https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:20:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-609057 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 09:16:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 609057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: I believe that cytotec is the drug that is NOT FDA approved for labor yet many still use it despite the risks. Please do some research in that drug and decide if you would be ok using it. </p> <p>From FDA.gov</p> <p>Misoprostol (marketed as Cytotec) Information<br /> FDA ALERT – Risks of Use in Labor and Delivery </p> <p>This Patient Information Sheet is for pregnant women who may receive misoprostol to soften their cervix or induce contractions to begin labor. Misoprostol is sometimes used to decrease blood loss after delivery of a baby. These uses are not approved by the FDA. No company has sent the FDA scientific proof that misoprostol is safe and effective for these uses.</p> <p>There can be serious side effects, including a torn uterus (womb), when misoprostol is used for labor and delivery. A torn uterus may result in severe bleeding, having the uterus removed (hysterectomy), and death of the mother or baby. These side effects are more likely in women who have had previous uterine surgery, a previous Cesarean delivery (C-section), or several previous births.</p> <p>Cervidil is ok for labor. I had it and it went great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-608773 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:10:06 +0000 tororojo 608773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: Good to know! I definitely want to try and deal with some pain for awhile but I'm scared of pitocin contractions. We'll see if I have to deal with them and how long I'm able to! The doc recommended getting the epidural before he breaks my water, if he ends up doing that. It's so weird not knowing what to expect! But I'm happy to know there is pain relief waiting. I do want to avoid IV pain meds b/c in my experience, they suck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-606824 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:00:01 +0000 photojane 606824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: good! I think the epi is really what helped my induction go so well. Before I had it, it gave me something to push through towards/look forward to, and once I got it I was able to relax and really let those hardcore pitocin contractions do their job. I really struggled with the intensity of the pitocin contractions, but I was able to push myself longer than I thought I could because I knew that eventually I could get my epi and be done with the pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-606801 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:52:24 +0000 tororojo 606801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: I'm hopeful, but at the same time I kind of just don't believe I'll go into labor on my own anymore. But maybe! She seems to be happy in there and I'm honestly not all that uncomfortable so I'm taking it as a sign to be patient. :) I definitely want an epi! Would like to try to deal with things on my own for awhile, which would probably be easier if I go into labor naturally, so that's the main reason I'd prefer not to be induced. But if I've learned anything from bee advice and birth stories, it's that you can't predict anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-606780 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:44:31 +0000 photojane 606780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: obviously I needed the induction, but my doctor told me at one of my last appointments not to stress because plenty of women who aren't even dilated at all go into labor on their own. She said that dilation/effacement is nice for them to see, but it really doesn't mean anything. So, there's still hope for you! Are you planning on getting an epi? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-606721 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:25:50 +0000 tororojo 606721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: I love hearing from people who enjoyed their induction experience! No progress yet. I'm dilated MAYBE 1 cm but I think he was just being nice. :)</p> <p>The plan is for me to go in Mon. night and depending on how dilated I am at that point, either start cervadil (if I'm at least 2 cm, I believe) or the lowest dosage of cytotec if there's no progress (which is apparently more effective at ripening a closed cervix and beginning labor w/o pitocin) &lt;-- the cytotec horror stories online are not so encouraging, but my doc thinks it would be best in that circumstance and we had a long conversation about risks/benefits. Still HOPING to go naturally, but I don't feel much different than I did a month ago! I'm planning to eat a giant, delicious meal before we go in, then just relax and let things happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-605191 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:22:45 +0000 photojane 605191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to add that I LOVED my induction, and my experience was so quick and smooth that I want an induction with my next baby. Inductions are not all bad/scary! How did your appointment go? Any more progress? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-599397 Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:49:09 +0000 katbridg 599397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>like ocmama, I had the balloon too and I had a smooth (but very long) induction. I'd definitely ask if they'll do that instead of cervadil. