Induction birth stories

[mooselovah]

Good luck! You'll have a squishy baby soon!!

[momin2013]

I was induced at 9 days overdue. I went in on the Thursday evening, had a balloon a put in, and went home. Went back the next day around noon (balloon was still in), and by the time I got checked in, etc. I was 4cm. They had me walk around for a few hours; I was having regular contractions but not making much progress.

By early evening they decide to start pitocin, and asked if I wanted the epidural first. I said, "Yes, please!", so got that placed, then pitocin started. After a couple of hours it wasn't doing much so they broke my water. I progressed slowly to a 10 and started pushing at around 2:30 a.m. DS was born at 3:29 a.m.

ETA: Good luck! Hope everything goes smoothly!

[HoneySpider]

My induction sucked, you don't want to hear my story lol.

Arrived at the hospital at 8pm on Sunday, DS wasn't born until 51 hours later.

At least he's cute.

And good luck

[ohgillian]

With #1, although I was out of it due to HELLP and the mag sulfate, the actual induction and birth went fine. I barely remember them, lol, but they were fine. I started with pitocin, the OB broke my water at some point, and DS was born maybe 12?-16 hours after I started the pitocin.

After Delivery 1, my BP dropped pretty low within a few minutes which was scary and they turned off the mag to bring it back up. That specific part was scary to me; everyone felt like they were so far away and talking to me through a tunnel.

With #2, the induction also went fine. Again started with pitocin. Induction started around 9:15 AM and #2 was born around 3 pm. I had wanted to birth without an epidural, but at a certain point they strongly recommended an epi because each contraction was causing my BP to spike, which is normally fine, but mine was already sky high. I wish I had known to expect that in a pre-e delivery, an epi might be medically recommended. I think my OB should have told me that when we discussed in prior appointments what the delivery might be like with vs without pre-e. Oh well.

I guess bottom line on both of my inductions is that they were basically fine, and #2 was especially easy. I know there are a lot of induction horror stories, and there were other aspects of birth 1 that were awful because of my HELLP symptoms. But the births, as related to being induced, were fine.

[sju1982]

I didn't have an induction, but I never made it past 1-2cm 8 hours after my water broke.  With the ballon, I went from a 2 to a 5 almost instantly.  I ended up stalling again and ended up with pitocin.  I had an epidural so I couldn't feel anything. It was kind of relaxing, to be stuck in bed like that. 

Good luck tonight!

[dottyblue]

Can I make recommendation? Climb stairs. 2 at a time. Slowly, obviously. The day before both inductions, I was only 2 cm dilated. I climbed stairs for around 1-2 hours the night before and with both inductions I didn't need the balloon or cytotec. I was at 4-5 cm when they admitted me. It was recommended by my midwife and a friend (she's a doula). I will swear by it till the day I die.

DS1's induction was awful; 24 hours of pitocin and labor. 2 hours of pushing. But I guess that's pretty standard with your first. I was 10 days past due.

DS2's induction was so fast I nearly panicked. From the time they started pitocin and broke my water to DS2's birth, it was 1 hour 40 minutes. I pushed twice. I was 2 days past due.

Good luck!

[magpie]

I had two inductions. The first wasn't very fun, but resulted in a healthy baby being delivered vaginally, so I guess alls well that ends well! In that case, I did not get any cervical ripening, which I now think was a mistake. The labor was long and, although I had an epidural, I felt a lot of pain for the pushing part, which took 3+ hours. My placenta did not come out and had to be taken out manually with the doctor's hand, which hurt a lot (even with the epidural boosted).

My second, went much more smoothly. They did cervical ripening and I spent a lot of that time walking around and moving. Eventually, they started pitocin and broke my water not too long after. I was perfectly comfortable the whole time for the early contractions, but decided to get an epidural after they broke my water and the contractions started picking up. A couple of hours later, I felt the urge to push, everyone got ready and I spent maybe 20 minutes pushing him out. I had one very tiny tear and that was it.

