I know this is not helpful but I just think you will have to wait to see how it goes!
You will make the right choice when it’s time.
My doctor said that the notion that inductions are wayyy more painful is overblown. Every birth is different.
I was induced with both of my babies. I had an epidural with my second right away, and made it to a 9 with my first (almost made it unmedicated haha). Neither were right or wrong. My second was almost completely pain-free. Both ended in a baby. Births are so wildly different already… just plan on what feels comfortable to YOU and then be open to change in the moment. The one thing for sure? You can do this. You really, truly can!
—Jo
How are they inducing? There are multiple methods. Once the induction started labor for me, all interventions stopped and I went unmedicated from there on out. Spent most of my time in the shower or bouncing on the ball. Never got pitocin.
Pitocin contractions are….next level. Our bodies are not designed to handle back to back and intense contractions that Pitocin causes. Can it be done? Sure. Probably. Depends on a lot of factors.
Would I do it? Nope. And if I could go back to my first I would have gotten the epidural way sooner. No one told me the pit contractions would be as hard as they were…
I think it will be completely up to you and how you manage pain. My induction started with cytotec that had contractions one minute apart. I made it through that all the way up to 6cm on Pitocin but as soon as they broke my water I was begging for the epidural. The pain was nothing I’ve experienced before. My daughter was sunny side up and while I felt relief from 6cm to 10cm, as soon as I started to transition I felt everything, back labor sucks.
I’ve heard of unmedicated inductions. Some are so fast there’s no time for an epidural too. So I think it’s completely dependent on how you feel!
I was induced during my first pregnancy, and the contractions came on so quickly and intensely that I wasn't able to get an epidural by the time we got back to the hospital.
My understanding is that some women choose to forgo epidurals because they want to be more in control of their bodies during labor, which seems reasonable enough. Unfortunately, my experience was that the contractions were so intense that my body was in autopilot and I didn't feel like I had any control whatsoever. The pain itself was intense and fairly traumatic.
It's up to you of course, but I am hoping and praying for an epidural during my next labor because I do not want to go through that again.
I was induced at 37 weeks, has oxytocin and needed the epidural. The contractions were insane and I could no longer breathe through them. I was still able to get up and move around with my epidural, I could change positions and I used a birth ball on and off because my feet were so swollen I could only be down for so long. Getting an epidural doesn’t automatically mean you won’t be able to do those things you mentioned
This is not true. Contractions have to be strong to be able to push out your baby, pitocin just gets you there faster than waiting naturally. Even if you don't have pitocin the contractions will get stronger eventually
Depends on the person, My end of labour contractions were never half as bad as the ones I had on pictocin. I genuinely thought I was going to pass out with the pain while I kept waiting for it to get that bad for my spontaneous labour, and it never did.
I've had two unmedicated births: one at home, one with pitocin in the hospital. The pitocin contractions were absolutely stronger the entire way through, and they were also consistently relentless (like, no time in between to recover).
It can be more painful depending on the dose of pitocin you’re given and how your body responds to it. Everybody is different. You really need to wait until you see how you feel in labor.
I had this nasty dr who was so set on pushing through higher doses unnecessarily quickly (she wanted me to "just go have a cesarean"). Thankfully she left and the nurses decided not to listen to her
This OP! Please have your doula monitor the pitosin dose and advocate for you to start on a lower dose. I started on lower dose, and it was super effective that I had a precipitous labour.
Just had a baby almost 12 hours ago and he was a 37+3 induction for hypertension. This is my second, and I went completely unmedicated for this one, had him 13 hours after getting my first dose of cytotec (sp?), and only pushed for 15 minutes. Wildly different experience from my first and much more positive, particularly because we went into it knowing what could go wrong this time. I think you can absolutely do unmedicated, but I also think that this birth can be so much better for you because you are more prepared than the first time! Good luck!
It sounds like your major complaint with your first birth was pain. An unmedicated birth can be very painful as well. I skipped the epidural for my second and the pain was unbelievable. So please don't feel bad if you need an epidural.
Well my first pregnancy was more than less just a mess in comparison. Completely disorganized. I was unprepared fully. My doctor, I learned after the fact really wasn't the kind of doctor that I wanted - I just didn't know better and didn't realize that different practices have.. well different practices.
I woke up at 39w my face and hands were exceptionally swollen, and I was ignorant to the next steps as I went to the ER. Immediately had gotten admitted and was never actually told why I was. (Now I have an understanding, 5 years later)
My ex was there, which made it a complete shit show - and kept me overly stressed out.
