https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:29:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2080319 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 23:17:04 +0000 blackbird 2080319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: my dr has also said that fertility issues tend to lead to a higher risk of stillbirth-still small, but nonetheless slightly elevated. I didn't have IVF (I had recurrent loss and mthfr) but it did come up when I was hesitant about an induction... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2080277 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:24:12 +0000 macintosh 2080277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: The risk factor for IVF pregnancy is stillbirth. I've found some research online and it seems that the risk is small and the cause is somewhat unexplained. I will be doing weekly BPPs. I'm definitely going to keep asking questions as we go along, but I'm not going AMA. This is the hospital that saved my husband's life and I trust them.</p> <p>@raintreebee: I hear what you're saying. It was definitely a different story when I was with my original midwife group - they didn't treat me as high risk. My hospital practice categorizes me as high risk due to IVF, previous uterine surgery (septum removal), and asthma. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2080270 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:18:03 +0000 erinpye 2080270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to be induced with both of my babies. Both were born vaginally, and both are healthy, and so am I. Induction doesn't have to be scary, and it doesn't guarantee interventions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2080267 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:15:26 +0000 macintosh 2080267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all for sharing your experiences! It was helpful to hear both positive and difficult experiences. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2080237 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:27:57 +0000 raintreebee 2080237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I have never heard of being induced for an ivf pregnancy? I met with about 5 obs and none of them mentioned that. What is their reasoning? Frankly, I would refuse if nothing was wrong with me or the baby. Every bit of time in the womb is important (unless there is something wrong or course). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2080211 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:09:20 +0000 ShootingStar 2080211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I did not have a pleasant induction experience, which turned into a c-section. I was induced at 39 weeks due to GD. I do think that having the baby come at that time was a good call, I was getting sicker and more exhausted every day and DS was born at 8lb 5.5oz, so he would've just gotten bigger.</p> <p>But I think that inducing at 39w just because your baby was conceived via IVF seems kind of crazy. What are the risk factors? Will they do a biophysical profile (ultrasound) to check to see how baby's doing? Honestly, if baby is fine and your fluid and placenta are fine, I don't see why you'd need to be induced solely based on the conception method. </p> <p>Be aware that not every induction ends in c-section, but if you are not favorable and you don't have a good Bishop's score, there's a very good chance you will end up with a c-section. Also know that you do not have to submit to the induction if you don't want to, even if they recommend it, it's your choice. I don't typically advocate for going against medical advice, but this seems a little bizarre to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079857 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 16:25:46 +0000 Orchid 2079857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an induction at 41 weeks + a couple days a<br /> D those contractions were insane! I tried to hard not to have an epidural but after a few hours and little dilation progress I just had to have one. After the epidural things went smoothly and I was ready to push in a short time. I delivered vaginally and all was well. I'd avoid another induction if I could, but they certainly don't all end in c-sections. One thing I learned is that it's good to have an open mind about the birth you'll have else you could be pretty disappointed and upset on your big day! Any safe birth should be celebrated!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079832 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 16:00:45 +0000 snowjewelz 2079832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB practice has a policy of inducing at 39 weeks for GD (which I now realize I should have spoke up more not to since mine was well controlled). </p> <p>My induction wasn't the best but wasn't bad either. I only hated that it was sooo long! By the time I was ready to push, it had been 24 hrs since I was there with no food or water (hydrated via IV) so I was exhausted! </p> <p>I did also like the fact that I could plan things out but it sucked to have to wait for things to happen at the hospital vs at home. I Wasn't dilated at al so it took a good 12 hrs to get dilated enough to go on epidural and start pitocin </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079795 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:22:09 +0000 spaniellove 2079795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I spent my pregnancy worrying about how to avoid interventions and being told they were so awful. I thought pain meds of any kind were a sign of weakness and everything led to the cascade of interventions, but when it came to the last few days I realized that the best thing for my baby and me (at 38 weeks) was for him to