Another labor question! [Induction]

[irrelevance]

The doctor was talking about possibly inducing me. For no reason other than to fit HIS schedule, I believe.. Now at first, I was against being induced at all, because I heard that it was a lot more intense labor because it's basically being forced, and I wanted it to happen when he was ready.. But, on the other hand I also hear it's quicker because they are MAKING you progress.. So it's sort of like, pain for a long period of time or more intense pain for a shorter time. [although I know it's not absolutely true, because labor can't be predictred, induced or not... but still] I want him to be here as soon as possible. But I'm having a real hard time deciding on this!!! I need opinions. Preferably from those who either have or know someone who has had both naturally progressed labor and induced labor, who could compare the two for me.. Sort of like the pros and cons of waiting vs. induction... I can refuse to be induced, or I could just do it. I don't know at this point!!  [of course, I'm hoping he comes on his own BEFORE they want to induce me] but what do you say??

[browneyedmama]

I was induced with my daughter 4 years ago. the used the gel which helps to thin out the cervix. they gave it to me 3 times in one day. i was not reacting to it at all.... so after the third time they sent me home. i started having contractions the next day... and had them for 3 days after that. went to the hospital and had my daughter very early the next day. she was 10 days overdue.

[irrelevance]

martika- my cervix already seems to be getting ready for labor as it is.. I'm thinking from this point up until my next apt on monday I'll be even more thinned out and possibly dilated than I was on Tuesday..
I really just have to wait until Monday to talk with him about WHY he would even want to induce me and if he would, when that would be.. I know two other people who had him as an ob/gyn and both of them said [just like everyone else in my town, actually] that he really is a great doctor, probably the best in the town [personally I think that the healthcare in this town is iffy as it is.. so I don't know] but both of them said that he induced them.. I didn't ask why for one, but the other said that he was going to be out of town.. Now I want him.. MY doctor, to deliver, but at the same time. I don't want him to make me go into labor just because he's busy.. WHO KNOWS....
lol, stay tuned. I'll have a discussion with him on Monday about all of this, my options, and reasons.. and I'll update you guys.
But like I said a bunch of times, I'm hoping he'll come on his own by then. :)

[martikadragoon]

I didn't read it all to see if it's been mentioned yet, but your uterus can only contract so hard be with pitocin or naturally.

The only reason induction seems so much more intense is it causes more regular contractions. (I saw this on one of my baby shows)

And yes, sometimes labor will stall with induction, simply because the body just isn't ready at all for labor. lots of times doctors try to wait until the cervix becomes a little ripe for induction. (softening up a bit)... other times they'll just give you the cervadil and be on with it!

[cassie020507]

With both of my girls my water broke but i did not go into labor so i had to be induced.. and labor with both of my girls was easy in my eyes.. .. but i do have to say my water breaking in the middle of the night was so exciting .. lol .. i think you should not be induced unless your dr has medical reasons to induce you i mean if you think it is just to fit his schedule then no way.. it is so exciting to Go into labor on your own.. ) my sister was induced and she says she wishes she would have waited due to the fact she didnt have the excitement of going into labor  suprise.. but i also have a friend that with both of her girls choose to be induced she said it was so much more relaxed knowing when the big day would be .. and not having to stress about when is it going to happen.. i know this was not much help.. lol sorry

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I was induced by my choice with my forth.  I wanted to make sure my doctor was the one there to deliver my baby.  It's kind of cool because you know exactly what is going to happen and when.  I was going to get induced again by my choice with number 5, but she came the day before the scheduled induction on her own!!!  With the pain thing.....Well, they do have some control over that.  They can control how much of a drip they give you which will help control the intensity of the contractions.

Keep us posted!!!

[irrelevance]

Thanks for the input.
I don't know still, I will see what he has to say about it on Monday when I go in to be checked again.. If he doesn't come before then lol

[mommyoftwo28644]

With my first, I went into labor and it was very painful for some reason neither of my epidurals worked. It was almost a 20 hour labor and almost ended in c-section. With my second, I was induced after having labor stopped at 34 weeks, this labor the epidural worked and my daughter was born within 8 hours. My second was induced since my dr would be out of town and he was afraid I would go without him being here and I was fine with that, since I wanted my doctor to deliver her and not someone else since he knew my situation and everything else. GL with what you decide!

