What to expect when induced

So my due date is 4/22 but I have mild pre-eclampsia- have done 3 24hr urine for protein and all have come back high and BP has been borderline, so my OB is inducing me 4/15 at 39 weeks. Ive been 1cm and 50% effaced for the past 2 weeks, so I am nervous I will end up needing a C/S

Anyway, what should I expect?? I know it can be a long process, but am I allowed to get up and walk around, eat etc?? I have no idea what to exepct! I will be delivering at Stony Brook.

Re: What to expect when induced

I was induced at Winthrop and feel it was a good experience. Once you get your IV you aren't going far, and once the epi and catheter are in, you aren't going anywhere. they won't let you eat or drink once admitted. cervadil wasn't good for me but pitocin was fine. Everyone progresses differently. I wasn't too far along when they started...my water broke after about 4 hours, I had my epi at 5 or 6 cm (about 6 hours) and DD was born after 14 1/2. No c section for me. I pushed for about an hour or so. DH was glad I had a change of clothes and deodorant/toothbrush for him b/c I was in L&D a total of 1 1/2 days (between the cervadil, stopping it, waiting to start pit, and then l&d). He could eat/snack! I snuck some food b/c I knew I wasn't going to throw up. Good luck!

Re: What to expect when induced

I was induced at Stony Brook. Went in the night before for the cervadil, which did nothing for me. Had to wait to be moved to L&D to be given the pitocin. I wasn't allowed to eat from when i went in there. But the good thing was that since it took so long to move me from the ante-partum unit to L&D they let me order breakfast and i got to eat between the cervadil and the pitocin. After finally making it to the L&D floor they gave me the pitocin and i started progressing, I got an epi as soon as it started to feel uncomfortable. and i'd say within 5-6 hours after the pitocin my little girl was born. As soon as my water broke I went from 6-10cm in 1/2 hour and pushed for maybe 15-20 minutes. I think about 3-4 good pushes and she was out.
It wasn't that bad. My advice is if you are planning on getting an epi, get it when you start to feel uncomfortable, and it will make the whole experience sooo much better.
I've been induced 2x so if you need anything feel free to FM me.

Re: What to expect when induced

I was semi-induced at 39 weeks. I was having steady contractions for weeks prior, and finally had my bloody show, but they wanted to speed things up since I was having contractions for so long. I was 3 cm at the time.

I went in at 11 am, was finally admitted at 1pm. They broke my water. They put an IV in and started pitocin and had me walk around the hospital which felt like hours, but probably was only like an hour. I labored for a while, and DH had people come visit me ((oh joy, and won't happen again lol)). Somebody finally checked me and I was at 6 cm. I had asked for the epi, and they told me once he was done with the lady next door he would come do mine. Well they didn't check me before I got my epi, so he puts it in. The doctor comes in and checks me and I'm 10 cm and ready to push so they turn off my epi so sweet relief for me lol.. I pushed for about 15-20 min. and out came my gorgeous baby boy at 8:12 pm.

I had a great induction, just wish I had asked to be checked more often so I knew how far I was coming along.

Goodluck!! and I hope things go smoothly for you!

Re: What to expect when induced

I was induced at 39 weeks (you can read my Birth Story). I had a very positive experience.

I was checked into the hospital at 9pm the night before. I was given cervidil to ripen my cervix.

At 7am, the cervidil was removed, I was allowed to shower and then around 8:15am the Dr. came in, broke my water and the pitocin was started.

Contractions started IMMEDIATELY. And were about a minute and a half apart. I won't like, Pitocin contractions are INTENSE. Within 45 minutes, I asked for the epidural.

By 10am, I was 4cm dialted, by 12 I was 7cm, and was ready to push by 1:00pm.

I started pushing at 1:20 and DD w
as born at 1:58pm.

ETA: When I came into the hospital, I was not dialted or effaced at all. And I still had a very quick labor and delivery.

Message edited 4/10/2010 10:45:35 AM.

Re: What to expect when induced

I was induced at 39 wks because DS had an elevated heart rate. I was not given Cervadil because I was already 3 cm and 90% effaced.

I was given the pitocin, and after that, I was not allowed to eat or walk around. A little while after, they broke my water, and then I got my epidural.

The induction was a success because I did make it to 10cm, but DS was turned face up, and my pelvis is titled, so he could not fully descend. Because of this, I ended up with a c-section after 2 hours of pushing. If he had been facing normal, I would not have needed the c-section.

If you are showing some progress, that's a good sign. Good luck and hope it all works out!

Re: What to expect when induced

Thanks for responding! That sheds some light on what I will be going through because I had no clue! Im hoping that I dont need a C/S, I know it is what it is, but hopefully Ill progress okay.

Thanks for the well wishes

Re: What to expect when induced

I wasn't dilated at all when I was induced. I THINK I was 1/2CM, if that. You can't eat, in case you have to have an emergency C. You can walk around until the epi is administered. They will give you ice chips for thirst. I was induced at 8PM and I gave birth at 6PM the next day. It really was no big deal!