Scheduled Inductions - your experiences??

[lil mermaid]

Baby #2 is due on April 12.

For a bunch of reasons, and I will admit, none of them medically indicated, I am seriously considering a scheduled induction this time around. I know what the risks are, which is why I am not taking this lightly. I am trying to decide if I am willing to take those risks or not. I was always sort of "against" scheduled inductions that were not done for any medical reason before now - if you had told me before that I would even be considering this I would have never believed you!

I am interested in hearing any scheduled induction stories (medically indicated or not, I guess, because I am interested in hearing the outcomes.) How far in advance of your due date did you induce, what were the "conditions" of your body like at the time - did you wind up having a c-section? That kind of stuff.

Of course, if this baby does what DD did and arrives at 38 weeks, then I guess all of this worrying will be for nothing....

I really appreciate your input.

 

[mtemm]

with my first, I had an induction at 39w3d. I was on bedrest for PIH and my ob did not want me going over. we started with cytotec and then went with the gel (after monitoring and a couple of hours in between). this wasn't supposed to be the real induction, just to get things moving, and then if nothing was, in a couple of days I was supposed to come in for pitocin if nothing happened on its own. the problem was, from 8am to around 2pm, my son was showing noresponsive. his heartrate was steady, but he wasn't moving. I had noticed a sharp change in his movement over the last couple of weeks, and had had an u/s which showed things were okay, but still, my ob didn't want to wait.

at 5pm I was hooked up to pitocin and finally I started having contractions. at some point she broke my water, and at some point they had to turn the pit off because DS wasn't tolerating it well. finally at 10pm he was still not showing a change in movement, and they decided to do a section.

I don't consider the section due to a failed induction, I was contracting and moving along even without the pit. it just came down to my son and the fact that he wasn't moving (thankfully he was okay).

good luck!

 

[Hillbeans]

I was induced 9 days early with baby # 2. My Doctor was not going to be around on my due date, and I didn't want to take the chance to have a Doctor I didn't know deliver my child. I had a very close relationship with this doctor due to some previous fertility issues and we both agreed that we'd induce me so we could both be comfortable.

My baby was big at that point - 8 lbs 15 oz, and I was already dialated 2 cm, so I probably would have had the baby sooner than my due date. I had been having Braxton-Hicks for weeks at that point. I started Pitocin at 7 am and had the baby at 11:57 am. It was a very smooth birth and I only had a very light amount of pain medicine because I didn't want to be all looped out.

I didn't think about this at the time, but now my son will make the Kindergarten cut-off of 10/1.

If given the chance, i'd do it again. It all worked out well for me. Not everyone agrees with this practice but you need to do what is best for you, your baby and your health.

Good luck with whatever you choose and have a safe and happy delivery.

 

[chobie]

I was a week overdue with my first and they wanted to get things going. So I had one day of gel, one day of pitocin, another day of gel, another day of pitocin. Nothing happened, except for on the fourth night after the second day of failed pitocin, they gave me a very high dose of the gel which gave me immediate hard contractions -and the then they sent me home. I was in pain all night long and when I went back in on the fifth morning, I was still barely at 1 cm. They wanted to put me on pitocin for another day, but my mother grabbed the doctor out in the hallway, said somethings (I never found at what) and about an hour later I had a beautiful baby girl from a c-section.

 

[punkin]

My second was induced for non medical reasons. I was already 4 cm dialated and having on and off contractions for weeks, Dr wouldn't let me go to work and I was eating up my extremely limited maternity leave with no baby. I made them induce 2 weeks before due date (that was the earliest Dr would agree). They gave me pitocin and I had a baby 6 hours later. No problems. In retrospect, I would not do it again.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I had both girls by scheduled induction. I had gestational diabetes (from as soon as I became pregnant) and high risk pregnancies, so my OB did not want me going all the way to my due date. DD#1 was induced 10 days early, DD#2 9 days early. Both based on the doctor's on-call schedule. The date was scheduled a little over a week in advance the first time, about 5 days ahead the 2nd time. The doctor would have induced DD#2 a week earlier if I had agreed to an amnio to check lung function. I said no.

With DD#1, I had not dilated much, no real contractions. They broke my water at 7am, started pitocin at 8am and kept turning it up. Whether due to me not knowing what to really expect (1st baby) or the large doses of pitocin, I had a rough time with labor. I ended up with an epidural that helped immensely. It was evening before I started pushing, then I pushed for 3 hours and was minutes away from a section when the OB did one last check and decided I could go v@ginally. DD was born at 11:59pm.

DD#2 was much easier. I had been dilated to 3 for a couple weeks. 4 days before the induction date, I spent 24 hours in light labor. I had decided to go to the hospital, took a shower at home beforehand and the contractions stopped. When I arrived for the induction, I was having light contractions again. They broke my water at 8am, started pitocin at 9am. The nurse only turned up the pitocin once so it wasn't nearly as much of a dose as the first time around. I moved along quickly. at noon I was at 6, at 12:55 I was complete and DD was born at 1:06.

