https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:59:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920544 Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:50:43 +0000 greencraftycello 2920544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@moonmoon Congratulations! That’s wonderful! Hope you and baby are doing well!! :heart: </p> <p>Coming back to update, had our baby in the early days of pandemic, had to be induced because of low amniotic fluid. Doula was not allowed in the hospital due to early COVID visitor restrictions. Was given Cervidil, and within 2 1/2 hours I had our baby! No pitocin needed. Contractions were much more intense, less time in between, but the labor went so quickly I made it through without the epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920132 Fri, 30 Oct 2020 07:28:40 +0000 MoonMoon 2920132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@theotherstark: @Jessiemuller88: thank you! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920126 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 19:28:54 +0000 Jessiemuller88 2920126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: congratulations momma!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920125 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 16:51:03 +0000 theotherstark 2920125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: Congratulations!! Good job, mama. Hope you’re recovering okay :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920122 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 15:17:22 +0000 MoonMoon 2920122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: @Chuckles: @Petitduck: @nwm: thank you ladies :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920121 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 14:43:04 +0000 nwm 2920121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: Congrats!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920107 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:20:14 +0000 Petitduck 2920107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: congratulations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920105 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 07:49:56 +0000 Chuckles 2920105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: for both kids, I didn't have contractions without pitocin, so I can't compare them for you. But the beginning-transition stages of labor were relatively manageable without the epidural.<br /> ETA: I should have read the most recent posts before I added this comment! Congrats! I'm so glad you and baby are doing well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920104 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 07:06:23 +0000 bhbee 2920104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: congrats! So glad baby is safely here and that you survived pitocin - way to go mama, that’s no small feat!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920103 Thu, 29 Oct 2020 05:44:45 +0000 MoonMoon 2920103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@theotherstark: thank you! Pitocin started at 730 pm, baby born right after 2 am. It was fast, terrifying, and unpleasant, but we didn't have an epidural! Baby is doing great! Pitocin is no joke, if I were having those contractions much longer, I would totally see the need for the epi.</p> <p>Thank you all for sharing! This thread helped me through! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920101 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 22:30:58 +0000 theotherstark 2920101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: I hope things are going/went well!! :goodluck: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920099 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 19:34:36 +0000 Petitduck 2920099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: I would say your odds are pretty good for a favourable outcome as a non- first timer like other people mentioned. </p> <p>I had a post dates induction with baby up high, water broken by the nurse to start, and pitocin throughout the whole thing. No epidural or pain meds. It took 14 hours from the very start of the induction until I got to the pushing phase, but it was my first labour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920098 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 18:53:53 +0000 Miss Ariel 2920098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: I posted on their thread before, but for my second I was induced and didn’t have an epidural. I showed up at the hospital not dilated at all, and they then had to rush my dr to the hospital to be there in time for delivery. She had planned to break my water, but the baby arrived about 30 minutes because that scheduled time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920097 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:57:05 +0000 misolee 2920097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two very different induction stories. My first was induced at 41+1 bc she was getting so big and had no desire to come out. Induced at around 7am, got an epidural at around 5pm when I was 6cm dilated. It continued to progress well but I got stuck at 9cm for several hours. At that point, it had been over 24 hours since the medication so I decided to have a csection. I actually had a very pleasant experience and a great recovery. This time I was with Kaiser and had no relationships with any doctors bc we saw whatever doctor available.