I went in on Tuesday late afternoon when I was 40w 4d with DD1. Not EVEN a fingertip dilated. Very little effaced. Scheduled induction for two days later. She came the next day on her own after a four hour labor. BOOM.
And, for an opposite story, I walked around at 4 cm for almost two weeks with DD2 until we finally induced for pregnancy induced hypertension. So really, it often doesn't mean anything!
I went in on Tuesday late afternoon when I was 40w 4d with DD1. Not EVEN a fingertip dilated. Very little effaced. Scheduled induction for two days later. She came the next day on her own after a four hour labor. BOOM.
And, for an opposite story, I walked around at 4 cm for almost two weeks with DD2 until we finally induced for pregnancy induced hypertension. So really, it often doesn't mean anything!
Post by marshmallowmars on Jun 14, 2016 15:00:07 GMT -5
Well, I can give you a positive induction story if that helps! I was induced when I was 9 days overdue. All they had to do was break my water and contractions started almost immediately. DD was born about 5 hours later. No pitocin or anything else needed.
I was not dialated at all with DS1. They scheduled an induction at 41 weeks, but I had to come in the night before for cervadil (a cervix ripener). We got there around 7 pm, they inserted around 10 and it was supposed to be in for 12 hours, but about 3-4 hours later they removed it because I was dialating enough and contracting on my own. No pitocin needed. The insertion was a bit uncomfortable but not unbearable. I got an epidural when I was around 4 cm dialated.
Post by balletofangels on Jun 14, 2016 15:09:00 GMT -5
Not what you asked, but I was induced at 41 weeks and I had quite a "pleasant" experience. It was actually quite boring most of the time, but my pain was really well managed and all in all I usually feel guilty about how "good" my labor was.
I will be 40 weeks tomorrow and at my last appointment I wasn't dilated at all. Whomp, whomp I've had lots of Braxton Hicks but nothing else. I think I am going to have to be induced at again (both my previous pregnancies had to be induced at 10 days over due). At least I've had good experiences with being induced.
I can't help with anything related to going into labor on your own, but can tell you that I was induced with both of my kids (medically necessary with #1, elective with #2) and had a very positive experience each time...no problems and two uncomplicated vaginal births, so IMO it's not the worst thing in the world if it comes to that. :-)
Post by jennistarr1 on Jun 14, 2016 15:23:56 GMT -5
I was super dilated and never went in to labor...I feel like as I pay attention to birth stories here it is much more common to go from 0-10 than 2 to 10...know what i mean?
Post by themysteriouswife on Jun 14, 2016 15:30:38 GMT -5
I was a fingertip for a few days with contractions all over the place. The time I went into labor I checked in at 4:30am at a finger tip. Contractions were 2-3 min apart lasting 1+ mins. At 6am I was 3. 6:30am my water broke and I went to 6. I had my c-section right then. This was my second phase and a repeat C.
At 39w3d, my OB told me my cervix miiiiight be softening a bit but that I wasn't dilated at all. Not even a fingertip. So we scheduled an induction for 41w6d just in case...and I had a "waaaah I don't want to be pregnant for 2.5 more weeks" meltdown shortly thereafter (it was the middle of July in Ohio, so balls hot and miserable).
36 hours after I got off the phone with the scheduler to arrange said induction date...my water broke. I was only 1cm and 60% effaced when we got to the hospital so the whole labor thing took a while, but 29 hours later I was holding my rotten stubborn baby
I went 41w1d and it was ok! If you don't want induction, ask your doctor about putting it off more than 1 week overdue. My dr was pretty adamant about letting it happen naturally ( but I was low risk, and I obviously know nothing of your specifics)
Post by open24hours on Jun 14, 2016 15:43:44 GMT -5
I was 1 cm at my 40 week appointment and scheduled an induction for 41+3 just to have something on the books. I went into spontaneous labor at 40+2. The end is near.
I am another with a positive induction story. Induced at 11am, water broken at 11:15, epidural/clearing of scar tissue from my cervix at 2pm, started pushing at 6:45pm, baby born at 7:44pm.
Post by tripleshot on Jun 14, 2016 16:49:42 GMT -5
I was induced around 37 weeks for IUGR and wasn't dilated. My labor was only 5 hours. My dr broke my water and gave me an epi pretty early after they started the pitocin. I'm glad i didn't have to wait for the epi like some doctors do. It was great!
I had inductions scheduled for both of my pregnancies because I was overdue...and I never ended up being induced (gave birth without pitocin at 40+3 and 40+5).
Getting cervical checks drove me crazy during my first pregnancy. It was painful and unpleasant and I never ended up dilating until it was time to push a baby out. I didn't have any checks the second time and it was a lot less nerve-wracking.
I don't have one of those stories, but I do have two great induction stories if you want to hear them.
Sure! My biggest worry is that I've heard how much worse pitocin contractions are, and I'd really like to go med-free.
You CAN do med free. Really. You can. Just keep telling yourself that.
For me walking seemed to get things moving - hospitals hallways are very boring for this.
I've also heard nipple stimulation can help and now I can't remember the other things that are supposed to help get things moving (since you were feeling contractions). Maybe Google some midwives tips?
Also getting yourself comfortable and relaxed should help. Whatever that is for you. Warm bath? A lot of midwives here recommend a glass of wine at this point.
I wasn't dilated with E at all until I hit 41w and was finally 1cm. I ended up getting induced at 41w3d, and though it took 16 hours and included an epidural because my water broke at the very beginning, it was overall a great experience.
With K, I think I was 1cm for a couple weeks but had no other progress and had an induction scheduled for 41w2d. I woke up the morning I turned 41w with regular contractions and had her by early evening, med-free.
With J, I was again 1cm and ended up induced at 40w5d because of low fluid. BUT I only needed cervadil to start regular contractions, and he was born five hours later without pitocin or an epidural.
Whatever happens, I am so excited for you and hope you get to meet your little girl very soon! Xo
Post by Booze Raccoon on Jun 15, 2016 8:42:02 GMT -5
I was induced. I never dilated more than 1 cm so I had a c-section after 28 hours of labor. I'm sorry I don't have a better story for you but I wish you good luck.