Btdt - scheduled induction, what to expect

When I go to my 41 week appointment on Wed, there is a good chance my doc (Dr. Jacob - NSUH) may schedule an induction for me, so I want to be prepared. I am trying for a vbac. As of last appointment, I was 2 cm and 70% effaced. I would love to know about some induction experiences, particularly the logistical details, i.e. what time did you go there?, what was done?, how long did things take?, can you eat before?, should i bring anything different in my labor bag if i have an induction?, i have to plan for child care for my son so the timing is important to me (though obviously every woman is different). My dr does not see patients in the office on Fridays so im thinking it would be sched for friday.

Re: Btdt - scheduled induction, what to expect

If you're already 2 cm and 70% effaced, they'll likely take you in the morning and start you on Pitocin. Probably break your water too, which should get things moving. My OB told me that for normal inductions that start with Pit / water breaking in the morning, you can expect to have the baby by 3 or 4 in the afternoon.

Re: Btdt - scheduled induction, what to expect

I was recently induced at 1-2cm and 50% effaced. They had me come in at midnight because I was GBS positive and they wanted me to have at least one course of antibiotics in my system before starting the induction.

So we arrived with our bags at midnight, did some paperwork with admitting and then off to the delivery room. They got me set up with the IV and the fetal monitor and heart rate monitor on and by the time they actually got the antibiotic order in, it was like 2am. DH and I "slept" until about 7am when the doctor arrived to prep me for the actual induction.

Around 8am they started me on pitocin and the doctor broke my water. I got the epidural around 10:30am and then fell asleep until around noon. I was about 6cm at that point but by 12:30 they checked me again and I was fully dilated. I delivered my baby at 1:02pm. I stayed in the room recovering until about 3:30pm when I got feeling back in my legs and they brought me to my room where we stayed for the next two days until discharge.

Hope that helps!

Re: Btdt - scheduled induction, what to expect

I just had an elective induction yesterday at 40w1d that went pretty smoothly. I was already 4 cm and 60% effaced when it started. My water was broken at 10 am to see if the contractions would start on their own so that pitocin could be avoided. Since they were still irregular after an hour, I was started on the lowest dose of pitocin. Then my contractions picked up, and DS was born around 2 pm. My epidural did not work (it didn't work with my first DS either), but other than that it was a successful delivery. I know people don't like elective inductions (and I went into labor on my own with my other kids at 38 weeks), but I'm glad I did an induction this time. DS2 weighs almost 9 lbs, and I can't imagine how big he would have been if we waited and got closer to 41-42 weeks. As for eating, I had no restrictions beforehand. They treated the induction as if it were a spontaneous labor. I was allowed ice chips only during the induction itself. Good luck!