Stressing over Possible Induction

Both of my children were induced and neither one ended up as a c-section. Do you have the funds to get a doula to advocate for you while in birth?

I had two (well three) sucessful drug free labor, first two were on my own, third was an induction. All three of my labors were the same except the last was induced and my middle I had shoulder dystocia My body new what to do each time

I was induce in my last 2 pregnancy , and never been close to. a c-section ...if you are healthy and baby is fine I don't see why you worrie about it, for what I know hospitals are changing now, and they prefer vaginal births instead of c-section ......good luck ..

check out the business of being born on hulu.com or netflix if you have it.

I was born a month "late"... I lived (obviously), and my mom did too... OB's are not in the business of helping a woman along to deliver her baby the natural way. They are literally "in business" to deliver as many babies as they can during "regular business hours". I would seriously delve deeper into this so you can make your own informed choices about yourself, your body and your baby. The doctor is not the final word in this: you are.

Good luck!

PLEASE watch the documentary!

A great question for your doc- "how many babies have you delivered naturally?"

Honestly- you, your body and your baby will know when it's time to do the birthing. Once interventions begin, they almost always cascade into interventions to correct the interventions... I would also recommend you read up on the effect of pitocin on your unborn child.

Find a massage therapist in your area who knows reflexology. My friend induced my labor (0 pre-labor contractions, 1 cm dialated and 70% effaced for the last 5 weeks) using reflexology the night before my scheduled induction. She used specific massage triggers in my hands, feet and legs and I started contracting about 1 hour later.
Other than that, my only other advice is to simply try to relax. I know it's hard, but the more stress you are experiencing about this labor, birth and possible induction, the more stress your baby is feeling and the less likely things will progress on their own. Either way, the ultimate goal is a healthy baby and a safe delivery for you both. Whether that is at home, in the hospital, vaginal or c-section, try to relax and just roll with whatever happens. I wish you lots of luck!

Just wanted to let you know that I know lots of people that have been induced and vaginally delivered at the hospital.
I was induced and did have a c-section. I have to tell you, the recovery was FASTER with the section, and I had a LOT LESS discomfort with it than I did vaginally.
I was terrified of a cesarean due to the recovery. My doctor simply separated my ab muscles, rather than cutting through them. It made a WORLD of difference. So in your preparation, request that if you do have a c-section, for them to avoid cutting through your muscles. It will shave several weeks off of your recovery.

Good luck!

Actually, most OVERDUE births that are induced, don't end in c-section. It's the births that are induced too early, that end in c-section. If you do end up induced you will likely have a vaginal birth. It does not sound like your Dr. is induction happy (he would have pushed you to that long ago, if he were.) because you are now overdue, the likelihood of having a c-section is low. There is only an "intervention cascade" if you allow it. You have to remember once labor has already started, MOST doctors don't want to end in a c-section. C-section rates are very high to scheduled c-sections also. Doctors do not prefer "emergency" or "failure to advance" c-sections.

If you choose the induction, write up a birth plan with your midwife and make the Dr's (and nurses sign it.) You can take the plan to your last office appointment with your Dr. and have him/her sign it there. You can specify to be able to take a shower, eat food, walk around, birth certain ways, only do a c-section if the baby or you is in distress, etc. It gives you control over your birth and make the choices you want. Your midwife can also attend the birth and be an advocate for you. You can find sample birth plans online and your midwife can help you write one.

I also agree with acupuncture. I have known friends who have used it with great success. Exercise is also very helpful. You're right stress is very counterproductive right now. Just relax. That baby won't be in there forever and however you birth, a healthy baby is the ultimate goal. Take comfort in that no matter where you birth, the physicians on hand have the same goal...a happy baby. You CAN be in control of your birth, at a hospital.

I had an induced labor and had it vaginally with no problems! It was my second child and I asked to be induced with my Dr.s concerns and mine over some health and timing issues. He delivered my first child naturally, so I know the induction wasn't just a business for him.

the others gave you great advice on helping you along, I just wanted to put that out there just in case.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you start labor before Thursday! I'm sure the stress of having dad deployed isnt helping any. Maybe baby wants to wait another 3 mos :)
If you do end up having to go to the hospital to be induced chances of it being a C section are still slim so don't worry about that. You just have a stubborn baby in there. Is it a girl? We are like that you know? :)
You should be out of the hospital within 24 hours so you wont be stuck there very long.
Prayers...

