Induction - Johnson City,TN

A LOT of emphasis gets put on weddings and birthdays.

I've come to realize:

- The wedding doesn't mean squat. It's the marriage that counts.

- It doesn't matter HOW they're born, it just matters that they're born.

Congratulations on the next 40 some odd years!!! So exciting!!!

I had 2 inductions...they were both VERY easy! In the hospital at 6am and holding by babies by noon!

Pain management was a breeze...make sure you take your pain meds when directed, you are not supposed to take the meds when you have pain, you are supposed to take them before the pain gets bad!

~I have no horror stories about being induced...only positive ones. I wish you the same!

My water broke at 6:30 am a week before my first was due. I wasn't dilated, effaced, contracting or ANYTHING, so they eventually started some pitocin that day. That labor was hard -I did NOT want an epidural, and I waited until basically they were about to do an emergence c-section because of spiking BP and fetal distress to get one -and it did calm everything down. I was having horrendous back labor and that was evidently sending my whole system into orbit. Did the pitocin cause it? Who knows? I have an aunt and a great friend who had no pitocin but over-the-top, screaming, nightmare back labor as well, so there's no way to know. I know a number of women who have had pitocin and not had any crazy kind of intense pain (more than normal during labor and delivery). With my 2nd, I had to be induced a week early because my BP had started to rapidly rise, and due to post-partum pre-eclampsia with the first, they were extremely diligent about my BP and any issues with the second. That was a full-on induction. I showed up for it as scheduled and was not dilated, effaced, and my water had not broken. I DID get an epidural as soon as I started feeling uncomfortable around 3am that morning (I was induced with pitocin at 10:30), and it was a GREAT epidural! I slept until 11:00am when I was told to wake up and give them a push. I did, was told to stop and wait -the doctor came in and I pushed again and had my baby! SO easy and no pain -and a full-on pitocin induction.

I have no stories to share. I do want to wish you and your baby the safest, healthiest and best birth experience possible.

Good luck and congrats on the newest addition.
~C.

I was induced with both of my children, both medically necessary. Neither were planned. The first one was decided during a scheduled visit to my OB "These are your issues and we need to admit you tonight". The second was decided after I had some monster braxton hicks at work, went to the ER, discovered signs of pre-eclampsia and "You're 37w1d, so inducing you is a choice that benefits your health since the baby is considered 'full term'".

Both experiences were similar. Waited until about 5-6 centimeters to get the epidural and then slept/rested through the contractions until I got to fully dilated. After that, things went a little crazy where I had to sign authorization papers for a c-section because had things not calmed down with myself and the baby they needed to do it *right now*. Each time my situation stabilized and I was able to deliver both vaginally.

Not sure if it was me, how the baby was positioned, or what but in both cases while the epidural was wonderful during labor it didn't do squat during delivery. (Hey - at least I got several hours of relief and only had to deal with really bad pain for about 2 hours during pushing!). I'm a big wuss so I was not really happy with all the pain - I didn't find it 'empowering' like some women do - but I just thought to myself "Hey, this is only temporary and the better of a job you do the quicker this baby gets out".

Both babies were fine. I was fine. The bottom line is that both baby and mom were healthy and avoided any preventable serious health issue that would have happened had I decided to be a hero and "do it the right way".

If I had any piece of advice to offer it would be to remain open-minded. Things might go as you expect them to and they might not be. FOCUS on delivering a healthy baby and keeping yourself healthy. In the end, this is just a blink of an eye in time and will pale in comparison to all of the other great things you will experience with your child.

Best wishes to you as you finish this pregnancy :)

My Niece was just induced last week. It went fast and she said it wasn't bad at all. They started the first part (something is inserted for 12 hours) which was at 10pm before 3PM he was born. They broke her water at 2pm also. She had an epidural and said she never really had any pain, she just felt pressure. Good luck to you I am sure it will be the same for you.

I was induced with my 3rd at 42 weeks. I was about 3cm and 50%. The doctor inserted Cervadil to induce labour. My baby girl was born 6 hours later after an unmedicated labour and about 3 pushes :o) My water broke on it's own; the only medical intervention was the cervadil.

