Were You Induced? - Houston,TX

I was induced 2 weeks before my due date with my second because my amniotic fluid was on the low side. I was all for it because I had a fast labor with my first and was really scared of not being able to get to the hospital in time for my second. I was given pitocin around 6:30 AM and my daughter was born at 1:34 PM, only pushed a few times, labor was a breeze compared to my first. Good luck!!

Induced with all three. They were never going to come on their own LOL! If I were you I wouldn 't want to go over a week past my due date :)

I was induced with my last 2 kids b/c my first one came so very fast. They were both great, no problems what so ever!

If you are healthy, and the baby is healthy, then there is no need to induce before 42 weeks. Yes, 42 weeks, not 40 weeks.

The baby is in there for a reason--because it's safer and better and they are ready to come out when they are ready. It's the baby that initiates labor (hormones produced by the baby). Nature made a system that works (the majority of the time).

Having an induction is proven to significantly increase your chance of a c-section. And I am one of those statistics--I was induced, bullied into by my doctor.

Also, inductions are generally more difficult for the mom to cope with--the labor is more intense and painful, due to the pitocin that they give you, which is artificial oxytocin.

My advise is to line up other helpers for when you go into labor naturally, and call your DH when you're labor. I would also strongly encourage you to get a good doula (www.dona.org). Him being there is probably not to change the outcome either way, and giving the baby every chance to born successfully, at his/her instigation, is the best plan if you and baby are both healthy.

I am currently pregnant with my second child and reading a lot about birth and labor and whatnot. If I could avoid induction I would do it at all costs. You can look at this website for a list of reasons to induce (none of which apply to you currently) and a list of risks http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inducing-labor/PR00117.

It is possible that you ovulate later in your cycle than a typical woman, I know I do. For my first pregnancy they estimated my due date as April 24 and there was talk of scheduling an induction on May 1 if he wasn't born yet. I protested because based on my own calculation from charting my temperature he should have been due on April 30 and that is the day he decided to come into the world. So just because the doctor said your first 2 were late does not mean that they were, doctors are wrong about due dates all of the time, which is why it's normal for the baby to come anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks.

I was induced with both of my children. My first, my son, was 3 days late. They scheduled an induction for me since it is pretty hard to get on the hospital schedule here. I arrived at the hospital for the induction at 6 a.m. and was already in the early stages of labor. He was born just after 5 p.m. I was three days early with my daughter 2 years later. I woke up having contractions and the doctor said to go ahead and get checked at the hospital. They indicated that I was already in the early stages of labor and I could either go home and come back later that afternoon or that night or just go upstairs and get induced. She was born at almost 2 p.m.

I was very pro-epidural so the pitocin wasn't that big of a deal to me. My labors weren't days long. Overall, it was a pretty positive experience. My guess is that both inductions were sucessful because my body had already started the labor process on it's own.

My first birth was induced. Pitocin labor is the worst thing in the whole world. There is no break between contractions, they are much harder and worse than anything I experienced with 42 hours of natural labor on my second baby. I begged for an epidural after 8 hours of pitocin. Even with an epidural, the pain was unbelievable. It is also very normal for pitocin to cause your baby to have an erratic heartbeat and this leads to c-section.

Induction will fail if your body is not ready and that means you will have a c-section. Babies should choose their own birthdates. Induction is a way for an OB to have a schedule like a dermatologist! Just say no!

C.

I was induced due to a rare health emergency that might have affected the health of my baby. There was no way around it.

I would NOT recommend it unless medically necessary. It was not a pleasant experience and I was in labor for 26 hours before having to go the c-section route.

I've only had the one, and it was induced. It was nice, and gave my dad time to get here, he lived 7 hours away at the time. I went in and got the pitocin drip about 7 am, around noon it started to feel like cramps so I got an epidural, and I had a baby by 5:15, with about 15 or so minutes of pushing. I liked it alot, I finished the 2 books I was reading, had a nap, and my Dad got to be one of the first people to hold the baby, which was great for me, being a Daddy's girl, and my daughter loves him so much even though she doesn't get to see him very often.