In both cases, I was induced at 39+ weeks for developing pre-e. In both cases, I continued to develop higher and higher blood pressure after delivery and had to readmitted to be treated 3-4 days after delivery. I had to get the 24 hour mag drip in the second case, which was miserable, however, I was 100% better after it. In the first case, I did not get the mag, but had to be on blood pressure meds for 6+ weeks and felt pretty shitty for a bunch of that time.

Good luck!  

[julianabixby]

I had an induction and couldn't have asked for a smoother experience. I was a week late and was 3 cm when I checked in. They started pitocin around 8:30 and contractions started kicking in fairly quickly. Was able to get an epidural once things started feeling uncomfortable and was glad I did because contractions started coming close together shortly after the epidural started. Water was broken around 12:30 and made it to 10 cm by 3:30. Labored down for a little over an hour, pushed for 45 minutes and baby was born at 5:36. Such a smooth and easy process and hope that we are that lucky again if we have baby #2!

[joy]

I was induced at 41 weeks. They placed the foley bulb and cytotec at 4pm. I started contracting immediately. Every 2 minutes, contractions lasted 60 seconds.

At 8pm, the foley was pulled out (gross). I was told to take a shower and enjoy a break before they started pitocin. Mmkay. Got in the shower where I felt a pop (groooooss) and some water trickled. I got out and then my water broke epically all over the floor. Great.

Back in the bed, contracting more intensely but still the same 60 seconds contraction every two minutes. Husband was there, doula was there, I was handling everything okay. Pitocin was completely unnecessary.

THEN THEY MADE ME MOVE ROOMS.

Everything then fell apart: I ended up with a failed epidural and a vacuum delivery. I remember them asking me if I agreed to the vacuum and they listed off the concerns so I could give informed consent. My actual response was "I DON'T CARE, JUST DO IT."

Baby Girl was totally healthy and we were all fine. She was born at 6am so labor was 14 hours all together.

My troubles with the entire event weren't induction-related, but far more concentration-related. I was handling everything very well before the room change and I had to meet new nurses, answer questions, etc. I just wanted to focus and they didn't think that was necessary so I got scattered, stressed, and couldn't handle so many things at once. Blah.

[starryfish]

You don't want to hear mine. 36+ hours but it was my first and I was induced at 36w for pre-e. All I can tell you is that the magnesium SUCKS so bad. Makes you SO tired and out of it, and they continue it for 24 hours after delivery. I barely remember her first day.

[scorpio72]

I've been induced all 3 times and honestly they were not that bad.

Only the first one started with the balloon and I think that moved things along faster than the other methods.

Since it's not your first baby it should move along quickly.

My longest labor with any of them was 8 hours and that was with the 1st where I really had no idea what I was doing pushing wise. #2 and #3 came were born with 4 and 3 pushes respectively.

The worst part of the induction for me was all the waiting. We were there overnight for #2 and #3 and there was lots of waiting around with not much happening.

[jenniferk]

I have had 2 planned inductions (for DD2 and DD3) and both were fantastic. DD2's birth was 10 hrs total from pitocin to birth, and DD3's was about the same. I had epidurals both times. Good luck!

[cajunmom]

First induction was pretty easy. I was 39 weeks. Pitocin started around 7 am, epidural around 10:30 am, she was born (with forceps assist) at 2:43 pm. Not even 8 hours.

Second induction can barely be called an induction. I was taken to the hospital from my doctors office due to DD2 failing her biophysical. I was 3 cm at my doctors office around 4 pm, once I got to the hospital room at 5 pm I was 4.5 cm. They started pitocin about 6 pm and broke my water and I almost immediately went to 7 cm. They turned the pitocin off and let me progress on my own...she was born at 8:08 pm, only 3 hours after getting in my room. According to my doctor she was 11 days early but I never agreed with the due date he gave me. By my calculations she was 40 weeks 1 day. She was over 9 lbs and had fingernails curling over the tips of her fingers so I'm pretty sure she was done baking, lol.