Good luck to you!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

DS #1 was induced at 41 weeks, so I was overdue. Contractions were severe, but I did not dilate very swiftly. I got to about 6 cm after 18 hours and the doctor finally said let's do a c-section to get this baby out safely (I was starting to get a fever, so they worried about infection). So DS #2, I was still hoping for a VBAC so we scheduled another induction just before my due date...12 hours of hard labor later, still at 5 cm. Cut our losses and do a c-section (his heart rate was fluctuating). Turns out the cord was around his neck, so that worked out thank God. DD #3 we just scheduled the c-section and it was so much nicer. A c-section after long hard labor is exhausting.
I would think that if you have already had one "regular" delivery, your cervix would be more likely to dilate and respond to the induced contractions. Talk to your doctor. Honestly, a c-section isn't the worst thing in the world. Happy healthy baby (and mom) is the objective!

 

[jmms1224]

I had a scheduled induction with my 2nd baby.When my ds was born he was almost 2 weeks past his due date. When it came time to have dd I didn't want her to be late. If she had been 2 weeks late also her birthday would have been Christmas day. As somone who's birthday is Christmas Eve I would do everything in my power not to have that happen to my children. It was very simple. I went in at 7 am. I started pushing at 3:15 she was born at 3:30pm.

 

[babynurse1]

I've had 2 kids by going into labor naturally and 2 inductions (last baby was 9 days OVERdue)

Anyway, I would not consider an induction until I was at least 40 weeks (unless medically indicated, of course). Sometimes the due date is off, no matter how "regular" you ovulate, and a few weeks can make a HUGE difference.

Also, if your cervix is starting to thin and dilate then you would have much better chance of having a successful induction. If your cervix is "closed", I wouldn't consider it (again, unless medically indicated) because you are greatly increasing your chances of a C-Section.

I will say, the contractions came a little faster and harder when induced, but in the end labor hurts no matter how it's gets started.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[grumpyvet]

My blood pressure skyrocketed at 36 weeks, tried bedrest for a week (I SUCK at bedrest, not for the hyperactive)..and then was induced at 38 weeks. Started my drip at 7 Am, had my daughter at noon, with about 5 pushes.....
Having nothing to compare it to, I would say it was an easy easy easy way to go! I did get an epidural at 9Am when they broke my water...but an easy delivery.
So, would do it again.

 

[Sandy V.]

I was induced with both of my kids. I would do it again without reservations.

The first was because my water had broken, but it was taking too long for the contractions to start, and the doctor didn't want to risk infection. Total labor was less than 12 hours from start to delivery.

My second was a scheduled inducement because my doctor was on call that day and I really detested his partner and DID NOT want to have him deliver my baby. The total labor time was about 8 hours.

In both cases, the biggest impression I still have was that when on pitocin, the contractions start steadily and then REALLY pick up at the end as they increase the dosage.

Best of luck, OP!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had a scheduled induction with my second who was one week overdue. They used Cervadil.

Baby's heartrate didn't cooperate with labor--but the midwife was non-agressive and all turned out well. About 7 hours in...she decided to do a smidge of pitocin to speed things along just a little and my 2nd was born 18-19 hours after the first dose of cervadil and was quite healthy.

I was trying to avoid pitocin--so the baby would have come much sooner if I just gave the go ahead earlier.

(This was a "from 0-10" induction...so nothing prior to starting the cervadil.)

I'm debating induction with this one. We know all the details and had a very early U/S that coincided with my records (i.e we KNOW when we O'd). So I don't have any worries to start begging in the 38th or 39th week. But it more is b/c of fear of the unknown than convenience. Hard to explain why I feel that way. (unknown of what could happen that is bad...not the unknown of when labor will begin--see, I even confuse myself when I type it.)

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

Where I work, we do not induce patients just because the mom wants it. Inductions can stress the baby and they may not work and they will send you home if your water doesn't break, so then you have to come back and do it again. Personally, I wouldn't do it. Before our hospital had this new rule we would see kids that just weren't ready yet because mom's dates were a tad off and they ended up in NICU with respiratory problems. Just a thought from the medical side.

 

[jamimb]

Unless there is a medical reason for it it seems awful selfish to induce before 39 weeks. Every week your child is early means they have that much more chance of there being problems or the child having jaundice. A typical pregnancy is 40 weeks for a reason. I believe you can have a healthy baby before that but the closer to 40 weeks you go the less chance of things like jaundice and such. I would only induce if you were overdue(unless there are other medical issues) I was induced with both my children at 41 and 42 weeks and was only induced then because the dr said the children wer huge and they longer I remained pregnant they harder time I would have delivering them (they wer 8 and 9 pounds). Induction for me really wasnt that big a deal. With my second I checked into the hospital around 8 Am and she was born at 1.

