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Induction is on the table

Tomorrow I will be 38 weeks pregnant. My doctor has stated that he offers to deliver/induce mama’s at 39 weeks! Nothing before unless you have some sort of medical reasoning. My husband and I are both still studying at University and with classes starting back up very soon for the spring semester, an induction at 39 weeks honestly works great for us! & honestly who doesn’t want to meet their baby sooner?! Knowing that my doctor would never encourage or perform any sort of “procedure” or action without having the best interest of mine & baby’s health at heart, I would love to hear of your experiences! - When were you induced? - How/what was your experience? - Were you more inclined to use an epidural for pain management? - Would you do it again? Etc. I understand that as mama’s we all have very strong opinions about certain things. Please keep your intentions and words kind & encouraging when commenting😁
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Everyone is different for sure! I was induced at 41 weeks 😟 it was honestly such a painful, LONG process. They started off with pitocin (I believe that's what its called) and for me it didnt work so they moved on to different methods. At one point, they went in with a 'hook' to break my water and I could feel them tugging on something. Come to find out idk what they were tugging on but my water had already broken. It was a horrible experience and I wouldn't want to do it like that again. But also keep in mind the experience will be based on the hospital and on YOUR body

I had to be induced at 39 weeks due to preeclampsia. From induction to when baby arrived was almost 36 hours. I dont remember what the pill was called but my induction started with my nurse placing a pill in my cervix. This started my contractions and softened my cervix. Luckily, my water broke on it's own but when my contractions started escalating they were 30 seconds to 1 minute apart and really painful but since I wasn't 10 cm dilated, I couldn't push. I needed an epidural and that helped a lot with the pain and my contractions slowed down. I eventually got Petosin because my contractions had stopped. Even with my epidural, I had a lot of pressure and discomfort towards the end if labor. In the future, I would not want to be induced but it was fine the first time around because I was incredibly anxious about when to go in. The induction took longer than I anticipated and wished my body could've progressed naturally so I could've used other forms of pain management and labored at home.

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My doctor ran labs at my 39 week check up because my blood pressure was high. The next morning my results came back with protien in my urine so she had me admitted and retested again when I got to the hospital. I had more protein and my BP continued to rise so I was put on a magnesium drip to reduce the risk if seizures. Before my check up, I had no other symptoms of preeclampsia though.

Unless you have a medical reason to be induced, DON’T!!!! Trying to make your body deliver before it’s ready can lead to a higher chance of needing a c-section. I’ve been induced twice for preeclampsia, and both have ended in c-sections. I had my oldest vaginally with no complications because I didn’t have preeclampsia and I was able to go into labor on my own.

I was induced at exactly 40 weeks and it resulted in a c section...which is heart breaking because it was very difficult to take care of my son for many weeks of recovery. Please if you can find the patience try to wait for spontaneous labor! I was impatient and overly optimistic but I wish I had waited.

I was induced at 40 weeks and 3 days. The experience was not bad, it was just a process. As per my doctor’s instructions, I went to the hospital Wednesday evening. I started having labor pain Thursday afternoon and that’s when the nurse gave me the Pitocin. I fell asleep a bit and then I woke up with strong labor pain. After a few I hours they gave me the epidural and then my water broke on its own. I gave birth Friday at 2am. Honestly, your doctor will give directions and will guide you through the process. My advice is to relax and just think about about seeing your beautiful baby. Btw bring a book to read or a game to play b/c you might get bored while waiting. Good Luck and you will be fine.

The people I know that have been induced for no real medical reason have all ended in emergency c-sections. My doctor won’t even consider induction before 41 weeks if there is not a medical reason because there are way too many risk factors (included mortality rates). Trust me, I completely understand wanting to see your baby as soon as you can but letting that baby grow a bit longer is what’s best for him/her. You’re almost there and that wait will be worth it, hang in there mama!! Best of luck!!

I was induced at 39 weeks with my second as she had dropped at 34 weeks. The pitocin didn’t put me in active labor so they broke my water and within 40 minutes the baby was here. I got an epidural but it was too late the baby was too low so didn’t help much. I would not recommend morphine as it made me half asleep while pushing. I didn’t have any issues with the induction though but others I know have. I would do it again. Also I’m getting my MBA and school starts for me this week for spring semester so if it was on the table for me I totally would especially since the first couple weeks are low key in terms of homework.

