So guys, how bad is induction really?

kit_kats_mom wrote: I can not believe I'm even asking this. I've always been the "try to avoid it if you can" lady. However, I've read a few things lately that indicate that going over 41 weeks can actually be more dangerous than having a preemie due to meconium.

Here are the facts:

-I want to go natural again. I know that the chances of interventions are higher with inductions. I don't really want that.
-I know that Lauren's actual due date is 12-29...we only did it twice that month and so it's pretty easy to pinpoint when she was conceived. So it's not like if we did induce, she'd be weeks early or anything.
-I want her out NOW! My skin hurts along with everything else. Plus, I'm ready to meet this little imp. LOL
-I have to have child care for K while I'm in the hospital. There are a few days during the first week of Jan where I have no coverage for childcare. My aunt is looking into possibly coming down to stay while my mom works but it's not likely.
-This is the stupidest reason but DH got me to thinking about it....I want her before the end of the year so we get our tax break.

Anyway, I called the OB today to see if they would be able to schedule an induction by the 31st if there was no progress on the 30th. She's going to see what she can do and call me back.

Fingers crossed that Lauren comes out before then. I'm getting nauseaus just thinking about inducing but almost all of my facts point to it.

A&A'smommy replied: You have to go with what you feel is right, you are now overdue I think the chances of you having to have a c/s is VERY low because you have already had one child AND you are already dialated. When I was induced none of those were a factor for me. If you feel like you should go ahead and get induced go with it and remember when its going on try to relax that will help! (((((BIG HUGS))))) I hope that she will come before then!

coasterqueen replied: Well you know my feelings about it just because mine turned out to be a nightmare. Some are very lucky though and theirs didn't.

I think of it this way..if one does get induced and have to have a c/s you would be putting yourself at major risk because a c/s is MAJOR surgery and things can happen. Although they can happen when trying to have a vaginal birth as well.

This time around if I even get the chance to have a VBAC I'm willing to go through the 30 hours of labor and such to even get the chance to find out if I can have a VBAC. If we get to the point where then they tell me I can't have this baby that way then I'll go for the c/s but I want no pitocin, nothing! It has taken me a long time to get over my induction/c-section and I feel I was robbed of way too much.

I guess in your circumstance though you've already gotten to have a baby vaginally so maybe you won't miss as much. Who knows.

My DH thinks I'm stupid to put myself through so much and should just schedule a c-section even if we find out we can go for the VBAC. He thinks that way we can arrange for some place for Kylie to be, daycare issues, etc, etc, etc but it's not worth it to me. No matter how uncomfortable I get I know there is light at the end of the tunnel this time. Patience is a virtue I do not have and I'm determined to have it this time.

You have to do what works for you and your family. Sure there are risks going past term but that's why doctors are there to keep a close eye on you in those last few weeks and they WILL tell you when they really think you should go ahead and do it. Some just are a bit too medically antsy and convince to do it earlier than need be . There are just as many risks if not MORE IMO with going with an induction too. We tend not to hear all the nightmare stories of inductions though.

and GL with your decision.

Edit: You say that all the facts point to inducing but do they really? You are only 40 weeks....if the research you've seen points to dangers past 41 one weeks then give yourself at least til then. JMO, though. A tax credit isn't a big enough reason for me to want to put myself and baby in danger, though.

moped replied: I have heard inducing is a terrible way to go into labor - my sister daid it was HORRID....but the baby came..........however, my cousin just had a baby on Dec 14 and her due date was December 25th and she made her doc do a C-sec early....the baby has a few minor issues and she thinks it is due to him arriving a bit early.......I personally think you should let nature take its course. That is just IMHO.........................

MommyToAshley replied: I was induced because they thought I was overdue... my OB will not let anyone go over a week past their due date because of the risks. It turns out that my dates were wrong and Ashley was right on time.

As for labor, once my water was broken, the contractions came fast and hard. I wanted to go without an epi but I couldn't stand it any more and asked for an epi. I got the epi and Ashley was born 20 minutes later. So, it was fast.

As for the intensity of the contractions... well, I don't have anything to compare it to. All labor may be that intense for all I know. In the end, none of that mattered. (as you already know)

There is one thing you should be aware of, that I didn't realize. If you are being induced, you will have a monitor on you at all times and you will not be able to get up and walk around... you have to stay in bed. I have to admit, that part sucked.

Hopefully you will go into labor any minute now and won't have to worry about being induced. But, if you are induced, induction wasn't so bad for me.

~~~~~ COME OUT AND MEET THE WORLD LAUREN~~~~

~~~~~ELV~~~~~~~

kit_kats_mom replied: Karen, I totally agree. That's how I've always felt about it too. The tax break is my DH's way of teasing me. That doesnt' really matter at all.