[BTS1022]

I watched the same show! lol

As for this topic, I think im going to ask my doc to induce me, I have very large babies and im very petite. My oldest son was 9 pounds 12 ounces my youngest was 9 pounds 6 ounces and I am not looking forward to another 9 pound baby lol.

Also you can ask for a high epidural, High Epi's will only fade out the contractions, you will be able to feel both pressure and the *ring of fire* lol. I had a high Epi with my youngest and I plan on getting one with this baby as well. I was more coherent and I could actually feel what i was pushing and it ,ade the delivery process a lot smoother, I had my youngest son out in 3 pushes.

Labor is always going to be long and hard no matter how it happens, thats what we get for Eve eating that damned forbidden fruit.

[spade22]

I was watching one of those birthing shows the other day and the doctor said that "maximum" amount of pain you can feel will not be different with with an induced labor than it is with a natural labor.  The reason is a contraction can only occur with a maximum amount of force and a drug will not alter that.  Based on what the other ladies have said it sounds like the actual labor process (frequency/duration of contractions etc.) may or may not be influenced by being induced.  It sounds like its another one of those things that depends on the person!

[adawning4]

with my 1st I went naturally.... I was in labor for 16 hrs and didnt get the epidural but all in all the labor went pretty smoothly. I had no idea when or where labor would start and thankfully it started at home at 4am and since my water was leaking they kept me and made me walk alot and sit in very uncomfortable positions. Now with my 2nd I was induced because labor was just NOT coming. So I was scared at first but I actually think it went much smoother. Now the best best thing to make your doc do if your going to be induced is to do it at night. That way they will give you a sleeping pill and you can sleep through the worst contractions! Before needing the epidural. I went into the hospital at 7:30pm to fill out all the papers and get ready at 9pm my doc was there and got started. At 10pm they gave me the sleeping pill. I woke up at 8am and wanted my epi.... I had my son at 10:23am. I actually think I prefer to be induced. But my biggest reason is that I know WHEN I am going to go into labor..... If your going for the epi. then there are no real BIG differences. Alot of time if your not dialiting fast enough then they will give you pitocin anyways. Specially if your waters are already broke. Good Luck with your decision!

[loismwallace]

I look at is this way......The outcome is the same and for me induction has proven to be the most uneventful. But as always every woman and every pregnancy is different......You'll be fine either way and if you opted for the epidural you shouldn't have too much to worry about. Even with the epidural they can adjust it closer to delivery so you will know when to push.

[irrelevance]

I know it's hard to gauge since labor itself is simply long and painful either way, but just like anyone I want the best experience possible. :P I do plan on getting an epidural. Hopefully that doesn't make me like some women I've seen on Discovery Health, and unable to feel ANYthing, thus having an even longer labor.. I can't decide what to do!!

[JoyRenee]

Oh man... I think this one is up in the air. My SIL and a friend of mine both had to be induced. One because her labor wouldn't start, the other to fit her doctor's schedule. The labor lasted a normal length of time for a first-time delivery (about 10-12 hours, I believe).

Induction did seem intense for them, but you can get an epidural. As for my friend whose doc induced due to her own agenda, that really made me angry. She told my friend her baby was too large to be delivered vaginally and they were going to induce because she was going out of town on vacation. Her baby ended up being less than 7 lbs (I believe she was 6 lbs 5 ounces). Not TOO small, but still made us all angry because the baby could've stayed a little longer.

[natemomma27]

my first son was induced and it was very hard on my body (the pictocin caused a lot of complications for me. my bp dropped to 70/42, no lie)  and took 14+ hours....my 2nd son was all natural on my own and still took 14+ hours, but i prefered it more than the induction. my body felt more relaxed and seems easier than being forced and on a 'time limit'.

[loismwallace]

I had my 14yr old naturally. I didn't even use epidural. I went into labor at 8pm and didn't have him until noon the next day. When I approached "active" labor, I was telling my Mom I DID NOT want to this. She replied, "it's too late for that." I was in a lot more pain than with my other two which were induced. With my 12yr old and 3 yr old, they started inducing first thing in the morning around 7am and one was born around noon and the 3yr old was born at 1:07.

One did NOT seem to be more painful than the other. Naturally just took ALOT longer. I'm suppose to be induced May 30, but I don't think she is going to wait that long....

[pinkbelle]

I would like to get some stories as well. I just found out today I will be induced in 2 1/2 weeks due to medical reasons ( my kidney stones) and I was just wondering if its a harder or easier labor.. My ob said he will start out by putting a pill in my cervix to help thin me out