I went into labor the day of my scheduled induction and asked if they still needed to do the induction since I was in active labor, once they inserted the pill inside me to induce the pain was so intense I went from mild to insane contractions within an hour causing stress on my baby and resulting in an emergency c section. I thought it would be the best option so I could have my family with me during the birth but I wouldn’t do it again if I could go back and remake the decision

I was induced at 39 weeks and it was great! It was stress free. I got the epidural which was amazing. It stopped working though when I was 9 cm dilated which was really horrible because I was in a lot of pain but I would still do it like that again!

I went into labor naturally at 40 weeks exactly, but wasn’t dilating. I was in labor for 3 days. They gave me pitocin because I was stuck at a 4, they had to break my water, she pooped in the womb, from the time I got to the hospital to the time I had her was 13 hours, she inhaled meconium, I nearly passed out during pushing, I threw up everywhere. They gave me the epidural before starting my pitocin so it wasn’t terribly painful. But my baby had to go to the NICU due to inhaling meconium as well as her stress levels being extremely high

I was induced exactly on my due date with my first. Went into the hospital at 5:00 AM and already was 5 CM dilated and started pitocin. Around 7:30 AM they broke my water and shortly after got a epidural. At 3:00 pm (same day) I had the urge to push and she was out at 3:32 pm. From the time I walked in the hospital doors till she was in my arms was a total of 10 hours. Super easy labor and delivery for me Good luck!

I was 40 weeks & had an excess of fluid. It took 4 methods of induction & 68 hours which included 20 hours of active labor. I couldn’t have done it without an epidural. My son ended up in the nicu for a week. It was rough

I was induced at 39 weeks. I legit would rather die than do that again. I was induced three times. I didn't even know you can have a failed induction. The first two were voluntary. The third was because the second attempt with the cervical balloon caused my blood pressure to spike giving me preeclampsia. I was in labor for 78 hours. Screaming in pain for most of it because the epidural didn't work. Nor did any other pain medications they gave me. I was exhuasted after 4.5 days without sleeping.

Yes,horrible,yes!, hellllllllllll no. The “induction” they used was the sweep method it didnt work. My baby was big so they started at 38 weeks then again at 39 which i was on a list to get a hospital induction. They did another sweep. My water “broke”two days before due date. At hospital they saw my water wasn’t fully emptied so they finished breaking it it was pretty much full. Immediately hooked up to pitocin the contractions came so fast they stalled my labor i wasnt dialating even tho i had been at 4.5 cm at first. After hours i caved and got epi. I felt like the pressure u feel instead of the pain is just as bad lol like the pressure to push from ur body. But i was ready to push super quick and baby was born in an hr of pushing. Downfall she was born so fast i had a 4dt. Just do your research. Thats all u can do. On the brightside baby will be with u at the end of everything !!!

I was induced at 39 weeks because there was concerns that I was preeclamptic, it was not a good experience for me I had the cervidil and then petocin I was in labor for 24 hours and hadn’t progressed passed 2cm (and I was 1cm before induction) Because I wasn’t progressing (my son wasn’t even staying dropped into my pelvis) they decided to do a c section. I did get an epidural which didn’t really work but I had heard from other moms after that epidurals seem to slow progression and I think there may be some truth to that. Because I had the epidural that didn’t work well and then c section it was a bad experience and I felt pain half way into it and had to be put under anesthesia. Personally I will never opt for being induced again, I would rather wait and let it happen naturally or schedule a c section next time.

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I was induced at 40 weeks and it was a nightmare. Pain was incredible. I've never felt anything like it. And his heart rate kept going down. Also I pushed but I think everything was so rushed they made me have a csection I was so disappointed and the whole experience was awful and stressful. I never even let any of my family see me.

I was induced at 40 weeks. I have anxiety and the suspense was killing me. I wanted to be in control and I don't regretting choosing when to go into labor. I would do it all over again.

I was induced prior because of preeclampsia, but induction at 39 weeks shows good outcomes and is part of evidence-based care

I was induced a week late and it went perfectly. 3 or 4 rounds of Cytotec and 1 round of pain meds before I was able to get dilating at all, dilated fast, and then I got anesthesia. 22 hours of labor went so smooth. Some people just need help progressing! But I would recommend waiting until after 40 weeks. It’s always better to try to let your body go naturally. Don’t let anyone scare you. The baby will come one way or another and the doctor will know what the best way is for you.