I was induced with all 3 of my pregnancies.

1. I was 3-8 days overdue depending on my calculations or the doctors. I went in at 5 pm and started with cervadil. Contractions started within an hour. 10 hours later they removed it and I got an epidural. 2 hours later my daughter was born, I pushed for 5 minutes. I never needed pitocin.

2. I was 1 day early but already dilated to 3cm. I went in at 11 am they started piton and the doctor broke my water at noon. My son was born just before 4 pm with 5 minutes of pushing.

3. I was 1 week overdue. I went in at 7 am. Pitocin started at 8. Doctor broke my water at 9. Baby born at 10:56 am with 4 pushes. Yep less than 3 hours and no pain meds.

I do birth really well, I just don't know how to go into labor. Good luck with your decision.

I was induced b/c my amniotic fluid was on the low side. I can't compare since I've only had the one birth for me everything went great. I kind of wonder what going into natural labor is like (all the excitement of "omg this is it!!") but oh well :)

My oldest was set to be induced on a Monday, I went into labor on my own that Friday and had her Saturday. I don't remember how bad it sucked because I have an amazing daughter out of it. Almost 9 now!

My second was induced because he was measuring upwards of 11 pounds! He turned into a c-section after the cord dropped beneath him and his little heart couldn't handle the pitocin.

My third one was a planed c-section, following the second by 23 months.

I was induced with my two sons. The first was because of pre-eclampsia. My labor still lasted 36 hours. They were about to wheel me in for a c section when he came (guess I needed a deadline!) During labor, the contractions were so hard the nurses made a print out of the graph, but actually the pain was not nearly as bad as my period cramps were before that, so it didn't bother me at all.
I would avoid being induced if I were you, since there is no medical reason for it.

I was induced with 1 and 3.

1- Took forever, first pregnancy and all that ;) 10 days late.

2- Naturally went into labor, took no time at all. 3 days late.

3- Induced because I was adamant about being home for Christmas! (Came home Christmas Eve!) It was a lot faster, being my 3rd, my body knowing what to do and everything, but it wasn't awful. 1 day early, lord knows I would have ended up having that baby on Christmas if I hadn't been induced!!

I've had 4 babies. 1,2 and 3 all started naturally and went as follows: 8 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours. NOt bad.

#4, I had issues with very high and uncontrollable blood pressure, and then my fluid leaked until 3 weeks before due date, there wasn't enough to even draw for an amnio to see if he was ready, so I was induced. My body wasn't ready and it was 19 hours of labor. UGH.... and he was only 6 pounds! I will say once it got far enough that he decended, it took no time at all.

i loved being induced, from start to finish it was 15 hrs,(first pregnancy as well) i went in at 830 was in my room and settled at 9 and getting the potocin and hooked up by 930 i was "stuck" at 4cm from 3-630 when my ob broke my water and within 4 hrs i was ready to push. for me it was less stressful because my boyfriend lived 2 hrs away (2.5-3 hrs from hospital) and hed have to make it down in time i knew when it was going to happen and i would vote for an induction next time as well

My 1st was induced - was a failure and had to get a cesarean. It was 3 weeks early, due to some amniotic fluid dripping - instead of letting me go home and do bed rest, they felt it was a perfect time to force the baby out... didn't work.

2nd one - done naturally had a great 1st and 2nd part of labor but towards the end, baby didn't/couldn't descend due to his size and ended up with another cesarean after 24 hours of labor. He was a day after due date.

In the future - #3 will be another Home VBAC unless otherwise needing to go for surgical/drug intervention

My second was induced. Actually, I liked it. I think it's all about timing.

My first was 3 days late. 18 hours of labor, 2 hours of pushing. I tore violently, 3rd-degree tears.

