Overdue Pregnancy - to Induce or Not to Induce?

Sounds like you have a smart doc who is aware of the risks of induction. Good for you. Just relax, cook that baby, and let him or her pick the birthday. You'll do great. Congratulations!

I had my induction scheduled for a Monday, but my water broke Friday night. I think for me the "relief" of knowing the end was (really) in sight helped kick start the labor...who knows. I still delivered my daughter 8 days late. Good luck! :)

Hi C.,

I also had gotten induced and used pitocin. The contractions are strong, but I didn't need any meds to get me through it.

I would say that you should get induced no matter what the non stress test shows. You don't want to give birth to a 10 pound baby (ouch).

With my one baby, they were going to use pitocin but decided to break my water and see how my body did with that. After my water broke, the labor progressed to the point where I did not need any pitocin.

Congrats on the new baby!!!
L.

C.,
I'm going to just be bold here and tell you that your care provider is going at pregnancy and birth from a medical standpoint when it's actually a process of nature. LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE!!! Every baby is different. As disgusting as this sounds, care providers are now scheduling inductions so that they can take their vacations on time!! I am not suggesting this is the case with your doctor. However, most of the time, the baby is "late" because it's not "done" developing. A friend of mine got pregnant almost exactly a week after I did. We each knew the exact time we conceived because of circumstances. Anyway, she was due a week after I was, naturally. However, she had her baby two weeks "early" and I had mine four days "late." Everything was natural, BUT each baby took a different amount of time to be ready for this world. God has wired those little bodies in such an individual way. My midwife also assists in births where the baby appears to be up to a month "late" and the little bugger comes out weighing eight pounds! If those little ones had been taken "on time" they would not be ready! It just seems strange to me that someone can go early and no one says much about it. If someone goes a few days late, everyone panics!! Pray for you baby's health and relax!! Enjoy the extra rest until the little one arrives!!
Best wishes.

I just had my first child last November, and he just was NOT coming out on his own! I was induced at 11 days late. If your doctor is willing to induce, I wouldn't think there is anything wrong with that. It's good that you realize the strength of contractions you will have with Pitocin. I originally thought I would be able to make it a long time without an epidural, but that just was not the case. My thought on labor is that it does not matter how it happens and what doctors do to get the child out, the important thing is that your child is healthy. When I was induced, they were constantly monitoring my baby, and he was just fine. I'm not sure how your labor was with your daughter, but I would just keep in the back of your mind that if you are induced, it could still take a while. (Maybe it won't, everyone is different!) Good luck, and who knows, maybe you'll go into labor today so you won't have to worry about this!

I have 3 little ones and the earliest came at 9 days late - after an induction. My latest was 15 days late. They really won't let you go past 14 days because they begin to get concerned about the placenta deteriorating. I went to the morning of the 15th day because my little guy was breech (only discovered when I went in to be induced late day 11). I was doing yoga and chiropractic adjustments to try to turn him and begged the dr to let me squeeze one more in the evening of the 14th day. (He did partially turn and they turned him the rest of the way and I had a natural delivery.)

With my first I had pitocin and it went relatively smoothly. Things were slow to get moving even though I was contracting almost instantly (though no real pain - actually we were bored by the evening). Once things did kick in, they were intense and I had cramping and contorting of my hands. I ended up getting a dose of Stadol. I felt everything but didn't care. It helped get things moving too. My muscles were so tense before that dilating was going slow. After that things really picked up and went quickly. Pushing was maybe 20-30 minutes and my daughter was great when she was born. She was 12 days late.

After they got my son turned around, they broke my water so he couldn't flip back - obviously at 15 days late, he was coming that day one way or another! I was instantly 5cm and 90% and contracting so they let me go. Things stayed the same for about 4 hours. I REALLY had to pee but couldn't. Once I finally did my dr warned me if things didn't start progressing, I was going to need some Pit. My son was born 1hr15min later! Whatever happens, I strongly recommend emptying your bladder as often as possible to move labor along. I was prepped with an epidural to be ready for emergency c-section before they turned him, but I didn't continue the meds once that wore off (it was spotty anyways).