be born via induction. He'd had IUGR all along and I had high BP, after IF and many complications. With the epidural, the induction turned out to be a piece of cake and I only pushed for a few minutes. To be honest I napped through most of labor! I had issues with my cervix and it never dilated fully, so my OB said I'd managed to induce at the perfect point in my pregnancy because if baby had grown any larger he would have had to do a c-section. Sometimes when I read about other people going into labor at home and having their "honey, we have to go to the hospital" moment I wonder what it's like, but with an induction you will also have your moment of nervously leaving for the hospital not exactly knowing what's ahead of you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079692 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:37:25 +0000 youboots 2079692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just found out I will be induced at 39.5 weeks for GD in 10 days. Thanks for sharing ladies. I was not hugely worried, but it's nice to hear from people who have been there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079649 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 11:58:44 +0000 LemonLong 2079649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had inductions with both my daughters, one at 38 weeks and one 37 weeks. For my first, they used cytotec on me and it put me into labor with no pictocin needed. It was my first baby and the induction went awesome, no issues at all. My second we had to turn on the pictocin and my epidural wasn't really working. My blood pressure was super low, to the point I passed out once so the induction took longer than my first, but I had the baby same day still. The actual pushing for both was super quick. No intervention was needed, no talk of c-section, it was a pretty good experience!<br /> Forgot to mention-my girls were born early due to IUGR, but had no complications so just had the standard stay in the hospital room with me. I'm sure at 39 weeks your baby will be fine. Also, you will get to experience going into labor on your own. Your induction probably won't go from 0 to 10 right away. I experienced my contractions getting harder and faster, my water breaking on its own etc. they let me walk around the hospital and stuff too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079577 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 09:46:56 +0000 gingerbebe 2079577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My water broke with no contractions at 38w5d and so we had to proceed to an induction after a day. Honestly, I ended up with a C-section bc my son got stuck sideways at 8cm and wouldn't turn but the actual induction part was super easy and pleasant. I got an epidural after 2 hours on pitocin contractions, then things were fine even for the endless hours I was being induced. 36 hours later I had my section, my son was fine except that he was a bit smaller than we all expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079573 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 09:42:39 +0000 jetsa 2079573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a 39 week induction due to PIH and it was awesome. I had a pain med free birth and there is nothing I would change. This time I'm figuring the same will happen although I'd love to go into labor on my own my body is just not a good house after 35 weeks for me or baby. I can send you my birth story if you'd like to read it. I had a great birth and I loved it. My son actually had the cord wrapped around his neck and my DH and I are thankful it worked out like it did, it prevents wondering what would have happened if he hadn't been born 'early' a slower labor could have caused more pressure on the cord/his breathing etc. No complications for baby or me, we went home 24 hours and 3 minutes after birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079522 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 08:46:15 +0000 MrsF 2079522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had two very successful inductions (one at 36 weeks and one at 39 weeks). No complications for me or baby at 39 weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079508 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 08:32:38 +0000 mrscobee 2079508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can't speak too much on this issue but would not worry a bit about baby being born at 39 weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079505 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 08:27:24 +0000 blackbird 2079505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a post due induction that went really smoothly-my daughter actually had complications BECAUSE she was overdue. And it would have been worse had she stayed in MORE. So, food for thought. Maybe an earlier induction could've saved her a week in the nicu. 39 weeks is still full term and I've had lots of friends be induced-GD or whatever-at 39 weeks and have it all go smoothly!</p> <p>I had pitocin and an epidural </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079427 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 06:30:34 +0000 Mrs squirreld 2079427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know exactly how you feel. I was happy to have a plan but was worried about the cascade of interventions. I was induced at 39+5 for high BP. I only had two sets of prostagladin gels inserted to dilate my cervix and that sent me into a cracking fast labor! No pitocin required!! Whilst the contractions were very close together or back to back I managed a drug free birth that I so badly wanted. LO was born 5 hours later. If I was you I would talk to your OB about induction method options and see what would sit best with you. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079406 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 03:45:45 +0000 nana87 2079406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced at 37 weeks due to low fluid and had a wonderful birth experience even though it wasn't what I had wanted at all ( had wanted no ivs or meds). Was 36 hrs in all, but I was on pit for 12 hours before an epi and only the last couple were terrible. Then I took a great nap and was ready to push about 6 hrs later. I could feel enough to know when I was contracting. Only pushed 20 mins! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079351 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 00:15:13 +0000 MamaCate 2079351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I was just talking to a friend about this who is also pregnant with #2. We both felt like we were so focused on delivery and avoiding interventions and are much more laid back this time. I was induced at 40+6 with my daughter. I did get an epidural after 5 hours and was able to deliver vaginally. I gave no regrets because the end result was healthy mama and healthy baby and I would not be opposed to another induction this time if it came to that. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079332 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:39:21 +0000 MrsMccarthy 2079332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do think inductions can lead to more interventions and more c sections but I also believe that an IVF pregnancy that has been so closely monitored is probably the best chance to insure baby is actually full term. Some people can't pin point ovulation and so a baby by 39 weeks might be early. In your case there is no question. That said perhaps you can opt for another week with close monitoring instead if you have had a complication free pregnancy thus far and are healthy. If they absolutely won't do so then I guess you don have a choice so you might as well embrace it and know that a lot of women have very smooth inductions. Mine was not what I wanted at 40 weeks and 5 days but it went relatively smoothly and I had a healthy vaginal birth. I did need the epidural after 11 hours of very intense close together contractions. I'm hoping to go on my own this time and see if that helps me dilate without one. You'll do great either way I'm sure!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079326 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:21:11 +0000 loveisstrange 2079326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You know, everyone paints inductions as this horrible thing that's a one way ticket to a c-section and a "cascade of interventions".</p> <p>I had one. It was necessary, and it was fine. Yes, pitocin fucking HURTS. It's a beast and I went through 15.5 hours of a full dose and back to back contractions on nothing but gas and air (gave birth in the UK) after my epidural failed. But you know what? I lived through it. I gave birth vaginally. It happened the way it happened and oh well. If I had to have another one with another baby, c'est la vie. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079324 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:16:12 +0000 Rockies11 2079324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a scheduled c for breech at 39 weeks, and I was super bummed about my baby being born too early, and not having the proper tv labour experience. I set up everything around this 39 week date, and then my water broke at 38w3d. It hadn't even crossed my mind that that was possible until it happened! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079296 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 22:42:37 +0000 sorrycharlie 2079296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You very well may go into labor anyway! I was supposed to be induced this pregnancy at 39 weeks, and went into labor at 38+2 :)</p> <p>I also have heard a lot of stories about easy inductions (only needing low pitocin levels) and pain med free! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079289 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 22:35:45 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2079289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've only had one baby so I don't "know" but my induction contractions were insane. Not just pain wise, like back to back, not even a ten second break spanning between 2+ minute contractions so I did end up with an epidural despite not wanting one. Otherwise, I ended up being induced due to pre-e at 38 weeks and everything was 100% fine and normal. No complications. While I'd like to avoid an induction this time just 5o have a different experience, I don't wish I hadn't had one with LO1. Everything really went great and she was and is as healthy as a horse! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mixed-feelings-about-induction#post-2079274 Fri, 20 Feb 2015 22:20:33 +0000 macintosh 2079274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I already knew that my OB group has a policy of inducing for IVF pregnancies, and today I found out that they will induce me during week 39 (eek, that's only 10 weeks away!)</p> <p>On the one hand, it's relieving to know that I'll likely be able to plan things: my last day of work, my mom's visit, a caregiver for DH. I am a planner and leaving those things up to nature kind of freaks me out.</p> <p>On the other hand, I worry about the complications that can come with inductions. I worry that I'll have a hard time with the pain and have to get an epidural. I worry that the baby will have issues from being born even a little too early. Also, it makes me sad that I probably won't get the experience of going into labor on my own.</p> <p>Anyone else felt this way? Has anyone had a good induction experience they want to share? </p>