</p> <p>Then second came, naturally at 37 weeks, super fast that they couldn’t even give me an epidural. This time, my doctors were a women’s health group and I knew some by name and they were very supportive of vbacs. </p> <p>So for my third, we figured she would be like my second. But nope. Technically, if you had a csection before, you are not allowed to be induced. But bc of previous births, my doctor (same as my second) secretly induced me at 41+1 on a very mild and low dose. We started at 10am, I got an epidural at like 5pm, and third was born at 8pm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920096 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 15:08:35 +0000 MoonMoon 2920096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all! I'm reading your stories, sorry I don't have individual replies but overall your stories are very soothing to me. Everyone had a slightly different journey but happy ending, which is what I want too :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920094 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:49:48 +0000 josina 2920094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: I had 2 inductions with pitocin and both went very well, from start of pitocin to delivery was 7 hours. I think I was around 3 cm dilated with both, and with my first was having contractions but didn't know it. (I did get an epi with both, but had always planned on it).<br /> Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920093 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:06:41 +0000 bhbee 2920093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: I think you’re probably just fine! I was induced with my third and generally your chances are pretty good for a smooth result if you’re a second timer! I was worried about a c-section too but it’s less likely if you’re not a first time mom. Also, I’d feel free to ask them to keep interventions low and only as needed. </p> <p>I was ok but not amazingly favorable at 39w, especially for a third baby. All I needed was breaking my water, contractions got real very fast, I decided to get an epi (despite having my first two med free) and it was a great last birth experience. It wasn’t super long - I think they broke my water around 3 (I was maybe 2cm) and baby was born at 8pm but would have been sooner if a nurse hadn’t misplaced my catheter and slowed the progress (I didn’t feel it so it never bothered me).<br /> All the luck!! :goodluck: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920092 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 13:35:36 +0000 kayla0416 2920092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first, my water broke but contractions never started on their own so I was put on pitocin. With my second, contractions started first, so I've felt it both ways. I got epidurals, but not until I was almost fully dilated both times, so I felt hours of contractions. I don't think pitocin contractions were any more intense than regular. They felt the same to me. Although, the highest they had to put my pitocin level was a 4 (20 is the highest), so maybe it would've been worse if it was higher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920090 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 13:11:27 +0000 nwm 2920090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had two positive experiences with inductions using an epidural! The first time I waited for an epidural to see what I could stand. The pain wasn't the worst problem for me, it was the nausea that made it difficult to manage any contraction pain, so I gave in at 6/7cm, and the epi knocked out the pain and the nausea. It was so good that the second time they started the epi before the pitocin and honestly that was wonderful, ha!</p> <p>Third baby came naturally and so fast that they barely put the epidural in before the baby came. It was a busy night so I had to go through a lot of painful contractions before they got it in. It is hard to fully compare given these experiences were a few years apart, but I didn't think the pitocin contractions were dramatically worse than my natural ones.</p> <p>FWIW, for my second induction I was walking around for a couple days at 5cm but wasn't having any contractions and ultimately induced at 40+5 due to slight decrease in movement. It was very fast and easy. If you are 4cm already I would view that as a positive sign! Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920087 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 12:17:06 +0000 MoonMoon 2920087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: that's awesome. I'm glad to hear of your relaxing experience! How would you compare the contractions between pitocin and no pitocin? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920086 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 12:11:42 +0000 Chuckles 2920086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, I did have an epidural with my induction, but it went very smoothly! I was about 3cm dilated when I went in for my induction at 39 weeks (induced because of gestational diabetes but no other issues). I don't remember what station I was at. They started me with pitocin and ramped up the level slowly. I got an epidural when I was about 6cm, though I don't remember how long I'd been in labor before getting it. Doctor ended up breaking my water after about 16 hours. The hospital I gave birth at is known for letting things take their time and not rushing into additional interventions. I was more impatient than the nurses :) The whole thing was about 22 hours from start to birth. The epidural allowed me to rest and sleep overnight a bit before pushing in the morning. This was a different experience from my first birth where I got my epidural at 7cm, labor slowed down after that, and I felt pressure from the doctors to consider a c-section even though I had only been in labor for about 18 hours at that point. The experience with my second was much more relaxed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2920085 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 12:04:38 +0000 MoonMoon 2920085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping this thread! I could use any more positive stories you ladies want to add! Actually I'd also like to hear any stories of difficult induction