Has Anyone Been Induced at Prentice?

My doctor induced me at 35 weeks 3 days - I had preeclampsia so my situation was a bit different. I had been hospitalized for nearly 3 weeks prior to induction. They took me downstairs to labor & delivery at about 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, and by about 12:30 or so they had started me on both pitocin and mag sulfate (for seizures - you won't be getting this!). Nothing happened for awhile (because of the mag sulfate); they broke my water at about 4:30 a.m. By about 9:30 or 10 a.m. I started having some pretty good contractions, and I requested my epidural at about 1 or 2 p.m. I think most doctors want you to wait til you are about 4 cm dilated. Mine told me I could have it as soon as I felt I needed it. This was my first labor, and I didn't know how bad my contractions were - they kept asking me to rate them on a scale of 1-10. Honestly, for awhile, they were just uncomfortable - didn't take my breath away or anything. When I finally asked for my epidural, I only did it because I was afraid I was going to progress too quickly and not be able to get it! I'm glad I got it when I did - I was able to nap for awhile, and when I woke, my contractions were terrible! I dilated from 6 to 10 within a span of about an hour. (They told me that's pretty fast.) By the way - don't be afraid to use the little control they give you for your epi pain control - they had to refill mine several times!! My little man was born at 6:48 p.m. - on Friday the 13th!!

I can say that the staff at Prentice is absolutely amazing! You'll be in good hands. Don't be afraid to ask for anything - they will bend over backwards to do what they can for you. Be sure to take lots of diapers and formula home. And if you want to breastfeed, they can call a lactation consultant to visit you in your room. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I had tons of them just before I delivered! Good luck!!

I wasn't induced, so I won't take up too much of your space! I DID give birth at Prentice and I can tell you that no matter what: you will be in good hands. ALSO--if you are a first time mom (as I was) its hard to know this, but try to keep in mind that no matter how its done, or how painful it is, seconds after that baby is born you won't remember any of it--all you'll have room in your brain for is how much you love him (her?) and how you can't imagine how you ever got along without him/her (YES, all in the first minute of their life!). Good luck!!! P.S. I also got an epidural at Prentice--they had to try a few times before getting it in right...its painful, but SO WORTH IT :)

OK. No horror stories. But, why insist on being induced? Inductions are less likely to work IF the mother is making no progress. You could be headed down a slippery slope if you don't at least attempt to have a natural labor. TRUST ME!
Getting an epidural ASAP will depend on your particular progress or condition. At Northwestern they surely will administer it to you as soon as it is possible, rather than make you wait unnecessarily.
Good luck.
Amy
PS First timers, especially, are often late. You could be two weeks late and still be fine.

I was induced a week after my due date. I walked around 1cm dilated and nearly 90% effaced for about 4 weeks before my Dr. decided to induce. It was pretty textbook for me. They had us start at 4:00am, said I would have my water broken around 11:00 (and did) and would start pushing around 5:00 (and did). I delivered at 6:30. It would have been sooner, but the baby was face up. I took part in their pain research program. When you are ready for pain medicine, they give you an envelope. In it is either the epidural immediately or drugs first and then epidural. I received drugs and then the epidural. I wound up sleeping most of the afternoon, they had to come in and wake me up for my epidural. I think the only part of the labor that was really painful was the pushing and my Dr. said that was because the baby was face up and stuck under my pubic bone. Everyone there was super nice. I had a wonderful experience and will choose Prentice again if we have another child. Good luck!

Hi J.! Congratulations. I was induced on my due date, because my doctor was going out of town the following week. Now, I'll admit, I have a pretty high tolernace for pain, so I didn't think the contrations came hard & fast right at first. But after my doctor broke my water, things really got going. I had something similar to Demoral about 2 hours after my water broke, which was about 5 hours after they started me on Pitocin. It made me feel drunk-still felt the pain, just didn't care! About 2-3 hours later I had my epidural, I was dialated to about 5 or 6. I have scoliosis, so my epidural was a process & it didn't work all that well for me, but I'm sure it'll be wonderful for you! Stay postiive & things will go really well. Pain management is KEY. Enjoy!

L.

Hi J.,

I was induced at Prentice, August 2004. Dont be nervous whatsoever. I am glad to hear that you are pro-epidural. My opinion on that is why go through more pain than you have to. Also, this isnt the time to try to be tough!! I was given the epidural once I was dialated 3cm. I just focused on other things to relax myself and too not focus on the pain. Yes, the contractions were painful up to that point but I assure you it's worth it!

I have nothing but good things to say about the nurses at Prentice and my overall experience there.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Hi J.

I was induced at Prentice with my first son and it was fine. I had heard horror stories about being induced and I experienced none of that. I think you can get the epidural as soon as they start the patocin. They started it gradually and things progressed from there. My experience was really positive and no stiches either!! yaah!! Good luck to you and your baby!!

M.

