question for mammas...?

Question

hi i am 38 wks and im starting to show signs of toxemia so my doctor is inducing labor monday morning... i was wondering if any of you have ever had your labor induced and if it was more painful than going into labor naturally... also i heard that labor lasts longer when it is induced, how long were you in labor? thanks for any answers, im freakin' scared to death! lol

Answer 1

I was induced at 37 weeks with my first baby because of toxemia. I've spoken to quite a few women about inductions, each of whom had varied experiences of induction. Some had quick labours- myself included- while others had complicated, long labours where the induction didn't go as hoped. They ended up with C-sections. It's important to have an open mind- things don't always go according to the textbook!
My waters were broken at 8.30 am that morning- the doctor said they broke very easily, he virtually only had to nudge them, and it turned out I was 3 cm dilated and didn't even know it! He said my body was gearing up to get this baby out anyway- my blood pressure was skyhigh! They put me on the drip and my contractions started within 1/2 hour. I was in active labour within an hour- all up, I birthed my son 1 hour and 26 minutes after my labor began- and it certainly was an intense experience! No time for pain relief of any form- not even the gas! My contractions were immediately 2 minutes apart, coming very strong and lasting 30 seconds each from the start, building up to coming every minute and lasting almost as long. But you know, because everything happened so quick, I didn't have time to worry. I just had to focus on getting him out! In the end, gave birth to a healthy boy, and I didn't need a single stitch (phew!) . I did have a hemorrage however, and was told this was more common with inductions. My placenta didn't detach easily, and I lost 900 ML blood, and ended up in hospital for a week. But we were both ok, so I was happy.

Contrast this to my friend whose induction just didn't "happen". Her contractions were erratic from the start, not coming strong enough to dilate her cervix much, and after 8 hours of little to no "progress", they prepped her for a C-section because the baby's heartrate was too low. And far from being disappointed, she was just relieved that her baby girl was OK. We both had very open minds with regards to our labors- whatever happened, happened- we just hoped for good outcomes, whatever that meant for each of us.
My second labor wasn't induced- I gave birth to my second son a week early. I was told not to expect a quicker labor- after all, my first was induced, and although it is "usual" to have a quicker second birth, mine would likely be the opposite- how wrong they were! When I got to the hospital, I wasn't even dilated at all- my cervix was closed and not even totally soft. I was in pre- labor. They said if I hadn't progressed within the hour, they would send me home. I said to them and my husband- "no way are we going home- its a 40 minute car trip, and I am not giving birth on the side of the road!" The midwives laughed and said that would be very unlikely considering I wasn't even dilating yet. So they went on their tea break- and all of a sudden my contractions are coming so hard and fast i could barely breathe- within 20 minutes I had the urge to push and my husband presses the emergency buzzer! They come running in, see me pushing, have a look and say- go for your life- you're fully dilated! My son was born 40 minutes after they'd checked me and I ended up dilating 10 cm in 20 minutes! The midwives couldn't get over it! So I can only compare that natural labor to my induction and say- it was much of a muchness I guess-not much difference at all for me.
A friends mom said that of her 4 labors, she had 2 quick- both under 2 hours(one was an induction, one was natural), 1 C-section, and a 22 hour prolonged labor. In comparing each experience, she said each has their pro's and con's- the one thing she said that stood out to me was she'd take the longer labor any day over the faster one, because she got a breather in between her contractions! But I think it's an individual experience, and no matter how many of us share our experience with you- however positive or negative- keep in mind that your experience will be unique to you. So take a deep breath, put your feet up and just think- at least you know that 3 days from now, you will be holding your baby for the first time! Best of luck with everything, take it as it comes. By researching as much as you can before Monday you are working with your fear instead of against it which can only be a positive and finally, remember- with each contraction, with each push, you are one step closer to meeting your baby!

Answer 2

I was induced at 38 weeks with my first and only child. The labor lasted a total of 8 hours. Since I have had no natural labor to compare it to, I'm not sure how the contractions were in comparison, but the only drugs I needed were through the IV towards the end. They allowed me to sleep off and on between contractions which helped a lot... it gave my body enough rest over the course of about an hour so that when they wore off, I could deal with the pain again, but by that time, I was ready to deliver. Every experience is different though. Don't be scared. The nurses and doctors know what they're doing. Just be sure to have your coach there with you, and I recommend having lots of ice on hand. Your mouth tends to get dry from breathing so heavily during contractions you need something to keep it moist. Good luck and God bless. Congrats!

