induction... what to expect

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

ok I am getting a little anxious about tuesday...

I know I go in at 5am, and they will hook me up to the iv (+ for group b strep), and the pictsin (SP?) ask me any other questions they may have that need to be repeted from my last visit... but what should I expect... how fast do the contractions start? how long will it take? can I eat? I am trying to be optomistic and that it will happen quickly. that is one of the reasons I am planning on doing a lot of walking arround on monday, to hopefully get things started along. and is it fesibble to be induced and not take pain meds... or is the pain that much worse???

 

[nursejess]

I was induced, but I was given the prostin gel, not pitocin. My contractions were every 3 minutes apart right away. And I did have a lot of pain, all in my back, but i'm not sure what a "normal" labor would feel like. I did end up having an epidural, and then once i got that and my water broke i went from 3 to 9 cm in less than 45 minutes. But everyone is different. I'm not sure if you can eat, I was offered ice chips and water, but I wouldn't have wanted to actually eat food because I kept throwing up.

 

[RedTulipMom]

i would highly recommend getting an epidural. The pitocin makes the contractions much more painful and its pretty miserable till you get the epidural. Don't get it too early though either. Wait till you can't stand it anymore then ask for the epidural. I must have missed the post where you said you were getting induced. How far along will you be on tuesday? Why have they decided to induce you? I'll be praying for you. Did they do an ultrasound to see how big the baby is?

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

the main reason is my blood pressure is still kind of high. I'll be 37 weeks and 4 days I believe... or 3 days. the last US I had doen was the one at the hospital about 3 or 4 weeks ago. he was 4lbs 13 oz then... I am still kind of nervous about this... the main reason I don't want the pain meds is the cost...but I guess like with everything else it will be a few dollars a month till it gets paid off... really they are lucky to be getting the money from the insurance... I hate bills

 

[RoseofLima]

I can't believe they're inducing you that early! What's your BP? Without a doula or a real strong conviction about medication free childbirth, it is very likely you will need an epidural.

 

[KillerV]

I actually never needed Pitocin when I was being induced. They broke my water at about 11:30am,I walked around to get my contractions going and a few hours later I was at an 8..I got my epi. right after that and about an hour later I gave birth. But I do agree about the Pitocin making things even more uncomortable and intense. My best friend was on it for 9 hours before she asked for an epi. and she was still only dialated to a 2!

I pray everything goes very smoothly for you hun!

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

it was 134 over 64 or 74 last week... normal for me is arround 100.
I guess I'll do what I can. I am hoping that maybe I can help things along the next few days so it won't be too bad or I won't need the pictocin at all...that maybe I'll already be in labor when I get there... if I have to have an epidural I'll get one, but not till I can't take it any more. but it is all in God's hands...

 

[RoseofLima]

Do you really want to be induced?Usually BP isn't considered out if the normal range until it's over 140...I am just agog that in a non crisis situation that a doctor would induce a white male this early...

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

I don't particularly want to be induced, but I am ready... or as ready as I'll ever be. a lot of it has to do with how low my normal is...

 

[charligirl]

I was induced, but I was given the prostin gel, not pitocin. My contractions were every 3 minutes apart right away. And I did have a lot of pain, all in my back, but i'm not sure what a "normal" labor would feel like. I did end up having an epidural, and then once i got that and my water broke i went from 3 to 9 cm in less than 45 minutes. But everyone is different. I'm not sure if you can eat, I was offered ice chips and water, but I wouldn't have wanted to actually eat food because I kept throwing up.

Fascinating, almost identical to my birth experience, except I didn't have an epi.

I had prostin gel at 12 noon, at 6pm my contractions started at every 3 mins, went to every 1.5 mins very quickly, all in my back.

By 10pm I was still only 2-3 cms and not in 'real' labour(apparantly !!!!!!!!!!!) then I went to 7 cms in about 30 mins and my waters broke in that time.

I also puked with every contraction once my waters broke, but that could have been the gas and air.

I was put on IV drip to speed up contractions once I got to pushing as they slowed.

I am with Rose, I would really question this decision, you don;t have to agree to it, you could wait and see how you go.

 

[RoseofLima]

Is there protein in your urine?? I wouldn't be so about it-- except that your doc is setting you up to end up with a little boy in the NICU (Caucasian males who are born before they are ready have a much higher incidence of needing help after birth)- for something other than a true impending crisis of health- as well as setting you up for all kinds of interventions.

