Being induced tonight

[southernbelle_amy]

Well, at 8 pm I am suppose to go the hospital to start induction to deliver my baby. It seems crazy, and I don't really expect to deliver until tommorow, and think this will be the longest night of my life. I am trying to not be anxious but of course all the "what ifs" are running through my mind. In one way I am glad it is scheduled, since my husband is coming home early and we have plenty of time to make sure we have everything ready. On the other hand if it had happened on its own I don't think I would've been so nervous.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice. Were you scheduled for induction or C-section and how did you keep yourself from going crazy. Thanks.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I am a mom of 4 and was only induced on the last one. It was right before my due date and 1 doc in my group was paranoid. I only went along with it, because my fav doc would be the one to deliver .

Induction was harder labor then regular labor, at least for me. The pain was more intense. This was also the only one I had some pain meds! We had to go with demerol since it was too far along for an epidural. I also have very quick labors. The longest one was the first at about 7 hours from water breaking to my DS being born.

I wasn't nervous waiting for the induction, since it was number 4 for me. Just keep thinking about the end result, a beautiful baby and you will be fine .

Good luck!!

 

[glitterkittyy]

Well, at 8 pm I am suppose to go the hospital to start induction to deliver my baby. It seems crazy, and I don't really expect to deliver until tommorow, and think this will be the longest night of my life. I am trying to not be anxious but of course all the "what ifs" are running through my mind. In one way I am glad it is scheduled, since my husband is coming home early and we have plenty of time to make sure we have everything ready. On the other hand if it had happened on its own I don't think I would've been so nervous.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice. Were you scheduled for induction or C-section and how did you keep yourself from going crazy. Thanks.

Yep, it happened with my youngest. I had tachycardia with both pregnancies (a very rapid pulse that would make me pass out randomly). So my OBGYN sent me to the hospital for an amnio to see if I could have the baby a bit early. They did the tests and scheduled me for induction the next day at noon. I was induced with both of my kids actually. The second was scheduled, but the first was because my water broke but I didn't go into labor. I have to say that the scheduled one went so much smoother. They had everything ready and there were no surprises. You'll be fine. Just get ready for that little ray of sunshine coming into your life!

Will keep you in my thoughts tonight.

 

[lovebuzz]

Wow how exciting. I have been induced 3 times. The first 2 I did not have an epidural and with the last one I chose to. I'm telling you have an epidural all the way. It was a piece of cake.

Try to rest today, I know it will be hard. That way you have energy for tonight.

The other thing is that I brought some candy for the nurse and doctor. I think that they really appreciated it. We have a homemade candy shop here in town and I just stopped on the way.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

I was induced with 3, had a scheduled c/s for my twins, but had them earlier than expected.

1. 42 weeks pregnant, went in the night before, cervadil, no contractions so I got to stay in the recovery side (much more comfortable), pitocin all the next day, no dilation, sent home at dinner time (worst moment of my life). Got a good night's sleep, water broke in the bathroom the next morning, went back to the hospital, pitocin, baby around 4 pm.

2. 41 weeks pregnant, 4 cm dilated, went in at 11 am (no cervadil needed), they broke my water, pitocin, epi inserted (aneth. going into a c/s), and baby born around 4 pm.

3. 38 weeks pregnant, not dilated, went in the night before, cervadil, lots of contractions, had to stay on the delivery side (hard beds!), pitocin all the next day, finally at 1 cm at dinnertime, broke water, finally at 4 cm at 11 pm, epidural, finally got to sleep, woke at 3 am with strong urge to push, baby 15 minutes later.

My advice? Pack food for after you deliver, make sure that you are aware of all c/s going on if you want an epidural (by the time I got one with #1, I was ready to push - who knew it wasn't always available when you wanted it). Eat before you go - and don't let your DH eat a meatball sub in the room when you are starving - tell him to pack yogurt. Be prepared for a long haul, and if you aren't dilated yet (which I'm guessing you are not since you're going in at night), sometimes they don't work.

