if you wanted to go natural, but were induced

[mannah]

Sept 29, 2015 10:02:58 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Sept 29, 2015 9:58:38 GMT -5 mannah said:

Muddled what's the reason for the induction at this point? Is your practice willing to let you go longer if that is what you want?

Just time. No complications.

41 is their cutoff. They originally had me scheduled for yesterday, which was a complete shock.

Yeah that's frustrating. Glad you at least got a couple more days.

[Muddled]

Sept 29, 2015 10:01:41 GMT -5 genet313 said:

Sept 29, 2015 9:42:11 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Nothing crazy. Tomorrow will be a week. Induction is scheduled for Thursday night.

genet313- I've had my membranes swept twice, sex, acupuncture, castor oil, I'm walking as we speak, yoga ball, evening primrose oil. This kid is cozy. I think I need to work on acceptance.

OK, you're diligent!  Yeah, I'd start working on acceptance b/c as you can probably tell from my post, I did not.       Eventually, you'll have an outside bump.  

I will say the induction part itself was largely uneventful and I was able to sleep and relax through the night, which was nice.  And it was so nice to eat a nice "last" meal with DH, drive to the hospital peacefully (especially in NYC, when you never know what's going to happen traffic-wise) and check in calmly.   So calm, to the point of people in the waiting room asking if I was "being turned away."  

This morning, H said, "Ok, kid. The pope is gone, the president is gone. You can come out now!"

We should plan something good food-wise for Thursday. Good idea.

[aspentosh]

Sept 29, 2015 9:17:49 GMT -5 SJ said:

I wouldn't say I WANTED to go natural, but I was very open to it. I was in the "wait and see" camp.

My water broke on its own without strong/regular contractions and so I was put on pitocin and labored that way for many hours. I did eventually get an epidural and had a vaginal birth after pushing for 39 minutes.

I was thrilled with my birth experience, and have no regrets at all. I loved my epidural and had no negative side effects, but even so, next time I will also "wait and see." If I can go natural, I will.

Almost exactly this. My water broke spontaneously but I wasn't progressing so I was given pitocin. Those contractions were pretty brutal so I got an epidural, but had a vaginal birth with basically no complications. I was happy with how it went.

[genet313]

Sept 29, 2015 10:05:08 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Sept 29, 2015 10:01:41 GMT -5 genet313 said:

OK, you're diligent!  Yeah, I'd start working on acceptance b/c as you can probably tell from my post, I did not.       Eventually, you'll have an outside bump.  

I will say the induction part itself was largely uneventful and I was able to sleep and relax through the night, which was nice.  And it was so nice to eat a nice "last" meal with DH, drive to the hospital peacefully (especially in NYC, when you never know what's going to happen traffic-wise) and check in calmly.   So calm, to the point of people in the waiting room asking if I was "being turned away."  

This morning, H said, "Ok, kid. The pope is gone, the president is gone. You can come out now!"

We should plan something good food-wise for Thursday. Good idea.

Absolutely.  If it's going to happen, you should make the most of it and really enjoy yourself the next couple of days.   There's only so much jello you can eat after you're induced...

[mnp555]

I really wanted to go natural-- had completed hypnobirthing classes and was practicing daily-- but ended up being induced at 41+2. I was a really bad candidate for induction-- she still hadn't dropped and my cervix was uncooperative. I had cytotec, after which my water broke on its own, and then lots of pitocin. I tried walking through the contractions, and it helped, but the remote monitoring system kept shifting and it was super annoying to have to reposition it every 2 minutes. Turns out she was sunny side up and between the pit contractions, feeling like my hips were being ripped apart in back because of her lousy presentation and losing the cushion of the waters, I ended up opting for the epi at 5 cm after 6ish hours. I am SO happy I did. She was 9 lbs 7 oz and I had a 4th degree tear. I really believe if I had not opted for the epi, it would have ended in a section because as it was they had to call in the anesthesiologist to re-up my epi during pushing. I will probably try again with future kiddos to go natural, but I regret absolutely nothing about my birth experience. Dont be too disappointed about being induced.

[osulori]

Sept 29, 2015 9:24:34 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Sept 29, 2015 9:17:49 GMT -5 SJ said:

I wouldn't say I WANTED to go natural, but I was very open to it. I was in the "wait and see" camp.