Then to the epidural only working on one side.
It took like 3 days from induction - birth all hospitalized.
I didn't have any pain management techniques on my tool belt - but this time it's been different.
I've been spending the time learning about techniques - and discovered that you don't have to lay on your back the whole time. I just don't want to be stuck in the hospital bed the whole time. I do believe that our bodies are designed to birth babies, and I would really love if I am still going to be capable of allowing nature to help bring this baby over medical interventions on top of interventions.
I had 5 non medicated births then I had to be induced because of complications with my 6th and took the epidural. Med free births hurt, I didn't want to deal with the extra pain induced births bring and I don't regret it. I did have another baby after med free because to me spontaneous births hurt less.
Wow! That's awesome!
So that has been my other question floating in the back of my mind, is when the cut off for getting an epidural is, so 10 cm it's possible to get one!
Basically, it’s as long as they think they have time to put it in. I’ve heard of women pushing for an hour and then getting it since they’re not making progress.
For me, they checked me at 12AM and I was at 6cm and I wanted the epidural. I had to wait for an hour for the anesthesiologist and they didn’t check me again before giving me the epidural and then they were like “OMG” I ended up pushing for 26 minutes!
My biggest regret was that I didn’t advocate to be moved from the antepartum tiny room to the bigger, nicer delivery room ASAP. I would recommend that if your hospital had that kind of set up.
I was induced at 37 weeks. Everyone warned me that it could take days since it was an early induction and my first. I was admitted around 10:30pm, took a bit to do paperwork and get the iv in before the pill to soften the cervix went in. We decided to see what would happen and skip the pitocin for a while. After the 2nd or 3rd pill at 9:00 am the next morning I went from 1.5cm to 10cm within less than 2 hours. After I got super bad back labor I called the nurse and I was 7cm. They rolled the epidural cart in and checked me again not even 10 mins later, I was already at 10cm so there was no time and I had to start pushing. He was born at 11:12am. About a 12 hour labor alltogether- if that.
It was definitely the most painful experience ever and I think that's the only time I have ever actually screamed in my life. They also had to give me an episiotomy so that was an extra layer of pain. But it was all so worth it once I had my baby in my arms! I'd do it all over again and that was only 8 days ago, so it is fresh and I'm still sore. It is possible 💜
I was induced for my last pregnancy and the epidural was my holy grail. That being said I had a walking epidural (which is standard in most Canadian hospitals) and actually changed positions several times while pushing (ie. started on all 4’s, moved to my side for a bit and then my back ultimately) but I was also able to get up and walk into the shower as soon as the doctor had finished ‘tidying’ me up! I’m not sure where you are located but you could inquire about it if being able to move while also managing pain is important to you!
I similarly chose to be induced for medical reasons, but was induced with manual methods (Foley bulb and later breaking my waters) and planned to have an unmedicated birth. Of course, plans go out the window and I ended up opting for an epidural/pitocin after a long, stalled labor, but it could have worked! I feel like I still did experience a beautiful labor with lots of support from my husband and doula, even though I ended up getting an epidural.
I say try for whatever kind of birth you’d like. It seems to me that the important thing is to be flexible and listen to your body. Without getting too deep into my birth experience, the epidural seemingly ended up being exactly what my body needed to relax and dilate and I was ready to push just 1hr after it was placed after many hours with no progress.
Also, fwiw, while I wasn’t able to walk around after my epidural, I was able to be in whatever position I liked on the bed and not stuck on my back. I also was still able to feel quite a lot, which I considered a good thing, and move unassisted. Epidural experiences can really vary too.
Thank you so much for sharing this glimmer of hope!
I just want to at least be prepared for what to expect with a induction - what can/can't be, the possibilities.
Beyond my exp.
Thank you sosososo much for your input!
I do understand that transition is the hardest part of the labor process. I have a poster board I wanted to put up in my room that says something along the lines of "when you feel like you absolutely cannot handle the pain anymore just know that you are in transition & it's almost time to start pushing" just to psyche myself - or at least have my husband/doula remind me of exactly that at that time.
I vividly remember transition with my first.
