PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for June, 1999: Re: Question on inducement

Re: Question on inducement

From: Carolyn

anonymous@obgyn.net

Tue, 8 Jun 1999 21:35:41 -0500 (CDT)

I have had 3 babies, one a full blown induction, one I went into labor on my own (but was scheduled to be induced!) and the third was sorta a kickstart.

With the first I was a week overdue and absolutely miserable. I was also borderline PIH and WANTED the induction. I had the prostaglandin gel the night before and it ripened my cervix to make induction favorable. Next morning they started Pitocin. The contractions weren't noticable at all...til they broke my water. I spend 4.5 hours on pit with no pain, arom, 2 hours of contraction upon contraction, epidural at 4cm and dialated to 10 within 2 hours.

With my second my water broke the day before I was scheduled to be induced also her due date. The contractions were a piece of cake until I hit 4 cm...then they turned into what I can only say was Pitocin like contractions...one on top of the other and this WITHOUT Pit. I also had an epidural but by time it was inserted I was at 9cm.

With my third, there were placenta problems and they didn't want me going over my due date. I had my membranes stripped the day before my due date and I was at 3 cm and 75% with membranes bulging at the time (and had been at 3 cm for 3 weeks!). I still went two days past and they induced with arom. That was all it took. Contractions kicked in on their own and at "surprise" 4 cm, they became unbearable. I spent 45 minutes in an upright position waiting for the epidural and dialated to 10 while the epidural was in progress.

So...I've done them all. The one thing that I have heard is that IF you have to be induced, it's best NOT to have your water broken as it really cushions the pain of contractions. The problem is, if you are way overdue, they will WANT to break your water to check for meconium.

Personally, I think that everyone is different. I think that in MY case, I hit 4 cm and go into transitional type labor, dialating very quickly but with a TON of pain. Not everyone is like that. I'd ask your Dr what ALL of your options are. If gel is an option, I'd ask for that first. If you KNOW that they are going to break your water, I'd ask if they would do that ALONE without pitocin to see if contractions kick in (the baby pretty much has to be engaged so that there isn't a likelihood of a prolapse). Have a set time. Like 4-6 hours. If contractions don't kick in, THEN consent to Pitocin. Of course, this would be how I would do it.

The problem with Pit is that it effects everyone differently and they MUST monitor you. Which means, at least through SOME of your labor, you will end up confined to a bed. Some hospitals you only have to be monitored hourly...some want you on the monitor full time. Find out what the hospital's in which you'll be delivering policies on this are. Then you'll be able to plan accordingly.

Good Luck.

-- Carolyn

At Tue, 8 Jun 1999, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote: > >In a message dated 6/7/99 9:33:36 PM EST, maryshoup@earthlink.net writes: > ><< I am 41 wks pregnant and suspect that my doctors will want to discuss > > an inducement for later this week, when I go to my appt tomorrow. I am > being > > treated for Gestational Diabetes, and by u/s the baby is approx. 9lbs. I > > also tested positive for Group B Strep. > > I had wanted to have a natural birth. The doctors will want to > > induce me with pitocin, and I am curious about it. I know it makes the > labor > > harder, but does it shorten it? Is it at all possible to have a natural > > birth while being induced with pitocin? Also, what concerns should I have > > regarding the Strep B? > > I am considering waiting a few more days before scheduling an > > induction, if there isn't a problem with the baby. All NST's are fine, > baby > > seems healthy, albeit a bit big. How long is it safe to go over your due > > date? Does my GD mean it would be wiser to go ahead and induce? (the > doctor > > practice I see has many docs, and the one I see tomorrow is *not* very > > helpful, so I hope someone can give me some info!) > >> Hi Juliana, > > >I was faced with a doc pushing an induction last year. How is your cervix? > >Has it softened, begun to efface and dilate yet? At my 38 week appt my doc > >said he would give me one week to have the baby and if nothing, he would > >induce. I asked for the gel to ripen my cervix and perhaps get things > >going. He said my cervix was already ripe but he agreed to appease me. > >Well, after three hours of monitoring in the hospital after the gel was > >applied, all I had to do was stand up, get dressed, and start heading for > >the door when my contractions kicked in 2 mins apart lasting a minute. My > >baby was born shortly after. > >> > >My cervix has been at 1 1/2 cent, 60% effaced and completely soft for two >weeks. I figure they'll check today. I have heard of the gel, but not at my >doc office. The only way I've ever heard of them inducing is with the pit. >I will definitely ask him about it at my appt today. I just want to avoid >the pitocin! >Thanks so much for the replies! I'll let ya know what we decide! >Juliana

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