Positive Induction Story - 9lbs 13oz

I was considered a high risk pregnancy - I have T1D, gestational hypertension, and some blood antibodies. As a result I always knew I would be induced early. This was my third, and final, baby so I had hoped to maybe go into labor naturally before induction. Although I had significant prodromal labor at 37+2 (contractions every 3 minutes for 12 hrs and dilated to 3cm), labor then stalled and never restarted.

I went for my 38 weeks appointment on Monday. Blood pressure still high but all labs looked good was scheduled for induction tomorrow (the 26th) at 6pm and was ready to walk and squat my week away. Went to my NST after my appointment and there were some signs my placenta was starting to fail so we changed the plan for an induction the same day. Unfortunately, my I diction time kept getting pushed back due to labor and delivery being super busy.

Finally at 3am Tuesday morning I was hooked up to my IV and my pitocin was started. For the rest of the night they very slowly increased my pitocin and let me sleep off and on. The pitocin immediately regulated the contractions I was already having making them timetable and slightly stronger. I slept off and on until about 10am. At that point I was still 3cm and 50% effaced with baby at -3. Same as when I went in at 37+2. When I woke up I told the nurse we should turn up the pitocin and get things started. She obliged and my contractions changed. I should still chat and visit with my husband and the nurse but during contractions I needed to breath and focus. Contractions were every 2 minutes lasting about a minute, but we were watching TV and chatting. Before noon I had my bloody show and was clearly progressing. Doctor came in at 12:36 and checked me - I was at 6cm about 80% effaced and -2. She broke my water.

I knew from my second child that once you break my water and I’m 6cm

Things could go quickly (for him it was 46 minutes until he was delivered and a dramatic five minutes of pushing where the doctor barely made it).

She broke my water at 12:36 and my daughter was born at 1:18. I accidentally delivered her with no doctor. I was laboring on the edge of the bed and standing to squat through each contraction (facing away from the bed). I stood up for a contraction and suddenly realized my body was pushing and yelled I’m pushing, at the same moment I could feel her start to come out. I reached down and her head was already out. I was holding her in place but my body was still pushing. The nurse was saying to get anybody available. Several nurses and a midwife rushed in as her shoulders started to come out. Somebody reached from behind me and pulled her back onto the bed. Everyone was saying I had delivered my own baby, but to be fair they did show up at the end and help out.

No tearing no repairs needed. No pain meds during or after. We were discharged less than 24 hours later and are back home.

The last thirty minutes or so were very intense and dramatic, but manageable. I think I’m glad that I ended up not going I to labor on my own, although sad I’ve never had that experience, because we live at least 35 minutes from the hospital and my labor was totally easy and manageable up until the very end. The kid would totally have been born on the freeway, which would have been extra unfortunate because I was GBS+ and would absolutely

Not have had time for the antibiotics.

Anyway, sorry for the long story. I see a lot of women on here post worried about induction and wanted to share to help show that it can be manageable. Hospital has my total active labor as an hour 19 minutes, but in reality it was probably closer to 2 hours and again transition through delivery was less than 40 minutes. Even with that fast labor it was manageable and I was up and walking and showering. You guys have got this.

Welcome Lillian Gail born are 38+2 weighing 9lbs 13oz.