I was induced at 37 weeks. I was given cervidil the night before (it did nothing) and started on pitocin the next morning. The most painful part for me was pitocin + the foley balloon – I went from 1cm to 7 cm in 4 hours (I was all about doing as much as possible to move things along!)! I went into the experience having no idea if I’d get an epidural (I couldn’t imagine the sort of pain I’d be in and really had nothing to compare it to)… I did get one, 8 hours after starting pitocin. I have no idea how painful labor would have been if I didn’t have pitocin (or foley or had my water manually broken)…
I was very worried (about the pain, having a failed induction, etc.) but in the end, I had a REALLY positive induction experience, especially since I was starting from scratch (not dilated, etc.). The one downside was that I pushed for 2.5 hours (if I didn’t have an epidural, I likely would have been a more effective pusher…)!
Pitocin works differently in everyone.
I had 2 inductions for my daughter (now a year old). The 1st attempt I was given 2-3 applications of Cervidil to ripen my cervix and then given Pitocin. I didn’t feel anything. The RN would come in to check on my progress and tell me I was having a contraction and asked me what I felt. I told her nothing. After approximately 24 hrs of pitocin and little progress I asked to be discharged. I was able to be discharged because my water had not broken yet.
2nd attempt, they started directly with the pitocin and I still didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel anything until they broke my water. Then things started to hurt. I tried the ball, walking around, rocking in the rocking chair (most comfortable option for me) for about 5 hours or so. My labor was mostly in my back so the only thing that really helped was standing in a hot shower with the water pouring on my back. My RN told me that if I wanted an epidural, to let her know about an hr before I thought I would hit my pain limit because that’s how long it takes to get it set up and for the pain relief to kick in.
I did the epidural which was a huge relief for my back pain. I ended up with a C-section because I never progressed beyond 8 cm and my daughter’s heart was starting to show signs of irritation.
The most annoying part about the whole delivery process for me was dragging the IV pole around everywhere and being hooked up to monitors for my heart, my daughters heart and having to disconnect everything when I got up to pee.
If you can, ask for a wireless heart monitor. It allows you to move around more freely. Also, I recommend wearing a sports bra or something like it to keep your pump clipped to. Those hospital gowns don’t have pockets.
i was induced with my first baby and it was so awful (pitocin, stadol, epidural) that i switched doctors with my second baby and made the new doctor promise me to NOT use pitocin. unfortunately, water broke, no contraction and once again I had to be induced. BUT the doctor that time, explained that she was going to give me the smallest dosage of pitocin in hopes that it would be enough to start the contractions, and it did. I still got the epidural because I wanted to concentrate on my baby being born, not the pain) and it was absolutely one of the most magical moments of my life. So, ask your obgyn if s/he thinks they can start with a tiny bit of pitocin. that would be my advice. Also, try to avoid stadol (no idea how it is spelled), took me three days to lose the high (not blood sugar).
I was induced with my first child and had an amazing birthing experience. I was induced at 7am got an epidural once I hit 4cm dilated (before I felt any pain) by 12 pm I was pushing and he was delivered at 12:15. I did opt for pain meds at one point in my labor and will never ever ever touch any pain meds again. The room was spinning for a good hour it was absolutely AWFUL! I will just stick with the epidural this time around.
I was induced in January 2010, and I didn’t have an epidural. I didn’t need pitocin, though. The Cervidil was enough to start labor. It was started at 8 in the morning, and my daughter was born at 10:16 that night. The labor was painful, definitely, but it can be done. I went into the hospital expecting to want an epidural, but when the time came I realized I didn’t want it anymore. My daughter weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz., and I did ask for ibuprofen afterwards, but otherwise I felt great as soon as it was over.
Of course, things go differently for everyone and I was really fortunate. Good luck, and no matter what, it will be fine.
I was induced all my pregnancies. The first three I got epidurals because I was a wussy about pain. After the third, I decided not to get another epidural and do the 4th naturally. I did have a natural birth. The first 7 cm weren’t that bad for me. After that, the pain was horrible. The transition period went by quickly (well, it felt like forever to me), and right after my 4 1/2-hour labor, the pain went away instantly, and I felt alive! There is definitely a strong feeling of bonding that happens for you AND for the baby. My baby also breastfed right away like a pro, the totally opposite of the other 3. I loved feeling awake and alert rather than way to sleepy and groggy with the epidural. Healing time is quicker as well.
The pain is horrible, but it is definitely worth it if you don’t want to experience much of the pain afterwards. Also, if you were to ask me right after delivery if I would go natural again, I probably would have said I’d seriously think about getting the epidural next time. After about the 3rd day after delivery, I forgot what the actual pain felt like. I would definitely go natural again.
If you want a natural birth, definitely voice that you want the pitocin controlled to where if you think it’s getting unbearable, the nurse will dial it down. That’s key. Make sure that your OB is on board with your decision to go as naturally as possible.
Well ladies, thanks for all your replies! It’s so great to hear about your experiences. Now my doctor doesn’t want to induce because of the size of the baby, so it’s looking like a c-section is in my near future. I’m not too thrilled about that, but it is what it is! I’m just looking forward to not being pregnant and meeting my not-so-little guy!