If your body's already 'primed' and just needs a nudge in the right direction - labour - I'm sure everything will go fine. Good luck :o)

I was induced with both of my babies and will be also with this one in August as well. I had very positive experiences with both of mine. I liked that I could get the epidural immediately after starting Pitocin. With my first, the whole thing lasted 12 hours from start to finish. With my 2nd, it was all over in just 6 hours. Both times I was dilated past a 3 when I was induced, and my body responded very well. Good luck, it'll go great!!

My second was induced at 40 + weeks. I was 4 cm dialated for 4 weeks and only sporatic contractions. I don't know what they didn't just break my water and see what happened, but they started me on Pitocin and then broke my water a few hours later. I go really fast once an epidural is on board (like fully dilated within 20 minutes both times) so once that got started labor really progressed. My labor was only about 6 hours, and 2 pushes he was out. I liked being able to plan care for my first child around when the labor was taking place. This time around I would like to avoid pitocin, but I wouldn't turn down an induction if I go over due.

I was induced wIth two of my children and it was much better than going on my own with the third child. I was in labor for 7 hours with one of them and 6 with the second one compared to 20 hours when I went into labor on my own. I really enjoyed getting induced and if I have another I will go that route again.

I was induced with both of my boys (now 7 & 11) & both were induced at 39 weeks. I had no problems with the induction process, the potocin, or after effects. With my 1st one my doctor broke my water @ 6AM and then I got the epideral around 9 and by 11:30 we were well on our way to have a little boy enter our lives. With my 2nd one things pretty much went the same way except that I got a little more potocin than I really needed and it took a couple of extra hours for the numbness to go away in my legs -- so spent a while longer in the labor & delivery area the 2nd go around. The only time I was really in much pain was when the line with the potocin got tangled & the meds stopped for about 20 minutes but otherwise the pain was minimal both times. Good luck! The induction process worked fantastic for me & provided me with the pain management that I desparately wanted & gave me the extra security that I needed as I was completely paranoid about going into labor anywhere other than the hospital.

Hey, I was 2 days late so I asked to be induced. My mom was coming in from FL in a couple days and I wanted to be home so she could have time with the new baby. It was perfect! They started the drip a little after lunch time. After I got my epidural they upped the pitocin a lot and really got the contractions going. I didn't feel a thing, lol. They came in a couple hours later and checked me and I was progressing well. They broke my water around dinner and less than 2 hours later I was dialated to 10 and ready to push. She came out with a couple pushes, didn't need sewn or anything and I didn't even break a sweat! BTW this was my 2nd child. With my 1st I was in labor for 25 hrs...with her I was in the room at 12:30 and delivered at 8:45. Good luck!

I was induced with both of my kids and didn't have any problems. Labor was not too long. I think with my first we started at 8 or so in the morning and he was born at 3:35 in the afternoon. With my second we started at 10 or so in the morning and he was born at 5:09. The pushing stage for me was very quick in both cases (35 minutes for the first one and 9 minutes for the second) so the induction did not cause that part to go slowly. I do think the contractions come harder and faster with pitocin so if you don't plan on using pain meds, you may end up changing your mind. I think as far as you have progressed, being induced will not be a problem at all.

I started having problems with effacement and dilation at 28 weeks and ended up on bedrest. At 39 weeks, 2 days, I was 80% effaced and 4 cm dilated, so my doctor did a membrane sweep. Nothing happened that night, so the next morning, I went to the hospital. I was dilated to 5 and having contractions, but not feeling them. My doctor came in, said, "I think we can move things along a bit faster if we break your water," which she did, and boom! I felt the next contraction! My daughter was born about 3.5 hours later after only 35 minutes of pushing. (A huge relief because when my son was born two years earlier, I was in labor for 11.5 hours and pushed for 2.5 hours!) Basically, it sounds like you're in great shape -- breaking your water may be all the help you need. Congratulations on your new addition and good luck!

my induction went really well. after they broke my water i was only in labor for 8 hours. i did get an epidural for pain (i was on pitocin from the beginning so that does make the contractions worse) but it was perfect, not a problem at all! good luck

Hey, I am being induced this Thursday also!!! :-)

I was induced with my second baby and it was a total breeze!! I felt absolutley no pain and was so alert the whole time. I could have easily delivered another baby right after, that's how great it went! You'll do just fine! Good luck to you and congrats!!!