My third was the early bird at only 9 days late. I was scheduled to go in and start with just breaking my water to see if that was enough since it worked with my son (though you have to be a bit effaced or dilated before they can do that and it does make contractions intense as well.) The hospital was busy and didn't have room for me until a couple hours later than originally scheduled and in that time I started having some tightness in my tummy and could almost notice some regularity to it. Once admitted I was almost uncomfortable (no pain just a bit crampy). This time I was careful to pee as often as possible and noticed things getting more uncomfortable. After a careful ultrasound check to be sure this one didn't flip, they checked me and got ready to break my water - I was already 6cm and 100%. She did break my water because I was scheduled and she thought I'd be a while if she didn't from looking at my contractions on the monitor. My daughter was born 45 min later. No meds.

I learned there is no way to predict how those little ones will make their grand entrance. If you aren't comfortable with pitocin, ask your dr about cervidil or breaking your water as options instead.

With my first 2 had i pit.
With the first one my water broke the night before but nothing regular was happening,they started me on pit at 1030am the next morning and at 149pm he was born(no drugs)and they had to flip him b/c he was born facing the wrong way..looking up instead of down...that hurt worst than the contractions.
Fast forward 7years later..my 2nd my water broke at 1030am and by 1230pm they started me on pit.By 300pm dh and i where playing cards(no contractions)and by 434pm she was born.Pretty much the dr came in and caught her.
With my last one i got the hospital got check and was 100% dilated and enfaced,they broke my water and 4 pushes later out he came but i had to have pitocin afterwards because i stopped contracting and it wasn't a pretty sight..........

Everyone reacts different with pitocin,personally me i never had any drugs with any of them,it wasn't that bad and with the first 2 i never had to have the full dosage they could give yoou b/c once i started i went fast.
But good luck to you!!!

If the only reason why they want to induce is because the baby is over due, then if it were me, I wouldn't do it. I have had four babies. All four were two weeks overdue. They started talking induction, and I refused, because they couldn't give me a good reason for doing it. My babies came when they were ready.

Sometimes induction can cause problems and lead to drastic measures, like a totally uneccesary c-section. Once you are induced, the clock starts ticking, and if you take longer to deliver than they like, they do a c-section.

Some times induction is merely for convenience of the doctor. Sometimes they worry about the baby being too big. Too big can mean a more difficult labor, but not always.

Keep in mind that the doctor's due date is not always accurate and the baby may not be overdue.

If there are VALID medical concerns, and the only one that can decide that is you and your husband on the advice of your doctor, then induction is reasonable and wise.

If you are a praying person, then pray for God's wisdom and conviction in this matter.

Hi C.!

I just had my first son seven months ago. They decided to induce me a week after my due date because I was experiencing high blood pressure and was overdue.

I have to say, I loved it! I was fortunately dilated to almost three centimeters and effaced. They hooked me up to the pitocin, broke my water, and said I could have an epidural at anytime. I experienced a few contractions in my back and thought that was enough. I never was going to try it naturally. I've had kidney stones and did not want to experience pain like that again.

With the epidural, I was still able to move my legs and did not feel any pain until the end. I started to feel heavy pressure. I did have to push for an hour and a half and did feel a lot of pain then. Apparently my epidural had come out of my back. But anyway, with the pitocin just keep in mind that at the end (at least with my experience) the contractions come without a break. They wanted me to relax from pushing but I had contraction after contraction. They kept turning down the pitocin.

Since he was my first, I don't know what else to compare to, but I had no problems being induced. There were no medical problems with either of us.

I hope this helps and good luck!
B.

I would try to wait. Pitocin contractions are said to be rough. Your baby will know when she is ready. None of us would be here if it were so necessary to induce all these babies. I think the doctors just want to be involved and take credit for your beautiful baby and avoid needing to work at 2 am.

I would say wait it out a few days. When my mom had my brother in 1995 he was 10 days overdue and born just fine and natural.

If the baby is ok, I think there is no reason to push them out if they're not ready yet...know what I mean?

