Views on induction

[nickosmoo]

Hi

I wanted to get some idea on your views on induction. I was booked for an induction as I was overdue and my blood pressure was rising. The night before though my labour started anyway and waters broke etc. I got to the hospital at about 5 am on the day I was to be induced and they decided to give me the drip anyway as contractions stopped (as is fairly common). They soon started again and I found them to be very strong and the pain quite unbearable. I had gas on hand which did nothing for me. I always thought I had a fairly high pain tolerance until labour. I made it to halfway dilation before the epidural but wondered does being induced increase the intensity of the contractions? They were space fairly normally. I guess I'm just wondering if next time around I should be more adamant about not being induced as I would have preferred to get further along before getting any pain relief.

Any views or experience on inductions?

[OopsieDaisy]

Hi there
I had an induction when I lost a baby a few years back. I found the gel and tablets to be ok but as soon as they got the drip in me it was very painful, a different labour to my first who came naturally.

I know that I would like to avid an induction again, but if I had to have it of course I would. I think that because it is faster and a synthetic way to start labour so to speak (can not think of another way to explain what I mean ) that it does have it's differences to a self starting labour.

[Lachlan's Mum]

Hi Nickosmoo

Your birth story is IDENTICAL to mine.......I too went into labour on the morning of the day I was to be induced (6 days overdue)...(I even got to the hospital around the same time!!) and they gave me the drip too and then the contractions started immediately and were intense.

It was my first baby so I can't say whether it is worse than normal labour...but I have been told by many that it makes it much more intense sooner than if your labour progresses naturally.

I too made it halfway (dilation) and then had to have an epidural.

I know this doesn't really answer your question but I thought I'd post because of the similarity.

[mamafelix]

Yes a drip definately increases the intensity of contractions- though that depends on the level of hormone they pump in- you can ask for it to be turned down I believe.

Artificial induction is often the beginning of what is called a 'cascade of interventions' that is once they start doing things to change your labour you are more likely to need more 'help' such as epidurals, suction, forceps, c/s.

Personally I come from a viewpoint of wanting to minimise intervention in my labours, I believe I can do it better without help. That isn't to say that there isn't a place for intervention when needed (both emotionally and physically)- I just think that in today's world it's often overused.

[earthmother]

Hi All,
I was also induced and I was totally unprepared as I didn't read up on it prior to having DD, as I was hoping to go as natural as possible
Anyway, I had to be induced as I got diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis (sp?), which symptoms included unbearable itching of palms of hands and soles of feet. I thought it was just the hot weather, but when I had my check up at 38 weeks, my dr ordered me some blood tests that showed my bile count was very high and this places extra pressure on the liver which is not good for bub.
I went in to hospital in the evening and had gel (prostaglandin) inserted onto my cervix. I was allowed to go home that evening to get some rest (no rest) and let the gel 'ripen my cervix'.
At 6am the next morning my DH drove me to the hospital and I was feeling quite uncomfortable down below. I went into the labour ward and had some more blood taken for testing, my dr broke my waters and I was hooked up to a monitor and had a drip in my wrist. By about 8am I was having full on contractions, down on all fours, on the yoga ball while still attached to the mobile drip. It was quite an experience and very fast and furious. My sciatica was giving me more pain than the 'nether regions' and I asked for an epidural. It was just way too powerful and I felt I had no control. It felt like my back was going to break and my poor DH was rubbing my back so hard that I had a huge bruise.
From memory I was having up to six contractions every 10 minutes as DH was monitoring them.
Once the epidural kicked in I was able to relax and slow down for a little bit. It was funny though, as my midwife checked to see how far I was dilated AFTER I had the epidural and she was shocked as she believed that I was fully dilated. My dr. came in and checked, and sure enough I was fully dilated. I guess I was lucky to have gotten the epidural administered in time.
After an hour I was given the go ahead to push and pushed for 20 minutes and then my DD was born. I was still able to feel the contractions building and could let my midwife and dr know. Towards the end when DD was crowning, I could feel everything and it was hell to stop pushing when told to stop, but managed to find a spot on the ceiling and concentrated on that
I used the mirror to assist with the birth and this helped immensely as it really gave me a goal to reach for each time I saw my DD head appear when pushing. I only had a couple of sutures, but could feel the stitches being put in.
It was funny as only moments after giving birth to DD, the aneasatist (sp?) came in asking if I needed a top up
All in all, my labour was 4 hrs and 20 mins.
I guess I didn't really have a choice about my induction process as I was at risk as well as by baby.
Even though it was fast and furious, I was happy that the labour didn't go for hours and hours and there were no complications.
Thanks for letting me share my induction story with you all.