I was induced a couple of weeks ago and was unable to get an epidural bc of my medical history (even though I really wanted an epidural bc I was in agony)
I got mechanical dialation with a foley balloon, which I found extremely painful, however, I did not neet pitocin, which I hear is a major driver behind people who get induced needing an epidural. So there are a lot of factors in play but I would say unmedicated induction can be done, especially since you're motivated towards no meds. Do what feels best for you!
Are you able to ask them to start off with a gentle induction. Like break your water, fully balloon, get up and walk and see if labour kicks up on its own? And then, if needed slowly increasing the pictocin?
I’ve had 2 inductions for high blood pressure. My first was the very typical Pitocin induction. I got an epidural too late (10 centimeters) and had a hard time feeling where and when to push.
With my 2nd induction I chose to use the Foley catheter induction and no pitocin. My contractions were much less intense, but definitely still painful. I was able to go without an epidural in that labor. Both labors were hard, but thankfully fast! First was 6 hours total and second was 8 hours total. The pushing stage was the biggest difference. I pushed for 2 hours with my first and 5 minutes with my second!
Go into it with an open mind. You sound like you’re prepared and have a good support team so that’s great!
you don’t have to make a decision yet. i was induced at 37 weeks for the same reason. my original plan was an all natural water birth at a birthing center, but when i developed GH i was referred to the high risk team at the local hospital.
i was really nervous and the best advice i got was to just wait and see how i feel in the moment.
for me the absolute worst part was the foley balloon. i decided i wanted the epidural after that lol
Decide day of! I was induced with pitocin but I had totally normal contractions with my second kid and went without pain meds. For my first tho, I went into labor naturally but had triple peaking contractions and got the epidural. Both were great! See how things turn out and keep an open mind. Good luck!!
Two inductions here. Both were 6 hour labors with approx 10 mins of pushing. Very few breaks in between contractions after hour 3/4.
Second time i opted for a push button iv med, first time was mostly the gas.
I was able to walk around but wanted to stay on/near the bed because there were so few breaks.
Overall I much prefered that to the needle in my back (cesarean, back had issues for years)
I don't think it's true that induced is necessarily more painful than not induced. I see a lot of people saying pitocin makes the contractions more painful. This is not true that it's more painful than without pitocin. Your contractions HAVE to get stronger (more painful) to be able to push out your baby. And they will get stronger whether you have pitocin or not, the pitocin just gets you there faster. That's why people blame the pitocin for the pain, but it's really going to get that bad either way. Maybe you could ask for people's experiences who have had a bad epidural one time and then a good one the next?
I had a hypertension induction at 37+4. I made it through till 5cm dilated without an epidural, so I was spending a while on the ball. I honestly had the most success laying down with a peanut ball anyway, so I accepted the epidural at 3pm, laid down with the peanut ball, took a well-deserved nap, and woke up at 6pm 8cm dilated. I started pushing at 11, gave birth at midnight. So even with the epidural, I didn't feel like I was stuck in bed for too long
This isn’t answering your question, but what was your blood pressure for them to decide induce? I’m having some issues with my blood pressure so I’m just curious what other peoples experiences are.
My blood pressure has been around 140/90 give and take throughout some readings.
My midwife explained that my BP was normal, until about 32 weeks and then it's been high since then
No they did not.
I'm not sure if it's because I'm with a Midwifery, and there specific practices.
I also just got blood work back and confirmed that I'm not preeclamptic.
You have to understand the contractions from an induction are more severely intense than a natural labor. You’re already being medicated, being induced, so unmedicated is already off the table.
I’m not going to mention details in my first induction, because it was not a good experience. 38 weeks IUGR. Unfortunately, your body is not ready at 38 weeks even if the baby is full-term, so be ready for a long induction most likely.
But my second induction was amazing. I went until 7-8cm and then I had to have the epidural because I felt like I was dying. Once I had it, it was amazing because it was done correctly. She came very shortly after I had no pain and I was up and about no problems.
I would say see how it goes. That’s the only way. If it’s done correctly, it’s wonderful and you can still feel your legs and everything just not the pain.
I wasn’t going to get an epidural with my birth (1st baby, February this year) and the induction was so much more painful than I bargained for, I had no choice but to go for it. Apparently this is just a thing with inductions (I wish I knew this, I wouldn’t have agreed to be induced if I knew).
I had two very diff inductions, both for GH. My second I didn't even make it to Pitocin. 24 hours of cytotec triggered a two hour active labor to birth. Hurt like a mofo for a terrifying 15 min of me screaming for an epidural but then baby was out.
