https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:57:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1/page/2#post-2798644 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 15:14:55 +0000 periwinklebee 2798644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Amorini: Thank you for sharing your story! I definitely suspect that most of the natural ways to maybe start labor will just make me uncomfortable, more than coaxing baby out if he's not ready :silly: It seems like so much of it is the baby's positioning... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1/page/2#post-2798591 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 23:41:02 +0000 Amorini 2798591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: So excited that you’re so close! I hope LO decides to make a grand appearance this weekend and you can avoid induction altogether. I really don’t have advice or tips, just my own experience. I was 41+5 when DS arrived and about a half-cm dilated going into it. I was/am AMA too and doing tons of NSTs and checks and sweeps and acupuncture and walking for miles and DS still did not want to come. </p> <p>Then at 41+3, I packed my bag and went in. They did cytotec, then a Foley tube, then pitocin. 30 hours later I stalled at 7cm. Manually broke water. Still didn’t progress but contractions got real. I got an epi but it didn’t help (I have mild scoliosis and it just didn’t numb me fully). Failed induction and I had a cs. He was sunny-side up and not coming out of these little hips! </p> <p>So it’s really hard to predict! Even an induction with all of the medical stuff going on! You’d think it would just happen the same for every woman, but you just never know.</p> <p>I got to 5 cm using a Foley without pitocin and I think that was a good way of trying to get my body moving. I’m glad I tried! And I wasn’t hooked up to the IV with that so I could move around a lot. Looking back, it took me about 25 hours to get there so I should have known there was something up. When I was finally on pitocin, I tried (and my doula, too) to not let the nurse’s pitocin schedule get too far ahead of me. They turn up the dial every 30 mins or so whether you’re progressing or not. In the end, they had it all the way jacked up and I was still stuck at 7 cm... so our trying to hold them off from ramping up the pitocin only worked for so long and only did so much good. </p> <p>Oh, and I did the hypnobirthding CDs for a lot of the time. I spent a lot of time on the yoga ball with my doula pushing on my back. Even if it’s induction, there’s a lot of work to do so bring all of your bag of tricks..and a doula. Hey, maybe that’s my tip: have a doula even for an induction! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1/page/2#post-2798554 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 18:12:17 +0000 periwinklebee 2798554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: That's awesome, I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for a great nurse, as I think it can make such a difference....</p> <p>@jhd: @2littlepumpkins: Thank you!</p> <p>Went in for acupuncture last night after work and literally the second she stuck the needles in I started having regular, semi-painful contractions that lasted for the rest of the evening, but stopped when I went to bed. My body seems to be gearing up really slowly, but I will probably try acupuncture again when they re-open next week if baby still hasn't arrived... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798337 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 16:00:40 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2798337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Yes ask about whether you can move around. I thought I would be able to until the actual epidural but they told me not to because I was "getting an epidural." Then I ended up not having a working epi and I really really wanted to move but I was stuck in the hospital bed and ouuuch. I know because I was supposed to be induced the next day that my OB actually starts the induction and orders the epidural at the same time so it won't be miserable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798335 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 15:58:13 +0000 jhd 2798335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: just popping in to say fx baby will come on his own before the induction! I had one scheduled for 41+1 last time and water broke at 40+5. No real signs of labor before then either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798324 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 15:26:19 +0000 MamaBear87 2798324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: when I delivered I had to be continously monitored because I had gd, even though it was completely diet controlled and I never had bad numbers, and my nurse went hunting a wireless one for me because she knew I wanted to move etc. Let your nurse know if you get to next week and they will do their best to get you one </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798272 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:22:38 +0000 periwinklebee 2798272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: @mrsjd: Hah, yeah, bodies are so weird. And thanks, good to know about platelets. </p> <p> I scheduled an induction for next Friday and growth scan for Monday, as I'm still measuring a bit behind. 3 cm dilated, so cervidil won't be necessary. Annoyingly the hospital only has a very limited number of wireless monitors, so if there isn't one available you have to be tethered to the wired monitor. How this is 2018 and the cost of health care is insane, yet they're still primarily using old wired technology, oh well... