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My water broke on it's own (partially) but I ended up on pitocin because I wasn't contracting. Being able to get out of the bed helped the most. I would sway from side to side during the contractions and it helped so much. Also, I would try to let your water break naturally. The contractions were much more manageable before my midwife had to break mine the rest of the way.

Good luck! I am hoping for natural, but nearly everyone I've talked to swears by induction!

Ahhh, good luck mama!!!

I'd recommend eating a lot before going to the hospital. I could only have clear liquids once they started the pit, and jello and juice didnt really hold off my hunger

The pit made my contractions really close together....like 1.5 minutes....even though I was only about 4 cm dialated. I had no time to relax between them and was definitely tensing up too much, so I got the epi at that point. It totally worked to relax me and I was complete 2 hrs later. So dont be too afraid that the epi will stall things and get it when you need it!

Oh and ask for a birthing ball. It was a reallt nice way to be able to move, rock, change positions without it being a pain to lug the iv around.

Good luck!!!

Ditto what @MerryC said! Get the epi when you want. I held off for 2 painful hours because I thought it would stall labor, but the anestheologist told me that since I was hooked up to pitocin it wouldn't stall it at all! Once I got the epi it only took 3 hours to dilate from 4cm to 10cm. Also definitely eat prior, you will need the energy. Goodluck!

I wasn't induced but wanted to mention that I got an epi at 5cm at 4am, was complete by about 10am, and had him in my arms at 1:30pm. I did have some complications with the epi failing (twice), but not until I was 9cm, then pushing. It didn't stall my labor at all, just let me relax and rest.

ETA: And good luck! I'm so excited for you!

i got the epidural and honestly, i can't remember it much so it must not have been too bad. but i do remember how AWESOME i felt after it. lol. i got it as soon as i was able. and my labor did get stalled but not sure if it was cuz of the epi. i was at like 5 cm for a few hours....

Good luck. I was induced and the one thing I remember was that I was starving by the time the baby finally arrived.

@Shimmer: I was induced with DS. I did have some complications but I'm not sure they were actually related to being induced. I had falled on my stomach and DS's heartrate was all over the place that is why I was induced. I did get the EPI but not until I was 7cm. Honestly I don't remember feeling it being put in at all but I do remember the amazing relief once it kicked in. I had further complications but after the epi I at least didn't feel a thing! So it made labor way more managable exspecially with all the other stuff going on. I was in labor for 18 hours and pushed for 3 but was able to avoid a c section (which they were really pushing me to get) and have a healthy baby boy. I'm all for natural labor and this go round plan to do it all natural BUT if I am induced again I'm pretty open about possibly needing the epi.

The pinch from the numbing shot was the worst part of the epi for me. The doc described it as a bee sting and id say thats pretty accurate. I was also pretty shaky from throwing up at that point, so DH had a job to help me stay still at the critical moments. And make sure they tape the tubes well! I was so worried about it getting yanked out when i was moving beds in and out of the OR, but lots of tape held everything just fine

@Shimmer: Before the first dose, I was 0cm dilated with no contractions. After the first dose, I was still not dilated enough...maybe 2 so I got another dose. It wasn't uncomfortable, it felt like a tampon going in? The cervical checks were worse!

I didn't feel discomfort until my contractions started which was about 2-3 hours after the second dose of cervidil.

Good luck! Can't wait to hear about your delivery and your boys!

@Shimmer: the cervidil getting inserted was just like a cervix check. I dreaded them but other people seem to not mind at all. And it was only one uncomfortable second and then I didn't feel it at all. It was there from 7pm until 5am when I rolled over in bed and my water broke.

@Shimmer: Good luck tonight!

@Shimmer: Everything is going to be fine and at the end you'll have TWO wonderful boys to snuggle! I'm excited for you!

@Shimmer: GOOD LUCK TODAY!! you are going to do great. Induction was heaven for me compared to my first delivery. Can't wait to "meet" your boys and hear your birth story!

@Shimmer: Good luck today! Thinking of you today.

You will do great! Just stay focused on meeting your little guys and rest when you can (especially after the epidural).

I was induced and thought it went pretty smoothly (but I didn't have a comparison). I went in at 2cm dilated, started on pitocin around 8AM, was 4cm around noon when I got the epidural, OB broke my water shortly before 1, was 8cm around 2PM and DD was born just before 5PM.

Only complication was DD didn't like the epidural and water break so close together so her heart rate took a dive but some repositioning and oxygen stabilized her.

I wasn't allowed anything to eat or drink once admitted which was annoying but not too bad since it was really only about 8hr start to finish; it would have been more difficult if it had been a lot longer.