Induction stories
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Don't take this negatively, but try your best to prepare for this to lead to C-section.. it's not the most likely, but it's more likely than if you were further along or going more naturally, which obviously isn't an option. If you prepare for the hardest scenario and recovery then everything else seems easier.. at least that's how my brain works.. Pitocin contractions are not the same animal as oxytocin contractions.. they're relentless, so don't think you're weak or not "good" at this or whatever that runs through your mind while laboring, remind yourself that it's just time. Each contraction is just for a short while, and then you get a little rest. That little rest time is sacred. Make sure your birthing partner knows to field any interruptions that they can so that you get that rest time to breathe and prepare for the next contraction. Dilation can happen suddenly so don't be discouraged if you're not slowly regularly dilating.. every birth is different and you never know what your body will do.
I had mine at 39 weeks. 24 hours for me. They started pitocin on me at 6pm and I got the epidural at midnight. I was about 3cm. They gave it to me because I wasn’t progressing much at that point and they said it would help me relax. It did. Was great. The next morning around 10am my doctor said” let’s speed this up and get this baby out” she broke my water. Once she broke my water it got intense and my epidural actually wore off. I had to get another one. Them contractions were a lot when the water broke. At about 6pm I felt the need to push and I was at a 10! Had my baby at 8:01. I say overall it was not a bad experience at all, I would do it again. Don’t listen to the horror stories so much because I think we hear those more than the actual good stories. Good luck!!
Continuing.. When to get the epidural is tricky because you don't want it too early but also sometimes holding out is unnecessary torture.. I waited as long as I could only to birth within the hour of getting one.. twice 🤦🏻♀️ once you get it you can't move for quite a while so I was stuck in the hospital bed for a long time after the births. I truly wish you the best!
I agree with Sarah. I, too, was induced at 37 weeks due to gestational hypertension. It didn't work for me, personally, and ended up having a c-section. I later found out that the majority of inductions lead to c-sections anyway. So just take time to mentally prepare yourself for that. And make sure you're speaking with your midwives about any pain relief or discomfort you're feeling. Hope it all goes well, and good luck!
Definitely hold out on the epidural and move! If you can, I highly recommend a prenatal chiropractor. They can help open your pelvis to get the baby to start descending. If you are against chiropractics, YouTube prenatal pelvic stretches and start now! Also the miles circuit has some great stretches and movements to get baby to descend. Also remember at any point you can tell them to turn off, lower, or keep the pitocin the same. You have that right. Pitocin can cause baby's heart rate to decelerate and can cause high blood pressure. In terms of cervical change, even if effacement is happening that is still considered cervical change...these three things are some of the biggest reasons that csections are unnecessarily called. These and saying your pelvis is too small which is also not a true thing. Look up the VBAC link. They have a FB group, IG, and a blog with a ton of information. Not trying to scare you but being informed might help you not end up in a csection. I did with my first and ended up
With a VBAC with my second. I had to be so firm though with my second induction.
I had an induction with my first and natural births at home with my second and third. I would say the contractions are more painful with the picotin and not the same. But I would say that gas and air really helped that to prolong having any further pain relief and to stay on your feet and keep moving ask for the baby monitor to be on wheels so you can move around whilst you are in labour because that really helps labour progress too..
I was induced at 36, but the process still slightly different for everyone. Mine was an urgent induction so the pitocin was cranked up so high. I labored for about 12 hours then got my epidural when I was needing to rest. Try not to get it too soon so it doesn’t stall labor. Move as much as they will allow - even if it’s just leaning over your bed like a table top and swaying. All movement helps. Good luck!