 

[staley7580]

Congratulations!! I have been induced all three times, and it was a breeze each time! Good luck with your baby!

 

[laurie31]

I was induced at 42 weeks with DD#1. I was *terrified.* I had to be at the hospital at some ungodly hour like 5:30, and got basically no sleep between worrying about the induction and knowing I was going to need to get up that early.

Once I got checked in and everything got started, I was able to relax. I actually slept most of the day. DD#2 turned out to be a stat C-section, so I didn't ever have a "normal" labor to compare it to. When I finally started having contractions I could feel, I had about 5 hours of severe pain (but I chose not to have an epidural; it would have been 1-2 if I had) and then it was time to push.

As everyone says, just think about holding your baby and nothing else matters.


mjkacmom, I can't believe they sent you home at 42 weeks!

And YES on bringing food!!! It was around 1am by the time everything was finished up and I was STARVING and the only thing available was some cream of chicken soup from a can out of the pantry at the nurses station. For DD #2, the hospital had remodeled and the birthing rooms (LDRP rooms) had refrigerators and microwaves. VERY nice! Also, the nurses will have take-out menus from places that deliver, or will at least know all the good places. Just ask!

 

[mjkacmom]

I
mjkacmom, I can't believe they sent you home at 42 weeks!

And YES on bringing food!!! It was around 1am by the time everything was finished up and I was STARVING and the only thing available was some cream of chicken soup from a can out of the pantry at the nurses station. For DD #2, the hospital had remodeled and the birthing rooms (LDRP rooms) had refrigerators and microwaves. VERY nice! Also, the nurses will have take-out menus from places that deliver, or will at least know all the good places. Just ask!

LOL - they did give me the option of staying, but by then, I was depressed, and STARVING! And SO tired. Unfortunately, it took an entire year, and intervention by my county's assemblyman, for insurance to cover that first night, because of the 1 night gap in my hospital stay!

 

[kim929]

I was induced with all 4 of my children. My oldest took 4 days of induction... My second and third children I went to the hospital at night, they started with cervical jell, to soften my cervix then in the am they started the pitocin. With my 3rd child, I actually went into labor on my own after the jell, but in the morning they gave me pitocin at 6 am and he was born right before 10 am. I
I know it is easier said then done, but try to get some rest while your there tonight. When I was admitted for my second child, there were so many women in labor they had no more rooms, so I was put in the overflow room, which was horrible, it was a long with about 20 beds just seperated by curtains. Bring your favorite pillow and anything else that will make it more comfy for you. Pack some snacks for your dh.

I don't know what it's like to not have pitocin when in labor, the pain was bad, good thing for the epidural. Now they give it to you anytime during your labor, when I had mine and the last one was only 8 yrs ago, you had to wait til you were 7 cm dialated.
Good luck, relax today, make sure your comfy and it will be over before you know it.

 

[wdwfan16]

Good luck.

 

[southernbelle_amy]

Thanks for the advice so far. They are planning the Cervidil tonight and Pitocin in the morning. I haven't been "checked" in 5 or 6 days, and was just a fingertip dilated, but soft, so we will see. I am one day past my due date. I can't believe you all at 42 weeks, I don't think I could wait that long, plus my baby does seem to be on the bigger size 85th percentile at a 36 week Ultrasound.
Besides food, any other small or random things you would recommend? By the way I am "suppose" to be having a boy, and his name is Carter.

 

[krcit]

Good luck. I was induced at almost 39 weeks with my ds. I didn't find it any harder/ more painful than my other 2 births. Keep us posted!! Congrats Mommy!