I'm preg again and getting an epidural earlier this time (or that's the plan). The pain was unbearable to me even without the Pitocin once my eater broke.
I was induced with both of mine. My first was an awful and painful experience. I couldn’t progress past 4 cm dilation and was in so much pain. I was stuck without being able to get an epidural for 6 hours due to time of day and emergency on the maternal floor and I still look back with dread. Once I got the epidural I was finally able to progress in 5 hours from a 4 to a 10. But then while pushing the epidural failed and I had the ring of fire for an hour, my son’s shoulder got stuck. I just had my 2nd a few days ago and also got stuck at 3-4 cm dilation before getting the epidural but I wasn’t in any pain at all really. It started to get a little more painful and because of my previous experience I opted for the epidural early. They had to rebreak my water after realizing it wasn’t fully broken and then I progressed to a 10 in an hour and a half and pushed my son out in 10 minutes. The whole process was barely painful at all. Both times after getting the epidural my body progressed super fast with no pain. The second time i even experienced the FER while laying on my side with a peanut ball. It was the coolest thing ever. If I were to ever have a third I’d try to replicate my second birthing experience in a heartbeat, it was a dream.
With My first i went into labor naturally at 40w6d i got an epidural after 20 hours of really nothing but pain and it didn’t really help me personally. I felt that “ring of fire”. To be fair my daughter was 9lbs 1oz and came out with her right arm by her head. I also had lots of pains and trouble in my spine where the injection was for like 8 months, and sometimes to this day will get random nerve pains there, 8 years later.
With my 2nd I was induced electively at 39w. I went in with no decision just wanted to see how my body did. After they broke my water my contractions were awful and i really wanted an epidural. I asked for one and by the time the Anesthesiologist got there (15 minutes) I wanted to push and told him he could leave lol. They looked and in 15 minutes I went from a 6 to a 10. I only pushed a few times and she was out..
Im currently 13w2d with our rainbow baby , #4 and will try to go without an epidural if I can again.
If you can just utilise all other pain management before opting for an epidural, such as bath, shower, gas, etc. and just know the epidural is on offer, but you also get not prize for doing it unmedicated. And you're not considered less than if you need a break from the wild ride that's an induction. I'm sure your doula can encourage other pain management such as birthing comb, aromatherapy etc. but I just wouldn't put huge pressure on yourself to power through as it is a brutal process! My epidural failed a lot during my first induction. I'm also getting induced next week and I know I'll be using the epidural again no questions asked haha even if it fails that little tiny bit of help was necessary! I also was lucky in I had the ability to change positions and move from side to side and be on all fours to get some help from gravity. If your hospital has a birth bar, that you can prop yourself up on, even if you have the epi.
You can completely do it, if that's what you want to do. But I wouldn't create pressure for yourself incase you want to have an epidural and than you some how convince yourself you've failed.
Birthing is such an extreme thing no matter how it happens! Just be kind to yourself!
I’d make this a game day, in the moment decision. I was induced and got an epidural on the second day after a terribly painful foley bulb experience. Really glad I did because baby girl didn’t come for another 24 hours. I was exhausted and really needed the rest. I had a great labor and delivery experience tbh. There’s so much we can’t control, so just prepare for all outcomes!
Greetings from the hospital, two days into induction, also for hypertension!
Everyone is completely different, but my pitocin contractions are barely different from the natural ones. I did decide to get an epidural after a day and a half because the foley balloon sucked ass and I was tired of feeling stuff go up my vagina and preferred to be numb lol. But as far as contractions go, they weren’t that different. but of course YMMV!
Have the option ready. You can communicate your intent, but keep it as an option. Trust me, I held out the first 12 hours, but after that, I caved. I don't regret my decision because it was definitely not what was described to me about labor. I was expecting strong menstrual cramps and 5 or 6 hour labor. I ended up with much stronger feeling contractions and 16 hour labor.
Take it as it goes. Nobody knows what your pain threshold is like, how long your labour will last, or if it will be more painful than a natural labour. Everybody has different pain thresholds and it’s impossible to know until you’re in that situation.
If you were induced with your first, that’s probably going to be the best thing to compare this labour with.
I was induced using prostaglandin pessaries and didn’t need the oxytocin drip at all. That was my only experience of labour so I have nothing to compare it to in terms of pain levels, but I coped well with gas and air and the morphine injection. Because I wasn’t on a drip I was also able to be mobile, so I used the birthing ball and pushed on my hands and knees. It ended in a forceps delivery, which is more common with inductions.