I was induced both times at 39 weeks. The first time, I was given pitocin and left to sit. I felt nothing until my water broke and then it was hell! The worst pain ever!!!! The second time, my membranes were stripped, my water was broken, and then I was given pitocin. I was actually able to go without an epidural that time and my experience was so much better!!

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I think I had 22ml of pitocin going into my system when they broke my water the first time. The second time, they broke my water before the pitocin and it was a lot better!!

I was induced at 41 weeks. I really hope I never have to be induced ever again. I had petocin and at first it wasn't so bad but it caused my baby some distress and made labor pretty painful imo. I threw up many times and after I had an epidural I was still miserable because my throat was bothering me and my contractions were coming so fast. My daughter is so worth it all but if I could have done natural, I would have.

I was supposed to be induced but but my baby boy came 2 days before. They say to walk a lot helps the baby come, I actually did that and that's why I think I want in spontaneous labor. Walk girl😁 maybe he or she will come out ! Good luck! BTW if you can get the epidural 😎

I was 39 weeks and 1 day I was having a lot of pain and yes I got the Epidural my pain was really bad and yes I would do it again I could not feel anything down there when I had my son besides the contractions come back I pushed on my big ones well I had them back to back they were always big tho I never had a small one

I was in labor for 30 hours induced on September 17 had him on September 18 at 5:32

I was scheduled to be induced at 37 weeks due to gestational hypertension that was turning into preeclampsia but went into labor naturally at 36 weeks. While I didn't get to go through an induction, I asked TONS of questions leading up to it to better prepare since this was my first. Something to ask your doctor would be to do a cervical check to see if you're dilated at all and check for position of the baby. That would tell if your cervix is favorable for an induction or not. My midwife and doula explained when the baby is ready, that's when he/she will come. Some babies take the full 40 and some come early. I'd also ask how your hospital goes about inductions, the whole process. With mine they use the pill for your cervix and/or the Foley balloon before pitocin. And they only give the smallest dose to start with. This is so the contractions don't go from 0-100. If your body takes over from there, they stop and let you do your thing. Every hospital is different so just ask what they do.

I was induced at 42 weeks, I had contractions for a while and I was dilated to 5 cm but labor wasn't fast enough , I was in alot more pain when I got induced and took epidural right away.

I was induced for medical reasons but it was just fine. Honestly gonna ask for it again when I have my next one 😂

I was induced at 39 weeks for medical reasons with my second child. First child was born on its own at 40 weeks. Not sure if I would do inducement w/o a medical reason. My experience was fine and I did use epidural both times with no problems. I brought my baby to a osteopathic doctor to check her out after delivery and he did mention that it’s better for the baby to be born without being induced. Something about your uterus having a natural rhythm during contractions. So basically it doesn’t only effect you but your baby as well

I was induced at 41 weeks per my request. Turns out I was having contractions every 2 min when we checked in but they never got strong enough. We started with foley balloon, then had my Dr. break my water + pitocin. Was only 4cm 48 hours later and daughter's heart rate dropped to pretty much a flat line twice so we did c section. I never really felt contractions so the experience was never painful. C section recovery was doable. My only regret was not being able to see the placenta afterwards like I had wanted but totally doesn't matter as I have a healthy/happy baby in my arms ♡ Good luck Mama!

I’ve been induced twice! Both times at 41 weeks. While the process was difficult and painful, I found that once I had my babies, none of that mattered ❤️❤️ both times, I felt like healing was a breeze! If I needed to do it again, I’d be okay with it. Each time, I went in very open minded. I’d try without the epidural, but decided to get one both times and I don’t regret it. It allowed me to rest before and be able to push my children out fairly quickly. My best advice would be to have a plan, but also be flexible because sometimes births just don’t go to plan 😊 Wishing you luck!!