[nickosmoo]

Yeah well I think I would prefer to avoid induction next time and hope the contractions are more bearable and also yes Mamafelix there were further interventions as I ended up with a c/s although fully dilated as juniors head was traverse and wasn't progressing toward daylight (maybe that is why he pushes his head backwards when he is trying to get to sleep now ! )

[Jennifer]

Hi all,

Im a mummy of one, and had an induction. They brought me in and inserted some gel, didn't work the first time, and inserted the gel TWICE more!! then they eventually broke my waters. So, by the first time the gel was inserted and then the last time, I was in the labour ward for 2 days!! waiting for it to work, listening to all the other mothers to be give birth!! No sleep either!

The contractions were quite intense, but I survived with about 2 hours of gas, and that was all, but did have to have a ventouse delivery. Whether that was from no sleep being there for two days or from the fact of being induced, I'm not sure. I ended up tearing really badly, so much that my OB said at the 6 week checkup, that she doesn't normally remember stitching people up, but she remembered doing me!! That makes me feel real terrific!!!

well, that is my story anyway!
Cheers

[kathyhops]

I was induced also as my placenta had stopped functioning at 38weeks due to blood pressure. My son was born 6lb, so he was quite tiny. But you are right in terms of the labour being much more intense. I had gel at 5pm, and had irregular contractions throughout the night. I think I was naive as this was my first, and as I found it very similar to period cramps I didn't think that was labour. But by 7am the contractions where 2min apart and I was bedridden. In between contractions I was completely exhausted, and couldn't understand why I wasn't walking around like all the other women in labour! I would have had my son in less time, but it took 2hrs to push him out as the cord was wrapped around his shoulders pulling him back each time. By the time I was desperate for an epidural, it turned out I was too far dilated, which in a sense I am glad, because I proved to myself that I could do it. I did have gas, but I don't feel that did much, but keep me concentrating on breathing correctly. I had my son by 11am that morning, and like I said, it should have been even earlier.
I thought I had a low pain tolerance, but birth proved me wrong, which I am surprised with. But what I wonder, is if the labour went for longer than 5hrs, how would've I coped then. I liked the fact that although it came on so intense and strong, it was over before you even had time to think about what was happening, and even think too much about the pain! (although hubby would have said differently I'm sure).
I am 32wk with no2, and given the option of being induced, I would do it again. I guess now its a case of what you know. I don't think I could stand 24-36hrs of labour! Bring it on and bring it on quick I reckon! But who knows what lies ahead, this pregancy has been spot on, so there is no reason for induction. But if I had my choice I would do it again. I guess now I am a bit scared of doing it totally naturally........
Now there is a bit of a different opinion to the others....
Good luck to all...

[Michele Crocker]

Hi,

I was induced with my 2nd child and I can tell you now that it is more painful and intense than if you go naturally. The only time I had a epidural was when I was induced. Induction speeds up your contractions which makes it difficult for you to recover before the next contraction hits.

Michele
Mother of Christopher, Luke, Melissa, Jayden and ? (due in November)

[2under2]

My 2nd labour was induced as bub was getting very big and we didn't want same problems as first (bad tearing etc). Gel was inserted at 7am, then again at 12pm, then started to get heavy contractions. 4pm my Ob broke my waters and within minutes I was in full labour - way faster and stronger than first time around. Managed to do it with just gas - all that did was help me concentrate on breathing I think! Ob reckons is because body doesn't have a chance to get used to it slowly as in normal labour. Had to have ventouse anyway and bub was born at 820 pm after 2 hrs hard pushing. I guess the end result is the main thing - healthy mum, healthy baby.