Hi C.,

I recommend holding off on the induction as you know the risks. rather than introduce chemicals into your body - try alternative methods for induction such as sex, Acupuncture, Evening Primrose Oil, Caster Oil. All of these are true and tried methods.

Here is an excellent website - http://www.bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth/natural-induc...

Congratulations!
J.

I know you've gotten so many responses but I just wanted to tell you from my experience.

I've have had two induced/natural labors. I was 11 days overdue with my first and was induced-it was a 28 hour affair! From the time I was hooked up to the pit to the time he was delivered. The second was a little better-21 hours! I was induced one day past my due date because of my large baby (9 lbs 11 oz!!)

I didn't have an epidural. Labor is natural and unless there is cause for concern I wouldn't worry about the stronger contractions. I've never had labor start on its own but I imagine there isn't TOO much difference between the pain other then its more regulated with pit.

Think of it this way. There gets to a point during labor when you feel that you can't handle it anymore and want meds-that is usually the point that the pain doesn't actually get worse, just more constant until birth. If you can get to that point your good to go!

I dont know what complications you are refering to. I had my second child last July. He was induced b/c when I went for my check up, I mentioned I did not feel as much movement as I was. I figured it was b/c he was due in 1-2 weeks and he was prob. big and there was not as much space for him to move. When the Doctor did a non stress test, she said she did not like what she was seeing, so they sent me to the hospital to do an ultra sound. They suggested that I have him induced, and we agreed to it. There were no complications. In fact, it was so much more comfortable then when I had my daughter 7 yrs ago. ( not induced) I experienced no pain and was pretty comfortable throughtout the whole labor. I had a beautiful, healthy 22 inch, 9 pound 9 ounce boy who will be celebrating his 1st B-day party on the 27th! He has had no complications caused by being induced (nor myself), if fact he is such a happy, smart baby and is such a pleasure to be around. Hope this helps.

Is this your first pregnancy?

I induced with my first child, and it went well for us. I had high blood pressure, so we chose to induce two days before my due date. Protein was beginning to show up in my urine, and my doctor was getting nervous.

I gave birth at Magees. I arrived at midnight, and I think was hooked up and started on the Pictocin by 3 a.m. (Lots of other mothers in labor came in, and they come first.) They hook you up to monitors. By about 9:00 a.m., I was feeling contractions pretty steady, and they broke my water. After that, whoo boy! Felt the contractions mightly, so I had an epidural. Baby was born within two hours after that.

The contractions are much stronger on Pictocin than if you are doing natural labor. Although I had an epidural and felt no pain, I felt very intense contractions, which was good, because you need to know when to push. If you don't feel anything, it can make the birth harder. Plus, I can't imagine what that would felt like without the epidural.

With my second baby, I started contractions at around 7 pm. Since I had not undergone natural labor, I didn't immediately recognize them, but when they started coming every ten minutes, figured it was time. I thought that they would hurt more, after the experience on the Pictocin, but they were tolerable. I also thought I had more time than I did -- we went home, put my first born to bed, puttered a bit. On the way to the hospital, they were coming five minutes apart, and I was afraid to tell my husband, he had already almost run one red light. At the hospital, they took us pretty quick, but there were two other ladies also giving birth. I was in triage still when my water broke, and I was yelling at my husband to get the doctor, because I felt very strongly the urge to push, and I was ignoring it. I told him the baby was coming, but the doctors' were not. How fun is that? Plus, I knew that it would be unlikely that I was getting an epidural, which was upsetting.

Shortly, I was headed down to the birthing room. A doctor was hanging out outside the room, and she told me it was fortunate, because the baby might have come out without a doctor's assistance. I gave one mighty push, and out came the second. No drugs, it hurt mightily, but it didn't last very long. So, from the time I started to feel contractions to the time of his birth, was three and a half hours. My husband and I just looked at each other after he was out, we were dazed at what just happened.

I knew the baby was coming!

Inducing doesn't always work. My husband's cousin's wife also had high blood pressure, and they tried to induce her, and she had a very long night with contractions and no effacing, so she had to go home. The emotional and physical toll was great.