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If you do not have a medical reason to do it, I would strongly recommend against it. I know it’s really tempting to want to get your little bubba out earlier but if I knew what my induction was going to be like, I would have never agreed to it. Although I wasn’t given a lot of choice as I was meant to be having a ‘’big” baby (he ended up being 7.8). I had an epidural, I would not do it again. However, keep in mind that every single persons experience will be different, some people fly through there’s and then there are people like me who have 1 minute contractions, every 2 minutes for 20 hours and then end up having an assisted delivery with an epidural (was hoping for a water birth with no meds in the birthing center originally lol).

I had to be induced at 39 weeks as my waters had gone and not in active labour 24 hrs after so there was a risk of infection. Personally it’s not what I wanted, as it meant I couldn’t have a water birth. It was also a bit of a pain being tubed up and not being able to walk around or even move as easily. I was in labour for two days but once I hit active labour she was with us 3 hours later. They wouldn’t let me eat either which wasn’t a huge problem during but god I was hungry after. It can often make labour much slower, than letting nature take its course. But it’s a personal choice, I would advice researching as much as possible/ attending antenatal classes so you can have a little more confidence making your decision. Good luck xx

Was induced at 40+2 with the pessary, had contractions the entire day didn't dilate any further than I was(2-3cm) Had my waters broken and was put on the hormone drip at 3pm the next day, was 8cm at 4pm and then after 6 hours of contractions 20 mins of active pushing I had my baby boy. I didn't get an epidural I used gas and Air and remifentol(sp?) which was self administered through a button system - Would definitely do again!

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I was induced due to potential of developing pre-eclampsia... Everyone on the ward was surprised I wasn't induced at 37weeks but ended up with an 8lb4oz healthy boy and I had a really smooth, basically non exsistant recovery

-I was induced at just over 40 weeks with my first (because he didn’t want to come out). -Overall my experience was pretty good. My active labor didn’t start until about 18-20 hours after the induction meds were introduced. - I held out on pain meds for quite a while and started with Nubane (might have spelled that wrong) but when I puked because the pain was so bad, that’s when I went for the epidural. The epidural was NOT my plan A! I did it because my labor wasn’t progressing and I could no longer handle the pain. - IF I were to do it again and the baby didn’t want to come out, I would go for an induction again (if needed) and I would have an epidural (if needed). I hope that helps! If you have any other questions message me!! I’d love to help you out.

You will be more inclined to use epidural and have more interventions pressured on you most likely you will have many interventions, that’s what induction does. It’s more painful to be induced!

I was induced at 39 weeks due to baby’s growth stopping. Had the pessary inserted and luckily contractions started a hour or so later.... inductions can often fail resulting in baby becoming distressed so be careful before accepting one. Once contractions fully started things were incredibly intense, was having contractions every 30 seconds or so and could not cope. Had gas and air, pethadin, tens machine and eventually had an epidural which was the only thing that helped. Had to have a catheter after the epidural as I couldn’t move my legs/feel anything and had to be coached when to push when delivering.... my advice would be to wait and go into labour naturally, I know it’s nice to know when baby will arrive but inductions are proven to be more painful and lead to a negative labour. Not long to go now anyway! Good luck 💕 xx

I was pressured into being induced by my doctor despite telling her i didn’t want to be unless it was an emergency...only to end up needing a c section in the end. After my c section she told me my baby was too big for my pelvis and I would of needed a c section any way... Them inducing me got me to 9 cm dilated and I was about to push... I can’t imagine how that would of went. My baby’s heart rate spiked prompting the c section which in a way saved both of us.

I had a natural delivery at 40+1 weeks and it was so easy with no epidural and the healing process was smoother, I was also 21 and it was my first baby. At 28 I was induced at 38.5 weeks with my twins, the induced contractions were way stronger and more painful and I felt an epidural was necessary.

I was induced with both of my babies (39 and 38 weeks) because of medical reasons. The nice thing about induction is you know when it's going to happen rather waiting until baby decides to come. But personally I would have waited if there was no medical related reason. I believe baby comes when it's ready. I was afraid of having more interventions than needed but in the end I had two wonderful births. Pain was manageable without pain meds (I was afraid to have to an epidural because I read that inductions cause more painful contractions but i didn't need one). Also my body was already preparing for birth (started dilating and cervix strated to thin out) so I was in a favorable position as my doctor used to say it.

