https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:27:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2505058 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 08:13:43 +0000 simplyfelicity 2505058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: @Anagram: I agree, I don't think it was a very successful epidural. I was begging for more and they kept saying "we just gave it to you x hours ago," or, "we want you to be able to feel enough to push." Thing is, I couldn't walk for a long time after giving birth, so I think it was just going to my legs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2505015 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 07:43:11 +0000 Anagram 2505015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: sounds like your epi just didn't take--it's super weird that your hospital didn't listen to you and didn't have the anesthesiologist come back in to top it off/turn it up/whatever. That would make me consider switching hospitals, but at the very least, talk to your OB about how you can ensure that doesn't happen again.</p> <p>1st labor: had pitocin and epidural; contractions pre-epi/pre pitocin were the most excruciating thing I've ever experienced in my life. My epi wasn't perfect--it was very lopsided, so I could still feel pain on my left side, but it helped me enough to calm me down.</p> <p>2nd labor: no drugs of any kind, super fast. Things didn't get to the excruciating phase until the very end. I had LO2 20 minutes after arriving at the hospital, so no time for an IV or anything.</p> <p>I think you will probably have an easier 2nd labor, just because most people do. =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504939 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 06:58:19 +0000 HappyBaker 2504939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I think you just had a bad epidural! With my first DD I didn't have any pitocin, got an epidural, and felt horrible pain the entire time, so much so that I wondered how "natural med free" birth could be ANY worse than what I was feeling. </p> <p>With my second, I had pitocin, but my epidural was AMAZING. It was the kind where I really was playing cards with my husband / watching tv and just generally feeling like I was on cloud 9 because I couldn't feel a damn thing! I'm not sure what causes some to not work as well as others, but if I have another baby I'm going to be much more vocal if it doesn't seem to work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504923 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 06:25:31 +0000 skipra 2504923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hated Pitocin! I felt like they just kept cranking it up and I never had time to adjust to the pain. Once they broke my water, which was pretty early, I was DONE. Could not handle it at all. So I got the epi and they turned down the pit and surprise - at that point I didn't even need it. The epi was wonderful for me and I just got uncomfortable and painful right at the end.<br /> By contrast, my natural labor was longer, but contractions were totally manageable until I was in transition. I was expecting it to be so much worse after having the induction, that we didn't leave for the hospital until too late. I'd say for me the amount of time of excruciating pain naturally was about 1 hour of back to back contractions and maybe 1 hour with them 10-12 min apart. Having the recovery time in between made it much more bearable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504903 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 03:23:25 +0000 erinpye 2504903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Contractions with pitocin were WAY worse, granted I only got to about a 6 before I got pitocin, the second time. My epi also failed, and if I were going to have another baby, I'd skip the epi, even if I had to get pitocin, because the only thing worse than feeling every single pitocin-induced contraction, is being confined to a bed and unable to move through them because of the epi that isn't even working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504899 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 02:34:48 +0000 Cherrybee 2504899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is scaring me! My Pit contractions were horrific - I was completely terrified and in excruciating pain. I've been hoping for a natural labour this time so it isn't so awful, but it sounds like it might just be the same. :shocked: </p> <p>I think positioning has a lot to do with it. I've been getting strong Braxton Hicks this time and it hurts all where the baby's bum is. When baby is back to back, my back is sore. When she turns around, the pain is all in my belly button. When she's sideways (but head down), I feel the BH contraction on one side and feet poke out of the other side - so weird! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504858 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:11:07 +0000 QBbride 2504858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always wonder about how well epidurals are supposed to work! I was induced with my first (with oxytocin) and the pain was horrible. I could not cope at all. I got an epidural but honestly I don't think it did anything. I felt absolutely everything, could still move my legs, got up and walked to the bathroom within maybe 30 mins of giving birth. When I tell people this they're like "yeah, your epidural was definitely not working"! Pushing for 2 1/2 hours with an epidural that apparently didn't work was torture. </p> <p>The second time my contractions were "natural" contractions and I coped SO much better. I felt in control the whole time and managed really well (well, until transition, but I think everyone is like that). I did it med free the second time and it was so manageable!