My advice -- talk to your doctor and husband. There are other risks involved with inducing, including failure and higher risk of cesearean. The first pregnancy, the baby just stays in there longer for some reason. If the baby seems healthy, you seem healthy, maybe just hold off as long as you can, there will come a point where the doctor says -- out! If the babies come on their own, that seems to be better. I know it's hard in the last days, but you'll have your baby in your arms before you know it. Good luck!

Hi C.,
I was induced with my first baby. Of course the doctors have gone over all the risks, so I won't lecture. But since it's your second you already know what childbirth is like. Now imagine amping it up to twice as fast, the petocin not only helps induce, but MAKES everything go faster. I found it very painful and much scarier than it had to be. I didn't have a second to catch my breath. I would say as long as you and the baby are healthy to wait it out. Do all the old wives tales, walking spicy food etc to help it along naturally( bowling worked for me). With my second child I asked for no petocin and they still put it in my iv drip, it just makes things go fast, and unless your labor is going to take 48 hours yoiu need that time and so does your baby.
Good luck and congratulations!

Hi C. -
I am a labor and delivery nurse in Trenton. If your non-stress test is reactive and the baby looks fine, there is no need to induce. The national standard is to induce by 42 weeks, so you have another week leeway if everything is OK with the baby. Obviously, if anything with the baby's heartbeat on the monitor during the non-stress test concerns your doctors, they may want to induce you. Just ask them to discuss their concerns with you so you and your family can make an informed decision. Good luck.
J.

Hi C.,
I was induced when I was pregnant with my 4-year-old son. I did the foley bulb followed by the induction drugs. I was only in labor for approximately 5 hours, but elected to get drugs about an hour into the labor due to the pain. The only side effect I had from the epi was bad headaches for the first few weeks, but I did not know to lay down which helps them to subside. As for my son, he did not experience any complications.

Good lord... get induced and take the epi!!!! Your baby will be just fine. Your labor will be quick and you both will be happy. I was induced.. overdue & BP goign up but not scary... went overnight to have seradil inserted. The next AM, they broke my water, gave me petocin. The contractions hen they came were bad... no doubt, but I got my epi, FELL ASLEEP! and when I woke up I pushed 3 times & there she was!
Don't worry - you have much more to fear by going over term.

I'm sure you've already made some kind of decision by now since this was posted yesterday, but I have to agree with the minority below - WAIT. Overdue isn't really overdue until 42+ weeks. And it is true that the EDD could be wrong. Unless they have an extremely compelling medical reason to do an induction, let mother nature take it's course.

If it is not too late, see if you can "induce" yourself. I tried it and it was very successful. There are many techniques online. What worked for us was a long 1 hour walk involving hills. The next day my water broke. Contractions we're not coming quickly enough, so after being monitored, we put a warm towel on my nipples and I did a bit of nipple stimulation. Things progressed very quickly after that.

Good luck. I'm sure it will all work out and you'll have a lovely baby in your arms soon.

Hi, I was 12 days overdue. The doctors wanted to induce me immediately (once I was a week overdue) as well. I too wanted to wait and go in naturally when our baby was ready to come out. So they said I could wait until day 14. By the 10th day I was so uncomfortable that I called to be induced! But at that point they actually said, just wait until the weekend and if he hasn't come out yet, we'll induce you... at that point I was trying EVERYTHING to induce labor at home... walking, jumping jacks, nothing worked... and then we tried sex and that worked. I immediately went into labor. So... I would say if your tests come out okay, and you can wait, I would wait it out. I know it feels like forever being pregnant in the last few days, but I think it's good for the baby... we had a very calm baby (who is 20 months old now) and very happy. He was easy as can be... and maybe being in for so long extra helped him? I don't know... but trust your instincts and mother nature... only you can know what is right. As long as the tests come out okay of course! Best of luck!

C-
I was induced with my first baby in April. We had no problems whatsoever. She was a week late. I was in labor for about 7 hours before I delivered. The contractions weren't bad until about 2 hours before I pushed. Our baby was born with no complications, breathing issues, etc... I was scared too- but it was the best choice for us!
J-

C.,

I was induced with all three of my children and had no complications. They were all born perfectly healthy. I think you will be fine either way and should do what makes you feel best. I think the risks are very small with induction but if baby is fine and you are fine I am not sure what the rush is. There is always the possibility that your due date could be a little off. Good Luck to you!