 

[mermaidlady]

I had my 2nd and 3rd induced both of them 1 day before my due date. The MD did not want me to go over dates because of my previous c-section. It had my water broken then given pit. both of them lasted about 5-6 hrs

 

[buzzlady]

With baby #2, I was induced 2 days before my due date. I had gestational diabetes and the baby's weight was estimated at 9lbs-9oz. Dr. didnt' want me waiting any longer because of the size of the baby. Everything turned out fine and DS was only 9lbs. 7oz.

 

[CTPinkPrincess]

I was induced with DD (I have high blood pressure, had gestational diabetes, she was estimated to be about 10 pounds (she ended up 8 lb 12 ounces)). The night before had the medication put in, went home, got my last good night's sleep, went back to the hospital at 6 am for more medication.

The Dr. broke my water around noon (dinner theatre for DH!) and she was born around 11:45 pm after about 2 hours of pushing. All natural (except for the "jump start").

 

[pooh4evr]

All 3 of my girls were inductions

DD #1 I was a week overdue and had been dilated at 1 for about a month without any change - I went in Thursday afternoon - got cervadil patch up there (very painful IMO) around 4 started with contractions in the late evening maybe 800 my water broke on its ownat midnight had my epidural at 1ish and fella sleep they woke us around 6 and we started pushing soon after it took about 2 hours of pushing nad Emma was born at 821 am - we did have to use the vac because she has a melon head but that didn't have anything to do with being induced, I had an episotomy too. She was 8 lbs 4 oz 21 in

DD#2 My due date was moved around acouple of times during the preg, so we were induced on our due date because again I hadn't changed from 1 cm for a while and she was estimated to be bigger than DD#1 adn aftetr the trouble I had getting her out we didn't want to take the chance of something going wrong- I went in early morninglike 630 or so they actually forgot about us in the room finally checked us in and started with the pitocin at 10 things started flying from there lots of strong contractions in the back of course - nurse didn't believe me, checked me and we wer at 5 by 12 - got the epidural and about 20 minutes later I was telling my husb who is also a DR that either the epi wasn't working or that something was wrong- well my water did not break but thebag had started to come out think of a water balloon- the dr popped it and went to check on someone else- lots of pain and pressure my mom found a different nures she checked and we wer crowning pushed a just a few times and Alli was born at 2 pm just 4 hours after the pitocin was started!! She was 8 lbs 12 oz and 21 in

DD#3 we had discussed being induced pretty much the entire tim for many reasons one being convenience - We were originally due Dec 29 then changed it to Jan 6 so we were teased about getting the tax write off, but mainly we did it because DH was going to be off for a couple of days around the new year, and my other kids were oof school too so we didn't have to worry about running then here and there - so again I was 1 cm for about 3 weeks I went in for an appt on the 27th of Jan feeling tired and just no right - turns out my blood pressure was up it is usually very low (so low I almost wasn't given my epi during D#2 delivery) and I ahd some protein in the urine sample which indicated something that I want to say is preclampsia maybe i don't remember (sleep deprived) so Dr calls the labor and delivery floor asks about me coming in - needless to say I was being hooked up to the pitocin drip at 430 and Kate was born at 1118pm They did break my water this time which WHOA was PAINFUL!!! but in all after 3 inductions if we have a 4th child I'll probably do it again!

The third time around Iwas really struggling with IF we should do it just because it would fit into our schedule better but the decision was made for us- I think one of the things I have learned in being a MOM is that sometimes you must put yourself first because if you are happy, healthy and not stressed then you will be a better parent, If the decision to be induced allows you to feel comfortable then do it, talk to you Dr about it now and see how they feel and reserve the right to change your mind if things change. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

My third was induced for non-medical reasons - I wanted to be home for the 1st day of school for my two older children. My due date was 9/11 - I was induced 9/4 - the induction failed (never made any progress). I was sent home after 14 hours.

Finally - nearly two weeks past my due date - baby #3 was still not anywhere near ready - doctor scheduled a second induction - 9/25 - 24 hours later (I won't go into gory details) I ended up with an emergency C-Section. This pregnancy was supposed to be VBAC - I should have just scheduled a c-section in the first place.

In any event - if I had to do it all over again - I would go when nature calls - or, if necessary, when a doctor feels a c-section is warranted.

Best of luck to you and your new bundle of love!!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I only have 1 child. I was induced 2 days past my due date. They gave me the pitocin at 8:30 a.m. and she was born at 11:27 a.m. I was having no contractions prior to labor and I was 3 cm dialated when the pitocon was administered. No problems at all and it didn't even hurt much. I got an epidural, but she was born so quickly, it didn't take effect until afterwards. I guess I'm just built for birthin'.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.