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504855 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:01:54 +0000 misolee 2504855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pitocin contractions are way worse! With my first, I was induced only with pitocin and at like 5cm, I got an epidural bc the pain was intense and unbearable. I ended up with a csection. </p> <p>With my second, I went into labor naturally and it progressed super fast. I was 6cm when I got to the hospital and it hurt but was manageable. I progressed to 10 while they were finishing up admitting me so they wouldn't give me an epidural. The contractions were intense but the pushing part was way worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504849 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:48:21 +0000 FannyMae 2504849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: with both my labours my epidurals failed. The first - it never worked past my groin area so I felt every single contraction but no pressure to push or pain there.<br /> The second - my anaesthetist pointed out as he put the epidural in that due to my scoliosis he was putting it slightly to the left and flooding the area with a higher volume of meds. It worked great very quickly, but after an hour or so it wore off completely and I was in agony. It was due to the placement/volume issue, but when he came back and put more meds in, it ended up completely numbing me to my chest. It left me in quite a state - blood pressure dropped quickly, had to be put on oxygen, my body was like a dead weight and had to push posterior baby out while heavily on my back. Ended up pushing and having her pulled out with the kiwi vacuum as she was oddly positioned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504848 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:47:28 +0000 BelugaBean 2504848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went into labor naturally the first time and was induced the second and didn't have an epidural either time. I thought the natural labor was worse or at least the same as the induced labor. The only time the induction was worse was when they turned the pitocin up too high and I had contractions on top of each other. They became less intense when they turned it down though. Both times were pretty painful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504842 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:38:00 +0000 Torchwood 2504842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: @junebugsmama: We have two Mormons (seriously phone? Morkies) and they look like that! </p> <p>But regarding contractions- honestly they felt about the same. Everyone said they wouldn't, but they did to me. But with pitocin they were instantly one on top of the other (60 seconds long, 90 seconds apart, so only 30 seconds down time). They never entirely settled into a pattern naturally, but I was definitely getting much longer breaks. Actually, the fact that they were a bit erratic was kind of nice, because every time I had the hope it would be a longer break this time. I suppose I could have worried it would be a short one, but apparently I'm an optimist. 😆</p> <p>ETA- Also, I was super drugged up the first time, because we didn't realize how badly I'd react to demoral, so my memories are hazy. I just know the timing because all I did was stare at the clock. Don't do that! Counting down till another one starts is just awful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504841 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:37:41 +0000 travellingbee 2504841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I don't know. It worked well with my first but I still wasn't able to just sleep. I felt a lot of pressure and mild pain. With my second. I had complete and utter relief for about an hour and then it failed on the left and I felt everything, just in time to push. Ugh. I think everyone's body reacts differently, and it seems differ each time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504840 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:37:12 +0000 simplyfelicity 2504840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: I also wonder the same thing. I was in transition for nearly 12 hours. I hated being stuck in bed, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504839 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:35:10 +0000 simplyfelicity 2504839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FannyMae: Your description makes me wonder if my epidural failed. I kept asking them to check it if had fallen out because I didn't feel much relief. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504838 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:35:03 +0000 Grace 2504838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had natural contractions up to 7cm, which were perfectly bearable. There was a break between them and I could move around shower, etc. I got pictocin after that, and they were hell, with no breaks between them. Having said that, I didn't experience natural transition, so maybe that's why they were so bad. Also, being stuck in bed also made them much worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504837 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:33:36 +0000 simplyfelicity 2504837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: oh, no how scary! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504836 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:33:26 +0000 FannyMae 2504836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first labour started naturally, increasing in intensity over 12 hours. It was painful, but managed well without any pain relief or gas. As soon as they put the syntocin on the contractions came on much harder and faster and I felt they were more painful.