How can i prepare for an induced labor???

Question

im pregnant with my first baby and two weeks overdue :/

is there anything i need to know before i go in for an induction tomorrow night? medical stuff like can i eat/drink before, and first hand experiences and tip, etc.? my doctor gave me little info about prep and is incredibly hard to get in contact with! thanks everyone!

Answer 1

Know that having and induction greatly increases your risk of having a cesarean section...So you may want to read up on cesareans, so that you are not totally shocked if that happens! (It happened to me. I am now studying to be a doula...)

Definatley eat and drink before going in (preferably something healthy that will give you lots of stamina), once you are there, you are not allowed to eat, and you'll probably only get water or ice chips...

You probably wont feel like getting up and moving around becasue of everything you will be hooked up to and attached to, BUT...to increase your best chances of a vaginal delivery your should get up and walk, sway or stand as much as possible. Gravity is you friend! You should try to use the restroom every hour as a full bladder can stall or slow labor, if that happens they will more than likely just turn up the pitocin, instead of recomending you to use the restroom. Pitocin will make the contractions longer and stronger and closer together (meaning more painful) earlier than if you went into labor on your own...If you can do it, without an epidural is best, but with the pitocin it can be near impossible, so try to wait to get an epidural until after 4 or 5 cm, getting one before then increases your risk of a c-section also...And DO NOT let them break your water...(Unless is is life or death) it might speed up labor a bit (only shortening it by maybe an hour...) but it can actually cause the baby to get stuck malpositioned (posterior...) Making labor stall and more painful. (I got to 10 cm after 17 hours...pushed for 2 hours w/ a posterior baby (after AROM: artificial rupture of membranes), and was then sectioned...) Breaking the water gives the baby less room to turn, and they need to rotate to exit...you can see in the video link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duPxBXN4qMg

It may be too late, but consider hiring a doula, I am not saying this out of bias...they really do help and I will never labor again without one!!!

http://www.doulasearch.com/

I hope you find this helpful, if you any other questions you can email me personally!

I wish you a happy and safe birth.

Answer 2

I am being induced on Monday because I'm overdue. I was not nervous about giving birth until I was told I would be induced, the higher chance of C-section worried me, especially after reading a lot of induction horror stories on the internet. I called the hospital today and was able to get a tour of labor & delivery and also have all my questions about labor and induction answered, and I am so relieved I did so. I was also reassured that the doctors will only do a c-section if the baby is in distress or if it's absolutely necessary, otherwise I will be able to let my labor progress on it's own, as long as that may take. If you are nervous at all, I would suggest discussing your worries with your doctor or nurse - it did wonders for me and I now feel completely relaxed and prepared for the induction. As for preparing for the induction, I would double check that you have everything you'll need packed, including a book or puzzles to pass the time. You might also want to pack a sleep mask so you can try to rest up during the earlier stages of labor. If you are allowed to eat beforehand, eat a light meal. Other than that, try to relax and get some rest - you'll be needing all your energy soon.

Answer 3

If it is at night I wouldn't eat for about 6 hours before. Sometimes labor can cause vomiting because of food. Once you are in there, they will check you in as if you went into labor naturally (they'll even check your cervix), then you'll get a drip in your IV that will start contractions. Once this happens you'll only be allowed to eat ice chips. Some rooms have TVs or other sources of Entertainment, just because you are induced does NOT mean that the baby will come quicker. I was induced the 2nd time and I was in labor for 10 hours. The first time it was natural labor, and it stalled after 12 hours, and then got the drip like you get for induction and it took me another 4 hours after that to deliver. Just relax. Your nurse will be in to check on you often and will take good care of you. Just remember your nurses are the ones that make the experience memorable, if you're rude to them, they'll be rude back and it will make it worse, so just remember to be nice no matter how bad it hurts. Also, one thing I forgot on the inductionn, it doesn't take long to start feeling the contractions, trust me, and if you plan to get an epidural, I'd wait for about 2-3 good strong contractions then ask for it, that way you know labor has truly started. Good luck!

Answer 4

Eat a high protein meal shortly before going in and plan on staying hydrated by mouth even if you have an IV of saline/glucose. I recommend Gatorade, water, and natural juices. Not eating does not assure not vomiting, and vomiting is actually very normal in labor and is the bodies way of getting baby further down the birth canal - normally occuring in transition. Just as you would not fast before a triathalon, why would you refuse yourself nourishment and fuel before birth - another highly demanding physical event?!

Expect it to be intense, to help with the induction's chances of success, and to help with discomfort, STAY OUT OF BED. Try sitting on the birthing ball, leaning over the bed with your butt pointed out, labor dancing (leaning on someone and swaying back and forth, walking, and, later into labor, getting into the tub/shower. All of these things will help bide the time, help with discomfort, help make contractions more efficient, and aid in baby's decent. Sitting or lying in bed, OTOH, work AGAINST labor, baby, and mom's pain thresholds.

Also, consider refusing Cytotec (Misoprostol) if that is what they offer you - it is wicked stuff that is not approved by the FDA for inductions. It has extremely high risks associated with it and reported. Many of them are fatal or near-fatal. Cervadil for cervical ripening and Pitocin for induction are both much safer, though still not without risk.

BTW, I was induced with pitocin with my twins' births (#3 and 4)

Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 5

Just try to remain calm and things will be a little easier on you. Most doctors reccommend eating very light or just ice chips. Sometimes when you eat too heavy, the meds will cause nausea and you could throw up.

I was induced with my first, and I got a little nausea, and I only drank water.

Answer 6

call the hospital about this they can and will answer all questions. try to eat a small meal. you dont want a lot on your tummy when labor starts it can make you vomit. they will only allow you to have ice chips. in case they need to do a c- section. sleep as much as you can before you go in. you wont be sleeping much once your there congrats and good luck