BTDT moms regarding inductions

As I've already posted on the pregnancy board I have been diagnosed with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. I am being closely monitored as any day I could cross over to pre eclemptic.

I am almost positive within the next week I will be going for an induction. Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks.

With that said I have a couple of questions regarding the induction.

Last week (at 35 weeks) my OB did an internal and I was 40% effaced and 1cm dilated. Is this a good sign for an induction?

How painful was the induction/labor process? (My original plan was natural vaginal delivery with no meds).

Did you wind up having a c-section? If yes, why (what was the problem/complication)?

TIA!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced twice. The first time 10 days late because my water broke, but I wasn't contracting and the second time a few days early. I delivered vaginally both times and I had great experiences both times. I did get an epidural both times, but I'm sure I would have opted for an epidural even if I hadn't been induced though. I think if you are already dilating and effacing that is good! Good luck!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I've been induced all 3x's. However I was also given cervadil with my first 2 boys and to be honest I was in a lot of pain so yes I had drugs with all.

1st v-birth 23.5hrs labor and given demarol (would never have that again)

2nd v-birth 18.5hrs labor and had an epi (Sorry but I swear by it)

3rd c-sec 15hrs labor and started with an epi but then had to have the spinal due to the c-sec. I also think I had to have a c-sec because I couldn't have the cervadil with this one and I personally don't think I can dialate without it and my son's heart rate was dropping so it was an emergency.

Good Luck

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced because my water broke but I wasn't having contractions. I was about 2cm dilated when I got to the hospital at 11ish. They gave me Pitocin around noon, and once it kicked in, the contractions started...and were so fast that I needed the epidural.
My baby was born vaginally at 7:10 that night.

My sister, on the other hand, was having contractions, but not dilating. So they gave her the Cerdavil (sp?) and I don't' remember exactly how long it took....but it was pretty quick....and she also delivered vaginally. Of course, she dilated so quickly that she couldn't get the epidural. But she survived...and she's got no tolerance for pain.

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced 6 days late. I got the epidural at 5 cm, my progression stalled at 5 cm for 3 hours and I ended up with a c-section. I didn't think it was too painful until 5cm. I was afraid to get the epidural that it would make me stop dilating, which I did stop. Of course I'm not sure if it was related. The resident told me that the epidural may help me dilate faster, since I'd be more relaxed. But I guess that didn't happen for me.

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I'm sorry you aren't able to go with your original plan, but of course what is most important is getting baby out safely....I was induced because my water broke but I didn't go into labor. No contractions, dilation, effacing, nada.

I'm not going to lie, the pitocin contractions hurt. The epidural helped a lot but back when I had DS1 five years ago they wouldn't give you an epidural until you got to 4 cm, which took a very long time for me. I never got past 4 cm, even after 28 hours.

I ended up with a c-section because it had been so long since my water broke and I started having a minor fever, so they didn't want to risk infection.

Good luck to you!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced due to GD 3 days early. I had a real good and fast experience. I went in on Tuesday morning and got cervadil. I was 1.5cm dilate and anywhere from 50%-75% effaced depending on what doctor I had. With the cervadil, I cramped and had mild contractions all day. At 11pm they removed the cervadil and I immediately went into full blown labor so I never needed the pitocin the next morning. I was 3 cm at that point. An hour or so later I was 7 cm and 15 minutes after that (after receiving epi) I was 10 cm. It was painful but I don't think it was anymore painful than if I went into labor naturally, it just started faster. I remember thinking this painful and thank God it is going fast!
Good luck! And I hope you have a good experience, but remember what ever the pain is, it's only temporary and soon enough your little one will be here!!!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced because my water broke and I had no contractions.
Even with being induced, almost 24 hours later, I ended up in a C Section because I only got to 2cms dialated.

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

He was 12 days late so they induced me.

I wasn't dialated at all. Got the cervadil...still nothing after 12 hours. THe cervadil - I felt cramping and what I thought were contractions but who knows. They were annoying - not super painful.

I insisted on a csection. I was too worried about something happening to the baby this late in the game.

Thank god I did bc the doctor said there was no way I would have pushed him out (he was almost 10 pounds)

Good luck!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced-10 days early. They started Cervidil on a Sunday night, started Pitocin Monday morning. Labored for 12 hours, no epi. Stopped Pitocin Monday night, rested up.