My water broke on its own without strong/regular contractions and so I was put on pitocin and labored that way for many hours. I did eventually get an epidural and had a vaginal birth after pushing for 39 minutes.

I was thrilled with my birth experience, and have no regrets at all. I loved my epidural and had no negative side effects, but even so, next time I will also "wait and see." If I can go natural, I will.

Ditto - almost exactly

Same here. Only difference is I pushed longer longer because SOMEONE didn't want to make his way toward the exit, and I ended up with a vacuum assist.

[mannah]

Sept 29, 2015 10:05:08 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Sept 29, 2015 10:01:41 GMT -5 genet313 said:

OK, you're diligent!  Yeah, I'd start working on acceptance b/c as you can probably tell from my post, I did not.       Eventually, you'll have an outside bump.  

I will say the induction part itself was largely uneventful and I was able to sleep and relax through the night, which was nice.  And it was so nice to eat a nice "last" meal with DH, drive to the hospital peacefully (especially in NYC, when you never know what's going to happen traffic-wise) and check in calmly.   So calm, to the point of people in the waiting room asking if I was "being turned away."  

This morning, H said, "Ok, kid. The pope is gone, the president is gone. You can come out now!"

We should plan something good food-wise for Thursday. Good idea.

The food comment made me remember. There is some kind of eggplant Parmesan restaurant that has an unbelievable track record with sending women into labor. I can't remember where it is or the name of it, but I'm sure you can find it googling. They also post the recipe online so you can make it for yourself if you do not live wherever the restaurant is. Worth a shot depending on how desperate you are.

[auntie]

I would have preferred to go into labor spontaneously, but the OB had some compelling reasons to induce.

I was induced via amniotomy alone. I skipped the epi and DS was born in 5 1/2 hours. I went into it reasonably well rested and after a light snack.

[mannah]

I found it

www.scalinis.com/main-babies.html

You can download the recipe from here.

I have no idea why I'm so into this post good luck!

[rugbywife]

Sept 29, 2015 9:17:49 GMT -5 SJ said:

I wouldn't say I WANTED to go natural, but I was very open to it. I was in the "wait and see" camp.

My water broke on its own without strong/regular contractions and so I was put on pitocin and labored that way for many hours. I did eventually get an epidural and had a vaginal birth after pushing for 39 minutes.

I was thrilled with my birth experience, and have no regrets at all. I loved my epidural and had no negative side effects, but even so, next time I will also "wait and see." If I can go natural, I will.

This was pretty much my second delivery. I was induced because my water broke and I was GBS positive.

I was hoping to go natural both times but didn't. Epidural didn't work the first time (not well at least) but worked the second.

I have no regrets.

[luv2rn4fun]

I was very determined to go natural and have a med free birth (even when we decided to induce). Finally agreed to an induction at 41 weeks because I didn't want a Christmas baby and the latest they would let me go was 42 wks (12/27). My induction was a complete failure...went in on Friday to get Foley bulb, sent home for the night, contracted but it only got me to 1.5 cm (instead of 3-4), started cytotec on Sat evening, only to have C decal during contractions I couldn't even feel...he was born via emergency c/s within 3 hours of the cytotec. But yes, you do it over it rather quickly (at least I did) when you are holding your baby safely in your arms. All that matters at the end is that you are ok and baby is ok...I have zero regrets and will likely opt for a repeat c/s for hypothetical #2 (my recovery was super easy though).

Obviously hope for the best because you can do it via induction but also know that plans don't always work and at the end of the day your highest priority is everyone's health. Wishing you all the best! Can't believe you are getting so close!

[Muddled]

@tambcat, Foley balloon, followed by pitocin. I feel like you might be the only one without a pitocin horror story. My fingers are crossed that I don't need it.

mannah, so weird. Thanks!

[smock]

I didn't hate the pitocin, though honestly I have nothing to compare it to! At that point I was just excited to FINALLY start dilating and FINALLY get that baby out!

[edgeoftheocean]

I was 'wait and see', though I planned to deliver vaginally and hoped to go med free as long as possible. That plan royally backfired. My water broke before I started having contractions. I was barely dilated when I got to the hospital so I was given Pitocin around 11am. By 8pm, I wanted that epidural. I am very thankful that it allowed me to rest a bit. I was ready to push by the next morning. After about 2 hours of that, DD wasn't going anywhere and we were getting close to 24 hours since my water had broken. DD ended up being delivered by emergency c/s. I think I made the decisions I needed to at the time so I can't really be disappointed with myself.

