https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 21:04:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-875878 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 04:12:23 +0000 Sweet T 875878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations!! Pitocin contractions are horrible. You seriously are a rock star! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-875487 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 20:45:10 +0000 Pepper 875487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Way to go! Good to know it's possible to make it through without pain meds if you have an induction! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-875392 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 19:55:31 +0000 Ree723 875392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations! Sounds like you we're a trooper - well done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-875304 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:54:21 +0000 Dandelion 875304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: I did NO poking around until my pp appointment and she said it was looking good, lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-875175 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:24:28 +0000 dojo 875175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Amazing! Congrats! I had planned on attempting an unmedicated birth but I knew there was no way after a couple hours on Pitocin - you're story is inspiring if I ever find myself in this position again </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-875173 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:24:02 +0000 runsyellowlites 875173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a way to ROCK your birth!!! Great job momma! I know that pit contractions with G were way worse than my contractions with P so I hope next time you get to experience your fully unmedicated/intervention free birth! AND... FWIW I believe 95% of unmedicated moms have a moment (by moment I mean a period of a second to a few hours) of wanting to give up &amp; wanting out... whether that be an epi or cesarean. That's part of the reason I tell moms to hold out through transition... that they CAN do it &amp; that it's NORMAL to want to cave then, totally doesn't mean they were in the group that "just couldn't hang". lol </p> <p>Congrats again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-875141 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:06:29 +0000 Revel 875141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for the congratulations!</p> <p>@Dandelion: Glad to hear that about the tearing. I was suprised to feel markedly better by day 5 but I still don't feel 100%, and am scared to go poking around down there, haha</p> <p>@swedishfish: Hope you go soon, you CAN do it, even if you have to be induced!</p> <p>@maybebaby: Yes, I was struck by the similarities in our stories when I read yours. I needed a lot of pit, it was up to 16 to get me to have a good contraction pattern. I think they turned it off when I was pushing, maybe? Glad you are feeling better about your experience too, you did great!</p> <p>@mewtill: 3 hours of pushing! I would have accepted anything at that point probably...</p> <p>@jh524: Hope you get to meet LO very soon. I know you'll round out the June mama's with an amazing birth.</p> <p>@MrsF: I had no idea that my platelets were low during pregnancy - I guess they were borderline, and I don't know if I wasn't told because I wasn't planning an epidural or just it was never mentioned. I had only vaguely heard before this that low platelets meant no epi, so I learned a lot that day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874844 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:02:48 +0000 MrsF 874844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're amazing! They told me that my platelets were dropping from hellp syndrome and that if I wanted an epidural I had to get it immediately and I didn't wait a second. Congrats on your LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874837 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:01:45 +0000 Sadieloo 874837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! Beautiful experience - thanks for sharing!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874792 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:49:23 +0000 MamaBehr 874792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats!! That's a great story and you did an amazing job :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874760 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:38:13 +0000 jh524 874760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for sharing. You did amazing and congrats on your baby girl!!! Now if my baby would come... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874664 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:50:43 +0000 FarmWifeGina 874664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's incredible! You rocked it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874619 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:36:25 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 874619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>SO AMAZING!! Congratulations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874601 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:32:26 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 874601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"While I ended up with a pitocin induction, something I never wanted, I actually feel very empowered by my birth, and amazed at my strength."</p> <p>That's exactly how I felt about my labor! I did accept a dose of IV meds (fentanyl) during my 3rd hour of pushing, which helped my relax and "catch my breath". Even so, I was in awe of what my body did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874592 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:28:28 +0000 maybebaby 874592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You rock, mama! Your story sounds so similar to mine--ruptured water, pitocin induction, bad tear, already forgetting the pain. Do you know how much pitocin they had you up to? So happy for you and that you feel empowered by your birth experience--I do too, though it took the first two weeks to get over the trauma at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874300 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 11:25:52 +0000 Mrsbells 874300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874297 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 11:24:04 +0000 birdofafeather 874297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>congrats!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874243 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:54:21 +0000 tlcbaby 874243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for sharing :) You handled everything awesome and got your sweet baby girl :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874167 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:29:08 +0000 Crisark 874167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874162 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:28:18 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 874162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874091 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:06:32 +0000 MamaMagpie 874091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Isn't it amazing what our bodies are capable of?! So loved reading your story :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874090 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:06:32 +0000 sarah.clarisse 874090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats!!! Thank you for sharing your story :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874079 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:01:52 +0000 swedishfish 874079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great job, mama! I may end up with a pitocin induction on Monday. Good to know you can get through it without an epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874054 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:51:35 +0000 Alivoo01 874054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations and thanks for sharing your story!