For me....it was a hard labor, but it was my first and I really had nothing to compare to it. Anyway, I was not dilated and the doctor said induction, becuase they would not let me go over two weeks. We set an induction date and my water broke. Being that I was not dilated or having contractions, I was given pitocin (just like an induction). I was in labor for 16 hours, but pushed for 20 minutes. My daughter and I both had some problems after the birth, but It was due to her being overdue. The doctors had gotten her due date wrong and she was about 3 to 3.5 weeks overdue.
It is a fine line when you have to choose between induction and being overdue, but in my opinion, I would go for the induction. Being overdue is not good for you or your baby. Like I said, she was my first child, so I had nothing to compare my labors to. Maybe I was just a long laborer. You have already had one child, so it might not be as long for you. Just a thought.

I was induced to deliver my daughter and it wasn't bad at all. I actually liked it because I was only in hard labor for 2 hours but didn't feel it anyways because of the epidural. I was induced on a Friday night, did not feel any of the contractions over night or the next morning. Doc came in, popped my water and that was it. In my opinion, I would definately get induced! Much easier. Congraulations and Good Luck!!

Hi C.:
I had my first child induced 10 days post due date. I went into labor naturally with my second. I feel very lucky that with my induction I was still able to have a normal vaginal delivery. The C-section rate is so high with inductions.

If your non-stress is OK and the amniotic fluid levels are ok I would just wait. It seems doctors are always in a rush to induce for their own convenience.

If you do have your baby tomorrow - good luck and congrats! In the end all that matters is a healthy baby and healthy mom :-)

I went 13 days overdue with my 4 month old daughter. I used sex and evening primrose oil to get things started. I was scheduled for induction the next morning. I inserted (vaginally) 5 capsules of evening primrose oil that I had punctured with a sterilized pin that night when I went to bed after having sex with my husband. We went to bed at 10pm and I woke up with strong contractions at 2am and delivered at 8:30am without any interventions at all!
Good luck, I wish you well whatever happens!

C.,
I was induced and I had the easiest, most wonderful labor and delivery I could have ever asked for. I did, however, have an epidural. I am not good with pain. I wouldn't worry, just because there are risks that go along with an induction, it doesn't mean that there aren't risks anywhere else. I had a wonderful doctor who allowed me to choose whether I wanted to be induced or not. I delivered my daughter one day BEFORE she was supposed to be born. She is now a very active and smart and beautiful 2 year old. So, there are risks, but I would definitely recommend the induction.

one more to the list...

there is NO reason to induce if you are not 41.5 weeks or further. i acutally lied to my OB and told him my first period day was 7 days later than it was so that i'd be "40 weeks" at 41 weeks because i know the hospital i am delivering at/Ob practice is "interventional" - meaning they like to induce earlier than i'd like. (it's abington, by the way)

there's a reason little person wants to stay in. to me, that's nature saying give it time.

good luck!
C.

Hello C.,

I have two little girls and have had both labor experiences. I was induced for my first labor and honestly, it was extremely difficult and I ended up with an epidural within an hour. I didn't know it at the time but there is a huge difference between going into labor naturally and being induced. I went into labor naturally with my second daughter and had no trouble. Of course it was painful but there is a steady pain progression with natural labor. Starting out with a small amount of pain with contractions building up to more pain as you dialate more. My experience with being induced was (now that I know the difference) like.. Having no pain at all, to 15 minutes later having 8cm dialated contrations every couple of minutes over and over and over. It was impossible for my body to comprehend the pain and I just cried and cried and ended up with an epidural in an hour as I have said. If you do not want to be medicated with an epi, I would encourage you to wait. I'm sure you want a good birth experience and for me.. pitocin contractions didn't give me that chance.