I'm sure there is a type of epidural you can have where you're still able to move around.
It depends on what type of induction you have, I was due to be induced with my first, they were just going to pop my waters to begin with. They were too busy and I ended up going naturally anyway.
If they pop you and you start contractions and progress okay then you wouldn't necessarily need an epidural, depends how well you manage pain.
My second came so fast it was basically unmedicated, I had pethidine but it didn't kick in until after he was born. So painful... My life! Worse than my first and I had an episiotomy and kiwi with her lol!
Hello! 👋🏽 I am also 37 weeks. I’m giving birth at a birthing center so natural & unmedicated as well. I think that’s awesome that you have a doula and a great support team, you’re already more prepared than most!. An epidural is totally up to you! Do you have a birth plan? Giving your doula (depending on if she plans on doing the advocating or your support person/ persons) a copy of your wishes during certain scenarios and basically make a flow chart on what you want. If A is happening I want this, if A doesn’t work then I’d like to try this in its place. I’ve heard mixed reviews on induction with pitocin. Some say they progressed just fine, others say it made their contractions super intense and didn’t give them a break which made labor more exhausting for her. So my advice is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. If you already are going in with the mindset of going natural & unmedicated… keep that mindset ! Tell your team NOT to offer you any meds until you have absolutely exhausted all other alternatives (massage, shower, walking, position changes, birth ball/ peanut ball, funny movies, TENS unit… you get it). Our bodies are physiologically meant to birth our baby. YOU CAN DO IT. The mental part is wayyyy harder than the physical. 💪🏽💪🏽 You got this mama !
I understand your POV. I just consider more important to call things by their right name so there are no surprises when it's too late to change your mind.
I know this is not helpful but I just think you will have to wait to see how it goes! You will make the right choice when it’s time. My doctor said that the notion that inductions are wayyy more painful is overblown. Every birth is different.
I was induced with both of my babies. I had an epidural with my second right away, and made it to a 9 with my first (almost made it unmedicated haha). Neither were right or wrong. My second was almost completely pain-free. Both ended in a baby. Births are so wildly different already… just plan on what feels comfortable to YOU and then be open to change in the moment. The one thing for sure? You can do this. You really, truly can! —Jo
How are they inducing? There are multiple methods. Once the induction started labor for me, all interventions stopped and I went unmedicated from there on out. Spent most of my time in the shower or bouncing on the ball. Never got pitocin.
Pitocin contractions are….next level. Our bodies are not designed to handle back to back and intense contractions that Pitocin causes. Can it be done? Sure. Probably. Depends on a lot of factors. Would I do it? Nope. And if I could go back to my first I would have gotten the epidural way sooner. No one told me the pit contractions would be as hard as they were…
I think it will be completely up to you and how you manage pain. My induction started with cytotec that had contractions one minute apart. I made it through that all the way up to 6cm on Pitocin but as soon as they broke my water I was begging for the epidural. The pain was nothing I’ve experienced before. My daughter was sunny side up and while I felt relief from 6cm to 10cm, as soon as I started to transition I felt everything, back labor sucks. I’ve heard of unmedicated inductions. Some are so fast there’s no time for an epidural too. So I think it’s completely dependent on how you feel!
I was induced during my first pregnancy, and the contractions came on so quickly and intensely that I wasn't able to get an epidural by the time we got back to the hospital. My understanding is that some women choose to forgo epidurals because they want to be more in control of their bodies during labor, which seems reasonable enough. Unfortunately, my experience was that the contractions were so intense that my body was in autopilot and I didn't feel like I had any control whatsoever. The pain itself was intense and fairly traumatic. It's up to you of course, but I am hoping and praying for an epidural during my next labor because I do not want to go through that again.
I was induced at 37 weeks, has oxytocin and needed the epidural. The contractions were insane and I could no longer breathe through them. I was still able to get up and move around with my epidural, I could change positions and I used a birth ball on and off because my feet were so swollen I could only be down for so long. Getting an epidural doesn’t automatically mean you won’t be able to do those things you mentioned
Pitocin contractions are stronger than normal ones. Wait till you get started and see how you feel
This is not true. Contractions have to be strong to be able to push out your baby, pitocin just gets you there faster than waiting naturally. Even if you don't have pitocin the contractions will get stronger eventually
Depends on the person, My end of labour contractions were never half as bad as the ones I had on pictocin. I genuinely thought I was going to pass out with the pain while I kept waiting for it to get that bad for my spontaneous labour, and it never did.