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798155 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 09:05:16 +0000 mrsjd 2798155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I did have to be induced but I wasn’t dilated at all and I didn’t even need pitocin. My sister in law was at like a 3 for a month and still had to be induced at 41 weeks and had a long labor. Dilation doesn’t mean much. </p> <p>I saw that you have low platelets. I did too (the reason for my induction). Ask them to check your plalelets immediately upon admittance and if you want an induction, get one right away if you’re above the threshold. Just my advice. I barely made it to get one due to my platelets and labor ramping up quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798150 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 08:46:36 +0000 MamaBear87 2798150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: remember dilation can mean nothing. You might go really quickly from 1 to 10 so don't get too caught up in where you are! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798133 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 07:12:36 +0000 periwinklebee 2798133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: @Mrs. Toad: It's great to hear more positive stories! </p> <p>Telling myself to expect to still be at 1cm today, so I don't get up too many hopes that the nightly contractions are actually doing much... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798131 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 06:10:12 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2798131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never had strong contractions with my second, but each evening I had a bit of pain in my back. I was already at a 5 when the induction started and I just needed a minimum of pitocin to start labor. She was born 6 hours later and I was probably ready to push earlier, but didn't ask to get checked. I thought it would take longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798117 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 22:56:38 +0000 Jennibenni 2798117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are lots of responses so I’ll be brief but just wanted to chime in and say my induction was SOOOO much better/more calm/less painful than when I went into labor naturally! I was expecting pitocin to be awful but the contractions were much more manageable than with my first labor and I was able to walk around/bounce on a ball, etc until I got an epidural. The epidural was great because I waited long enough where it didn’t stall my labor but I got the pain relief right at the end for pushing. I was pushing 30 minutes after getting it which worked out perfectly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798114 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 22:18:26 +0000 periwinklebee 2798114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: @DesertDreams88: Good call, I haven't done either of these things in forever... </p> <p>@travellingbee: ugh, yeah, I'm sure with it being my first I should have low expectations... </p> <p>Was having quite strong, painful contractions earlier tonight, but now they've completely gone away again. End of pregnancy is such a mind game </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798086 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 19:22:32 +0000 travellingbee 2798086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: yes, I think if it were my first it would have been a little harder on my body but being induced with the second was easy. Total time from first pitocin drip to baby was 7 hours. I was 38 so they wouldn’t let me go much past my due date. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798073 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 17:45:51 +0000 DesertDreams88 2798073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In addition to the massage suggestion, if waiting for baby, I highly recommend a mani/pedi - the pedi might hit some acupressure points on your feet, which is said to induce labor, and it feels great, and your nails will look nice in all the photos holding baby :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798071 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 17:09:17 +0000 MamaBear87 2798071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: the best advice I got was to go get a massage! It felt amazing and made me feel peaceful. Perhaps book one for this weekend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798069 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 17:05:52 +0000 periwinklebee 2798069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@missyoori: I'm sorry you are stuck again with an induction but sending all the best luck. :heart: The stillbirth stories horrify me as well, much better safe than sorry... </p> <p>@Bluemasonjar: @Shantuck: @travellingbee: Thank you, always good to hear stories about things going more smoothly (or not needing the induction after all). </p> <p>@agold: Ugh, that sounds awful, the tear especially :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798058 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:41:27 +0000 agold 2798058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got induced after going in the morning after my due date, thinking I was in labor. They said I wasn't. :silly: But because I had a "high leak", I was induced. I started with tiny level of pitocin and they increased it like every hour or something. Pitocin is no joke! I wasn't dilating, so I didn't get the epidural for a long time. Pacing the halls and gripping the hallway railing was the only thing that helped me. Eventually, after maybe 25 hours of labor or something close, I did get the epidural because I was still not dilating and stuck at a 1. I was miserable in a different way after finally getting the epidural. Like my hips ached in the bed and stuff. But I'm sure glad I had it when my baby gave me a 4th degree tear coming out and the doctor had to manually rip my placenta out of me!! Anyhow.. I say get the epidural when you can. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798050 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:11:41 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2798050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was overdue with my DS and at my 41 week appointment they scheduled an induction for 41+2. They did a membrane sweep but it had no effect and I walked a TON. On the day of the induction I was told the hospital would call late in the evening when it was time to come in and start cytotec overnight and then pitocin in the morning.</p> <p>Well I laid down around 9 pm and woke up a little later with contractions. A few hours later we were at the hospital. I avoided induction but ended up getting a little help from pitocin to keep things moving anyway. Good luck :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798038 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:37:57 +0000 Shantuck 2798038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got pressure to induce at 39 weeks with my second child (in part because it was my second but mostly because I was AMA) and I attempted to resist. However, I had a small leak in my amniotic sack so I was actually forced to induce on the day before my due date when my fluid levels were getting too low. My delivery was quick and easy (relatively speaking!) and wasn't really that dissimilar to my first experience when my water broke on it own since I ended up needing pitocin when the contractions weren't speeding up on their own. I'd probably express your preference to your OB but ask for their honest opinion about what they would do if your shoes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798026 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:00:14 +0000 missyoori 2798026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually just got back from an ultrasound confirming that I'd be induced next week at 39+4. My first two were induced, so I was really hoping for a natural labor this time... but alas, it's apparently just not in the cards for me :( I really struggled with pushing back on the induction... but I've been hearing horror stories about women who didn't listen to their doctor, and the baby ended up being stillborn at 41-42 weeks. I'm already having a bad high risk pregnancy, so I decided not to chance it by "cooking her longer".</p> <p>My first was induced at exactly 42 weeks. She just didn't want to come out! I went in at 8:00am, they hooked me up with monitors and IV, they started the pitocin drip, later broke my water, and it took about 30 minutes for me to become fully dilated around 1:00pm I think. I "pushed" for 1.5 hours... but *confession time* I was SO freaked out that I might poop, I actually didn't push the right way! My OBGYN was getting exasperated because her head would crown and then get sucked back in. Because of this, I had an awful 4th degree tear that took months to recover from.</p> <p>My second was induced at 39+6 because I started having labor contractions a month prior. They actually had to double the pitocin because I wasn't feeling anything, I guess my body just got used to the pain lol. The inducement process was the same as my first. This time I couldn't care less about poop, so the baby popped out in about 20 minutes. No tearing!</p> <p>Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798025 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 14:59:37 +0000 travellingbee 2798025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an induction at 40 weeks with my second and it went great. I was able to walk around the room until the epidural. I only needed to after they'd really ramped up the pitocin and the contractions started to hurt a LOT more. Then I was up and leaning over the bed and having DH put counter pressure etc. My induction was smooth. They started with just pitocin since I was already 3cm and then they broke my water at about 7cm (I think?) and things progressed quickly from there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798023 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 14:49:53 +0000 periwinklebee 2798023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: I feel like I definitely need to rest and relax, both for the sake of it and because maybe it will be helpful for getting things started. I'm still working, as I wanted to save time off for once the baby is here, which definitely hasn't been the best for trying to relax.