 

[mjkacmom]

Thanks for the advice so far. They are planning the Cervidil tonight and Pitocin in the morning. I haven't been "checked" in 5 or 6 days, and was just a fingertip dilated, but soft, so we will see. I am one day past my due date. I can't believe you all at 42 weeks, I don't think I could wait that long, plus my baby does seem to be on the bigger size 85th percentile at a 36 week Ultrasound.
Besides food, any other small or random things you would recommend? By the way I am "suppose" to be having a boy, and his name is Carter.

Those u/s's can be off either way, 1 - 2 pounds. Ds11's was right on the money (8.7), but dd8's was 7 pounds on the u/s, and she was almost 9 pounds a few days later. Dd7 was only a few ounces off, and she was 6.12, but her twin was only 6.3, and was supposed to be 7 as well (13 pounds of baby - not comfy).

I brought my own nightgown, and even my own underwear (maternity gross underwear I planned on never wearing again). After each baby, it seemed like I brought less and less to the hospital each time - I remember my first, with my tennis ball, mood music - it was crazy! With my twins, I didn't even pack ahead of time. I did love the ice chips and cranberry juice combo - kind of like a snowcone! I actually made myself one when visiting a friend at the hospital!

 

[hulagirl87]

I wish you the best of luck! That's the hardest part for me now, not knowing when I will go into labor. But you know! I'm sure this day is going to feel like it is dragging, but enjoy your last day without a little one as tomorrow at this time he will be here.

 

[snapppyd]

Just wanted to say Congratulations!!

 

[SpecialK]

I was induced at 42 weeks - not dilated or effaced. No cervical gel, just pitocin. I wasn't allowed to get an epidural until I was at a 4. After that, it was smooth sailing, but I did end up with a c-section. My youngest was a scheduled c-section.

My friend, on the other hand, was induced with the gel and barely started the pitocin when the baby was born. Four hours start to finish.

Everybody's experience is different. Just remember what the happy result will be!

Bring lip balm - hospital air is dry - and your own wash cloth. Never know what the hospital cloths have been used for. Good luck!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I was induced with my 2nd DD becauise I was a week late.
I thought it was so much better then the labor coming as a surprise.
Had a nice relaxing morning, went to breakfast then off to the hospital.

It was so much better because I was there already when labor started so was able to get the drugs so the pain wasn't bad at all.
We watched TV then the doctor said I was ready. In all it was about 6-7 hours.
My first DD I was going too fast by the time I got to the hospital it was to late for the pain meds. and it hurt!!!!!!!!!


Getting induced was the best!!

Wear socks, you feel cold in recovery as your body adjusts.
That was best advice as I had my first DD in August and may not have thought of socks when it's 95 degrees.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I was induced 17 years ago tomorrow with my 3rd child. One of the doctors in the group and I negotiated the terms of my delivery, because the delivery with my 2nd child had some issues I wanted to avoid. All 3 of my children were late (14 days, 8 days, and induced at 2 days late) and huge...over 10 lbs, and my 3rd was over 11. I had an epidural as soon as I wanted it after labor started with induction, and all went well. (My BEST delivery/recovery was with my first child...a C-section. I then had two VBACs.)

Regarding ultrasounds...I had an ultrasound with my 3rd child at 6 1/2 months pregnant, and per the measurements, my DS weighed 6 lbs at that point. The ultrasound technician kept looking at the paperwork (with my due date), and the ultrasound screen, and asked more than once...are you SURE of your dates?? We were...very. I could tell you the date and approximate time of conception (long, and actually funny, story ). When I saw the doctor at my next appt, he told me how off the measurements could be..."it's not like you're going to have an 11 pound baby " is what he said to me. DS weighed 11 lbs 5 ounces when he was born.

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP,

Prayers and good thoughts that this time tomorrow you will have a beautiful, healthy baby!

TC

 

[mamamary]

I was induced with my first - my ds - it was a week past my due date. It was a long night esp. when DH went to sleep . The nurse eventually said she'd give me something to help me sleep but that didn't help either so I just stayed awake all night. Then the next day I was in labor for hours until finally having an emerg. c-section.

Good luck to you