Ask if there are different medications they can use to induce if you have to be induced. I was induced with cervidel (sp?) and I had a natural labor in the hospital. I didn't have to have pitocin at all, which made me really happy. Also try acupuncture. You most likely will have to go more than once, try to see one today and for the next 3 days. Good luck!

PURE TECHNOLOGICAL MEDICINE IN ACTION. I was born 3 and a half weeks 'late". My vernex was already peeling off. Nothing was wrong.
If they induce you and it isn't going well make them take all the equipment away. It is well known that if you don't deliver once the induction does not work if you eat (they can't know you brought food) a meal your baby will deliver because the food is a stimulant that sets off the labor.
Castor oil often sets labor in action. Take it at home. Your midwife will know the proportions.

Get a doula if at all possible! She will support you and remind you of your priorities if you do need to induce.

Walk and try membrane stripping again.

Good luck to you!!

I'm sure you have gotten plenty of answers already. I had an induction for my first child and had all the concerns you are expressing. I have to tell you that the induction was absoultely NO problem for me. It didn't make my contractions unbearable, it was completely easy. I didn't even require pain meds. I did it completely naturally other than the pitocin. In regards to starting labor, I would recommend you see an accupuncturist, preganancy massage person or even get a pedicure (There are certain places on your feet that stimulate birth). good luck to you and try to minimize the worry.

I had two kids born after being induced for different reasons (not overdue) and I had vaginal birth both times.
Here is some advice I can share:
First, timing of the conception is not an exact bussiness, ovulation can occur anytime and even twice in a period so there is no definite way to tell how old your baby is....Even with US - you can get the Wt, parameters, etc., but you cannot be 100% sure. So, maybe you are not overdue....
Second, if you end up induced, remember that labor pains and contractions are more intence with induction meds than those in natural childbirth.... so you may not want to be a hero and ask for an epidural. You already had a baby, so this time things will be rolling much quiker now... when it came to pushing... I pushed 3 times and the baby was out.
In the hospital you can do many things like you do at home: walk, bounce on the ball, bend, change positions, ask for a back rub, ask a doc or a nurse to do a perineal massage (so you do not tear). You can refuse treatments as well, I refused episiotomy and I refused IV pain killers (because unlike the epidural they make you drowsy and foggy).
The only way you will end up with c-section if your baby will be stuck, turns breach, or some other emergency like abruptio placenta...or other dangerous stuff.
If they want to do c-section because you are not going into labor and the baby is fine... just refuse and tell them to try other remedies. Just check the baby... if the baby is OK - do not let them hurry you.
Good luck, hope that helps.

I don't have a lot of information that will make you feel better. However, I have been induced with all 3 of my pregnancies and never had a c-section. That was always my biggest fear, but it turned out fine. I think having a doctor that is on the same page, is key. With my middle child I had a different doctor, and there was a huge difference in the experience....he was there to deliver and on the "clock". Very unfortunate for me:)

I hope nature takes it's course and you get to have your baby at home, that's very exciting!

Good luck

Any chance you can try acupuncture? I used it for my second child and felt things change within hours. I was between 39 & 40 weeks. Contractions began within 24 hours and my son was born about 36 hours later. It doesn't hurt and won't start labor unless your body is ready for it. I'd highly recommend it.

while i don't think i did anything to make this happen, i thought my story might give you some hope that induction doesn't have to lead to a a cascade of interventions. i was induced at 1 day shy of 2 weeks overdue with my first. because i was so hesitant about starting down the intervention path, they gave me the smallest amount of pitocin possible. my body completely took over from there and i didn't have to get anymore interventions. the labor and delivery were quick, but all went as any normal vaginal delivery. i hope this gives you some hope that if you have to be induced, it doesn't have to mean c-section. good luck.

Would you be able to get a nice foot massage by someone who practices reflexology? It might help.

For what it is worth, I had two inductions at 37 weeks due both times to high blood pressure so my baby wasn't anywhere near the stage where yours is yet I did not have any cascade of interventions. However, I completely understand your desire to birth in the way you want to birth, so GOOD LUCK and hopefully your little one will cooperate and show his/her face at your own home. Hang in there!

