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Maryan
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I have a high risk pregnancy (blood incompatibility with my little girl -- anti-Kell to be specific). She has sailed through pregnancy with flying colors and just a few hiccups. We are so blessed. Anti-Kell becomes hard to monitor after 35 weeks, so most babies are induced around 37 weeks (provided they don't need to come earlier).
I have also been blessed in labor. It's been so easy. In fact, with my first and second, I walked in at 7 cm and 9 cm respectively and they were born within the hour.
So... induction is a foreign entity. I'm a little afraid of laboring in bed for so long. I've never done it.
Oh... and I'm totally afraid of needles, and induction sounds like a long affair!! So I'd love to not get an epidural if I could, but not sure if I could handle it!
Any advice for me who'd like to go as natural as possible in my induction? Any requests that I should make? (FYI - because it's high risk, so I have very limited saying power. So I think monitors have to stay on).
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Nique
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| Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 9:15am | IP Logged
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You walked in at 7cm and 9cm respectively Maryan?
That's fantastic!!
I will pray for you! All I know is when I knew I was in labour, climbing up and down stairs REALLY helped my contractions get closer together.
I haven't had an induction..so I'll be watching the advice you receive from others 
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Marie
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I went through an induction with my first because of blood pressure issues at 38 weeks. My body was not ready for baby to come and it was rough we got a healthy baby in the end. That said, I think inductions often (but not always) go easier with future babies. A few things...my hospital allowed me to sit on an exercise ball on the side of the bed - they were still able to monitor me and I was able to move a little bit. I also was able to do some different bed positions that allowed me a more upright position. My nurses were helpful with this so its worth seeing how they can work with you. That all said, you're right, when its high risk, you're not given all that many choices. And pitocin contractions are nothing like real contractions. I've had it with 2 deliveries and with my first I had an epidural. Not what I wanted, but definitely what I needed at that point in my labour. Praying for a safe delivery for you and your little girl!
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MelissaClaire
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I've had 2 pitocin births with no pain meds, so it's totally possible. The first one I sat on a birthing ball the whole time and the second one I stood and leaned over the bedside hospital table extended as high up as possible with pillows on top.
Honestly though the thing that got me through it was laughter. I find my husband hilarious and he kept me laughing (which in turned kept me loose) the whole time.
You can do it! I'll be praying!
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Mackfam
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I have high risk pregnancies that require induction. It's not my ideal, but I accept that it's what I must do to bring a healthy little one into this world. I focus on the end result and the present moment without allowing myself to think of my first birth experience which was all natural. If you have been blessed with home births or natural births, an induced delivery will be very different from those experiences and flies in the face of much of what you hold dear in delivery. A big part of this delivery is prayerful preparation for medical intervention in my delivery. I try hard to focus myself on the positive, and be grateful for the medical technology which allows me to VBAC and is watchful for the health and safety of my little one and myself.
Since this is a medically necessary induction, you're right Maryan, your choices will be very limited.
I ask not to be admitted until I'm at least 4 cm on my own. It means daily checking at the office of my OB, but it's something I'm willing to give on. The basic idea is that I want my body to be somewhat ready for an induced labor. Not sure if that would be an option for your situation, Maryan.
I ask to complete the complementary enema  AT HOME the night before being induced rather than at the hospital! That's BIG FOR ME!! I WOULD NOT want to do that or experience the after effects of that in the hospital!!!!!! Ask if an enema is required before an induction, and if you can do this AT HOME!
It will take at least 3 hours for paperwork and setting up and monitoring to begin...so nothing happens really fast once you get to the hospital.
After I'm all hooked up, my OB checks me and breaks my water - not pleasant, just wanted to be honest and forewarn you. For me, this is the start of significant labor. Everyone will be different, but I deliver within 2 hours of my water breaking. Labor moves QUICKLY for me from here.
On the heels of my water breaking is the epidural and it is my least favorite thing, but it is endurable. The actual administering of the epidural is the hardest part for me since it is happening in the middle of active labor. I can't give you any great tips - I do what I have to do because I have to be still. Rob stands in front of me to support me and I pray the Hail Mary to keep my mind focused. Boy, I hope I'm not being scary - I just want to be honest so you'll know.
I ask to be induced when my OB's favorite and very competent anesthesiologist is on duty because we now have a "relationship". It's worthwhile to ask about the potential timing as well as anesthesiologists your (hopefully) trusted OB prefers/works with regularly. With an epidural I can still feel pressure, and I'm grateful for the awareness so I can still push and proceed through labor prompted by natural signs of my body which I can still feel.
My last 3 deliveries have been induced VBACs, Maryan. I try to take charge of what I can with the delivery (by asking about those things that I can direct ahead of time), be as healthy as I can be, and surrender the rest to Our Lady of La Leche, asking her to assist me, our little one, and assist those helping with the delivery so that our little one is born safely and placed in my arms as quickly as possible!
PRAYING FOR YOU AND THIS PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL!!!!