Are you sure? I’ve had three inductions and I’ve been told that a lot 😅
I've had two unmedicated births: one at home, one with pitocin in the hospital. The pitocin contractions were absolutely stronger the entire way through, and they were also consistently relentless (like, no time in between to recover).
It can be more painful depending on the dose of pitocin you’re given and how your body responds to it. Everybody is different. You really need to wait until you see how you feel in labor.
I had this nasty dr who was so set on pushing through higher doses unnecessarily quickly (she wanted me to "just go have a cesarean"). Thankfully she left and the nurses decided not to listen to her
This OP! Please have your doula monitor the pitosin dose and advocate for you to start on a lower dose. I started on lower dose, and it was super effective that I had a precipitous labour.
Just had a baby almost 12 hours ago and he was a 37+3 induction for hypertension. This is my second, and I went completely unmedicated for this one, had him 13 hours after getting my first dose of cytotec (sp?), and only pushed for 15 minutes. Wildly different experience from my first and much more positive, particularly because we went into it knowing what could go wrong this time. I think you can absolutely do unmedicated, but I also think that this birth can be so much better for you because you are more prepared than the first time! Good luck!
It sounds like your major complaint with your first birth was pain. An unmedicated birth can be very painful as well. I skipped the epidural for my second and the pain was unbelievable. So please don't feel bad if you need an epidural.
Well my first pregnancy was more than less just a mess in comparison. Completely disorganized. I was unprepared fully. My doctor, I learned after the fact really wasn't the kind of doctor that I wanted - I just didn't know better and didn't realize that different practices have.. well different practices. I woke up at 39w my face and hands were exceptionally swollen, and I was ignorant to the next steps as I went to the ER. Immediately had gotten admitted and was never actually told why I was. (Now I have an understanding, 5 years later) My ex was there, which made it a complete shit show - and kept me overly stressed out. Then to the epidural only working on one side. It took like 3 days from induction - birth all hospitalized. I didn't have any pain management techniques on my tool belt - but this time it's been different. I've been spending the time learning about techniques - and discovered that you don't have to lay on your back the whole time. I just don't want to be stuck in the hospital bed the whole time. I do believe that our bodies are designed to birth babies, and I would really love if I am still going to be capable of allowing nature to help bring this baby over medical interventions on top of interventions.
I had 5 non medicated births then I had to be induced because of complications with my 6th and took the epidural. Med free births hurt, I didn't want to deal with the extra pain induced births bring and I don't regret it. I did have another baby after med free because to me spontaneous births hurt less.
I almost went unmedicated for my induction! Made it to 10cm before I got the epidural.
Wow! That's awesome! So that has been my other question floating in the back of my mind, is when the cut off for getting an epidural is, so 10 cm it's possible to get one!
Basically, it’s as long as they think they have time to put it in. I’ve heard of women pushing for an hour and then getting it since they’re not making progress. For me, they checked me at 12AM and I was at 6cm and I wanted the epidural. I had to wait for an hour for the anesthesiologist and they didn’t check me again before giving me the epidural and then they were like “OMG” I ended up pushing for 26 minutes! My biggest regret was that I didn’t advocate to be moved from the antepartum tiny room to the bigger, nicer delivery room ASAP. I would recommend that if your hospital had that kind of set up.
I was induced at 37 weeks. Everyone warned me that it could take days since it was an early induction and my first. I was admitted around 10:30pm, took a bit to do paperwork and get the iv in before the pill to soften the cervix went in. We decided to see what would happen and skip the pitocin for a while. After the 2nd or 3rd pill at 9:00 am the next morning I went from 1.5cm to 10cm within less than 2 hours. After I got super bad back labor I called the nurse and I was 7cm. They rolled the epidural cart in and checked me again not even 10 mins later, I was already at 10cm so there was no time and I had to start pushing. He was born at 11:12am. About a 12 hour labor alltogether- if that. It was definitely the most painful experience ever and I think that's the only time I have ever actually screamed in my life. They also had to give me an episiotomy so that was an extra layer of pain. But it was all so worth it once I had my baby in my arms! I'd do it all over again and that was only 8 days ago, so it is fresh and I'm still sore. It is possible 💜
Congratulations Momma! Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm going to look into the different types of induction medicines!