What I found out was this- listen to your body. Don't hesitate to speak up or ask questions. And if things don't end up how you originally thought they would, be kind to yourself. No matter how it happens, you are a rockstar once that baby gets here.

[qubit]

My water broke, but my contractions weren't really picking up. I went to the hospital about 8 hours later. After 12 hours (and a night without any sleep), I got pitocin and an epi at the same time because the lady who led my labor class made it sound like it would be too painful to even try without an epi if Pitocin is given. I've since learned that many people have pitocin without an epi.

I got to have my second baby med-free though.

[rootbeerfloat]

Yes to the epi. No to the vaginal birth

[speyedr]

I was induced with #1 and would have liked to go naturally. My induction was ok. I was 3cm already and was started on pitocin. 11 hours and an Epi later I had a vaginal delivery.

#2 was 100% natural only because I arrived at the hospital too late for anything. I delivered 15 min after meeting my nurse and 35 min after walking in the doors.

If I ever have another I much prefer a natural delivery but my induction wasn't horrible either.

[laurack]

I wanted to go natural and all my appointments were with midwives at the birth center. My plan was also to give birth there but they will only deliver there between 37 and 42 weeks. I was too overdue with my daughter.

We tried the cytotec twice but it didn't work and at 42 weeks I went to the hospital for a pitocin induction.

After 6 hours of pitocin I was still about 2cm and feeling little in the way of pain. My midwife broke my water and things picked up quickly. In about 1.5 hours I was in terrible pain and she checked and I was in transition. Pushing took a long time (3 hours) but yes I did have her vaginally and without an epidural or forceps/vacuum assistance. They were beginning to make noises about calling the doctor in so I think if it went much longer there might have been  intervention.

[laurack]

oh and with #2 I was not induced, I went into labor at 40+5 and had a fast and great labor and delivery at the birth center. No pitocin is definitely my preference but I still don't think my first labor was THAT bad considering.

[teatimefor2]

I was induced at 40w 3D with DS1 due to an infection. I also had my water broken, I was 1 cm before the induction started.

It was hard for me as I had no time to prepare. It was go to hospital, you are having your water broken and given antiboditics. Was given an hour after that to see if I would start contractions, and a chance to collect my bag, and I was induced.

Had the epi, it did not work. It only worked on one side. I don't do well with drugs overall. I didn't have the epi until four hours in, I wish I had just labored without drugs. I also have a high pain threshold. But I did deliver vaginally and that was my overall goal in addition to both of us beginning healthy.

I got over it and it helped that DS2 was the labor and delivery I wanted. Natural and textbook.

[sparkythelawyer]

Sept 29, 2015 10:06:21 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Sept 29, 2015 9:17:49 GMT -5 SJ said:

I wouldn't say I WANTED to go natural, but I was very open to it. I was in the "wait and see" camp.

My water broke on its own without strong/regular contractions and so I was put on pitocin and labored that way for many hours. I did eventually get an epidural and had a vaginal birth after pushing for 39 minutes.

I was thrilled with my birth experience, and have no regrets at all. I loved my epidural and had no negative side effects, but even so, next time I will also "wait and see." If I can go natural, I will.

Almost exactly this. My water broke spontaneously but I wasn't progressing so I was given pitocin. Those contractions were pretty brutal so I got an epidural, but had a vaginal birth with basically no complications. I was happy with how it went.

This is me.  Water ruptured on its own at 39+4 (ironically while I was already in the ER thanks to the husband).  They didn't like the progress I was making so we started the pitocin.  They told me that they were here to support whatever I wanted to do, but in their experience patients got the most bang from their epidural buck around 5cm.  I was admitted at 2 cm.  Around lunch time, shit got REAL with those contractions, and sure enough I was at about 4-5.  I remember thinking to myself "Oh!  So THAT'S contractions!  Yeah, no thanks." and had the epi not long thereafter.  Which was the most amazing thing ever, and made my legs feel like they were floating in warm water.  The husband and I were able to nap for a few hours.  It was awesome.  They topped me off at around dinner time, and again around 830pm, which wore off in about an hour (they told me it would), let me "labor down" for a while, and then we started pushing at 1020pm.  She was born at 1035.

I think I had a great birth experience, even with the "dreaded" pitocin and epi. 

