?'s about Labor Induction

[HoustonMom]

I have a few ?'s. I am due with my 2nd child on January 14th.

DH and I moved to Houston just a few months ago and do not have anyone to call (friends) when I go into labor, to take care of our 3 year old daughter. We do have sitter whom we use frequently (retired nurse) who we will hire to come watch Kennon while I am in labor. So....considering this, we have opted to be induced so that we can plan which day I will go to the hospital and have our sitter "booked". A side note to mention too was that our daughter Kennon was 10 days early and 7 1/2 pounds..had she gone full term, she would have been almost too big for me to deliver vaginally, so says the OB...so this is the "official reason" for her to induce me.

OK...so..here's my question (now that I have babbled).

TOmorrow I go to the OB for my check up, I'll be 37 1/2 wks. She told me last week that I can choose any day to be induced, up to two weeks prior to my due date. DH and I are htinking next Friday the 3rd (11 dyas early).

Have any of you been induced early and how did it go? How long did it take? If this was your 2nd child, did it go pretty fast? Were you already dilated and/or effaced at all? Did your OB ripen your cevix? If so, what drug/cream/pill did he/she use? Did you get an epi early (prior to 6 cm?).

I know that some people do not agree with early induction for the convenience of the DR or parents, so I am NOT wanting to start that conversation. I just want feedback from Mom's who have "been there, done that".

I really appreicate your input!

[January]

I respect your decision as right for you. My story... I was overdue and went in for induciton. For three times all together I was given cervadil on the cervix to ripen it... Eight hours pitocin only dialted to two. Next day in again 8 hours pitocin dialated to three. I took two days off and came in again. After 5 hours of pitocin induction, dilated to 7 fully effaced and fetal distress with transverse presentation... He came via emergency c-section a full 14 days overdue.

That was a first birth experience. I am unable to ever be pitocin induced because of the risks during a VBAC. I would never tell a friend to do it unless labor had somehow started.. like dilation or effacement or waterbreaking.

If you feel it is right for you do it but you may not want to do the "long haul" like I did with three days of induction. THat was insane. I would recommend getting something to ripen at your next apt. to help things along, then whatever you and your doc decide about January 3rd!

Good luck, I hope you have an easy birth

[born2birth]

I would hope they would check the baby's condition before inducing early. Some 38-weekers can have breathing difficulties. I was induced with my 3rd, but not early. He was 11 days late. I was already dilated to 3cm and it took about 8 hours.

[djk42]

Because of the potential health risks to you and your baby, I would wait until the week you are due to consider induction. Many people have delivery 8 1/2 pound babies or even bigger with no troubles (including my grandma with her 12# first baby). Your first child 'paved the way' for a larger seceond baby. All three of mine were 8 1/2 and born 10-21 days late.

I am biting my tongue here you understand. :)

[DoulaAmanda]

Unless you are under 5 ft tall and 100 lbs, you shouldn't have problems giving birth to a 7-8 lb baby (and probably even then). Your body is made for birthing babies, and it is VERY rare for someone to be carrying a baby that is too big for them to push out. Your baby was only 1.5 wks early, and probably would have gained only a few more ounces if anything at all during that time.

[HoustonMom]

Since you don't know how I am physically built, any type of reference to me being able to deliver a baby over a certain weight, is really not appropriate. Other ladies don't have problems with larger babes, but unfortunately, that's not me.

Thanks to those of who were supportive and respect my choice.

[LDM]

Hi - I was induced 9 days overdue. I wasn't ready but the OB had a 10 day overdue rule. I will get a new OB next time. Anyway that's an entire other story. I was effaced and dialated about 2 cm I think. It's been 15 months so I don't remember entirely. I was induced with gel at 8:00 am, walked for 4 hours, had my water broken at 12:15 pm, walked for 4 hours, got picotin at 4:30, I was pretty prepared for labour, used some good pain management techniques but it was hell. The picotin creates very intense contractions. Anyway we did okay. I dialated quite quickly by about 9:00 pm I was fully dialated. Pushed for 1.5 hours and she still hadn't descended. Decided on a C-Section at 10:30. My dd was born at 11:50 pm. I believe that I could have avoided a C-Section if I had of waited a few days, not been induced and if I hadn't been connected to a picotin IV. I empathize with your situation with getting some one to care for your daughter but my experience is not one I would care to repeat. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Lori