Questions & Answers

Agree with football girl, my labor by induction was no worse than my two natural labors;)

I'm being induced at 38 weeks because of hypertension. I've heard (from multiple people with experience and my doctor) that as long as the Pitocin is started off in a nice, small dose, so it doesn't shock your body, being induced is no more painful than natural labor.

Thanks ladies. Great I also just talked to several mums at school who've had inductions also. If they do the drip here they give the epidural then as they're saying the contractions are worse than a natural labour.
So I guess I'll no more next week with what's happening with me

ARM is sometimes done with the midwife's fingers (stretch and sweep) but more commonly an amnihook. Just a little plastic device that is inserted into your vagina and then used to gently break your waters. It shouldn't hurt, it's just uncomfortable.

Prostglandin is just a gel applied to your cervix or sometimes a little pessary tablet placed near your cervix. This helps to ripen your cervix and get it ready to dilate. Again this will just be uncomfortable when inserted. Prostglandin is usually used in combination with the oxytocin drip that brings on contractions.

Nothing to be scared of :)

I can't comment on the GD but these are the three ways that they induce labour:

An induction of labour involves starting a womenâ??s labour before it starts naturally. It is performed in three ways:
1. artificial rupture of the membranes (ARM),
2. the use of prostaglandin gel applied to the cervix,
3. the use of oxytocin in an intravenous drip; all of these are used to bring on contractions

I also read that it's not just an over sized baby they're concerned with that's the placenta starts to deteriate towards the end of the pregnancy with GD and that's another reason they induced.

I have also had one child and went though all of the labour until the pushing stage and was given the epidural as they didn't think I'd be able to push her out so that's why they agreed to give it to me so late.

So I am 100% having it this time earlier when I require it

I have heard of inductions for GD, but usually it occurs because the baby grows too big. If you are well managed, then the baby will continue to grow at a normal pace and to a normal size, therefore not always indicating an earlier induction. (at least here in the states)
Also, I've had 2 inductions. My first- water broke at home without labor, so was induced with pitocin. Didn't really care for it- felt like labor was too intense and had lots of back labor. (maybe not related to pitocin but was in my opinion)
2nd was elective induction at 39.2wks and only required cervadil tablets. Was having contractions at home and was dilated to 2cm when I went in. Had 3 cervadil tablets vaginally and then my water broke spontaneously. Baby came very fast, was able to squeeze in an epidural and then he was there. Aside from the fast (scary for me) part, it was much easier than pit induced contractions. Im sure you will take good care of yourself and this won't even be a worry for you later!

Also has anyone been induced is it painful, unconfutable, what happens and what do they do ?