</p> <p>@crazydoglady: @mrsbubbletea: @Mommy Finger: @youboots: Ugh, yeah, I've heard so many stories like this with pitocin. That sucks. I know there's probably nothing to be done about a long labor if that's the way it's going to be, but sucks about things like a broken monitor and failed epi, which in principle could go much more smoothly. </p> <p>@raspberries: Good to know about Zantac. I'm not taking anything beyond iron and a prenatal, but definitely going to remember for the future that this is a no... </p> <p>@DesertDreams88: Really good points. I'd really like to avoid a c-section because of the additional risks with low platelets, and hadn't thought about that in connection with amniotomy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798016 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 14:19:32 +0000 youboots 2798016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: same thing with my induction- due to pre e, 44 hours in labor from check in to birth, tons of pit, failed epi. It was rough, at the end I only had minimal tearing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798015 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 14:19:07 +0000 DesertDreams88 2798015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an induction at 41+1, 90% effaced, 1 cm dilated, membranes were swept 1 week prior. You know I had low platelets and wasn't allowed an epidural. I don't regret being induced, but I regret "how" it happened.</p> <p>MY BIG recommendations are 3 points:<br /> 1) Don't have them try two methods of induction at once (methods: cytotec, cervidil, prostaglandin gel, amniotomy, pitocin, foley bulb). Do ONE and see how your body responds. My OB had me do cytotec + amniotomy to start and it was like a double whammy and early labor was horrible.</p> <p>2) Please consider not allowing an amniotomy. It could put a stressful time clock on your labor. Once your water breaks, most hospitals will only "allow" 24 hours before pushing for a C-Section due to infection risks. Problem is, your CS will be under gen. anesthesia, no spinal allowed. </p> <p>3) Ask for IV meds if you need something. I didn't want IV meds originally, but since they were my only option, I went for it and don't regret it at all. I used them between 5-8cm, to recuperate after a hard early labor and to prepare for no meds allowed after 8cm (something about how if the baby was exposed to the meds to close to birth, then it could lower their APGAR scores, etc). The IV meds don't take away the pain but they dull it for about 20-30 minutes with each dose. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798012 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 14:10:28 +0000 raspberries 2798012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I had two inductions with my boys and both went well! Definitely find out how tethered you'll have to be, especially if you aren't able to get an epidural.</p> <p>And related to that, just on the off chance you're taking Zantac: I had thrombocytopenia with both of my boys, and my hematologist had me stop taking it - apparently recent studies show that ranitidine can cause platelets to drop in some people. I stopped taking it and my platelets DID recover a bit (they went from 98K to 120K, so I was still above the limit regardless, but that big of a jump could really help if you're having the same issue!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798008 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 13:47:32 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2798008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DW had an induction due to PPROM so not the same situation...she was in the hospital on bed rest for 2 days before they decided to induce and was already having mild contractions. Started it around 11/noon, our son was born just before 9pm so it went quickly. I will second others who said the contractions were intense but she did get an epidural and it was fine (from my non birthing perspective!) the monitors constantly needed adjustment but she wasn’t able to move around much due to pain anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2798001 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 13:29:31 +0000 Mommy Finger 2798001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: I could have written your exact story. I was induced at 40w5d due to high blood pressure. I had pitocin and a failed epi which resulted in 24 hours of labor and 2.5 hrs of pushing. It was awful. </p> <p>That being said, I was induced at the same time with DS2 and had a wonderful experience! The epi did not fail and it was a quick 9 hrs of labor (I slept most of the time) with maybe 2 pushes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2797998 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 13:16:00 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2797998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And I agree, schedule it, pushing back the date as late as the doc is willing, and see how it goes! If mine had been a different scenario and I was overdue, I totally would have natural induction methods (instead my water broke at 36 weeks and I didn’t go into labor) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-1#post-2797997 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 13:13:53 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2797997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I had an induction with my daughter and while the natural labor with my son was no picnic, the pitocin was no joke especially by the end. They wouldn’t turn it down even though my contractions were one on top of the other. It also was a pain keeping those darn monitors on, I had to have them the whole time and moving around was a joke. I could barely sit up on the ball by the bed without them losing the heartbeat, and one nurse in particular kept coming in and repositioning it every single time. The portable monitor wasn’t working so I couldn’t even walk. No epidural either time. (Wasn’t allowed to with my son due to low platelets, and didn’t want to get one with my daughter since I was stubborn and knew I could do without!) </p>