I just want to say I was induced with my 2nd for medial reasons and it was a fast, easy labor without any complications. I had the option to speed up my first with pitocin b/c I was in labor so long with my first but chose not to. I had no choice with my second and everything went so smoothly I wished maybe I had done it with my first. I was in labor for 8 hours and pushed twice...after pushing for 3 hours with my first. Loved it...I did have an epidural b/c once contractions started they were intense. Good luck!

I was induced with both my babies, and both births were fine (neither were c-section) and both babies were fine. I was given pitocin at around noon for both, and both were out in about five or six hours. I was even able to have my second baby without any pain medication (which I was determined to do). I look forward to going into labor on my own for my next one, but truly my births were both fine and both of them were induced. Good luck, and congratulations on your new little one!

I was induced with my first two:

With my first, I was two days past my due date and leaked amniotic fluid. I was given Cervidol (spelling?) and encouraged to walk, but given a short window for natural labor before being given pitocin. I did not go into labor and started pitocin. Once I was actually dilating and considered in labor, my son was born less than 5 1/2 hours later, including 25 minutes of pushing. I will say the contractions were worse than I expected and I did not get a lot of breaks between them, but overall my experience was just fine. I made the mistake of getting IV pain killer, which turned out to be a narcotic and did not dull the pain, just made me feel woozy and delayed, so I strongly recommend an epidural or nothing. I also had an epidural in the end and had no issues with it.

With my second, I was 3 weeks and 2 days before my due date when my water completely broke (as in soaking everything as soon as I took my toddler outside to play). Again, I was given time to go into labor and did not, so started the Cervidol and then the pitocin. This time I elected to have an epidural, but once labor was officially started my second son was born in around 3 hours, including another 25 minutes of pushing.

I was not induced with my third, but would like to add that I pushed that baby out in 4 mintutes, and at 10 pounds he was my biggest. I was very happy to actually go into labor with him for a change, but had been expecting to be induced. I had no issues or reactions and went from not being dilated at all to delivery with my first two, so since you're already moving along I'm sure you'll be fine. :)

You have a lot of responses already, but you can never have to many positive birth stories so here's mine. :)

I have been induced twice and the second time I was BEGGING for it!! They have both been wonderful experiences.

For my first daughter I was induced at 37 weeks for pregnancy induced hyper tension. We had just done an ultrasound a few days before and baby looked good. I was already 3 cm and 75% effaced so we went for it. They had to give me meds when I got there to stop my contractions, because they were inefficient (or something I forget, I was in an extreme state of delierious happiness!) so I was on that for 12 hours (while I slept = awesome) then at 1pm the next day they started my pitocin, my water broke on it's own at about 5pm. I did the epidural about 15 minutes after that. My anasteiologist (sp?) was not good and had to do it 3 times. But it was so worth it, because it was immediate relief. :) Madelyn was born at 10:50pm. 7lbs 20 1/4 inches. And just perfect as perfect can be, and still is 2 years later. :)

With my second daughter I was in pain from about 30 weeks on, and we all thought she would be early. My Dr. wouldn't listen to me when I was telling them my due date was wrong, becuase they said the ultrasound was very accurate. I kept telling them I was 2 weeks further along than they said I was. Finally at my 38 week apt (which I thought was 40 weeks) they finally told me that if I didn't have her by my next apt. they would look at inducing. This was after 3 weeks in tears in the office because I had so much lower body pain, constant hearburn, and contractions all the time. I was and had been making slow progress 1-3 cm and now was about 85% effaced. It just wasn't going very fast.
My 39 (really 41) week apt was schedule for Thursday. On Monday we went to the hospital because I couldn't feel the baby moving. We sat there for a few hours doing stress tests and all was good, we went home (it could have been the mt. dew I drank on the way to the hospital) On Thursday I was still not happy with fetal movement so we did the 45 min stress test at the dr. My wonderful NP said the results were inconclusive, reccomended induction and sent me to the hospital for another stress test and ultrasound. They said everythign was good and sent me home. Finally the hospital called me and set me up for 9am Monday, if I hadn't had the baby yet.