[genet313]

My first induction sucked sucked sucked, so I won't tell you about that.    

But since this is your second babe, I'll tell you my second was a breeze!  One of the best experiences of my life, no joke.  Pitocin only,  which helped me, weirdly.  But my OB did say people give pitocin a bad rap when it's usually the cytotec or bulb that screws people up.   From start to finish it was 5 hours, and I was able to do it without pain meds.  I felt euphoric after birth, no pain, walking around, sitting comfortably, etc.  I seriously could have walked out with DD that same day.  Good luck!!

[timorousbeastie]

My induction was incredibly easy. Started pitocin around 9:30 am. Contractions steadily got stronger, but not unbearable over the next few hours. After 4 or 5 hours, they broke my water, at which point I switched from "contractions aren't that bad" to "OMG, I need an epidural NOOOOWWWWW!" immediately. Got the epidural, which worked beautifully. Three hours later I was pushing, and an hour after that, DD was born, 10.5 hours after the pitocin was started.

I haaaaaated pregnancy with the fire of a thousand suns, but I could give birth to 10 kids if every delivery was as simple as DD's.

Good luck!

[macmars45]

GL bricco!

I was induced at 38+4 due to high BP. I came in 3-4cm dilated. I went in at 7:30am and DS was in my arms by 7:20pm that same day.

After being checked in I walked around with H for a bit and had a last meal. Pitocin was started at 9am or so. Things were fine and progressing. My OB broke my water at 12pm? 1pm? Something like that and shit got real. I got my epideral an hour & 15 minutes later. I stared at the clock in the fetal position the entire hour & 15 minutes until I got the epideral. Then I just chilled, ate a popsicle, and threw up twice. Don't eat a popsicle. And definitely have your hair pulled back. That's what's to be learned from that. My OB and nurse would check me every 1-2 hours and see how I was progressing. Each time my OB came in he said DS would be arriving earlier. The first time he said sometime tomorrow (meaning the middle of the night), the second time he said 9pm and the third time he said how'd you like to start pushing in half an hour? I pushed for 25 minutes (tore a bit) and DS was born.

I hope your induction is like mine.

[lmb5109]

They tried the balloon on me for almost 2 hours, it was painful. Ended up with pitocin and a c/s 39 hours later. I was almost 41 weeks, I just wanted her out!

[imbatman]

Mine was easy peasy.
I was induced at 39 weeks and 4 days due to high blood pressure and protein in my urine. I went straight to the hospital from the dr, they started pitocinn around 5ish I guess, Dr broke my water sometime around 9 or 10 I think, and she was born about 12 hours after they started the pitocin. All in all it was pretty easy for me, but I'd been walking around at 2-3 cm for a couple weeks prior to mine. I know a lot of people have it much worse.

[luv2rn4fun]

Mar 23, 2017 12:13:20 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

My induction sucked, you don't want to hear my story lol.

Arrived at the hospital at 8pm on Sunday, DS wasn't born until 51 hours later.

At least he's cute.

And good luck

Similar. Foley bulb failure and no labor (c section due to decels). He was born 28 hours after the induction started and I think I made it to 1.5 cm. But, we were both healthy and happy, that's all that mattered! Good luck! Hope you have a better experience.

ETA: he was born at 41w1d

[lala]

I have a good one.

I was induced w/ my oldest at 40w5d for borderline pre-e. I came in, had cervadil inserted by 7pm or so. I felt nothing, was planning on sleeping eventually, my midwife ( I was a birth center transfer) went to rest. at 9 or so my water broke. They didn't even believe me since it was so uncommon. I had dilated to a 3 (from about a 1/2). Very quickly things picked up at I was pushing by 4ish, and she was born at 5:30am.

Since the cervadial basically kicked my body into labor on it's own, I didn't need an pitocin and I was able to go ahead w/ my plan to be pain med-free.