We induced my second because she was over a week late, and the doctor was concerned about the placenta health. I wasn't sure, and I wanted to just wait it out, but my mother would be out of town the following week and unavailable to help out with the baby (who we had expected would come earlier, or she never would have scheduled a trip), and so I decided to go ahead and induce. In the end, my daughter was born 10 days late, I believe, and because I induced, I was able to have my husband by my side because my mother was able to stay with my son. I feel very grateful. I don't know how late she would have been had she come out naturally (she was only 6 pounds, 8 ounces even at 10 days late!) but it would have been very difficult if she had waited until my mother was unavailable to come!

8 hours of labor, 10 minutes of pushing. Only mild tearing. Over all, it was a much easier experience, although I've heard the second birth is often easier even if you don't induce. If I have a third, I will not plan on inducing, but should my doctor feel is is necessary, I also wouldn't hesitate to do it, since I had such a good experience last time. I would not choose to induce before the 40th week unless I had to, though.

I was due to be induced with my 2nd and 3rd because they were both over the due date but they came naturally. My 2nd came 3 days before I was due to be induced and my 3rd came a few hours before I was due to be induced.

I was induced all three times and I was able to deliver vaginally and without an epidural all three times. I would recommend if you doc is good with it, going in the night before you want to deliver and having your cerivix ripen up. With my last I went in in the morning at a 3 bc I had some bleeding, but then they just asked if I wanted to be induced and that one took 8 hours, which for me was a LONG labor and I was really tired, but he got here just fine :D So I think personally, induction is not a biggie, but then, I know people are really different. Good luck and congrats, I didn't realize you were so close, so exciting for you and your family!! And yes, knowing the day you are going in to have the baby is so nice for childcare purposes etc, that has been great all three times, so I say it's no big deal if you decide to be induced, just get as close to the due date as possible and go for it :D

I was induced with #2 bc they were worried the baby was too big. It was great. Avoided the 3am delivery I had with my first and the 20 hours of labor. So it worked for me!

I only have 1 child, 17 yr old daughter, and I was induced.

Why? because I was "due" on Jan 4 and my Dr. said in front of hubby if she didnt arrive by the 4th he would induce because I was having a little blood pressure problem.

Well, my hubby being the numbers person he is said WHAT>... if we are inducing, let go for 1994 so the Dr. figured out what day he was available and I went in on 12 27. I was induced around 8am and she was born at 6pm

I was induced for my 1st and 4th deliveries. The first was at 42 weeks and was a complete nightmare from start to finish. I heavily regretted agreeing to induction.

My 2nd and 3rd were spontaneous labors and both were great - a little before their due dates, fast, easy labors with no complications.

My 4th delivery was twins and I had a scheduled induction at 37 weeks. I didn't want the induction and preferred to go another week or two, but I was carrying for someone else and logistically it made sense. They didn't do the cervadil gel, I was only on the pitocin for 4 hours and once the epidural was placed, we didn't turn the pit back on and the rest of the labor and delivery were fine. So...as much as I didn't want the induction, I had nothing to worry about.

In your case, an induction probably makes sense, except for a rather huge "but"...your kids have been overdue. Clearly, they like to come on their own time frame and that has been successful in the past. If I were you, my concern would be that an induction is normally planned prior to 40 weeks. What if they insist on 39 or 40 weeks and your body wants another week? What if the attempted forced induction causes more stress on your body and your baby and they then have to proceed with a c-section because they've reached the point where they can't turn everything off and send you home to let your body do its thing on its own time frame? I would ask about that...would they just give you the gel and see what happens and not push pitocin if you don't respond to the gel? Would they break your water, starting the 24-hour clock? Is there an escape plan if you body isn't responding to being pushed into labor? I would get more details before making a decision and see if a less aggressive induction was possible. In both of mine, the babies were going to be born THAT DAY come hell or high water, ready or not, once they started the process. Other friends have had more laid back "lets see if we can jump start things and if not you can go home" inductions so there's a wide range of approaches.