I just delivered by daughter a month ago by induction. Yes, the contractions were WAY worse than natural labor, but the baby and I are both fine. She came out in about 4 pushes and she came out perfect. Not much grogginess..even though I had 3 shots of pain medication before by epidural. My doc assured me that it is better to have a baby induced than to be too far overdue. I was induced 2 days after my due date and so far so good. My 4 year old was induced also with no problems. Good luck either way and congrats on that new baby girl! Enjoy every second of her precious life! Let me know how it turns out!
J.

I would try some of the other natural stimulants first. For both of my kids a long walk got things going. My second was scheduled for an induction, but I started labor the night before. Your body knows when it is time.

get induced. the doctor may be worried about the baby getting too big,especially if you want to do a vaginal birth. I was induced and i had an epidural. I pushed my son out in less than 20 minutes. I did not even need an epsiotomy. I felt great afterwards. It will do more harm than good at this point not to induce labor. I had non stress tests once a week when i was pregnant because i had gestational diabetes. they will probably check the size of the baby also if they have not done that already. get the baby out so you can meet him or her. congratulations and good luck.

If everything is well and the baby is not being stressed I would not induce. "Overdue" could just mean your baby is just not ready to come out. Your body may carry your babies longer than others. I was 2 weeks "overdue" with my last child and had him at home in the water (10 lb. 10 oz!) Granted, it was a 24 hour labor (ugh!) but it was the best experience out of the 3 children I have given birth to. I was induced with my older children and have an intense loathing for Pitocin because of it. Whatever you decide, though, in the end you'll get to hold your baby, finally! :D Best wishes, C.!

Hi C.,

Here's my story: I was induced with my daughter (also my first). I was induced 2 days before my due date. At my 38 week appointment I was 2 cm dilated, and at my 39 week appointment I was 5 cm dilated, all with no painful contractions. The doctor thought I should be induced if I did not go into labor on my own over a weekend because I tested positive for group B strep, and with the dilation without painful contractions, she was afraid my labor may go so quickly that there wouldn't be time for the antibiotics needed for the group B strep, plus she was worried we may have ended up with an unplanned home birth! Well, I didn't go into labor on my own so we scheduled the induction. When I got to the hospital and was checked I was at 7 cm. Still without a painful contractions. The nurse administered the pitocin and after about an hour of finally experiencing painful contractions I could take no more. Pitocin contractions (although I cannot compare to a regular contraction) were VERY painful and I couldn't have imagined going through that pain without an epidural. If you really want to have a natural birth, I would advise to wait it out for a little while longer, especially since you are having NST and baby is fine. After my epidural all was wonderful again. I was 9 cm right after the epidural and started pushing 20 minutes later. After about a total of about 4 hours I was holding my baby girl in my arms and went through the entire labor with only 1 hour of pain! Lots of luck to you. I'm sure you are ready to have that baby (especially with this horrible heat wave), I hope s/he arrives soon or maybe even on his/her own so you don't have to make the decision.

Hi C.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I would say, unless there is some medical reason for them to induce you (besides being overdue), I would recommend holding off. You aren't technically overdue until you are 42 weeks (normal deliveries happen between 38 and 42 weeks are not considered early or late, but on-time). If you have another 7 days before you get to 42 weeks, then I would say hold off and let that baby come on its own. If by 42 weeks, you are still pregnant, then you may want to consider induction.

Congrats again!

J.

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I was induced and had a fine experience (one week overdue - but I was starting to swell very badly.). they gave me cervadil the night before which seemed to get gthe contractions started - but no dilation. The contractions were so strong that they gave me the epidural at 8am the next morning - within an hour I was fully dilated and my daughter was born by lunch time (much to everyone's surprise!). I liked the experience - it ensured that my dr. was able to deliver my baby (rather than a dr I didn't know) and made for a very fast experience. Good luck!

I was in the same position as you a year ago. I was due June 1 and my baby ended up being born June 15. Unfortunately, I ended up being induced as 2 weeks overdue was the absolute last cut off for the practice I was with. I would have gone longer as my first daughter was induced because of a bp issue so I knew what it was like. I wouldn't choose induction unless there was no other choice. Pitocin contractions are horrible. With my second I did end up doing it without the epidural but I did get some stadol right at the end (I wouldn't recommend this, it made me a space cadet). Anyway, my advice...find someplace air conditioned relax and wait it out as long as the drs let you. Good luck...you will be holding your new baby soon!