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guitarnan
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Maryan, you are in my prayers...I'll be praying for you all day long on birth day, too...
I am glad there are so many helpful ladies here to give you good information! 
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Erin
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Well we could start a novena that you spontaneously go into labour at 37 weeks. 
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Nique
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Count me in on the Novena Erin
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Grateful in VA
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I was induced for 3 of my 4 labors. 2 of them were at 39 weeks the other for twins was at 37 weeks. I, thankfully, was never required to have an enema  .
I hate needles. I, literaly, come very close to passing out at just the thought. I have learned that The IV start is much easier if you are well hydrated so drink up before heading to the hospital. Stay as relaxed as you can stress just constricts your veins more. My Dr. always had an IV with saline in place before breaking my water.
My Dr.'s approach was to break my water and then wait about an hour to see if contractions started on their own. Unfortunately for me that's not usually the case.
So that's when the pitocin gets started. They up it in intervals and watch how you respond.
You are allowed to walk around while you are being induced up until you get an epidural. They just ask that you put the monitor back on when you get back into bed to rest.
The epidurals really weren't bad. They numb you first so you get that first pinch and then it is just some pressure until they get it in just right. After that you don't notice it. I honestly probably would have skipped the epidural for my last delivery except the Dr. thought it would help me relax more and help my contractions do their job better(ds was born 30 min later).
All 4 of my labors were around 10 hours. So there wasn't a significant change for me with the inductions.
I hope this helps some.
I'll be praying for you. God Bless.
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Grateful in VA
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One more tidbit I forgot to mention. You can preregister at most hospitals to avoid all the extra stress of paperwork on induction day.
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Pilgrim
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Just wanted to second the fact that an epidural is not that bad, or as bad as I always thought it would be.. I never thought I'd have one. I prefer to go with things natural and also take the oppurtunity to offer up labor pains. But with the twins I prayed and discerned with dh, and we decided I should get an epidural for a number of reasons. I have always been horrified at the idea of having a big needle put into my back not being able to see what they're doing, but many graces from many prayers made it so much better than I expected. It really wasn't that bad having the epidural put in. Thought I'd put in that $.02, hoping it would help put your mind at ease in case it comes to that you and dh disecenr you should have one.
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wifemommy
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I have had a couple of inductions and I just look at the bright side it makes planning child care a lot easier  Seriously it is not that bad I didn't think the pitocin was that bad even pre epidural after which I relax and baby came out quickly and painlessly. I have gone natural and never thought I'd go with an epidural but now I am a big fan of them.  I am able to relax focus on baby and until # 8 delivered with in the hour or less I will pray for a positive experience for you no matter how it works out. Annie
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Maryan
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Ladies, I'm sitting here with a notebook taking notes! Thanks for the great advice and encouragement.
My cutoff is 37 weeks (whether that's exactly on the day - I have no idea.) I doubt my body will be *that* ready on its own because I'm never more than 2 cm before going into labor.
I did buy an exercise ball that I'll use as a birthing ball in hopes that they might let me sit on it while I'm all hooked up? And I definitely haven't ruled out an epidural since this type of pain sounds like it will be quite different.
They're giving me an inducton date when I'm 36 weeks 4 day. I feel like I'm missing out on the perk to induction: so much for planning ahead!! But since I'd rather keep her in as long as possible, I guess I'm okay with not knowing.
And I would love to just go into spontaneous labor as soon as I'm admitted!! Wouldn't that be an answer to prayer! 
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Maryan
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Bridget
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Dear Maryan, we've induced my last 3 for various reasons. It has gone smoothly and quickly each time. Since your other labors were fast, once the pitocin jump starts it for you, you will probably progress quickly.
The pitocin contrax are a different quality than natural contrax. They are not as manageable so an epidural is something to seriously consider. I have been absolutely grateful for the epidurals since I have such 'fast finishes' as my doc calls it. It would be horrendous without them.
You don't get the epidural till labor is well established so you can use the birthing ball, walk, rock or whatever with the pit IV in in till contrax are doing their job. They only need to monitor you on the leads periodically before the epidural.
I am so happy and excited for you!
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mamasue
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I've never gone into labor, all 6 kids had to be induced. My doctor always brings me in the night before induction and gives me cervidil (sp??). It's a little pill he puts next to the cervix to soften it. 3 out of 6 times this has put me into labor and we had an early morning delivery. Contractions are not unbearable as with pitocin.
The other 3 times he came in early morning and broke my water. This works for a lot if women, starting contractions immediately. Unfortunately it has never worked for me. In fact the water doesn't really come out, strangely enough.
Anyway, that's when we start the dreaded pitocin. For me, contractions start almost immediately. the pitocin is given through an IV with a lock and key on the machine. Nurses are supposed to come in every hour (i believe it's an hour) and check your contraction and crank up the pitocin.Those nurses are relentless.. If they think you are handling it "too well" they will turn it up a couple extra notches. If they try to do this I would ask to talk to your doctor. I don't think it is safe at all, but I've had a few try to do this to me. Not to say that every nurse will do this...
