeping yourself moving or changing positions can help alot. Your favorite music playing can help take your mind off of it when trying to relax. A warm shower could help relax you as well once in a steady rhythm. Sitting on a birthing ball doing small pelvic circles or side to side can help bring baby down in the pelvis more and relieve alot of the perinal pressure at the same time. Keeping yourself relaxed will help with the discomfort, also keep your hands and jaw loose as well. You can hold alot of tension there that could slow your progress. Perhaps you could also bring someone with you when in labor to help remind you to change positions when your starting to get uncomfortable. You could also contact a doula to see if she would be willing to do a last minute birth. Wish I had more time to list more suggestions for you but I'm off to work...I hope you have a beautiful baby and and a positive birth experience!

Answer 6

I was induced and had a wonderful experience. Ask them to only up the pitocin slowly. I didn't have an epidural, only a little IV pain medication.

There is no sure fire way to induce labor yourself. Walking is your best bet but it's not for sure either

Answer 7

Take it from someone who has been induced 3 times and is looking forward to the fourth! It's not that bad! (then again I wouldn't know any different, I've been induced with all my children). I have NEVER had an epidural. I do generally partake in a bit of demoral (its a narcotic) just to get a bit of rest so I am ready to push. It is not a painless thing to go through, but it is not unbearable, by any means (an epidrual WILL raise your chances of having to have a c section by the way) And the pain at the part where you are pushing NEEDS to be there. It gives you insentive to push harder (this is not unbearable either).

Answer 8

If possible try to steer clear of "Pitocin." It induces labor but when your uterus begins to contract on its own it's like four times as hard. Pitocin was given to me for the birth of my first son at age 19 because he was two weeks late. I hemmorrage and had to have a blood transfusion. Stay the course we know our bodies better than some strange doctors. There will be some pain involved, it is child birth but breathing and relaxation helps just as well.

Answer 9

I was induced with Pitocin with my second son and I was NOT in more pain than with my others. I have had all natural births with all 3 of my babies and the pain was all the same. No difference. When I was induced, I had my son in one hour and pushed twice. There was nothing horrible about it, and Ive never had an epidural.

Answer 10

Given the risks of inductions, and that nothing else is wrong, are you _sure_ the benefits outweigh the risks here?

"As a precaution" is not a great rationale for a not-inconsequential procedure if... Well, if your doctor can't justify all the risks of inductions vs what might happen if things were left alone. Is your life, or your baby's life, at risk? Ask a lot of questions, and get a second opinion if you don't like the answers -- you really don't sound like you want to be induced...

Worth reading:

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth/induction-of-labour-to-induce-or-not-induce
http://hencigoer.com/articles/