I'm in hell....My heart says no but my brain (and body) are saying YES!!! GO NOW!! I got such satisfaction from having K naturally. It was a wonderful experience and my new docs are really supportive of natural as well. There is even a birthing pool in the labor room. Last time I was monitored the whole time which stinks. I was really looking forward to going natural with Lauren and being able to move around.

I don't know what to do. Wahhhhhh

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I think at 40 weeks you should have nothing to worry about with induction. I was induced with both of mine at 38 weeks and things were fine, well perfect. Contractions are hard and no, you can't walk around once they start the pit. drip. I would bet she will be here in a few more days and you won't have to worry about it. Go ahead and schedule it. Hopefully by then she will be a few days old and you will already be out of the hospital.

coasterqueen replied:
Well you ultimately have to do what you feel is right. Most doctors will not let a baby go past 42 weeks, why not wait the 6 more days til you are 41 weeks and then schedule it? Or schedule it for 41 weeks so you can "plan" as much as possible and give her the 6 more days to see if she comes?

Just some thoughts. I know it has to be very very hard for you right now. I know it will be for me as well, especially if I have to wait past 40 weeks. I was induced with Kylie at 40 weeks so I didn't have to wait any longer. Just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. She WILL NOT be staying in there forever. And really forever is just 13 days away because they definitely don't let them go longer than that .

Kaitlin'smom replied: wheeew, I dont have any advice for you as I went early (naturly) and ended up with a c-section I hated having that c-section, I feel like I did not give birth to my daughter, and the recovery...oy that was horrible, i was not at all pre-paird for that

I hope she comes soon so you dont have to make the decision.

jdkjd replied: I was induced both times (Kiera and Bailey) and loved it. I felt like everything was under control and that I was well taken care of.

I also liked being able to enjoy the pushing part instead of being exhausted or in pain (but that was because of the epi). Both girls came out bright-eyed and nursed immediately and for awhile. Both girls were also very aware when they arrived and didn't seem pooped at all.

I also liked not having to worry about getting to the hospital on time with Kiera. She was out in 3 pushes and second or subsequent births seem to happen fast.

So, I don't really believe that 1) the induction puts the baby in harms way; or 2) that the epi drugs the baby. But that's because of my experience.

jdkjd replied: Note: There are risks to natural/vaginal birth that are not risks in C-section. My doctor's wife had their third vaginally and the baby broke it's clavicle coming through the birth canal (baby was too big, too late.)

Each mother must make the decision as to what is best for the baby, the mother and the family.

jcc64 replied: I was induced with my 1st b/c my water broke and there weren't any contractions. It was my longest labor,(10hrs start to finish) but it was also my 1st, and everything turned out just fine. (didn't even take any drugs). I was 6 days late with Noah, but there was no talk of induction- they did some NST's and watched me closely, but he did fine and the labor was cake (no drugs and FAST).
It sounds like your reasons are emotional and non-medical. I would say, let Lauren decide when she's cooked. Not what you wanted to hear, I'm sure, but you're so close, Cary, rely on your body to do the right thing until there are signs to the contrary. Hang on, the end is near, really.

amynicole21 replied: The pit was the worst part for me. I had cervadil (sp?) which is just a prostaglandin gel they put on your cervix to help with dialation. This helped a lot. Also, breaking the water helps... if I had the choice this time, I would say No Way to pitocin again, but might consider the other options. I could not STAND the fact that I couldn't get out of the bed, that I was hooked up to tubes and monitors the entire time, and that I couldn't do the bath, birthing ball, bar, etc... that I had planned on. I would say wait as long as you can before you get to the point when childcare will really be an issue, then make your choice then. It doesn't hurt to weigh all of your options, but use induction as a last resort if you can.

mummy2girls replied: I was induced with both Jordan and Jenna... both experiences was different. With Jordan I was even 1/2 cm dialted. My blood pressure sky rocketed and i had protien in my urine and very swollen. I had allt he signs of PIH so thats why iw as induced. It was VERY painful. I had massive backl labour and my labour from induction to him being born lasted 24 hours. The pushing lated 2.5 hours. It was brutal.

With jenna I was already 3cm dialted and i started to show the same signs of PIH again but worse this time around so i was induced. It was painful but not as painful. I think because with jenna i didnt have back labour. And with her from induction to her being born lasted 8 hours. and pushing only lasted 10 minutes.

Boys r us replied: To be honest, I was induced with braedon and it was a million times easier than my labor with Tanner. Iw ould be induced again in a HEARTBEAT!

booey2 replied: Hi, sounds like everyone has a different experience and that is what I wanted to share. Each woman reacts differently to an induction, I also think that if you go into it with a positive mindset you should have a positive outcome. I feel that the reverse is true too. So with that said here is a link to my sons birthstories, with both of them I had pitocin, with Matthew I was truly induced and with Thomas I just needed a little help because of a stalled labour. Hope this helps.

birth stories

By the way you may have to scroll down quite a bit to get to my stories but they are all a good read.

maestra replied: I say schedule it and wait, because it's Murphy's Law. I had an induction scheduled with Jaci, and went into labor on my own that morning. I refused to go to triage because I thought they would just send me home again. So when they called me in for the induction I was already in labor, and they ended up giving me pit to suppliment it since it was taking so long (I had been in labor since midnight, it was 9 pm, and I was still only 2 cm).

