Bringing a new life into this world is a big thing! All the what ifs plague expectant mothers. We spend hours googling to try and find information to help us make the tough decisions. One of those tough decisions is to induce or not to induce. Here are 10 things you need to know about being induced from a mom who was induced four times.
Check out this post To Induce or Not to Induce: 5 questions you Need to Answer Before Deciding to Medically Induce Labor
What is a induction and how does it work.
01 THE MEDICINE USED FOR INDUCING LABOR
The most common medicine used is Pictocin which is the synthetic version of oxytocin. this will be administered by an IV drip.
To ripen the cervix your OBGYN may give you prostaglandins. This helps to soften and thin your cervix so your baby can pass through. This medicine can be given by mouth or be placed in your vagina.
Alternatively your doctor may place a Foley bulb into your vagina that slowly fills to widen the cervix.
When I was being induced I started with a steady stream of pitocin. They slowly increased or decreased the IV drip that administers the medication depending on how my contractions were going and, how my cervix was dilating and effacing.
I did not have a great experience on pitocin with my first born. You can read all about that here and what I did differently for every subsequent induction that made all the difference.
02 WHEN IS INDUCTION ADMINISTERED
Most elective inductions will not be done until after 39 weeks. More time in the womb has measurable positive effects. Read about those here!
My OBGYN preferred after 40 weeks. Your OBGYN may suggest alternative induction methods, such as stripping your membranes first, before scheduling an induction.
Speak with your OBGYN about you specific needs and circumstances before being induced. They want a healthy baby and a healthy mama both physically and mentally.
03 WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR INDUCTION IS SCHEDULED
If this is your first child you may be scheduled to begin your induction at night. This was the case with me. I was a week late with my first son and I wasn’t really dilated or effaced. Being my first it is assumed it will take longer for my body to prepare and give birth. They were right. 24.2 hours to be exact.
If this isn’t your first time around the block you will most likely be scheduled very early in the morning. Like 5:30….AM. It’s terrible, because you know your not going to get much sleep the night before and you are in for a long day of, well, laboring. Eye on the prize mama. You’ve got this, I promise.
You may have a few weeks or a few hours before your induction but the roller coaster of nerves will be there all the same. Breath deep and focus on getting to hold your baby.
04 BE PREPARED TO WAIT
Induced labor on average takes a little longer then a labor that comes on naturally. Remember you are often starting at square one with an induction, where when your labor begins at home you do most of your laboring at home and just show up to the hospital for the big show.
I was one week late for all 4 of my boys and despite being 41 weeks my inductions took 24, 12, 6 and 14 hours. In that order.
I was only a few centimetres dilated and maybe 50% effaced when I went in for most of my inductions. I was starting with a little something but not much. Although I did find the first 8 centimetres took the longest and 8-10 centimetres happened like lightening!
05 YOUR WATER MAY BE BROKEN WITH HELP FROM YOUR OBGYN
This was the case for all 4 of my labor inductions. My contractions were definitely coming and doing their job but just not breaking my water. We could have waited it out but breaking my water helped my body kick into gear and move the process along, which I was all for!
Basically your OBGYN will insert what looks like a crochet hook into your cervix, and tear the placenta. This does not harm you or your baby but it is very uncomfortable. Lots of pressure but, well, your giving birth so this in not the greatest discomfort you will experience.
If you have had your membranes stripped in an attempt to induce labor you are well prepared for this procedure. Having your water broken is very common during non-induced labor too.
06 BEING INDUCED CAN MAKE CONTRACTIONS HARDER AND FASTER
According to the Mayo Clinic, Pitocin ( synthetic version of oxytocin ) and/or prosteglandens given orally or placed in the cervix can cause contractions to come faster and more irregular. This can cause a low fetal heart rate because less oxygen is being passed to your baby.
This is what happened to me during my first induction with my oldest son. Read more about that here. I was given Pitocin and my contractions near the end came fast and hard. The nurses told me, I may need to have an emergency C-section because my baby’s heart rate was low!
They gave me an oxygen mask and told me to start pushing. Ya, you could say I was highly motivated! He came out in four pushes healthy and safe!
07 INDUCTIONS CAN FAIL
By fail, I mean you end up needing an emergency/unplanned C-Section. Yes this is a scary thought but this can be the out come of any labor induced or not.