too. </p> <p>I'm 2nd time mom, 40+1, being induced in an hour due to low fluid level, decreased baby movement, and slight uptick in blood pressure. I'm about 4 cm dilated, cervix soft, but baby all the way up at -3 station! Does this mean I'm not favorable for induction? I haven't felt a single freaking contraction. </p> <p>Dr seems optimistic, talking about pitocin and breaking water. I'm very intimidated. I would like to go without epi again, but pitocin seems like no joke! In my mind, I can just see one thing leading to another and bam, c-section... Hoping having my doula will help a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912446 Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:12:01 +0000 crazydoglady 2912446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jaguar: This. And I am a total weakling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912443 Thu, 19 Mar 2020 23:58:15 +0000 theotherstark 2912443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was an induction and I did not have an epi. Feel free to PM me, but one thing that really helped me was knowing that my colleague at the time had had an induction without an epidural, so I knew it could be done :wink: So now I am telling you that I had one, and it went smoothly :heart: Hugs. These are such strange times. Again, feel free to PM me if you want more info or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912440 Thu, 19 Mar 2020 23:06:16 +0000 jaguar 2912440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup, my last two births were inductions without epis, intense but do-able. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912419 Thu, 19 Mar 2020 19:06:42 +0000 Sapphiresun 2912419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an induction with a cervical ripener, and it was a total breeze. I had my first "twinge" 8 hours after the cervadril was placed, and baby was born 51 minutes later (12 minutes after arriving back at the hospital). No epidural, and only in what I would consider "pain" for the 15 minute car ride where I was trying not to push. You got this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912245 Wed, 18 Mar 2020 05:40:43 +0000 pachamama 2912245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In summary, if you and baby are not very ready, inductions can reeeeeeallly draw out the process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912244 Wed, 18 Mar 2020 05:40:00 +0000 pachamama 2912244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did it but only bc the labors were so so fast!!<br /> Technically I was induced twice without so much as an ibuprofen BUT and this is very important- I was primed. The baby and my body (uterus?) were ready.<br /> Baby 1- 36w3d water broke pPROM, absolutely no contractions. 2 Cervadil, baby was out in 5 hours, 5 mins of pushing. </p> <p>Baby 2- 40w2s I guess they induced bc I was having an anxiety attack. membrane sweep. Pitocin OMG so intense. torture. torture. but it worked even tho my water didnt break. </p> <p>I begged for an epidural! I could not have done one more second!! Pitocin is excruciating. It hijacks your body- there was no break in contractions. The only way I got through the L&amp;D was I had lightning fast labors (baby 2 was out in like 5 pushes. almost had him on the floor as I walked from the hot tub to the table). With the cervadil there was a break in contractions but again, my water had broke so it was way more natural. </p> <p>i also had both my babies on all fours, screaming like a gorilla. it was fucking barbaric. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912073 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:10:42 +0000 agold 2912073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@greencraftycello: I'm so sorry things are not going as planned for you. Remember, healthy baby and mom at the end of this is the only goal. I was induced for both my labors. On pitocin for the first one for like over 24 hours, no epidural. My water did not break and I paced the hospital floors like a champ. No issues really at all with that labor (except delivery was a total nightmare unrelated to pitocin). Second baby, I was put on an increasing amount of pitocin and my water was broken. No epidural. But this time it was so gross. Extremely gross. With each contraction, amniotic fluid continued to gush out of me, because even though my water bag had broken, the body still apparently does produce amniotic fluid for the baby. This was like me peeing myself constantly. I couldn't walk the hallways, obviously. I had to stand over a pee pad that I needed changed constantly because i was grossing myself out. Did this happen to anyone else or was I just a random lucky to experience this? I don't even know because I haven't really ever talked about this. Thank God things progressed quickly for me. I got the epidural and had the baby about as soon as it kicked in. I don't even know. I don't have any advice. Just good luck and deliver that baby safe and get back home safe the both of you. And have some champagne asap if that's your kind of thing. Have your sister smuggle it into the hospital if you need. Just kidding. Best of luck. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/induction-without-epidural-2#post-2912072 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 13:25:42 +0000 greencraftycello 2912072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for all of the replies!</p> <p>Unfortunately, our hospital just went from two support people, down to one, so our doula will not be able to be there. Given that, I have decided not to proceed unless induction becomes medically necessary. I understand this is happening all over the country, but it seems like a completely irrational decision that does not take women’s well being into account. I absolutely understand restricting visitors, but a doula is a professional advocate. Super upset right now. </p>