I was never at Prentice but I will respond to the water breaking question...It doesn't hurt nor do you really feel anythin other than a gush suddenly and then you know your water broke or you've peed a ton, like never before. For your sake and your bay's sake and so you don't end up with a c-section , I do recommend trying to induce your labor on your own. There are many ways that are highly effective (I used them and they totally worked)and you will allow your baby and your body to do the work so it won't resist you with a medically induced induction, which oftentimes does not work with the first. No matter what happens, I wish you an easy labor, a healthy happy child, and a wonderful experience being a first time mother. There is nothing like it.

I was induced at Prentice, the day before my due date. I had gestational diabetes, and my OB did not want to wait any longer, due to the size of my baby. Anyway, I started the induction at noon on Wednesday. At first, it was no big deal. About 4pm, I was in major pain, and I was allowed to get the epi then. Well.....my labor progressed very very slowly (supposedly that is very common w/inductions). Finally, at 7:30am the next morning, I had dialated to 10cm. I started pushing at 7:45, and when I still didn't have my baby by 2 1/2 hours later (and man was I THIRSTY and TIRED!!!), they got the forcepts out. Two or three pushes later, I finally got to meet my son! All in all, it took me about 23 hours from start to finish, to deliver my baby.

Since I have only been pregnant once, I really have nothing to compare it to, although from what I heard, inductions are not the "nicest" way to go into labor. I lived thru it, and so will you. All the pain, puking, exhaustion, and tiredness go away one milisecond after you deliver your beautiful baby!!!

Congratulations.....you are about to experience the most wonderful gift life can ever give to you....being a mom!!!

Yes, I was induced. NOt bad at all. I had an epidural before the inducement because I was not about the pain. Never felt a thing. 10 hours later I had a C-section unexpectedely. But, they are very nice and accomadating.
Good Luck...!

I was not indueced at Prentice but was induced and it was the best expirence ever. Breaking of the water is no big deal feel nothing but a gush which I went to the bathroom for 10 min and let the water run out. It just felt like I had to pee alot, goes away when the water drains out. Then I got my epidural but really did not feel I needed it because I was not in that much pain! Nurse recommended it. I went in at 2:30 p.m. and he delivered at 1:00 a. m 13 hours that was all. I was ready to have another one 5 minutes after he came out! good luck

Hi J.
Congrats on the new Baby. My Experince was a little different. I did not deliver at the same place, but here goes. I had to deliver early 36 weeks one day. My blood pressure kept climbing so my doctor decided it was time. I was already dilated to 3 when i went in. I was given demoral at first and when that was not working anymore. I got my epidural. Smooth sailing then on out. They had to tell me when to push and 3 pushes and my son was born. On my husbands and I 10th year weeding anniversary. At 2.21 pm and we were pronounced husband and wife at 2: 25 pm 10 years earlier.

I was induced at another hospital. I did not think it was that bad, in fact it went better then "expected" In terms of asking for an epidural, because labor comes on quickly, be sure to ask for that epidural the second you feel pain. Otherwise, it will quickly progress into a very painful delivery.
Congrats and Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

Hi there! I have never been induced but as I was reading your request I noticed that you are pro epidural. I've had 2 children WITHOUT anything for pain. I strongly recommend that you do it the "natural" way. I was in labor for 2 hours with my daughter and pushed for 20 minutes. The only part that hurt was dilating and the contractions. For my son it was 4 hours but I was in control and let the doctors know when I was ready to push. If I was to have another child I would do things exactly the same. To me it was a really unique experience. I could feel everything (it wasn't gross or anything). I try to tell everyone I know to try it. I have a high tolerence for pain so I'm not sure if it is for everyone.

J.

I was induced at Prentice and had a wonderful experience! So you are right to ignore the horror stories. I was 9 days late and finally my MD made the decision to induce. I had an AMAZING nurse, but ALL the nurses there are fantastic. I did not infact find that the contractions were difficult. After 2 hours on pitocin I started feeling what felt like VERY uncomfortable menstrual cramps and as I was also very pro epidural asked for it at that time. Up until then my contractions were mild. So as soon as it gets uncomfortable I would suggest doing the same. (No one gets an Oscar for their labor performance, may as well make it as pleasant as possible!) Although my Doc saw me progressing slowly up to that point, it quickly changed. I was in labor for less than 4 hours total and only pushed 5 times with 20 minutes of 'hard labor' before my beautiful boy arrived. So, maybe without the pitocin labor would have been longer, I will never know. But I know I would not have wanted to do it all without the epidural! Good luck! I am sure you will do great and the wonderful medical staff will guide you through it.