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874048 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:50:29 +0000 oliviaoblivia 874048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874039 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:48:25 +0000 Foodnerd81 874039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! What a great, inspiring story! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874034 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:47:32 +0000 Cherrybee 874034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so glad you shared this, thank you. You coped amazingly well and I'm glad you are doing great as a little family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874020 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:44:16 +0000 photojane 874020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! Congratulations, super woman! I only had a couple of hours of pitocin contractions, and I couldn't deal. You are awesome! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-874014 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:41:13 +0000 Dandelion 874014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats!</p> <p>Pitocin is rough stuff...kudos to you for getting through it!</p> <p>I had a 4th degree tear, also, and I can tell you that less than 4 months later, things are way better down there! It's scary for a while, and it stays a pretty bumpy scar, but it was really well healed up at my postpartum appointment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-unmedicated-pitocin-induction#post-873997 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:30:34 +0000 Revel 873997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FInally got around to writing this story before I forget it!</p> <p>So I was one of those people who didn't know her water broke. Very early in the morning the day before my due date, I started having real contractions, about every 30 minutes. I had noticed increased fluid coming out, but it seemed thicker and mucousy, not liquidy and there was no "gush." The contractions kind of subsided in the morning, and I went to my 40 week appointment. The midwife told us my water had broken and to head to L and D!</p> <p>The midwife there confirmed it was my water, and explained that we could wait about 12 hours to come back in for labor to start, or start an induction now. We opted to wait, feeling comfortable that baby was fine and the infection risk was low because I hadn't had any internal checks yet.</p> <p>We spent the rest of the day settling in, getting bags together and coming to terms with the fact that we were having a baby! I tried lots of labor induction tactics but never tried the castor oil suggested by the midwife as a last resort. Nothing got my labor going and contractions essentially stopped.</p> <p>We headed to the hospital around 1:30am and I was at 3cm. They started me on pitocin at around 5:35am. Here's where things got interesting. I had planned on an unmedicated delivery, but once I knew about the pitocin induction I was considering an epidural, knowing all the pitocin horror stories I'd heard. Around 8am, midwife came in and told me that my platelets were low and that I was not eligible for an epidural. I was OK with it at this point, but I don't think I really was internalizing what that meant.</p> <p>We had an amazing nurse come on shift in the morning - she's also a doula - and I don't think I could have survived the labor without her! My contractions picked up mid morning. Even though they weren't very strong I couldn't really sit or lay down through them even from the beginning, and even though everyone was telling me to rest. Because I was moving so much I kept slipping the monitors, but my nurse was great, coming in to reposition them so I didn't have to labor laying down.</p> <p>I was checked a second time around midday and was still at a 3 - very discouraging. Everyone said once I hit 5 things would probably pick up, and not to do labor math and think things would progress in linear fashion, but I was extremely frustrated. After noon things started to get more intense, but I don't think I was in active labor until later in the afternoon. I was checked at around 2pm, I think, and was at a 5. Again, frustratingly little progress. At this point, I was trying to bargain my way in to an epidural - trying to get them to check my platelets again! I was offered IV drugs but I was afraid of the contractions after the drugs wore off, so I never took them.</p> <p>Things are very foggy after this point but I know I was in active labor. I would sit in the rocking chair or ball between contractions, kind of dozing, and then would stand and grab SO's hand through each contraction, breathe, moan whatever was necessary. I understand what everyone says about your body providing its own drugs, because I was really out of it between contractions - no sense of time or space really at all. I was sure I had 8 or 10 hours left because it took so long to get to a 5, and I was at this point dreaming of a c-section. This was how far gone I was at this point, because a c-section was my number one fear about childbirth.</p> <p>Around 5pm I started to feel a lot of pressure, and I asked to be checked, even though I was sure I was only at a 7 or something and knew that would be totally discouraging. Turns out I was at a 9 and almost ready to push. After the check I immediately went through transition, which was the most intense, scary experience, and the toughest part of labor. Our nurse and SO were with me through the whole thing - I think only about six contractions. Everyone said it was really fast.</p> <p>After that it was time to push. My BP was spiking so I had to lay on my back - not how I wanted to push, but at this point I wanted the baby OUT. I had planned to take my time pushing to prevent tearing, but had absolutely no control at this point. Maybe it was the pitocin but I don't know how anyone waits at that time! I pushed little girl out in 25 minutes, and she is perfect!</p> <p>I ended up with fourth degree tearing and it took about an hour to stitch me up. At this point I accepted some IV meds to get me through the stitches.</p> <p>While I ended up with a pitocin induction, something I never wanted, I actually feel very empowered by my birth, and amazed at my strength. I would love to be able to say that I stuck to my plan and didn't want the epidural, but in some ways I see the low platelets as a blessing in disguise because it got me the unmedicated birth I wanted. </p> <p>I'm very curious if we ever have another one to see if the contractions are more manageable without pitocin. My SO was an absolute rock during labor and he amazed me with how great he did. LO is almost 3 weeks old and we are doing pretty well. Memories of the pain of labor have already faded. The body is a truly amazing thing.</p> <p>Thanks for letting me share - I hope maybe this will be helpful to other ladies facing an induction. </p>