Induction stories?

Question

I am 40+3 today and scheduled to go in and get induced later (picotin). This is my first baby and I don't really know what to expect. I know all birth stories are different but I would really like to hear some induction experiences and advice? I am really nervous and have heard induction makes labour alot worse

Answer

I was induced with pitocin. It was my first baby so I don’t have anything to compare it with but labor went great for me.  It lasted almost 24 hours so I imagine it can be a long process.  I got the epidural about halfway through up until then the contractions were painful but definitely bearable, that changed after my water broke though.  I was really scared going in though but there was nothing scary about mine, hopefully yours will go the same.

Answer

I was induced at 41 weeks, went to the hospital at 10 am, the contractions at the beginning were bearable, my boyfriend and I were listening to music and playing cards through lost of the day. Once the Dr. broke the bag, the contractions were much stronger,  that’s when I asked for the epidural. After 12 hours, they realized baby wasn’t coming out and had a c-section. My advice would be to not be afraid of the epidural, it feels like heaven and I wish I had it before my water broke. Also, keep in mind that induction might end in c-section, I didn’t and I was very nervous. It has been 2 months now and I could share some advantages of surgery vs regular delivery. Hope this helps

Answer

I was induced due to gestational hypertension at 37 weeks. First, they inserted essentially a long paper tampon called Cervadil. It softens the cervix and can start contractions. 12 hrs later, I was at 2 cm, and contractions had started. I was able to walk around and eat normally during this time as long as they could continue to monitor the baby’s heart rate. Before the next step, they allowed me to shower. Then, they inserted a Foley bulb. It is basically a balloon that they insert into your cervix that slowly encourages the cervix to widen. I am not certain how long it took to work, between 4-5 hours, but it fell out on its own when I had to pee. I was not allowed to walk around while it was inserted, except to pee. Contractions were definitely progressing at this point, and I was at a 4, my doctor broke my water. Then I was given pitocin in my IV. I was allowed to walk around and bounce on a ball, again as long as they could monitor the baby’s heart rate. Unfortunately, there were many times they couldn’t, which meant I ended up being bed bound. The pitocin sent me into hyperlabour. I was having contractions constantly. At one point, the baby’s heart rate dipped, so they made me lay on my left side, and despite the pitocin, my contractions stopped all together for three hours. Just stopped. After the three hours, they decided to increase my dose of pitocin, I was at a 5. They put me in “princess pose” on the bed, to encourage the baby to drop. Contractions began again, and they got to a very intense pitch. I was struggling with catching my breath. The nurse again said I was in hyperlabour. Suddenly, my room filled with people, and they alerted me that I now had preeclampsia, and I would need to be on magnesium sulfate immediately. I had done my research, and I knew an epidural would help with lowering blood pressure, so I asked for this too. At this point though, my anxiety was so high, as I had so many interventions. I just kept saying over and over, I don’t want a c-section. They checked my cervix, and I was at a 6. The nurse helped me so much while I waited for the epidural. She was a rockstar, while I was, at this point, the worst patient ever. The epidural took all of 10 seconds, and I immediately felt myself relax. In less than an hour, after two pushes, Baby was born!

Answer

Induction does not make it hurt worse.....but rather bring strong and hard contractions from the beginning. When you go into labor naturally, your labor progresses and so does your contractions. They start out mild and then gradually get worse. With induction, there is no gradual. You're hit with 8cm contractions from the beginning. 
I labored with my first naturally until 8cm. I am not sure where I was when I started but I woke up at 430am thinking I had to poop but they were contractions. I could talk through them. By time I got to the hospital at 730, they were very painful, couldn't talk through them. At 8am I was 8, almost 9cm. 
With my second, I was induced because I was 4cm, 100% effaced and contracting nonstop for about 3 weeks. When they finally start pitocin, I wanted pain relief right away.

Answer

I was induced at 38 weeks with baby number 2. I wasn’t dilated or anything at all. It was pitocin and labor was 6 hours from start to finish. It was more painful than all natural however I did it with no medication and am fine.

Answer

I had an emergency induction at 37+4. I wasn't dilated or effaced at all. It took 40 hours, it was the worst experience of my life. After 3 hours of continuous back to back contractions with no time in between, I still hadn't dilated past 2cm. Once I got the epidural it was fine though! And I'm sure with you being so far along it'll be much different for you!

Answer

I got induced with my son and it went very smoothly. It was a long labor, 22 hours active labor and 36 hours from walking in the hospital until having him but I wouldn’t have done it differently. He was born healthy vaginally and I didn’t tear at all. I got the epidural after they broke my water because once my water broke I was having 2 contractions on top of each other and I didn’t get a chance to breathe but once I had the epidural it was great. I was able to joke around and watch tv. Sometimes they lead to more interventions, but in my instance it didn’t. It did hurt because the contractions were strong and I didn’t take any birthing classes, but it went pretty well in my opinion and it was all worth it no matter how he came into the world. Try not to worry about it.

Induction stories?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey