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@Glitter: compared to my first delivery when I went into labor naturally and delivered 24 hours later (after 3 hours of pushing), my induction was SUPER smooth and quick (from pitocin beginning to delivery was 8 hours total). I did have pain management, which went horribly both times, but with the induction I made it to about 6 cm when they turned my pitocin up to 15 I think? Then the pain really took a turn and I got my epidural quickly. My pain management stories are a different story, but I delivered my daughter completely pain-free just a couple hours later! Literally pushed for 15 mins and she slid right out. 8 lbs 1 oz, LONG hair and LONG nails even though we induced a week early!

With my induction I was already more than 3 cm dilated when I began. But it was at 39 weeks due to GD.

I was induced at 41 weeks. My OB was very cautious in her use of Pitocin, so I progressed slowly and never really felt like my contractions were "out of control" as they say can happen with induction. I did end up getting an epidural, but that wasn't for pain. I hadn't slept in over 30 hours and was feeling like if I didn't get some rest, I wouldn't have the strength for pushing. I got the epi and slept for about 3 hours. I pushed for 3 hours, but looking back now, I think that was because I wasn't coached well by my doctor to wait out the contractions a little longer.

So all in all, I think I had a positive induction.

Mine was crazy easy. I was shocked. I was induced at 38 weeks 6 days and was 3 cm dilated already. I got there and they started the meds and an hour or two later my doctor came and broke my water. At that point my nurse advised to put in the request for an epidural, because it would take a while for them to get to me. I had about 20-30 min of very uncomfortable contractions before I got the epidural. This was around 1 pm and I progressed to 8+ cm by 6pm. At 7 pm I was fully dialed and ready to push and had a baby in my arms 45 min later.

I was scared out of my wits to be induced but it really wasn't that bad. If you are ripe for it and having a healthy pregnancy overall I'd say it should be fairly routine. It does increase the chance f c section birth a bit but often times the risk of that is outweighed by the need for induction. In my case low fluid and no were an issue. Good luck!

I was induced at 37 weeks due to the OB finding out DS was an IUGR baby at 35 weeks. He was measuring only 32 weeks and didn't grow anymore. I also had crazy low amniotic fluid levels. While I was super nervous about being induced (I didn't know what to expect), my induction was awesome and I couldn't have had a better labor and delivery!

7am - admitted to hospital, waited for my room, then went back to change and start paperwork/questions.

9am - started pitocin, but DS's heart rate decel everytime I had a contraction

9:30am - turned off pitocin and awaited for OB instructions. Had a very small amount of epidural administered just in case I needed to have a c-section due to the decels. They needed to at least get the epi line in so they can administer more epidural during the c-section. otherwise, they'd have to put me under to operate.

11:00am - OB came and broke my water and began pitocin again. Found out, DS didn't like me laying on my left side and that's why he was having decels. Laying on my right side was okay.

6:19pm - delivered DS after 3 sets of pushes. No additional amount of epidural was administered after the line was put in.

I had a really positive experience with a 39w induction. I wasn't favorable at all but my water broke naturally and I actually contracted without pit for a while before getting an epi. She was delivered naturally with no complications.

I had a great induction (at 36 weeks with pre-e). I got cervidil early in the morning, started pitocin around 9am, pushed for 45 minutes and delivered at 5:07pm. I did have an epidural but that was always my plan.

I hope things go as well for you and baby!

I was induced at 38w3d (term for twins is 37w). It was pretty easy- dilated to a 3 before hand, totally effaced. I was induced at8am, but they had to stall me because the nurse messed up the Pitocin (no biggie at all). I got an epidural because I was so tired, having not slept at all the night before- got that around 2pm. They broke my water around then, too. I progressed slowly, but I delivered both babies vaginally without any other intervention at 1:30am.

I was induced at 39 weeks 3 days. I was 2-3cm when I got there and was 70%-80% effaced so I was really "ripe" I got to the hospital at 6:45am got hooked up to monitors and laid around until 8:15am when my doctor came in and broke my water. She wanted to give me pitocin at that time but I asked if I could walk around for a little bit and see if I could get labor started myself, I was terrified of pitocin. We walked all around the hospital and up and down the 4 flights of stairs more times than I can count! We had to come back every 40 minutes to be monitored for 20 mins to make sure that me and baby were doing alright. By 11:30am the contractions were getting pretty intense my doctor came around 12:30pm and checked and I was 6cm and starting transition. I started pushing around 2pm and DS was born at 2:25pm. No epidural, no pitocin.

I was scared of induction because I had heard all the same things you had but it's possible!! I had a friend that had to be given pitocin because she wasn't progressing and she had a pain med-free birth, it can be done!

Best of luck!

I wanted a med-free birth too but was induced at 37w bc of low amniotic fluid. Because it was so early, My cervix was still hard and closed and baby was really high up. But I actually love how my birth turned out! I gave birth about 36hrs after being admitted. 12 hrs on cervidil, 12 on pit before I got my epidural, with a cook catheter during the pit to try to help move things along. I went from 3 to 10 cm in about 5 hrs after getting the epidural, which was glorious: I was able to sleep and then still feel the contractions when it was time to push. I only pushed for 40 mins and had only 1st degree tearing

Eta my water never broke: lo was born en caul, with the sac around her head. Super cool to see!!

@Glitter: I asked for one when I knew I wasn't progressing fast enough and would end up with one anyway. That way it wasn't rushed and my LO wasn't in danger. I guess you could call it an elective c section but my doctor agreed that that was where I was headed. My medical team is what made it pleasant. They were very supportive and talked me through everything because I was nervous. My anesthesiologist was my best friend. Haha. I had no pain at all, I didn't even feel that much pressure even. They let me see and touch T right after he was born and brought him to me in the recovery room. The nurse even held my boob for me when he breastfed the first time. I sucked really bad at it. Haha! Recovery was a little rough at first. I was scared when the nurse told me to get out of bed the next morning, but it got easier and easier pretty quick. I'm not a fan of my scar...it's still numb and burns in places 10 weeks later and I've heard that that never goes away, but 10 weeks later I feel 100% recovered.

ETA: I'm aware my c section was caused 100% by my induction. I dont think my body was ready to deliver and no medicine was going to change it. I may have ended up with a C if I had went into labor on my own, but I had my c section because of my induction. But my BP was up, blood sugar bottomed out, and needed to get my baby out sooner rather than later. It is what it is!

@Glitter: I was able to have skintoskin with DD immediately after birth. That was really important to me. I felt so much more tugging than I expected, but LO was jammed in there enough they threatened forceps. She was born with bruises in the shape of fingers on her arms. My recovery was way easier than I expected. It was tough getting out of bed the first few days but honestly I felt better five day pp than I did the day before I walked into the hospital. I have a friend that gave birth to a smaller baby vaginally a few weeks later and she was unable to sit down at eight weeks pp. I'm pregnant again and if this baby is predicted to be ten pounds too I'll be having a repeat.