Answer 3

I had toxemia as well, I was induced and the first time it was nothing, no pain at all, got my epidural and 13 hours later my daughter was born, 2nd baby my epidural did not work well and i felt every push! but 14 hours later my son was born. my 3rd i was induced again for toximia and it took 27 1/2 hours of labor and a c-section. my point is every womans labor is different. it may go well it may not, its how your body handles it. After my first i thought labor and delevery was a breeze, but my second hurt like hell! You just cant determine it, I was induced 3 times, 2 for toxemia. Good luck and dont worry, you forget the pain quick and your really not thinking about it much. When its over you will have a beautiful baby, it will be worth it.

Answer 4

I was in labor for 30 hours, and I was NOT induced.

From what I've heard, Pitocin CAN make your labor harder, but there's still no need to worry. You may be a bit uncomfortable for a while, but ultimately, you'll have a happy, healthy baby. And the hours you spend in labor won't matter anymore.

Seriously, don't be scared. In fact, being scared is often what makes labor worse. Take time this weekend to read about exactly what happens during labor and delivery. The more you know, the less scared and stressed you will be. That will be better for both you and the baby.

Congratulations!

Answer 5

I was induced with both my girls at 37 weeks with the same thing and with my first daughter I was in labor for 6 hours and my second girls in was in labor for 7 hours. It was painful but I don't know about more painful than going into labor naturally, I never have. I have been told that being induced makes the contractions longer and harder and I would believe it but I did both naturally. Good luck to you and congrats on your baby!!!

Answer 6

I had my labor induced with my 3rd child and it was actually my easiest labor! I have also had Pitocin to help my labor with my other pregnancies. When I was induced with my daughter, I got to the hospital at 7:30 am and she was born at 1:17 pm. It also depends on if this is your first baby and how ready your body is right now. Do you know if you are dilated yet at all? Don't be worried about it. You are going to be in a controlled environment and I am sure that they will be watching you very closely!

Answer 7

I induced my first child at 38 1/2 weeks and when i have another child i will do it again!

here's what happens:
you go in the night before and they start giving you medicine to soften your cervix. then they give you medicine to start labor. if they need to break your water, they do that next. then you go into active labor and have your baby

my dr broke my water at about 9:30 am and my daughter was in my arms at 1:30 pm

the contractions weren't too bad and i was going to go without an epidural, but at abou 7 cm i started to get sick to my stomach and couldn't handle contractions and throwing up so i got the epidural...then, three or so pushes and she was out! no worries

once i had the epidural it was great...i could feel pressure, but no pain

there's no reason to be scared...i was terrified too, but i really enjoyed it in the end, don't worry about inducing and by all means don't try to be a hero...get the epidural!

one thing to know before though...a side effect of the epidural wearing off is that it makes your muscles spasm...this sounds crazy but it only lasts a little while and isn't painful or anything...just wierd

Answer 8

I don't know if I can help you, but my sister was induced and compared to what her experience to my experience was (I went into labor naturally, but they did have to put me on pitocin after my epidural) hers seemed easier and worse in some ways. Her experience with the epidural was worse than mine, but I think that was because her contractions were not as strong as mine, and when I was in labor I was ready to hurt people if they didn't give me the epidural....My sister had wanted a natural child birth, but the Dr. insisted on the epi and she ended up with a very bad experience with the whole procedure. 2nd her contractions were much less painful than mine. She hovered at around 70 on the contraction monitor when she had them and she seemed to breeze by them before the epi. Other than that the birth went as planned, the pitocin did leave her with the shakes until it wore off fully (it did that with me too) but that wasn't too much of an annoyance. Oh she was induced about 9 AM and didn't give birth until 11:30 or so that night. I hope that this doesn't make you more scared.....Good luck!

Answer 9

i was also induced due to toxemia and the drugs they give to induce your labor make your labor much harder . that labor was very long 20+ hours but the second time i was induced it only lasted 4 hours.First time pregnancies labor is usually long .

Answer 10

I was induced, I went through a lot between the time I got there and the time she was born. I was only in labor for about 6 hours but I ended up having to have a c-section, my bones were too small for her to fit through. But to make a long story short no matter how much it hurts or how long it taked when you see your baby you will forget all about it. They are worth it!

Answer 11

You will be fine. It all depends on how ready the little one is!
Relax. I was induced and was in labor for 4 hours. Only the last 45 minutes was intense but you know what? It was well worth it. I suggest going for a walk every morning and every afternoon.

Good luck and God Bless!