Well- I am sure your OB knows your situation far, far better than I do!


PRayers for a great, great birth!

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

she told me that at 37 weeks he would probly be coming home with me when I leave

 

[RoseofLima]

Fascinating, almost identical to my birth experience, except I didn't have an epi.

I had prostin gel at 12 noon, at 6pm my contractions started at every 3 mins, went to every 1.5 mins very quickly, all in my back.

By 10pm I was still only 2-3 cms and not in 'real' labour(apparantly !!!!!!!!!!!) then I went to 7 cms in about 30 mins and my waters broke in that time.

I also puked with every contraction once my waters broke, but that could have been the gas and air.

I was put on IV drip to speed up contractions once I got to pushing as they slowed.

I am with Rose, I would really question this decision, you don;t have to agree to it, you could wait and see how you go.

Induced labors often yield a lot of back labor, because baby is posterior at the onset of labor. Often labor really quickens when baby swivels into an anterior position exerting optimal pressure on the cervix.

 

[RoseofLima]

she told me that at 37 weeks he would probly be coming home with me when I leave

I sure hope so! My daughter Jane was born at 37 weeks- and she came home with me! She was so tiny!

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

well I am sure Thomas will be bigger than his older brother was... Robert was born at 31 weeks and was in the hospital for 6 weeks.... he weighed 4 lbs at birth. and when they did the US at the hospital a few weeks ago they said Thomas was 4 lbs and 13 oz... give or take... so he is probly about 6lbs now if not more...

I think the pains I had with Robert were mainly back pains... but then again that was almost 6 years ago... the memory has faded.

I plan on doing a lot of walking on sunday and monday... any other suggestions on helping things along before I get there?

 

[RedTulipMom]

Is there protein in your urine?? I wouldn't be so about it-- except that your doc is setting you up to end up with a little boy in the NICU (Caucasian males who are born before they are ready have a much higher incidence of needing help after birth)- for something other than a true impending crisis of health- as well as setting you up for all kinds of interventions.

Well- I am sure your OB knows your situation far, far better than I do!


PRayers for a great, great birth!

i dont know if me and my family are just lucky or what..but my son luke was born at 35 wks 2 days..he was 7 lbs 8 ozs, 20 inches long and he never needed NICU..he only stayed one extra night in the hospital for jaundice. My cousin had all 3 of her kids early...one at 35 wks and 3 days and she was 6 lbs 12 ozs, one at 36 wks and she was 7 lbs 11 ozs, one at 37 weeks and he was 8 lbs 12 ozs ..and none of them needed any NICU or intervention of ANY kind. Luckily my family has BIG babies and i guess it makes a difference! I was told that the lungs are fully developed by 35-36 wks. Twins are considered full term at 37 wks and singles are considered full term at 38 wks. I am sure andi's baby will be just fine at 37 wks 3 days, unless it is very small, and it doesnt sound like she has small babies. I am sure the doctor knows all this history. Since her first was born at 31 wks, they are more likely to keep an eye on her and want to induce at the first sign of trouble. Its interesting how those of us who have had to have early babies start seeing things a little differently. I remember before i ever had luke ..they induced my sil at 38 wks and i was freaking out thinking how EARLY the baby was. Now 38 weeks seems heavenly to me. My GOAL for this baby is to make it atleast 37 weeks..ill be so thrilled if i do!! i do imagine its a much bigger deal having a baby at 35 or 36 wks if you are prone to small babies and the baby ends up only being 4 lbs.

 

[RoseofLima]

well I am sure Thomas will be bigger than his older brother was... Robert was born at 31 weeks and was in the hospital for 6 weeks.... he weighed 4 lbs at birth. and when they did the US at the hospital a few weeks ago they said Thomas was 4 lbs and 13 oz... give or take... so he is probly about 6lbs now if not more...

I think the pains I had with Robert were mainly back pains... but then again that was almost 6 years ago... the memory has faded.

I plan on doing a lot of walking on sunday and monday... any other suggestions on helping things along before I get there?

Red raspberry leaf tea! And to rest, rest, rest this weekend!!! It'll be your last chance for awhile

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

Red raspberry leaf tea! And to rest, rest, rest this weekend!!! It'll be your last chance for awhile

where can I find that tea and is it expinsive?

 

[jgonz]

RRL tea can be found at any health food or herb store. And no, it's not expensive.

 

[KillerV]

sex sex sex too