I was induced at 38 weeks due to GDM. I was around 2.5 cm dilated when I went in. The dr used a Foley catheter and it popped out 20 mins later. Was monitored for an hour and told I was having contractions(every 30 mins) and was given a time to come back to the hospital the next morning. Went back the next day at 11am and I was about 4 cm dilated. Dr broke my water at 3pm. Was given a small dose of Pitocin, that’s when I started feeling my contractions. Even with that small dose of pitocin my contractions were literally every two minutes and strong but I wasn’t dilating so they had to stop the pitocin drip. Got the epidural and baby was born 9 hours later. Overall experience was good. I also heard that being induced is more painful, but everyone’s body is different ( I do have a high pain threshold 🤷🏽‍♀️)Only trouble I had was with the pitocin but they stopped it when they noticed I was contracting strong but not dilating. I would def do it again. I felt much more prepared mentally.

Hi there! It is a statistical fact that being induced increases the likelihood of a csection, as was the case for me. I was induced and made very little progress in 24 hours so I ended up with a csection. I wish I would have waited! It is so hard to wait when you are just so excited to meet your little one though. Best wishes on whatever you decide!

I was induced at 39 weeks because my daughter was measuring “big” They said that if I went pass 40 weeks, she would’ve measured at least 10 lbs (she was 7lbs, 15 oz when she was born). I regret getting induced. Everything I wanted for my first birth when out the window. If there is no emergency reason to induce, do not do it. I ended up having a csection after not progressing past 7cm for seven hours. I’m 6 months postpartum and I still cry. Her birth was so traumatizing. They started with cervadil, then pitocin, then epidural, then they broke my water. All of that is what slowed down my progress to give birth “naturally” I also suggest you tell your doctor to prepare you for what happens after baby. Good luck girl! Message me if you want to hear more

I was induced as I was late..its apparently more painful as its forced by tablets...then I still had to have a c section..no guarantees

I was told I need to be induced at 38 weeks due to my age (40). In hospital they said I can wait as only dileted 1cm. But we were so excited to have a baby we went ahead of being induced. Looking back I probably would wait. All my plans went out of the window. Had to have all drugs as contractions were strong. I then went from 1cm really quickly to 8 but was so exhausted I couldn't push anymore. They gave me other drug and then used forceps to bring my baby out. Caught sepsis been stitched and restiched twice( some placenta left inside me). Recovery was long and I missed on special days with my Emma. But all mums are different! My friend had been induced and went home with baby next day!!! X

I begged to be induced at 39 weeks with my daughter and it was the most wonderful experience ever

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I was induced at 41 weeks only because when I started having small contractions, it was making my baby’s heart rate drop at the same time as the contraction was happening. I really wished I could’ve done it all natural with no meds but at the end of the day as long as my baby was healthy and well, I didn’t really care how the process went. I think the pitocin made my contractions more painful though to the point where I had to get an epidural. I have a high pain tolerance but it just got to being too much for me. I would definitely do it all over again though 💕

Hello, I was induced at 39 weeks because of gestational diabetes. I tried pushing for 10 hours , extremely painful also I ended up having to get a c section. Wish I didnt have to get induced, I had my diabetes under control , baby was in great health and a healthy weight l, wish the doctor just let me wait I only had 6 more days until my due date too. ☹

I would not be induced ever again. I was told I was measuring small the whole time, so they told me I should be induced. I did not progress, took three days and finally had to have a c-section that I did not want.

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That sounds just like my sister. They induced because her blood pressure was very high. Then she was having intense contractions but she wasn’t dilating any more so they did a c section

I'm always overdue 40-41 weeks Baby1 was induced, took epidural best & easy delivery. Baby2 scheduled for induction but she came while shopping at IKEA 2 days before, had epidural easy delivery. Don't be afraid of a epidural I always recommend it. You get to relax & enjoy the moment of what's happening.

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Ugh and I don’t even want to imagine what those stitches would’ve felt like

Aren’t epidurals amazing? I’m a 🐱 when it comes to pain. And I just couldn’t handle those contractions coming literally every minute

At my last doctors appointment my dr said we would talk about inducing after the due date. And then my water broke the day before her due date and I wasn’t feeling intense contractions so I was induced and she came out the next day. But I remember just wanting to be done being pregnant. It was hot I was tired, I had to pee every half hour. But I’m glad I waited til my baby and my body was ready. I’m glad I wasn’t impatient and let it happen naturally

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