https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 20:31:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083887 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 17:13:45 +0000 MrsMccarthy 2083887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced at 40+5 with my son and my aduvce isn't what to bring so much as ways to prepare. Eat a nice meal before they start. Preferably something that won't just go through you and will sustain you for a good while in case you don't get to eat again. Save your energy. Really try to avoid doing much of anything the day and hours leading up and especially once you are in labor. Often as in my case inductions mean stronger contractions and that can mean either needing an epidural or rest or both. In my case after 11 hours I had to have the epi so I could sleep.it helped me progress and I am convinced all that sleep is what helped me push him out and have a vaginal birth 6 hours later even though I couldn't feel myself push at all from the epidural. Had I been working that hard the whole time I know I would have ended up in the or for a c section. Good luck!!! So excited for you!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083810 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 16:30:26 +0000 snowjewelz 2083810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: and have snacks for DH even if you can't eat! And maybe sleep mask &amp; ear plugs.. The first night was uneventful with lots of waiting, but nurses come in every so often to check on me, DH just couldn't really sleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083703 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 15:23:27 +0000 youboots 2083703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I will download. Thank you. @snowjewelz: we are going to a fancy dinner at our favorite resturant before we check in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083699 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 15:18:01 +0000 snowjewelz 2083699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced at 39 weeks for GD also. Eat up!! They hook you up to stuff right away, and my induction was longish (12 hrs to get to 3cm) so I was sooo exhausted by the time I was ready to push (another 8 hrs later)! Wall me if you need more details! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083608 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:18:33 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2083608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My induction took a looking time and then I had a c-section. I was there for six days.</p> <p>The wifi at the hospital was so slow and there were tons of other moms streaming Netflix that it was too slow to really watch anything. I'd recommend downloading something. And an extra long power cord. My iPad cord wouldn't reach the bed from the outlet which was annoying. It'll come in handy post birth too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083603 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:15:59 +0000 littlebittyhouse 2083603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in for an induction Thur and LO was born at 11:15pm on Saturday! I wish we had netflix - tv at the hospital was awful! Other essentials for me were pillow with a pretty pillow case, bathrobe, flip flops and my own stuff to shower with. This time I plan on bringing my yoga mat too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083552 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:57:03 +0000 Ajsmommy 2083552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say be prepared for a few days of induction. I had been told that but didn't "really" hear it. I went in on a weds afternoon and had DD Friday night. I'd pack some snacks too b/c they didn't let me eat ( I know there are reasons) but it was pretty horrible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083548 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:55:36 +0000 MelisMc 2083548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots Funny, I just started Gilmore Girls for the very same reason! I will have an induction in 2 1/2 weeks if he doesn't come sooner and I wanted to go ahead and get invested in a show so that I really wanted to watch it if I needed it while in the hospital. Sometimes, it's hard to get into something new. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083542 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:53:02 +0000 LuLu Mom 2083542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Do it! haha i'm just about done with it ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083534 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:50:08 +0000 youboots 2083534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: I need a new show. I guess I should start a thread. I'm thinking Gilmore Girls ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083531 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:48:56 +0000 youboots 2083531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: thanks for mentioning that. I know a section is not ideal. But I'm not scared of one either, I want whatever will give us the best outcome :) The hospital has WIFI so M will be working if nothing is happening. @mrs.shinerbock: good idea on the pillow, and ever since my road trip thru Texas I heart Shiner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083522 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:45:48 +0000 LuLu Mom 2083522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>iPad with netflix was my savior, daytime television sucks :) Honestly I brought books/magazines but could not concentrate on it, it was TV or sleeping or talking with DH. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083519 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:44:39 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2083519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a pillow with a bright colored pillow case because I am picky about pillows and didn't want to go 3-4 nights without it. I made sure to get it far out of the way before anything messy started. </p> <p>@macintosh: I was admitted Wed night, induced early Thurs morning, LO born Late Sat morning, and we went home Monday so I spent 4 nights in the hospital. I had to have 3 rounds of Cervadil before they could start the pitocin. I agree with @youboots: be prepared for 4 days and it's gravy if it's shorter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083511 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:42:50 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 2083511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An iPad with Netflix and charger! A bathrobe (I didn't feel comfortable walking around in just the hospital gown), and a yoga ball to try to get things moving/help with labor.</p> <p>Not to freak you out, but prepare for both outcomes -- vaginal birth or c-section. My water broke the morning of my scheduled induction and I had been 80% effaced and 2-3cm dilated for dayzzzzzzz but apparently my body doesn't respond to pitocin so I ended up with an unplanned c-section. We were in the hospital for over 24 hours just waiting, with nothing to do, because I wasn't having contractions but they wouldn't let me leave. So I was super bored and watched a ton of Netflix/read while DH actually did work. Also bring snacks or be prepared to send DH on a food run -- since my induction didn't work my midwife let me eat (even though I wasn't technically supposed to). But on the other hand, my friend had a 6 hour labor from pitocin to birth with her first, so you could also be in for a quick, regular labor. Who knows! ;-) Good luck -- you'll do great either way :-) :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083501 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:29:58 +0000 youboots 2083501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: yes! I just got one, I love it.@macintosh: I think you should plan for a long stay and be suprised if it's not, rather than expecting a quick labor and being bored and frustrated for a day or two.@loveisstrange: great idea. I have a TV I wonder if I can plug my electronics into it.@blackbird: perfect, thanks! There is a one stop shopping store next door two and a 24 hr restaurant across the street in case I need more snacks than I am planning on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083472 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:11:05 +0000 jetsa 2083472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: my induction took 42 hours from check-in to check out and baby came faster than the nurses expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083461 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:08:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2083461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: agree! My nurse said as long as I wasn't trying to drink soda and chow down on fast food, some snacks were fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083456 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:06:40 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2083456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: my first induction was Tuesday night, born Thursday wee morning hours. I got home Saturday. So yea, 3-4 days! </p> <p>My second induction was faster. In at noon, born the following morning home the next day. </p> <p>Ask if they have a peanut ball. Seriously best thing ever once you are stuck in bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083451 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:05:06 +0000 blackbird 2083451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I brought a microwavable heating pad. It was awesome! I also brought pretzels and a jar of peanut butter for quick snacks. They told me no food after the pitocin got going, but uh....sometimes i snuck some PB. </p> <p>My induction started at 6pm on a Thursday night and E was born at noon Friday! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083442 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:00:30 +0000 loveisstrange 2083442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I brought books and my iPad loaded with a few movies. Make sure you have chargers for everything, too.</p> <p>@macintosh: My induction took almost 24 hours, so it's feasible. My water broke at 11pm on April 1. They started my induction at 9pm on April 2. She was born at 7:30pm on April 3rd. We were released on April 5th. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083434 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 12:57:13 +0000 macintosh 2083434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: I don't have any suggestions yet but I will probably have an induction myself. Should I really expect a 3-4 day stay? Also, your hospital sounds awesome! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083431 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 12:56:31 +0000 autumnlove 2083431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Extra long phone charger. I think you have everything else! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-keep-in-mind-for-an-induction#post-2083427 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 12:54:07 +0000 youboots 2083427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will be induced next Wednesday at 39w 4d due to GD. I'm not feeling very stressed about it since it is out of my control and I trust my OB. Unless she comes on her own in the next week, we are going to be packing up for the hospital like we would be checking into a hotel. I know inductions can take a day or two which means we will be there for 3/4 nights if all goes well, and longer if I am in need of a c section. </p> <p>My hospital is awesome. I am in the same room for the birth and recovery, they make up a cot each night for M. There is a fridge, only one patient to a room and a private bath and soaking tub in each room. My in laws are staying at our house with the dogs while we are at the hospital (5 min away) so it will be easy to pick up or have them drop off anything we are missing.</p> <p>That said, what should be in my hospital bag for an induction that I may not have brought otherwise? I have a stack of books and magazines and a few extra pairs of PJs/lounge clothes. Anything else I should bring? Anything else to keep in mind? </p>