I really do hope that you are able to give birth at home, the way you want it and if you have to have it in the hospital that you are able to deliver vaginally.

However, on the very small chance that you have a c-section, I wanted to give you some advice to help. I would write out a birth plan now just in case you end up birthing in the hospital. In that plan, not only would I spell out what I wanted for a vaginal birth but what I would want if you have to have a c-section. I would let them know that you want to be sewn up not stapled, every layer. The chances of healing faster are greater if they do this.

I myself, have had three c-sections. Two of them emergency and one planned because of the other two. I did have a hard time healing but no problem taking care of my baby or toddler either time. You can pretty much get up and start moving within a very short time. With the third c-section, because of how they sewed me up, I healed even quicker with no problems and was discharged from the hospital within 24 hours of the birth and easily took care of three children.

I think it is important to be mentally prepared for anything.

Good luck and congratulations on your baby!

I home birthed my second. I just wanted to wish you luck. I have no suggestions here, other than, please try to remain calm. I have known two people that went into labor on their way to the hospital to get induced! You have tons of time here, Thursday is eons away in waiting for labor day.

Have you tried meditating and thinking about holding your baby? I did a lot of visualization during my second labor, and man, labor was a joke. I'd look into doing some visualization exercises, to remove all the fear and anxiety.

Hi there,

I was induced in the hospital. My water had broke but I was only 1.5cm dilated and didn't progress in the amount of time they wanted me to. They started a pitocin drip and it quickly accelerated my dilation. I had my son within a few hours of receiving pitocin.
I really think that staying as positive as possible, and not worrying (which is really just a waste of energy) because it's all out of your hands. Enjoy the last few days you have with your one year old one on one. As long as you and the baby are healthy, everything will turn out.

Good luck to you!

An old wives tale is to drink raspberry leaf tea... I did and 3 days later my water broke.

I've birthed three babies at home (all "overdue") and I totally understand your desire to remain at home if at all possible. Especially since my third was 2 1/2 weeks past due when she finally came!! I had two ultrasounds in the last few weeks just to make sure everything was still OK in there and since it was we kept waiting. I was trying EVERYTHING to get labor started! Castor oil, twice, with only negative effects, herbs, walks ... I even mowed our very bumpy back lawn! Nothing worked. Not a single contraction. My midwife said if we got to 3 weeks then we'd have to go to the hospital. I REALLY wanted to avoid that but I knew it was all in the Lord's hands. That's honestly what kept me from freaking out too much was the knowledge that He created this baby and knows the perfect time for her arrival. Then one evening I decided to take a long walk by myself, which brought on only intermittent Braxton-Hicks but that night at midnight I had my first real contraction. Hallelujah! 8 hours later I was holding my daughter! Totally normal labor from start to finish. Anyway, all that to say, relax and enjoy the end of your pregnancy. This baby will come at the perfect time by whatever method is best. God bless you!

I used acupuncture and pressure point massage on my lower calves and ankles. Also raspberry leaf tea can be of help. The acupuncturist I used in tacoma had a really good success rate for inducing labor, I can pass on her info if you want.

Well, I never had a home birth.....in fact, both of my kids were induced (I regret one of them. Hindsight is 20/20), but I had a vaginal birth both times, despite the inductions. I, like you, wanted to avoid a C-section at all costs and was able to do that, but I'm not really sure that I can give you any advice as to how. My daughter (first born) was a week overdue, so they induced with her. My doctor was pretty skeptical that I would be able to deliver her vaginally since she was still -2 station (way up there!), but he gave me the leeway to try and after some Pitocin and breaking my water, I made progress just fine and she was born within 12 hours of starting the Pitocin.

My son was induced at 39 weeks (I was bullied into it by my doctor, who was a different doctor from my when I was pregnant with my daughter since we had moved) and he took even less time to come. They started Pitocin, broke my water and I delivered him within about 8 hours.

Honestly, I don't know of any tricks to avoid a c-section other than to explain that you want to avoid it at all costs (other than the health of you and/or your baby). Both of my doctors knew how I felt about it and were willing to let me try to labor without even thinking about that unless it was an emergency situation. I hope that you are able to deliver at home, like you want, but mostly I hope that you have a healthy baby in the end because that's really all that matters! Best wishes to you and congratulations.