Started Pitocin Tuesday morning, 4 hours later they broker my water, 3 hours later I got an epi, 5 hours later DD was born (vaginal).

The only reason I waited on the epi is because I need my pain to override my fear of a needle in my back. Next time, I go right for the epi (well, not right for it, but I won't wait as long, there's not need for me to deal with that pain for so long).

I was concerned as well, that the induction would lead to a C-section and I would have to deal with labor and a c-section recovery. Lucky for me I didn't, I hope I am as lucky next time. Luck to you as well!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

My doctor induced me purely for my conveniance (3 days early- so DH could be home for a full week with us). She said she would only do it if I was showing progress toward going into labor.

I was at about 2-3 cm and 70% effaced the morning I went in for my induction.

She was born vaginally.

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was 36.5 weeks when I was induced as well.

I was induced at 4PM on Monday and didn't experience hard labor until right before 9PM. I got an epidural shortly thereafter (this was part of my plan).
So how painful was it before the epidural? It wasn't sooo bad; I could have stuck it out a while longer but just chose not to. I didn't want to find out how bad it was going to become.

By 1:30AM, I was ready to roll. I pushed for about an hour and a half and gave birth 3:14AM. No c-section....I progressed pretty nicely.

I know women who can go weeks with already being dilated so I don't think that's an indication of your readiness to give birth. I'm sure everything will work out fine though!!! Good luck and keep us posted!!

Message edited 6/4/2008 9:00:01 AM.

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced a little around 41 weeks because I had gone past the due date and showed no signs of labor. I was 2.5 centimeters dilated before going in, but had been for a few weeks with no progress.

The nurse told me inductions tend to take longer, though I have heard of people having quick births with them. The pain wasn't so bad, they introduced the pitocin slowly to mimic natural labor, but it took soooo long, I wound up getting an epidural just so I could sleep a bit. Because even with mildish pain, you just can't sleep. It was the best thing I ever did, I could barely push the baby out when the time came as it was, can't imagine how I could have done it if I didn't get an epidural. So I recommend one, you can actually rest a bit and store up your energy. Some doctors introduce the pitocin quikcly too and I've heard that's more painful, so I would ask what they will do.

Good luck!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

Thanks for all of your info girls!!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I was induced because I had GD. It wasn't painful once I got the epidural I had to have a c-section after 30hours of labor because DD didn't drop, I didn't dialate past 4cm and she was to big to fit through my pelvis.

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

(I know I have posted about this a billion times, but here goes again...sorry for repetition)

I was induced at 9 days late, I have no idea if I was dialated or what. The induction took 3 days, so it started Saturday morning with pitocin and my water was broken Monday lunchtime and my son was born at 9 pm. It wasn't a comfortable 3 days, but it wasn't horrible. When you finally do go into labor, its like going from feeling completely normal to feeling contractions full blown. It was pretty bloody scary. Here in the UK they give us gas and air (like laughing gas) and that was pretty freaky also. In the end I had an epidural and I have a natural birth.

IMO with an induction you need to have an epidural as there is no building up of your pain barrier, its just WHOOSH, labor.

Good LUck!

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

I hope my story does not scare you..

I also had PIH so I was induced at 38 weeks. I was 90% effaced and 2cm dilated at the time. I didn't need cervadil so I just received pitocin. Once they broke my water my contrax became really painful and often. I had terrible back labor. It took me about 12 hours to be fully dilated. I pushed for an hour and ended up with a c-section. Turns out she just wasn't low enough and her head was not in the exact position it needed to be in - basically she was not ready. I did have a great c/s with a great recovery and would do it again in an instant.

unfortunately, I ended up with preeclampsia 2 days after I delivered (which is REALLY REALLY rare - so please do not fret). I was sick for about 2 weeks and then my bp and everything finally started to come down.

Good luck

Re: BTDT moms regarding inductions

Posted by stickydust

unfortunately, I ended up with preeclampsia 2 days after I delivered (which is REALLY REALLY rare - so please do not fret). I was sick for about 2 weeks and then my bp and everything finally started to come down.

Good luck