Beth

Don't let the pitocin contractions scare you. Although I have not successfully delivered any of my 3 children vaginally, we tried without success with 2 of them. My daughter (and first child) was a failure to progress delivery where I had been induced and her head never engaged. My firstborn son (second child) was a VBAC attempt. Unfortunately he wrapped the cord around his throat and body and tied it into a knot, so he ended up being an emergency c-section. PLEASE don't let that frighten you. With my first, I wasn't sure what to expect and I ended up having pain medication after about 6-7 hours of pitocin labor. With my second, I didn't have any pain medication until after the c-section (because of the emergency c-section, they knocked me out).

You can do it without the medication even with Pitocin. However, in your case, I would revise my birth plan to include the use of pain medication if and when you feel the need during labor.

The other problem with Pitocin is that you have to be on a baby monitor while you are getting the Pitocin. This means that your movement is a lot more limited which can increase your labor time.

Just something to keep in mind. But I'm sure your doctor has his reasons for wanting to induce. If you are unsure, ask him to talk through his reasons with you and the risks and benefits. That is his job so he should be willing to do it.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your birth and with your growing family.

C.,
My son was actually 2 weeks early (I was sick and coughed hard enough to break my water!). And I don't have personal experience with induction.
BUT my personal opinion is that it is so often done because it is convenient for the doctors. If your baby is not getting too large and there are no other health concerns (hypertension, diabetes, etc.) and they can't explain exactly why, medically, they are suggesting it--and you are not completely uncomfortable, and miserable, my gut feeling would be to say NO to the induction. Just my personal opinion that babies know when it's time to make their entrance! Whatever you decide to do--Congratulations on your soon-to-be arrival! Enjoy it.

I was induced with my 3.5 year old daughter. I also had the planned epidural. I sat in the delivery room on pitocin for about 9 hours before the epidural and the pain was not bad. BUT once they broke my membranes the pain was intense. I got the epi within 20 minutes. My labor went on for another 9 hours AFTER the membranes were broken. Total labor with induction - 18 hours.

My son was a month early. Membranes broke at home. Contractions were 1.5 minutes apart by the time I got to the hospital. I was dilated 3 cm and did not budge so they put me on pitocin after 1 hour. I still did not have the epi. (I was dehydrated and they needed to get a liter of fluids into me before giving me the epi.) The video shows me in a whole lot of pain. It still took 8 hours post-pitocin for me to give birth. I got the epi about three hours in.

Both of my children were born vaginally and both times I used pitocin though for different reasons. I am not having any more children but I would not hesitate to use pitocin again if I needed to. Every experience is different but I can tell you that the early pain in my daughter's birth (up until the membranes) was not bad. The contractions with my son (at home, on the way to the hospital, and at the hospital until the epi) were very intense. The pitocin did not change the intensity of the contractions at all because they were really bad to begin with.

I had NO PROBLEMS at all with the epi or the pitocin. Both of my children were healthy with apgars at 9 and 10 and 8 and 9 respectively. (My son got an 8 because his right arm had been pinched during the pushing and was not moving properly but was fine within four hours.) Epi headaches are not common if done by an experienced doctor. But once again, many women deliver naturally on pitocin.

It all depends on you. Many women go through pitocin without the epi. I never planned on giving birth without an epi. Contractions hurt a lot and I know pain. I have a broken fifth lumbar vertebrae that still has not healed correctly after ten years and I have endometriosis. I live in constant pain. But if you are determined, you can do it. Just be warned it may take a long time, even with pitocin.

As far as the actual pitocin went, they put it in your IV so you really do not notice it. I encourage you to do what is right for you as far as pain goes but inductions really aren't that bad at all.

Good luck Mommy!

A.

I had to be induced because I was 1 week overdue, and I was considering not doing it. It turned out fine, and I was actually happy I had gone through with it.