I also wanted to thank you, your husband and your whole family for the sacrifices you make for all of us. I can't tell you what it means to know that there are people like your husband who are willing to fight for the freedoms the rest of us enjoy, often without thought. Thank you so much!

I was giong to respond with my (long but not scary) story, but your new one has arrived! Congratulations and enjoy your sweet young kids. :)

Chiropractor, massage, reflexology pedicure. That helped my friend within 12 hours she had her baby. Acupuncture & Acupressure might be a way to go also.

I don't have any other suggestions about how to naturally induce labor, but wanted to share my experience.

I was induced with my daughter. My fear during the pregnancy was that my water would break on its own at the most inopportune time! LOL I was working part-time and finishing my last 2 classes of college. I just KNEW it would happen either at work or sitting in class! haha

My doctor ended up scheduling an induction (I had gestational diabetes). It went really well. They had to give me fluids at first because I was a little dehydrated (I never drink enough water...) but everything went well! No threat of c-section! :)

I hope that your delivery goes well and that you & the baby do great :)

I agree, there is no reason to believe that inducing will lead to a c -section, I don't think there is any correlation between them. Good luck!

Yeah!!! So happy for you that you got to deliver at home and didn't have to deal with induction!! :D Congrats!

I just wrote a Very Long response to this question but I think it disappeared when I tried to post it! Darn! Highlights - talk to your baby, a lot. Explore whether you or baby may be in some way afraid to come out (fear of being overwhelmed with 2 little kids etc). Remember that You can make a choice, you do not have to agree to be induced, they can't do it against your will. Ask if they'd be willing to support you in waiting for labor as long as baby is ok. Consider finding another midwife (and/or OB) who will support you in waiting longer. Consider birthing at home without a midwife. Find a good doula. Get more support in your life, including someone to help with toddler now so that you can have time to tune in to baby and encourage labor. Reassure baby and enlist baby's help in getting things going. Get more support in your life, postpartum doula too? (there may be women who would be happy to support and help you for free, if money is an issue). Listen to your heart and your baby, don't agree to something that doesn't feel right to you. You have the power! You could simply not go on Thursday. Tune in to your baby. Always and continually. Learn about interventions, take info with you to hospital if you decide to go. Don't go along with any interventions that you don't want, no matter how hard they try to talk you into it. Ask to be left alone as you labor, no one in the room that you don't want there. Refuse monitoring and walk and dance during labor. Walk and dance a lot now. Try acupressure/acupuncture. Talk to baby. Trust yourself, trust your baby - baby knows when (s)he is ready to come out. If you or baby have fears, work through them with a counselor or friend. Keep reaching out for help and support!

Hi, I can understand your hesitation to being induced, but after being induced for my second and third babies I will tell you it is not bad.

I was born at home (and so was my little brother). I personally felt more comfortable having my baby at the hospital, it is a very nice, new one with a birthing center and lactation consultant, etc, baby never leaves my side. I was determined to have no drugs for pain and as little intervention as possible. I was almost 2 weeks late with my first and was scheduled to be induced and was very anxious about it. My water broke the night before and I had a long 20+ hour labor with 3 hours of pushing, and they ended up having to use a vacuum because I was too exhausted to push him out. He was 8 lbs 7 oz.

With my second son my doctor was worried about his size and suggested inducing him a week early, which I agreed would be a good idea as long as I was 'favorable' (he was 9lbs 3oz). Same thing with my 3rd baby (he was 9lbs 7oz). With both of them I was about where you are (2 cm). I went to the hospital in the morning and had my doctor break my water, and tried walking and bouncing on a birthing ball, etc. That started to give me some contractions but nothing very regular so both times I ended up with an IV and pitocin. Once that was hooked up I had the baby about 4 hours later (both times). It is intense and painful, but my first un-induced labor was also.

The good things about being induced: labor is much quicker, and I think that makes it easier on your body (3 pushes for baby #3 vs. 3 hours of pushes for baby #1), you can still do it without any other drugs if you want to, you know when it will be so you can be packed up and have the people you want with you there.

I think a lot of people are induced a little early because they are uncomfortable, and their bodies might not quite be ready yet so the c-sectioin rate is higher. But since you are already at 2cm I would talk to your doctor and see what they think, but from my experience I think you will have a quick easy birth and doubt that it would end in a c-section.

Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps ease your mind. Good luck! :)