When the nurses told me my first born son’s heart rate was low and concerning and I may need an emergency C-section I burst into tears!
I felt fear for my child’s life! I felt guilt, thoughts of “if only I hadn’t induced, this wouldn’t be happening.”
This is not an experience I wish for anyone. But I’m grateful I was surrounded by the technology that alerted the nurses to my child’s low heart rate and trained professionals that could perform a emergency c-section if needed.
I was blessed to not have to, but I’m so glad I live in a day and age where this life saving option exists.
Don’t be sacred, be informed about this potential outcome. Speak about it in-depth with your OBGYN to relieve your fears and become prepared.
08 THEY ARE GOING TO HOOK YOU UP…LITERALLY
First to the IV to administer the Pitocin, then a fetal heart rate monitor and contraction monitor on your belly with giant stretchy pink bands, possibly a pressure cuff on your arm, an oxygen monitor on your finger and if your having an epidural add another wire to your spine and a catheter to your bladder. Your going to look awesome!
You and your baby’s heart rates will be monitored constantly, that might even mean a fetal heart rate monitor up the birth canal to the top of baby’s head. Yep, had that one!
It’s not going to feel all that great and a little constricting. But just remember my experience and how important it is to monitor you and baby when your being induced. When it comes time to push and greet your little one you aren’t going to care one bit!
09 YOU ARE IN CONTROL
Your doctors and nurses will tell you what their normal practice is when administering Pitocin etc. That doesn’t mean you have no say.
With my first born I was a week late and chose to be induced. I let the doctors make all the decisions never questioning them, because I honestly didn’t think I could. I don’t have a medical degree! I’ve never done this before!
But that doesn’t mean I can’t ask why or for alternative options and explanations. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask why.
With my first born they gave me large doses of Pitocin to get my body started. Your body can take a little extra shove the first time it gives birth. However this led to contractions coming on too hard and too fast. So much so it was affecting my son’s heart rate and we were at risk of a C-section if I didn’t push him out fast enough.
Words no mother wants to here but boy where they motivating! Four pushes later I was holding my son in my arms.
When I was being induced for all 3 subsequent pregnancies I told them to decrease the amount and slow down the dosage. They gave me the usual sh-peal of “that’s not normally what we do” but in the end they did it and it went so much smoother with no complications
Read more details about this experience and exactly what I did differently the next 3 times here!
10 YOU MIGHT HAVE FEELINGS OF ANXIETY/CANCEL YOUR SCHEDULED INDUCTION A FEW TIMES
I probably drove the scheduling nurse crazy! I was a week late with all of my inductions but I was still plagued by guilt, anxiety and frustration. You think after 3 deliveries my body would have figured things out but there I was 1 week late with baby boy number 4! Read my article about how to survive waiting for baby here!
I wanted to have the experience of labor beginning at home and coming on naturally. I didn’t want to feel like I was forcing it. But that was my reality. I felt pressure and fear from all sides. You can read more about why I decided to induce here.
You’re totally normal to feel anxious right up until your holding your baby in your arms. Almost every time while getting dressed into that hospital gown, I wanted to break down and cry with all the overwhelming feelings I was experiencing.
Remember you are in control. You can choose to wait or choose to go forward. It’s your choice!
11 PEOPLE MAY DISAGREE WITH YOUR DECISION OR MAKE YOU FEEL BAD ABOUT YOUR DECISION
Deciding to induce feels like a very heavy weight on your shoulders. You’ve done your research, consulted your doctor, you have outside pressures (read more about those here), and your ready to meet your baby.
But well meaning family and friends WILL make comments not meant to sting but they do. Even just side comments made me question myself and my husband’s decision to induce.
Honestly I still do question it. Maybe if I had waited they would have come the next day or I could technically go to 42 weeks. Though that thought is less then thrilling.
Everyone is going to have their opinion, experiences and second cousin’s best friend’s story to share. But that doesn’t make your decision to Induce bad or wrong. We live in a time where this is a safe option.
In the end I know it was the right decision for me and my family and our circumstances to induce labor. Stand by your decision and make it good no matter what. Your going to be so busy loving on your new born to waist time dwelling on “what ifs” and other people’s opinions!
CONCLUSION
I’m not a medical professional, just a mom with experience of being induced 4 times. I really hope this break down helps you make a good decision for your and your family. Please share your experience and advise! I love to hear them.