When they broke my water there was meconium; when it came time to push, the baby got stuck, plus some other complications on my end (first timer, didn't know how it would all go), so on top of the induction, I had to go c-section. It turned out the 8lb baby everyone said I was having was over 10 lbs (and born with a big bruise on his head from my pelvic bone). So, I was actually relieved in the end that I did follow medical advice for a change.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

C.,

Is there some reason that you do not trust your doctor? Assuming there isn't, your doctors do not want to induce just because you are late by the calendar. At around 41-42 weeks, the placenta starts to age and cannot deliver vital nutrients and such to your baby. Inducing ensures that your baby won't suffer because of that.

Two weeks is standard, but some doctors prefer to err on the side of caution and induce before then.

The best thing that you can do for your baby is to deliver him/her. I know induction is scary (I was VERY scared), but honestly it wasn't bad.

As far as medicated/not medicated, the most important thing is that you deliver your baby with your stress minimized as much as possible. If you find yourself needing meds, they are completely safe for your baby, and keeping your blood pressure down will help you have a safer, healthier delivery.

Good luck,

C.

C.,
most of the times if it is you second or more child the induction is alot quicker then if its your first. pitocin is nothing more then a synthetic for of the hormone our bodies produces to allow contractions to start. most Dr start at a very slow dose and gradually increase to get contractions every 2-3 min apart and adaquate enough to make cervical change. This mean you are not going from no pain to full labor in an hour or two is gradually increases. your dr is ordering pitocin because your cervixs has already started to dilate. you run a greater risk of baby complications as the placenta gets past 40+ weeks. it does work as well and the closer to 42 week the greater increase chance the nutriant supply is decrease. If you already have had one vaginal delivery it is likely that this one will come out vaginally. Just remember that this baby calls all the shoots. This means you are still at risk for a C-section. not because of the induction but because the goal is to give you a healthy baby. if his/her body is not liking labor or is too big to fit or not positioned right (head down but neck tilted to one side or another or looking up)this could mean c-section. if the baby is in any of these positions somethimes it makes it harder to push out not guarnteed c-section. Good luck and congrads on you new baby

First off, google Bishop Score and understand how the rating works. Find out what your Bishop Score is and know the risks associated with having a non-favorable score. This number determines how successful an induction may be.

For me personally, I was and am opposed to induction for the sake of induction. Being "overdue" is not a medical resason to induce. Some babies need a few days longer to cook. Are you 100% certain of your dates? What is your EDD based on?

There are risks assoicated with induction and being induced can double your risk of ending up with a C-section.

The vast majority of the following information is paraphrased from a book called, "Hey, Who's Having this Baby Anyway?":

1. Pitocin - Not FDA approved for inductions unless the induction is "medically" necessary. Most doctors have a very liberal interpretation of medically necessary. Can be turned up and up and up, causing contractions that are stronger and closer together than what your body would naturally produce. Harder contractions for mom to bear. Contractions are also harder on the unborn baby who may go into destress leading to C-section.

2. Cytotec/Misptostil - anti ulcer stomach drug. Has side effect of causing contractions. The manufacturer of this drug sent letters to OBs and hospitals telling them that this drug has never been studied in pregnant women and is contraindicated because it's considered "abortive". Causes too strong, uncontrollable contractions.

Please remember that the doctor cannot force you to do anything. Even if they were to threaten to drop you from their care, at this stage of the game, they are legally required to provide a named replacement doctor.

If they insist you must schedule an induction and you are not comfortable with it (and unable to refuse) you don't have to show up. What can they really say or do if "your car breaks down" or "you get a flat tire" etc.

It's not like you're going to be pregnant forever. There's never been a case where the baby just wasn't born for years and years and years. Your baby will come when he or she is ready to be born.

In the absence of a medical reason to induce, something that actually jeopardizes the babies health, or your health, IMO it is always better to wait. And as the mother of a 34 week premie, I spent the first 2 months of my daughter's life wishing for 5 more minutes of pregnancy. My advice to everyone is sit down, put your feet up, and enjoy those 5 minutes for me.

S.