The childcare really is an issue, I know. My mom will be taking care of Jaci, but I still worry about her. The idea of possibly going into labor when there is noone to take care of K, thus needing your dh to stay with her and having to do it alone is scary! I don't blame you for wanting to make sure that everyone is taken care of!

to you. I know how it feels! (And P.s.- We've thought of the tax break too! )

kimberley replied: i would wait too. i know those last weeks/days of pg are miserable but Cary, you honestly don't want your birth experience with Lauren to be like what i had with Jade. the ob's completely bullied DH and i into the induction, using those "facts" as scare tactics. truth was, if i knew how to read the NST results, i would have known that she was just fine in there and would have came out on her own when she was ready. they had my edd wrong (which i always knew) and wanted her out before labor day because they didn't want to work . it was one miserable intervention after another and any hope of sticking to my birth plan was hucked out a window. first they started the pit. i painfully watched my girls heart rate go nuts. up and down... she was under stress! then i wasn't progressing fast enough (remember my labor was under 5hrs start to finish), so they upped the pit which brought on excruciating cx and again, put jade under stress. i got the epi. then they broke my water, found a minute trace of merconium and attached that stupid monitor to her head. (the mark is STILL there!). DH didn't get to cut the cord, i didn't get to hold my girl when she first came out... all for them to say, "oh, she is just perfect and healthy". i was livid! it was DH's first child and between the induction and SARS (he wasn't allowed to the last half of my appts) it was a rotten experience. jade was covered with a thick coat of vernix that didn't come off for days which is said to only be present up until the 40th week, where then it thins and is barely visible. so there is no way she was truly 11 days past due! good luck with your decision but keep in mind... you have come 40 weeks with this baby, what is a few more days?

chloe&tysmommy replied:
Same here!!!! My labour was VERY easy with Ty....and totally opposite with Chloe (no induction)......I felt the same as you, I just wanted the baby out and I hated being uncomfortable ALL the time.

Everyone is different though, I've heard a lot of horror stories about it but my experience was awesome (I had the epidural which helped a lot). I didn't even have one painful contraction just a lot of pressure!

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do

edited to add: that one of my biggest reasons for being induced was b/c the doctor said the baby was going to be big, he also gave me the option of being induced 2 wks early but I said no. I was a day overdue and I agreed to it...I'm glad I did to b/c Ty was 8lbs. 6oz. already lol

I think if you want to do it...then go for it

momof2girls replied: With my oldest she was 13 days over due so they induced me, it was not that bad, but after 13 hrs of labor I had to have a c section because I was not progressing and the baby was stressed

aspenblue1 replied: I was induced with Isabella. The induction wasn't bad. Totally different story with the epi.

It was a good thing I was induced because there was meconium. I don't have anything to compare the contractions to.

Mommy2BAK replied: I was induced and it was fine. I couldn't sleep the few days before though, just because I was so excited. I was only like 4 days overdue

3_call_me_mama replied:
I think that this depends on the hospital because i was induced with both of mine and i walked around after they had broken my water and way after they started my pitocin. I was allowed in the birthing pool until they broke my water but still could be in the shower after that. The contractions were AWFUL!! Bu tthe progression was quick.. and i did both with just one dose of stadol..... and i am a wimp when it comes to pain. I'd go for the induction cause it sucks majorly being that uncomfortable and not being able to move. Besides...... you might get a new years baby and get some cool prizes! but go with you body and mind on this cause your heart's gonna love her regardless of when she gets here but you might be insane if you have to wait much longer! LOL!

~KARA~ replied: I was induced with both my dd's and wont have it anyother way. I already told my dr I want to be induced with this one too!

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
I've never heard of them letting anyone do that! That is pretty cool. I delivered mine in 2 different hospitals and neither one of the hospitals had 'birthing centers' with pools, etc. I would have held out a little longer if I would have had options, but they told me I was restrained to the bed once I got there...why wouldn't I chose an epidural?? They wouldn't let me move! They were afraid of infection.

3_call_me_mama replied:
Yeah it actually was nice, being able to move! I had to drag the pitocin monitor everywhere and I couldn'd be off the machine fo rmore than 15 minutes at a time but i got to use the birthing balls, the whirlpool thing, the shower and walk up and down the hall, (actually they kinda make you do this even if you don't really want to because it helps your labor progress quicker and makes your body begin to make contractions.) But if i had to stay in bed I would've gone insane (and have gotten the epidural too cause moving REALLY helped!