I had my first baby at Prentice 5 weeks ago, and I was induced. It was 9 days past my due date and I was making no progress - I had been 75% effaced and 1 cm dilated for almost 6 weeks! My induction was scheduled for 2:30am... which seems strange, but it takes so long that in the end I was glad it got started so early. By the time I was hooked up to the pitocin it was almost 4:00am, they broke my water at 7:30am, and then the contractions got really painful. I had my epidural shortly after that and by about 2:15pm I was fully dilated and ready to push. In the end, I delivered a beautiful 9 pound 7 ounce girl at 3:58pm. Everything went really well and I agree with previous posters, the labor & delivery nurses were outstanding. Each nurse we had was wonderful. We were very impressed... the only thing I didn't like about Prentice was the food... on the postpartum floor they have a binder of carryout/delivery menus... be sure to ask for it!

Enjoy every minute... that might sound strange considering a lot of it will probably be pretty painful, but coming from somebody who had a second degree tear that required several stitches (because my baby was so big), all I remember now is the joy I felt to finally have my daughter in my arms. Good luck!!

My baby came early & they still gave me the drug that induces labor to make her come out faster. I feel this is pretty common. It is no big deal & they continually measure you for epidural. Childbirth is not as painful as one would think. You are "sore" afterwords so just don't try to be a hero & take your pain pedication. It is natural to be worried about everything when you are pregnant.

Hi! I was 13 days late, induced on the 14th. My doctor wanted me to wait as long as possible given that there were no problems (stress test was fine, etc...). My contractions were no better or worse than I expected. I had an epidural about four hours into the labor, I was about 4 cm dilated. You can get one basically when you want it, though it depends on your doc. Though my labor ended in a c-section (I labored for about 23 hours, and I never dilated past 6cm), it was overall a fine experience.

I was worried about induction too, but I can safely say that in my experience it was not that bad--I never felt "really hard and fast" contractions.

Good luck to you and all the best for your delivery!

P.S. I'm not sure if this is typical, but they induced me according to my docs schedule, so as a result I was asked to come in at 3:00 AM so I could deliver while my doc was working her shift. It was kind of wild getting there at 3AM!!, but it was no biggie, I was just excited to get that baby out!

Hi J.,

I was induced at Prentice with my second child and had a great experience. I was able to get an epidural almost immediately because I was already checked in, etc. It is natural for first time mothers to be up to 2 weeks late, but my doctor told me that there is no reason to wait that long because the baby is already fully developed. Let your doctor decide what is best for you.

Best of luck!

I was induced almost 2 years ago. It was fine. My daughter was 9lbs. 2oz. They knew I was having a big baby. She was in position, but hadn't dropped. I was 4 days past my due date. Everything went well. I was really sick with a cold so my OB said I had to rest so I got the epidural when I was about 5 cm. The only bad thing about getting induced is that you're kind of stuck in the bed because you're strapped up to fetal monitors, etc. so you're limited in moving around and I had the urge to walk and squat. Once I got the epidural, all was fine. I ended up with a c-section, which was no surprise. Do not be nervous at all. Prentice is great. Good luck!

Congratulations!

I was induced at Prentis almost four years ago. I was pretty determined to do a drug-free birth and found that the nurses I had were amazing. When the contractions came one on top of the other the nurse explained that she was actually going to turn up the pitocin and it worked to kind of slow the contractions down. I found it absolutely doable (not that I'm sure I would go drug free again). I think the doctors can choose their nurses and my first nurse choose my second nurse.

Best of luck and I'm sure you will be in great hands.

J.

I was induced at Prentice and had an epidural - both without a hitch. I had back labor and didn't realize it - thought I just pulled something. They basically will give you the epidural whenever you request it and you do have access to the button to give a dose every 15 mins, I think. I was very pleased with the entire staff. I have heard stories of bad treatment but maybe only 2. Everyone I had contact with was very friendly, patient, answered all of my questions and tried to make me as comfortable as possible. And like another poster said, don't try to be a hero - take the painkillers they offer you. I don't recall being sore after childbirth, just uncomfortable.
Congratulations and good luck to you! I am a first time mom as well - my girl is now 7.5 months and it is the most wonderful thing in the world.

I wasn't induced, but I got my epidural pretty early. My labor started exactly on my due date, but I didn't even know it. I was completely effaced and not dilated at all. They broke my water for me, and I dilated immediately about 3 cm, then got the epidural right away. 12 hours in labor and the most uncomfortable thing was trying to stay still while they were putting in the epidural DURING a contraction. They added pitocin to my epidural and I never felt a thing. Good luck and congrats on your new baby!!! Get plenty of sleep now!

Hi J.,

Congratulations as "labor day" approaches. :)

I am a doula who has attended many births (including inductions) at Prentice. Chances are pretty good that your doctor will want to wait until you are in active labor before starting an epidural. (Active is usually defined as 4cm) You may be able to get one earlier but chances are you won't need it. Inductions can be a "hurry up and wait" situation - meaning a lot of time can go by before your contractions are in the strong, long, close together pattern when you may want pain relief.

Best of luck to you!

A. Burns, LCCE, CD(DONA)
Birth Talk, LLC
Childbirth Classes ~ Birth and Postpartum Doula Care
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