Going in for my first ever induction on Monday if I make it to that day. What are your tips and tricks for getting through an induction? What is it like? I've only had spontaneous labors so this is completely new to me.
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I’ve had two inductions and the second was much faster than the first. I highly recommend doing acupuncture to help prep your body - it didn’t make me go into labor but it did help with dilation so I was 2.5cm dilated when I got to the hospital. The typical progression is cervical softener overnight (cytotec for both of mine) and then pitocin and a foley bulb if you don’t dilate on your own. Then they will break your water. If you want an epidural, get one when they break your water. I went from 5cm when they broke mine to baby in 90 minutes on Monday and the baby came out as the anesthesiologist was walking in.
Both times I’ve pumped while in labor to try to dilate more. If you do that remember a hands free pumping bra.
Definitely bring a sleep mask and headphones so you can get some sleep.
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Just wanted to say I was nervous about being induced this time but my midwives told me I had a good chance at it going well because my body already knew what to do because it had done it before. That was true for me. I did cervidil and the the lowest level of pitocin put me into labor. It felt a lot like my last labor which was spontaneous. Being hooked up to monitors and IVs was annoying but otherwise it went well. I hope the same for you!
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I was induced with my first and my third. Both times just pitocin bc I had already started dilating. With my first, I started at 2cm and with my 3rd, I started at 5cm but with the lowest dosage possible and that did the trick and it progressed really fast. Unfortunately, my first didn't and I got stuck at 9cm and ended up with a csection.
This might be just me, but I was starving throughout my induction so I would eat something hearty beforehand bc they don't let you eat anything. With my first, the induction was 24 hours and my husband came in sometime in the middle with McDonalds and I wanted to strangle him
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Oh and tips: ask if they offer wireless monitoring or monitoring that allows you to get out of bed. Also ask about liquid meals if it goes past a meal time. I was able to have anything liquid- broth, Gatorade, a clear meal replacement with protein in it. So even though I didn’t eat for 13 hours I wasn’t hungry.
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My induction went extremely quickly - Cervidil alone was enough to put me into labor! I got the Cervidil around 10pm, the nurse checked me at 1am and I was still only 2cm dilated (which is what I came into the hospital at) and a little more effaced. Tons of pain starting about 1am, water broke at 2:30am and the Cervidil fell out, baby born 3:30am.
So I don't think my tips will be useful, but it's a possibility if your body is ready! Good luck!!
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I one and only induction took forever just b/c I was induced at 39 with GD but I wasn't dilated, effaced, anything (aka should've waited longer). I'd just say eat a good meal and be ready for anything! It took 2 rounds of Cervidil (over 12 hours) to get me going enough for pitocin and epidural.
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I had a very mild induction due to high blood pressure and itching, I was already 4cm but not experiencing contractions so they just broke my water no pitocin needed. I definitely agree to eat before they start the process, even with my mild induction I wasn't allowed to eat once they got started.
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I had two inductions. Definitely second the ref on wireless monitoring— it really helped me to be able to move around. I did a lot of yoga poses, like cat/cow, hip circles, etc. for lo2 I basically split the time between being on my hands and knees and squatting lol. Both my labors were long (36hrs and 16hrs) but pushing was fast— 40 min and 5 min— my body needed the time to labor down! I also didn’t get an epi either time for the first 12 hours or so on pitocin, and that’s not for everyone.
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Definitely eat before and have your phone charger or laptop in case it is slow to take effect
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