Due to body issues, I ended up having to have a c-section, but that would of happened induction or not. I went it at 4 cm dilated and was induced. I was in labor for less than 6 hours before I started to push. Since you had vaginal deliveries, you shouldn't have any problems with a 3rd delivery. Despite having to end up with a C-section, I'm glad I induced. I was 38 1/2 weeks and my daughter was 7 lb 8 oz and perfectly healthly. My second pregnancy with twins, I went into labor at 35 weeks, and they rushed me in for a c-section and my husband almost missed it and he was only 30 minutes away.

Induced both times, was really easy. The second one went super fast and almost didn't have time for the epidural! I pushed twice and he was out! I'd guess your induction would be speedy as well.

I was induced with all three.
The first time, I was a week over my due date and it failed. I waited a few more days and went back in to try again. I stalled at 5 cm and they were in the process of scheduling an OR for a c-section when I finally progressed and ended up delivering vaginally. I think my labor was around 22 hours start to finish.
My second was the easiest. They induced to due his size and there was some debate over my due date. Everything went smoothly and that labor was around 16 or 17 hours.
My third was induced for scheduling purposes only. I had a 6 year old stepson, a 1 year old and a 2 year old at home. My mom came in from out of town to help- help I desperately needed! We induced at 38 weeks and he was NOT ready! I stalled with him at 5 cms also, c-section was almost imminent and then at the last second, I progressed. Labor was a very long 27 hours. I ended up hemorrhaging a couple hours after he was born and had every nurse and resident in my room working on me. It was because my uterus was overstimulated from all the pitocin.
With this one, I refuse to be induced unless I am at least a week over my due date. We will have about 3 layers of people set up to watch the kids, so child care won't be an issue. I just hope my body cooperates and does what it is supposed to!
So, as tempting as it is, I would avoid getting induced if at all possible.

With my first, no. He was 4 days overdue and scheduled to be induced b/c my placenta was calcifying quickly and there was a knot in the cord, but my water broke naturally the night before. It was rough, I had to have a vacuum delivery (ouch!)... thank heavens for epidurals.

With my second yes, I was induced, a few days earlier than my due date in fact. My husband worked a job where he was always on the road, so I could have had my water break while he was 4 hours away or something. To me, it was a personal decision. The delivery was actually smoother than my non-induced first child.... I only pushed maybe 5 times, and most of my active hard labor (which comes faster and harder when induced) was with an epidural.

Yes. Both times.
1st time, he was 10 days past due. That induction went straight to stage 3, painful labor for 15 hours. Part of that was due to a physical medical condition I have.

2nd time was 2 weeks early. Baby was sitting on my siadic nerve. I couldn't function. That induction, I felt nothing, thought it hadn't worked. Sent hubby to his work. Got a ride to the hospital and I was already 4cm. That labor was about 8 hours, and barely any discomfort until it was time for the epidural/pushing.

My water broke at 8am with my first pregnancy, 10 days before my actual due date. They started pitocin and we waited for 12 hours. I was dilating just fine and planned to have a natural childbirth, but my son got stuck when I got to 8, so I ended up having a C-section. When my daughter came along we scheduled my induction/c-section and she came 2 weeks earlier than my due date! I don't regret having my deliveries the way they ended up. It was nice having the second one scheduled even though it still ended up taking us by surprise!
If scheduling your induction is going to work better for you and your husband then I think you should do it. Most hospitals won't allow a mother to induce or schedule an induction/c-section before the 38-39 week anyway. The baby is pretty much done cooking by then! Good luck and congrats on your soon to arrive bundle!
A.

I was induced once and went completely natural (no epidural or anything else) the next two times. I would rather go completely natural than be induced, is the short story. It really was unpleasant for me. It would take a long time to go through it, so I'll spare you the nightmare story and say it was 19.5 hours of He** (as compared to two hours and one hour respectively of brief and much less intense pain with the natural births). However, my sister has been induced all three times she's given birth, and she has never had a bad experience with it. So it may just be a matter of the hospital/staff you're working with, or maybe it's something to do with how your body responds to the medication. All I know is that I personally would never go through it again.