If you’ve been induced before, what was it like?

Question

I’m scheduled to be induced this coming Monday March 4th at 40 weeks 2 days, if I make it that far. I’m a ftm so I don’t know what to expect. I’d love to here your birth stories if you’ve been induced! Good and bad I want to hear them all. I plan on doing this without an epidural so if any of you have done the same I’d love to hear. Thanks ladies! *will be posting in another group too*

Answer

Hey gal! I was induced with my first at 40+1 and my son was born 40+3. I was induced for low amniotic fluid. I was at 1cm when I went in. They started me in cervidil for 12 hours to ripen my cervix - after 12 hrs still 1cm. Then I did cytotec for 8 doses (their maximum) which was 16 hours. Still at 1cm. Tried to place a foley bulb with no luck then was allowed to shower and moved down to labor and deliver for pitocin. Got pitocin at 11pm and woke up at 3am and asked for an epidural. Once the epidural was in I felt amazing, slept and just relaxed. At 7am was still at 1cm so they broke my water and 5 hours later I was at 10cm and ready to push. Pushed for 3 hours and then my sweet boy was here! I used a birthing bar and felt it was wonderful for me! My advice is go in with NO expectations but an idea of how you want to manage your pain. The less you have in your head about how it is going to go, the less stressed/disappointed you will be. Some people hear about my birth and think it was crazy but it was really great for me. I had great nurses, great doctors, and people making sure we were all doing ok! I was definitely surprised when I didn’t have a baby the day I went in to be induced - but now I know it takes some time! Also - let yourself eat up until the moment they say you can’t :) You’ve got this!! Good luck!

Answer

I was induced with my first at 38.5 weeks due to elevated blood pressure. My body was not ready at all I was not dilated or effaced one bit. I went in on a Thursday night and they started me with an oral pill to get my dilated. By morning I was a 2 or 3 can’t remember but they were happy with my progress. We started pitocin several hours later at 4:30 pm. It sucked because none of the nurses could get me in a good contraction pattern they were either too far apart or too close together it was SO frustrating. I labored like this all night until I had an emotional breakdown 12 hours later after getting no sleep. I had planned on no epidural but I was so tired I knew I needed some sleep if I was going to push a baby out. After talking through it with my midwife I got an epidural probably around 6:30 am. I went from a 4 to a 10 by 9:45 and I  was able to get a couple hours of sleep. When I felt the pressure in my butt I knew it was time to push. I pushed for 20 minutes and baby girl was born fist first 6lbs7oz. None of what happened was in my birth plan but now that I’m due with a larger baby who is still breech I would take my first birth experience over a possible c section. Good luck!

Answer

I have been induced twice—one horror story, and one amazing story. My first was for pre-eclampsia, so the additional meds (magnesium sulfate) for that made it horrible. I had prepared for a natural birth, but after 18 hours and not progressing or sleeping, I got an epidural, took a nap, woke up, pushed for 3 hours, and had a forceps delivery. My second was amazing. No pre-eclampsia. 41 weeks. Theee hour labor. No epidural. Such a better experience!

Answer

My induction started with 2 days or oral ripening agents before i was eligible for pitocin, 20 hours of labor (with an epidural for 8 or so, got one as soon as I could because i have no break in between contractions due to the pitocin) i pushed for 4 hours and baby was in distress so I ended up with an emergency c section on day 4 in the hospital.

If you’ve been induced before, what was it like?

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