Any advice would help...

[claytonsmum]

If you get induced can you still have an epidural? Im 35 or 37 wks my doctor will decide tomorrow at my apt..I've been measuring 2wks ahead the last four apts...so she said they may have gotten my due date wrong and if so she might indcue me at 38wks..
Im really afraid to give birth, (first time), so I want to get the epidural I was just wonder if she does induce me can you even get one, and can you feel it go in, the needle?

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[One of THOSE mums!]

Yes you can have an epi.

Personally I didn't feel a thing getting the epi.

Maybe the pain was insignificant compared to contractions???

Do whatever u feel is right for u. But keep in mind they won't do an epi when u are nearly fully dilated. I was lucky to get it done at 8cm, but I had been in full labour 3 days and was most likely having a cs so the epi was netter than a general.

[MamaKoala]

Hi there,
This might sound crazy but birth really isn't anything to fear. Your body is made for this. It will be intense but you can cope.
As for epidural - yes you can still have one, but I believe you have to be 3cm dilated to be considered in Active labour before you can get the epidural. If you get it before then, it could interfere with labour and stop it.
They give you a local to numb the area that the epi needle goes in. This hurts, especially while in labour. But the epi needle itself doesn't hurt.

I don't understand why she would induce you even if you got your due date wrong. The baby will come out on it's own when it's ready. No need for induction talk at this stage when you are only 35 weeks.

I hope your Dr can be much clearer with you on why she thinks it's wise to induce before going down that path. All the best.

[myhusbandswife]

You sure can!

I had an epi with DD. I felt the needle for the local anasthetic and then a just felt him pushing around. Then it was in. The pain was nothing compared to contractions.

Trying to stay curled up in the right position was so hard though!

[MsMummy]

I had an epi many hours into an induced abour. I don't remember the needle being bad as the contractions were so awful.

I would avoid an induction if you can though.

[claytonsmum]

She told me she might induce cus she doesn't want him to get to big and me not be able to push him out, but now im kinda disagreeing with her. Cus I kno my body is made for birth, so I could push out a 9lb baby! Lol im going to talk to her tomorrow.

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[lulu 2]

I wish I had taken the midwives advise and had the epi as soon as they started the drip as the pain was so intense and then the second time the same and the 3rd time again lol you would think i would learn , but I found i was too shy to ask them for one that was until the pain kicked in then I screamed for it lol. Then when it kicks in its back to concentrating on what your there for instead of the pain it is such a good feeling to be able to focus on the labour.
Most hospitals let you have the epi when you feel you need it except when it is too late and the birth is happening.
Discuss it with the midwives or your ob and don't feel bad about asking for one , I know I couldn't do an induction without it.

[Gandalf]

Can i ask whether the 'two weeks ahead' is based on just your fundal height? or an Ultrasound as well? I would be wary to let myself be induced until i was definitely at least 38 weeks (so i would be waiting another three weeks regardless) because the risk is still there that your initial dates are correct, you are only 35 weeks, and having a baby at 36 weeks means that it could end up in special care for another week. [not definite, but it could happen].

As for an epidural, yes you can have one during an induction. :yes:

[claytonsmum]

I don't mean that she wants to induce me right now, she said today when I go that if im still measuring 2wks ahead then that would make me 37wks and next week idk ne 38 so she would induce me next week or the following week. But I still don't know if I should, yes I want to meet my lil man, but not if she is certain and how can you really be certain? And she deteremined this from an ultra sound and measuring my stomach.

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[Gandalf]

I don't mean that she wants to induce me right now, she said today when I go that if im still measuring 2wks ahead then that would make me 37wks and next week idk ne 38 so she would induce me next week or the following week. But I still don't know if I should, yes I want to meet my lil man, but not if she is certain and how can you really be certain? And she deteremined this from an ultra sound and measuring my stomach.

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you know that 'term' (so when the baby is done) can be anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks? so even if she induces you when you are definitely 38 weeks, your baby might still need a month inside?
If your body isn't ready to go into labour - having induction is unlikely to change anything.

I would do some research into inductions, and into big babies - and make sure its the right thing for you.

But i personally would be wary if i was being told i should let myself be induced because i was measuring (only) 2 weeks ahead.

[Basil]

Good idea to question :yes: you don't want to make any rash decisions. My favourite response to anything I was told to do was, "Why?"

I decided to induce and regret it. I was 42 wks. Ds wasn't ready and I had to work hard to avoid a c/sect. Sorry, don't know about the epi as I didn't have one.

Good luck with everything. It'll be magical when you get to meet your gorgeous boy!

[claytonsmum]

So I went today and she said I was a fingertip dialated and my cervix was thinning she didn't give me a percentage, she said she was keeping my regular due date, and that im still measuring ahead and at 38wks if I want to be induced she will, but I don't think im going to, regardless if he's 12lbs :laughing: I want him to be fully cooked and ready on his own terms.

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[the girls mum]

:wave:

Another one who was induced here.... I think you are doing the right thing and seeing what your body wants to do - I am going to do everything I can to avoid an induction next time round.

And yes, no drama getting an epi either - mine didnt hurt at all, the hardest part was staying in a still curved position while contracting. Mine worked brilliantly and no side effects, but it is different for everyone.

Good luck x

[Gothel]

I was induced twice and was very glad of it too! 1st time was dd1, m
y waters broke and were green so they induced as a precaution. 2nd time they induced because i was was already in labour but dd2's heartrate was dipping. it was that or a c-section.l I know a lot of people on here are all for intervention free birth but both times the advice i was given was spot on and resulted in 2 very healthy babies. so by all means question your doctors as much as you want but please give full consideration to what they are saying. I know your situation is different to mine, as I was already in labour before an induction was mentioned. But it you are discussing induction and it is even a remote possibility that you will go through with it, by all means tell your doc you are considering an epi as well.

Anyway having said that, both times I was induced and then given an epi maybe 1-2 hours later, can't remember, but the pain was intense. I got really frightened by it with the first labour so second time, as soon as they said they needed to induce I asked for the epi,so that was done within 45 mins. I would do the exact same thing again, no question about it.

[fairygirl]

Hi! I was induced 3 times at 38 weeks (had Gest Diabetes and sugar levels dropped). I was terrified but it's all over before you know it and you have your beautiful baby to play with. Just a little side thought - I tried twice to have an epidural with No1 & No3, it never worked - at all. There are a percentage of us women who epidurals do not provide any pain relief at all, just a really big bill a few weeks later. It's not the be all and end all but for some it's heaven. The lady in the room next to me had her's put in before she was induced, never felt a thing until it was turned down for her to push. Another close friend of mine did the same thing. It did not hamper the induction and things progressed well without any pain for Mum. So there is lots of options but I only used gas for No2 and Hyponbirthing which was fantastic, I felt very empowered and it was my best birth. No3 came in just under 2 hours from the drip going in and I lost concentration, stupid Midwife said I still had 7 hours to go so better get an epi - turned out I was 10 cm dialated and ready to push. Don't let anyone push you into anything you don't want - speak up and be firm and don't doubt yourself. Good luck.

[The C Team]

I'm another who was induced and had an epidural.
At 5cm dilated I felt an overwhelming urge to push so it was either epi or c-section. The only downside to the epidural is that it can make some women's births longer.
Next time round hopefully I wont need any intervention (induction or epidural) but I know it's there if I need it.