</p> <p>With my second labour, I had barely any contractions from the 24hrs that my water broke til being induced. The first 4 hours of the contractions I managed without any pain meds, til I was about 5-6cm. At that point I asked for an epidural, which worked, but then failed - in the meantime baby had turned posterior and the pain was INSANE as I was transitioning at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504835 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:33:18 +0000 simplyfelicity 2504835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: So, here's my question...how "well" are epidural supposed to work? I feel like they gave me a little relief for a a few minutes and then it was back to the terrible pain that had me reeling. I never experienced the "one minute I was screaming, and the next I was playing card games with my husband/ sleeping. " Yeah, none of that for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504834 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:29:02 +0000 arosebyany 2504834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I was induced for severe pre e but my blood pressure was rediculois averaging 180/110 I even had a couple of readings at 190/115. I didn't even go away till 6 weeks post partum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504830 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:24:23 +0000 coopsmama 2504830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My natural contractions with my first were a million times worse than my pitocin contractions with my second - the difference was he was all back labor due to being posterior. 👎🏻 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504827 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:23:15 +0000 abbydabbydoodlebug 2504827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got to experience both. I started natural labor Sunday night and hot to 6-7 minutes apart and to the point where we were thinking of going to the hospital. but then they stopped. </p> <p>I already had an induction planned to stay Monday night so we went in and I got cervadil placed and contractions were AWFUL. The natural contractions were so much easier to deal with. </p> <p>I ended up with a c section but Dd was face up and she head was crooked in my pelvis so she was never going to descend. She didn't do well with the pitocin either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504824 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:20:35 +0000 travellingbee 2504824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First time was natural contractions. Second time was pitocin induced. They felt the same as far as I could tell. The natural ones felt more frantic and panicky. They were back to back for a a long time before I got an epidural and I felt like someone was ripping me open. The pitocin ones felt as painful but more controlled. I got an epidural both times but the second time it failed on one side. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504819 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:12:50 +0000 Tidybee 2504819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a really low dose of pitocin to start my labor the second time around. The first time I had them naturally. I actually think my contractions were more painful the first time! Or maybe it was my newness to them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504818 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:08:34 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2504818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: we don't know what our mystery dog is! She's way more scrappy than that picture... That was after a grooming :). She's adorable but very unique. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504817 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:06:47 +0000 yellowbird 2504817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I definitely think positioning has a lot to do with it too. My daughter was positioned perfectly and it wasn't so bad. My son was sunny side up and I felt like my back was being sawed in two. I was screaming my head off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504816 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:04:26 +0000 simplyfelicity 2504816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: Thank you, you are so sweet! I must say, your avatar always makes me smile. Do you have a Morkie? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504815 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:03:11 +0000 simplyfelicity 2504815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: Yeah, maybe that's just how I feel contractions? I didn't feel it in my back or my belly, but my hips. It was SO weird. He was also sideways and had a hand next to his face when he was born, so that didn't help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504813 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 20:53:49 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2504813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds so horrible. I hope you have a better second experience 💖 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504809 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 20:46:13 +0000 yellowbird 2504809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had pitocin contractions with my first. They were painful but not too bad. They actually didn't help me progress though. Once I went into labor on my own with her, the contractions felt the same until I got the epidural.</p> <p>With my second I went into labor on my own and I felt like my body was being ripped apart. It was a fast and furious labor though, so I think it was all happening at once. Sounds like how your induction went. Hopefully with your second you have a quick labor. It's much easier when you know it's not going to last a thousand more hours </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-youve-experienced-both-pitocin-and-natural-contractions#post-2504805 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 20:37:56 +0000 simplyfelicity 2504805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: :heart: I know it serves a purpose but I hate pitocin! I was even induced for high blood pressure that I didn't actually have. :bummed: </p>