[pinkdutchtulips]

I was induced at 41 wks. They started my ouctocin drop at 8:45a, I got my epidural around 11:30a and dd was born after 20 mins of pushing (zero tears) at ten to 4 the same afternoon.

GL !

[gastro]

I went in for my scheduled induction 5 days after Ds2's due date. Once I got settled in our room OB broke my water. Contractions started almost immediately. I got an epidural and fell asleep for about two hours. When I woke up I had the urge to push. Nurse checked me and called the OB to come back right away. 5 pushes and he was out.

[lb2006]

Induced in January at 37+4 for gestational hypertension. 51 hours of labor & almost 3 hours of pushing and he was delivered. My dr reassured me the 2nd one would be much quicker, if there was a second one.

I had cervadil overnight on a Thursday and pitocin all day Friday and had no progression by Friday night(1cm). Reinserted cervadil and was 4cm Saturday am. Delivered after 11pm Saturday night.

[jewel]

It was super easy. I was induced at 41.5 weeks after a failed NST.

I think they started with misoprostal, which didn't do much. After a few hours, moved on to Pitocin and I got an epidural a couple of hours later. They broke my water after the epidural kicked in and labor progressed well. I was admitted around 11am and baby was born at 3am the next day, so about 16 hours total. My epidural failed near the end, so the actual birth part was terrible, but that was totally unrelated to being induced.

[lifetaketwo]

Good luck!! Mine wasn't great, so I won't share. We both did fine though! It just didn't go as planned

[sarahsas]

Don't think I want to share mine either since it sucked, but the balloon was the most painful thing EVER.. I cried until they took it out.

[humpforfree]

Mine was a Vbac "light" induction since my docs didn't "induce" for vbac. But she had to come out, so they started with membrane stripping & walking (was 2-3 cm if I remember?). Made a little progress, so they agreed to start suuuuuuper low pitocon (like 1 out of 10?). They monitored all night and incrementally increased because we were both tolerating really well. Only 1 unit increase at a time, until around 2 am they broke my water, gave an epidural (so I'd be ready for CS if required) and increased pitocon to like 8? Around 8 am (about 16 hours after membranes stripped) I was ready to push (and my epidural wore off & they didn't top it off). I pushed for 4.5 hours and then she came out with a vacuum assist and unit mgr nurse pushing on top of me to get her out. Shoulder dystocia, but we did it, no CS. About 24 hours start to delivery.

[hymen]

I was induced with all 3 of my kids.

DS1 - 41 weeks, no dilation, inserted cervidil and took it out after about 6 hours because it jump started my labor. No pitocin needed. Epidural worked great. Pushed for 3 hours. From cervidil insertion to the time he was born was about 15 hours.

DS2 - 41 weeks, 2 cm dilated. They went straight to pitocin but had to keep turning it off and on because he was having heart rate issues. Epidural didn't work so well. Pushed for about 40 minutes. From pitocin to the time he was born was about 12 hours.

DD - 41 weeks, no dilation. I requested cervidil instead of pitocin. A little bit of pitocin was given after I got my (non-effective) epidural. Pushed for 3 minutes. From cervidil insertion to time she was born was about 15 hours.

ETA: The midwives broke my water with DS1 and DD; it broke on its own with DS2 while I was getting my epidural. With all 3 it took me a long time to get to about 6 cm, but once I hit 6 I dilated to complete within an hour-hour and a half.

[hymen]

Mar 23, 2017 14:58:18 GMT -5 gastro said:

I went in for my scheduled induction 5 days after Ds2's due date. Once I got settled in our room OB broke my water. Contractions started almost immediately. I got an epidural and fell asleep for about two hours. When I woke up I had the urge to push. Nurse checked me and called the OB to come back right away. 5 pushes and he was out.

This is like a dream labor and delivery!

How many cm dilated were you when they broke your water?

[jg183]

Two textbook induction
First at 40+10 days just pitocin
Second at 39w because of gd had cervadil overnight then contractions started pitocin in early morning

Both times my water broke from pitocin contractions