Anyway, you are allowed to walk to the bathroom but you have to wheel the machine in with you. It's not fun but doable. For the most part they like to keep you monitored, to make sure the baby is handling the pitocin ok! I believe I was able to walk around frequently, but had to go back every hour to be monitored for 20 minutes.
Contractions with pitocin- mine were normal at first but then right on top of each other and horribly strong, felt much worse than contractions with cervidil, can't compare them to normal contractions as I have never gone into labor alone.
The goal with pitocin is one cm per hour.
Epidural isn't quite as bad as Id been afraid of. My only advise is if you are sure you want to get it then get it early! You have to curl your back for five or ten minutes and stay completely still while he's putting it in and adjusing it. it is so hard to stay curled when the pitocin is doing it's magic
I would definitely ask about at least trying the cervidil
good luck!
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anitamarie
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I have had one natural and 3 pitocin induced labors. An epidural scares the life out of me, so I've never had one. I have, when necessary, used Stadol. It helps me relax and stops the shakes I get when overloaded with pain.
I can then focus with dh on managing contractions. My pitocin labors have run anywhere from 6 - 9 hours. My non-induced labor was 12.
Good Luck,
Anita
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Anne McD
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Maryan, I've have all five with Tep at F.O. Hosp-- all with epidurals, two were induced. I'd be happy to give you the details of my experience if you'd like. I was in labor with number five, but it was so slow that they put me on pitocin to speed things up-- and he ended up being my longest labor!
The anestisiologists have been great. I was hoping to go w/o drugs this last time, but I figured that since I was being sped up (ha!), that I'd need it. Maybe it slowed it down? Anyway, I haven't had any problems with it, and you can sometimes control the amount of med you get. With number 2, they gave me a button to press that would give me a boost of the epidural (would only work once in a certain amt of time) if I felt I needed it. Many times they check in on you to monitor how you are feeling and will increas the meds if needed.
There are side effects. The epidural opens the blood vessels in your legs, so all the blood in your body rushes to you legs as it tries to equalize, and that can make you feel like you're going to pass out- happened to me twice. I've also gotten the chills very badly and it takes a little while to warm up. That being said, I've been grateful for the time to rest up and get ready to push. However, if there is a next time,I do want to go without. My sil has had a couple of inductions, and did them w/o meds. I think if you are used to doing it that way, you'll be able to tolerate it, even though the labor pains may be comeing on faster and one on top of the other.
I hope I'm not scaring you! Just want to give you a clear picture of what I went through. You'll do great!! Like I said, if you want more info, let me know!
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Grateful in VA
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Yep, I remember that now too. I normally have very low blood pressure to begin with. After the epidurals my pressure drops even more. Have no fear this is a perfectly normal reaction to an epidural. The Dr.s are well aware of it and know how to adjust your saline to fix it.
Focus on your little one don't fret about how she will get here.
Your in good hands...God's.
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Anne McD
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Grateful in VA wrote:
Yep, I remember that now too. I normally have very low blood pressure to begin with. After the epidurals my pressure drops even more. Have no fear this is a perfectly normal reaction to an epidural. The Dr.s are well aware of it and know how to adjust your saline to fix it.
Focus on your little one don't fret about how she will get here.
Your in good hands...God's.
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Ditto! The were able to counter the low blood pressure the first time it happened. The way I see it, all of this is here for a reason-- God has alowed us to make many strides in medicine and He'll take great care of you through the drs and nurses. 
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seeker
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Maryan, I have a blood antigen incompatibility during pregnancy as well. Mine requires that I receive immunoglobulin every week from about eighteen weeks until birth, so the needle thing was something I got used to, but boy do my veins get tired by the time the baby comes!
I was adamant about not having an epidural even though I had to be induced. It was fine. I also requested not to be given an enema, to be able to eat and drink, and not to be cut. These were reluctantly agreed to by the Drs. I wasn't able to use a birthing ball, walk around at all (even to go to the restroom), use a heating pad, and even though I did eat and drink I was lectured by one of the nurses. Think about it, labor is hard work, some of the hardest work you can do; you need fuel to sustain you for it.
Once I got to 10 cm I pushed... Doctor or no Doctor. I can't imagine holding back. The key for me in labor is letting go and letting my body do what it needs to which cuts down so much on pain. I won't lie, the pitocin was rough, but I found that since I knew what to expect during transition that it made it much easier to get through those contractions. (Also, my husband assured me that he wasn't letting the nurse turn up the pitocin ).
I don't know what natural birthing method you use but I can't sing enough praises for the Dr. Bradley Method.
I walked in at 7 got induced at 9 and had a baby at 12, so the labor isn't terribly long.
You can do it! I believe that almost any woman who sets her mind to it can have a baby without an epidural, induced or not!
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Induction help! - baby update page 2