Monday morning I got up, took a shower, got all my stuff, kissed my darling two year old good bye and hubs and I headed to the hospital. We got there at 8:50, started pitocin at 9:10, dr. broke my water at 11:30, I had the epidural at 1pm, and my sweet Amelia was in my arms at 2:42 7lbs 2 oz, 19 3/4 inches long. When we went to her ped 2 days later, I asked about these brown little spots on her skin and he said that was typical with babies that were born between 41-43 weeks gestation (So I was right all along!)

I'm starting to think my body just doesn't go into labor on it's own. But I have had two vaginal deliveries and two perfect healthy babies. With medical intervention I was able to actually enjoy the birth of my daughters!!
Don't stress, what's meant to happen will happen.

Good luck and enjoy your growing family!!!!

I've had several inductions, but none that have started with rupturing membranes, so I'm not much help there. I've done cervadil-only, cervadil then pitocin, and just pitocin. Most took more time than my natural labors from start to finish, but active labor time was similar. I only had an epidural with my first, and I didn't find the pain much different than with my natural labors (though I realize I seem to be in the minority there.)

The worst part, imo, is being stuck in bed with a ton of monitoring. And I don't like the puffy feeling that comes with an IV. I can't say there's anything I *preferred* about the inductions but, aside from the risks involved, I never found the actual labors to be more difficult than my others.

I was induced with both of mine. First one was my son, 8 years ago. My water broke at about 12:30 pm & he was born at 9:41 that evening. I went to an already scheduled Dr. appt. at 3 & was hooked up by 4 (I remember Oprah being on-LOL). He was born 5 hours later. They gave me something IV-Nubane, I think-and that was all I had. There was no time for an epideral. Then, almost 5 years ago, almost the same with my daughter. Only difference is that they misread or miswrote or something my blood pressure-which I already had trouble with. I went in at around 2 for an induction & she was born at almost 10. Her's was a little more painful & I was ready for an epi. But, when I told them that, they checked me & it was too late. So, I only had something IV with her too. She was born with about 3 pushes. I did tear a lot more with her, but I don't think they really anticipated her coming out so fast. I was put on bedrest at around 30 weeks or so with my son & wasn't able to go to Lamaze classes & they didn't offer & I didn't think about them when my daughter was born. One of the nurses did help me a little with that & I was surprised at how well breathing helped. Also, they had to break my water with my daughter & things moved pretty fast after that.
Good luck.

I was induced with both of mine the first one i almost died but it had nothing to do with the induction, had i not been induced i would have been dead for sure. anyway their is nothing wrong with being induced it was easy, dr broke my water started a slow drip of pit. and hours later there was our girl. pain is handled the same way, with an epidural. good luck and congrats!

I've never been induced, but was wondering if walking as much as possible might help your body get even further along and make it even easier for you when you are induced. Just a thought.

Congratulations!!!!!!! =o)

Have you hired a doula? If you haven't, and can find one, I highly suggest you hire one (if you have financial issues affording one, you can often find a doula with a sliding scale, or a doula in training willing to work for a reduced fee). Inductions can sometimes be long and/or difficult, and a doula can really make a difference in how you cope with your labor. Here's a link to the DONA (Doulas of North America) website -- they have a find a doula near you feature towards the top left of the page.

http://www.dona.org/

Good luck and congratulations!!!!

I'm copying my response to an earlier question on this subject. BTW I tried things like raking leaves and cleaning the bathroom at 39 weeks and my babies still weren't budging - who knows how long they would have stayed in if they weren't induced!

please know that everyone's experience will be different so try not to be scared by others' experiences. I also really didn't want to be induced after a friend of mine who was due 2 weeks before me had to be induced and underwent an exhaustively long labor like your SIL and said her contractions were almost unbearable (also she wasn't able to get an epidural). But when I hit 39 weeks without any noticeable contractions my doc said if I didn't go into labor by 41 weeks we ought to induce. Well 41 weeks came and still no labor so I was induced, and all in all it went about as well as I could have hoped - by the time I hit my pain threshold my doc said I was dilated enough for an epidural (boy was I glad I took it - was ready to name my first child after whoever invented it LOL), 3 hours later ready to push, then about an hour or so later my babies were delivered vaginally (baby B by breech extraction) and healthy.