[FastHands]

Sept 29, 2015 9:15:29 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Tell me your stories.
Did you get an epidural?
Did you end up with a vaginal birth?

I'll get over the disappointment, right?

I'm only here because I'm stalking you.

Mine is sort of in-between. I was pre-eclamptic and told to go to the hospital, with the plan being to start overnight on cervadril (sp??). I didn't think anything legit would happen until the next morning, and I was fucking starving and figured I had a few days of hospital food in my future, so I inhaled a big mac and a shake on the way. Apparently that's not okay since sometimes cervadril can induce active labor on its own, sooooo they wouldn't give it to me. But I was high risk and had to spend the night in the hospital anyway. Whomp. It ended up being okay, because my water broke on its own in my hospital bed, and I found out I had been having sporadic contractions for at least that whole day if not the day before that I thought were hot flashes.

SO, I did not have the typical start to the induction, but because I was still considered high risk and my bp was going even higher, so they still did pitocin. I was already in more pain in my hips than I was willing to deal with for what I thought would be the rest of the damn day, so they started a bag of fluids in prep for an epidural, and my awesome nurse insisted that they do the epidural FIRST and let it take effect before hanging/pushing/whatevering the pitocin. I could kiss her. They started the pitocin around 10:50, I think. DS was born at 11:19 (I think?), and that was with the nurse literally holding his head in until the doctor could get his godforsaken ass into the room.

So pitocin definitely does work well for some people.  

[anna7602]

Where have you been hiding, FastHands?

[FastHands]

Sept 29, 2015 13:43:31 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Where have you been hiding, FastHands?

I'm around! ML usually, with visits to TTTC/grads. 

[humpforfree]

Yes epidural. It was given overnight while they increased the pitocin & broke my "water" to get me into active labor. It was gone by the time I was pushing. For four hours.

Yes, I had a vaginal birth. Vacuum assisted at the end. Or, as the unit manager (who had to take over my delivery) told me, I basically had a vaginal c-section

In the end you will have a baby and being induced won't have an affect on that.

[Deleted]

I was open to going natural but was induced after my water broke without any contractions. After cervadil, I went into labor and got an epidural shortly before delivering. I wasn't horribly disappointed about getting it. I was more disappointed that the reason I got it was I was so discouraged by a rude midwife and my husband didn't know how to help me and just sat there so I felt so alone and like it would last forever. I think with better encouragement it would have been easier.

I went on to deliver vaginally after 7 mins of pushing.

I'm interested in trying again this time around. I feel like the knowledge that when it gets nearly unbearable it means u are near the end will help me this time. I also hope my husband will be more encouraging.

[Muddled]

Thank you to everyone for sharing stories and for your perspectives. I guess I'll get there one way or another.

[achi]

Tell me your stories.

Induced at 40 weeks exactly because of GD and low fluid levels. Contractions were totally manageable before my water broke, somewhat manageable for the first couple of hours after that, and then became non-stop with no break between them and I wanted to die. Got the epidural (amazing), but he was sunny side up and I felt the pressure of his head trying to drop into my pelvis with every contraction all damn night. Made it to 10 cm but he would not drop into my pelvis no matter what we tried so I ended up with a section after 24 hours of labour.

Did you get an epidural?

Yes. I had front and back labour because of his position. I truly think if I just had front labour and got a break between contractions I would have been able to last longer without it.

Did you end up with a vaginal birth?

No, see above.

I'll get over the disappointment, right?

Honestly, when I decided to go ahead with the section I bawled my eyes out. I was sad, but I knew it was the best thing for both of us at that point. After reflecting on the experience I truly believe that based on his position and the cone head he had from hours and hours of trying to make it through my pelvis that he wasn't coming out any other way. I'm ultimately ok with it.

[anna7602]

@myblue, I didn't "like" that you didn't have the support you felt you needed, just "liked" because of your overall positive attitude and hopes for next time. Also, 7 minutes of pushing is awesome.

[motzie]

With DD1 my water broke but labor never started. I had cervadil overnight and then labor started early the next morning so they didn't have to give me pitocin as planned. 

DD2 we induced with pitocin 4 days past my due date. While they were putting in my IV and asking me a zillion questions, I had a few contractions on my own, so it was probably going to be my day to go either way. 

Vag birth both times, epi both times, which even though I didn't get great results with either time, I still recommend. 

I hope you can find peace with however it eventually happens for you.