Induction

[Assisi]

How can I avoid further interventions if medically I have to have an induction? Is it possible to have Prostoglandin without it being followed by Syntocinon (Pitocin)? I know many babies get distressed because of the power of the contractions which these hormones bring on, is there anything I can do to stop that from happening?

Thanks.

 

[Called2Grace]

There is a tape that can be applied to your cervix, let me go and look it up, I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head.

Although I'm not midwifery trained or anything, so I don't know under what circumstances they would use it over the pitocin.

Here is a link to a pdf which explains the tape (cervidil)

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcmed.nsf/pages/csccervi/$File/csccervi.pdf

 

[Assisi]

Thanks C2G.

 

[Called2Grace]

Here is a link to a SA health website which outlines induction and the types of thing that they use.

http://www.health.sa.gov.au/ppg/Default.aspx?PageContentID=101&tabid=41

I'm not sure if we use it all in NSW, but it would give you an idea and a starting point for more research.

 

[coffeegal]

one thing is- really question why they want to induce. even question if they say that the baby is too big.

 

[Leanna]

Why would you need to be induced? I think that induction usually goes bad... if the body doesn't want to go into labor it will just fight the induction.... it is successful most often when the body is about to go into labor anyway and the natural hormones are almost there, you know?

 

[Assisi]

Coffeegal, my doctor has mentioned that he likes to induce if he suspects that bubs is going to be too large, but that's not a problem for me, my baby measures small.

Leanna, I would consider induction under the circumstance that my baby stopped growing properly and my placenta started to break down. Not an impossibility because I have a blood clotting disorder which affects the placenta, this was the cause of my two miscarriages. My doctor is no longer medicating me for the disorder because the medication is an anticoagulant and if anything goes wrong in labour/delivery anticoagulants create a huge increase in the likelihood of haemorrhage.

It's not that I'm going to need to be induced, just that I can't rule it out. Honestly I don't feel that it's likely. If I have to be induced I would like some tips on how to stop baby from getting distressed so that I have a good chance of avoiding a caesar. I would like to know in advance what I can do, I don't want to get there and have things spiral in a direction I can avoid with preparation.

 

[Called2Grace]

Assisi, I think that is a very sensible outlook, the better prepared you are and the more knowledge you have, the greater sense of control and the less fear you are likely to have in relation to your birth.

I do not want to be induced either, and it is contraindicated in VBAC's, but having said that if it got to the point where my baby was at risk, I am aware of the protocol for induction for VBAC, and as I am aware of what goes on, I can actually participate in this conversation with my doctor and we can reach a compromise.

Yes, in an ideal world, we would all be able to give birth with no medical interventions and it will be a wonderfully fullfilling and empowering experience, but in the real world, or in my world at least(And I am suggesting Assisi's world too), there are other factors involved, which means that the best outcome that we can ask for is that we know enough of what is going on, and what could happen to still feel that we are in charge of our labour, and our precious little one's are not put at any unnecessary risks.

 

[Leanna]

Well, with pitocin you might consider some kind of pain relief so that you can stay relaxed.... and make sure they start out on the lowest amount.