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-599180 Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:10:03 +0000 loveisstrange 599180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: Eat something substantial. My last meal was a huge cheeseburger and fries. lol. </p> <p>They did cervadil on me first, which burns a bit but passes quickly. They let that do it's thing for 6 hours before starting the pit. I had complications and a 10lb8oz baby and she was born vaginally, although assisted with forceps because her head was crooked and she wouldn't descend. There is hope! An induction does not mean a c-section is inevitable, so stay positive. :)</p> <p>I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you go into labor on your own! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-598039 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:45:03 +0000 OCmama 598039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got induced. They had me come in the day before and they put a "balloon" in me to get me to dilate. If the balloon falls out overnight, it means you are 3cm dilated. Sometimes it doesn't fall out, but you still got to 3cm. Then in the morning, I checked in to the hospital around 7:30. They broke my water and I started pitocin. Had my baby around 4 that afternoon. So it didn't take "too" long. My advice is to eat what your dr suggests. Mine said toast so I had that. At the hospital, I was allowed to eat jello until I got my epidural so I loaded up on that before I got my epidural around lunchtime. My induction was extremely smooth and I would do it all over again if I had a choice. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-598009 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:35:05 +0000 JerricaBenton 598009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: Ooh this sounds just like my situation. I went in for my induction on a Thursday late afternoon, was given cervidil overnight and pitocin the next day. No progress and the doctor suggested cytotec but I declined. We opted for another round of cervidil overnight and another full day of pitocin on Saturday. Despite having strong contractions I never dilated. Doctors were also concerned about the size of the baby and my general anatomy not being compatible with pushing this baby out. My doctor was super kind and was willing to let me go longer on the pitocin but wanted me to be clear that in her professional opinion this was arrested labor and would end in a c-section. She also explained that the longer we go on with the induction process the greater the risk of distress to the baby and the possibility of an emergency C. After over 48 hours of induction I decided to go through with the c-section. Once we were done the doctors told me that there was no way the baby was coming out on her own - her head was way engaged but it just couldn't fit any further. I'm comfortable with my decision and honestly, my recovery has been awesome. I was walking around the next day and within a few days, pretty much felt normal. As far as food, they let me eat dinner in the hospital my first night, when I hadn't progressed they let me eat breakfast, lunch and dinner the next day. Day three they didn't let me eat or drink since the possibility of the c-section was on the horizon. I honestly wasn't hungry and could barely eat before I went in to the hospital. I ate oatmeal at home before I went in. Being thirsty was the worst part! After the C, they let me start eating and drinking slowly but I felt fine and by the next day I was eating and drinking normally. The one thing I would discuss with your dr beforehand and maybe do some of your own research on, is the use of cytotec. I didn't do a ton of research but from what I knew I wasn't comfortable using it. It seems like there is more of a risk of distress to the baby. I was surprised that one of my doctors wanted to use it so I wish I had discussed that with them beforehand. Sorry for the novel! Hopefully your labor progresses on it's own! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597999 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:33:41 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 597999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: Just wanted to say that I was scheduled for an induction, and I had no progress on dilation or anything. Then, three days before I was scheduled, I went into labor on my own. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the same happens for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597974 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:30:11 +0000 twinmama 597974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the advice to eat. And as gross as it sounds, try to eat something you that will be the least uncomfortable throwing up. This was my mom's primary advice for me as I approached my due date. I started throwing up when my contractions got really intense from the pit, and again when I was fully dialated. Once I started the pit, I could only have water/juice, jello, and chicken broth.</p> <p>Bring a variety of things to keep you occupied since it could take awhile, and you don't really know what you might want to do at various points in labor. A device with pandora is really awesome so you can change the mood of music very quickly ;)</p> <p>Bring nice lotion and get DH or another family member to rub your feet. This was one of my happiest memories of my labor (and helps keep the swelling down when you're being pumped full of fluids). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597921 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:16:06 +0000 MsLipGloss 597921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: It was really, really tough . . . I was completely exhausted even before I began pushing (my contractions were double and triple stacked), and without any food energy, I can't believe I was even able to push for that long. I think I was about an hour away from a section . . . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597905 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:11:11 +0000 tororojo 597905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: A nice pasta dinner sounds good. I guess I should just be prepared to throw up whatever I have. ;) I threw up a nice steak dinner when I was in the hospital w/a kidney stone and it felt like such a waste, haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597893 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:07:40 +0000 Smurfette 597893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: I was told in our L&amp;D class to eat carbs not proteins when I think I am in labor and before I go to the hospital. Since the carbs have more sugar and will give you energy. She told us to eat right before we get to the hospital, cause as soon as we get there, no more food. So I vote for eating some pasta right before you head in. But what do I know, I have no experience with labor yet, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597892 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:07:23 +0000 DillonLion 597892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: I was allowed ice chips, which I let melt and then drank that water sneakily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597891 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:06:41 +0000 littlebittyhouse 597891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: same thing happened to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597890 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:06:34 +0000 MsLipGloss 597890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: Not having water was the worst! One of my nurses let me sneak a few ice chips (she felt so sorry for me) . . . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597889 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:06:14 +0000 littlebittyhouse 597889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: Inductions usually take awhile so I would say have something that will keep you full for a while.</p> <p>I got an ice cream on the way to the hospital and they did let me eat whatever I wanted as long as I felt up to it. Once the contractions really picked up I wanted nothing to do with food though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597888 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:05:32 +0000 MsLipGloss 597888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: No! I went to the OB for a regular pg appointment (right at 38.5/39 weeks), and I was induced due to super low amnio fluid, elevated bp (me), and slightly low bp (LO). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597883 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:03:38 +0000 DillonLion 597883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: I would eat a hearty dinner before going to the hospital that evening. But that is just my opinion. It would be worth speaking to the doctor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597880 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:01:47 +0000 DillonLion 597880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Ditto - 48 hours for me since I had to be monitored after delivery due to some complications. Going through the marathon of labor and then still being denied food (AND WATER) was a doozy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597877 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:01:17 +0000 tororojo 597877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: Should I obey the "eat lightly before labor" rule and stick w/toast or have some meat that might keep me full for awhile?</p> <p>@MsLipGloss: Were you dilated beforehand? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597849 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:54:23 +0000 MsLipGloss 597849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: Since my induction was a surprise, this was a major problem for me . . .by the time I delivered, I had not eaten anything but a half a jello cup in 36 hours. *augh*</p> <p>@tororojo: I was also GBS positive, and I didn't make any progress for *24* hours, despite pit (upped several times), cervadil, and a foley cath. For me, everything happened in the last 3 hours (including the hour that I pushed). I had additional complications (including hemorrhaging). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597826 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:47:12 +0000 DillonLion 597826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>EAT before you go to the hospital. It will be the last time you are allowed to for awhile... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-induction#post-597820 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:45:45 +0000 tororojo 597820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tomorrow is my due date and last weekly appointment. We have tentatively scheduled an induction for next Tues, in case things don't progress on their own by then. I'm really hoping I go into labor naturally, but in case I don't, tomorrow is the best time for me to ask the doctor lots of questions. They will have me come in the night before to try and ripen (?) the cervix before starting pitocin in the a.m. My cervix has been pretty closed for the last month (39 weeks --&gt; 0.5 cm) and if it doesn't open on its own, I know my chances for a c-section are higher when induced. Doc is concerned about baby size and my size, so if I wait much longer to go into labor, chances for a c-section are also higher. And I'm strep B positive...so if labor doesn't go quickly I'm gonna end up w/some kind of intervention no matter what. </p> <p>What do I need to ask about induction? Any advice? I didn't think I'd be in this situation so I feel unprepared, and I think my appointment tomorrow is the best time to get info. </p>