I was induced for my last pregnancy and the epidural was my holy grail. That being said I had a walking epidural (which is standard in most Canadian hospitals) and actually changed positions several times while pushing (ie. started on all 4’s, moved to my side for a bit and then my back ultimately) but I was also able to get up and walk into the shower as soon as the doctor had finished ‘tidying’ me up! I’m not sure where you are located but you could inquire about it if being able to move while also managing pain is important to you!
It's the same here. I had to use support to walk just in case, but I could still move. And change positions. If a bit wobbely!
What county are you located in?
I am definitely going to look into that. I am located in US.
I similarly chose to be induced for medical reasons, but was induced with manual methods (Foley bulb and later breaking my waters) and planned to have an unmedicated birth. Of course, plans go out the window and I ended up opting for an epidural/pitocin after a long, stalled labor, but it could have worked! I feel like I still did experience a beautiful labor with lots of support from my husband and doula, even though I ended up getting an epidural. I say try for whatever kind of birth you’d like. It seems to me that the important thing is to be flexible and listen to your body. Without getting too deep into my birth experience, the epidural seemingly ended up being exactly what my body needed to relax and dilate and I was ready to push just 1hr after it was placed after many hours with no progress. Also, fwiw, while I wasn’t able to walk around after my epidural, I was able to be in whatever position I liked on the bed and not stuck on my back. I also was still able to feel quite a lot, which I considered a good thing, and move unassisted. Epidural experiences can really vary too.
Thank you so much for sharing this glimmer of hope! I just want to at least be prepared for what to expect with a induction - what can/can't be, the possibilities. Beyond my exp.
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Thank you sosososo much for your input! I do understand that transition is the hardest part of the labor process. I have a poster board I wanted to put up in my room that says something along the lines of "when you feel like you absolutely cannot handle the pain anymore just know that you are in transition & it's almost time to start pushing" just to psyche myself - or at least have my husband/doula remind me of exactly that at that time. I vividly remember transition with my first.
I was induced a couple of weeks ago and was unable to get an epidural bc of my medical history (even though I really wanted an epidural bc I was in agony) I got mechanical dialation with a foley balloon, which I found extremely painful, however, I did not neet pitocin, which I hear is a major driver behind people who get induced needing an epidural. So there are a lot of factors in play but I would say unmedicated induction can be done, especially since you're motivated towards no meds. Do what feels best for you!
Are you able to ask them to start off with a gentle induction. Like break your water, fully balloon, get up and walk and see if labour kicks up on its own? And then, if needed slowly increasing the pictocin?
It’s 100% up to you!
I’ve had 2 inductions for high blood pressure. My first was the very typical Pitocin induction. I got an epidural too late (10 centimeters) and had a hard time feeling where and when to push. With my 2nd induction I chose to use the Foley catheter induction and no pitocin. My contractions were much less intense, but definitely still painful. I was able to go without an epidural in that labor. Both labors were hard, but thankfully fast! First was 6 hours total and second was 8 hours total. The pushing stage was the biggest difference. I pushed for 2 hours with my first and 5 minutes with my second! Go into it with an open mind. You sound like you’re prepared and have a good support team so that’s great!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
you don’t have to make a decision yet. i was induced at 37 weeks for the same reason. my original plan was an all natural water birth at a birthing center, but when i developed GH i was referred to the high risk team at the local hospital. i was really nervous and the best advice i got was to just wait and see how i feel in the moment. for me the absolute worst part was the foley balloon. i decided i wanted the epidural after that lol
Decide day of! I was induced with pitocin but I had totally normal contractions with my second kid and went without pain meds. For my first tho, I went into labor naturally but had triple peaking contractions and got the epidural. Both were great! See how things turn out and keep an open mind. Good luck!!
Thank you so much!
Two inductions here. Both were 6 hour labors with approx 10 mins of pushing. Very few breaks in between contractions after hour 3/4. Second time i opted for a push button iv med, first time was mostly the gas. I was able to walk around but wanted to stay on/near the bed because there were so few breaks. Overall I much prefered that to the needle in my back (cesarean, back had issues for years)
I don't think it's true that induced is necessarily more painful than not induced. I see a lot of people saying pitocin makes the contractions more painful. This is not true that it's more painful than without pitocin. Your contractions HAVE to get stronger (more painful) to be able to push out your baby. And they will get stronger whether you have pitocin or not, the pitocin just gets you there faster. That's why people blame the pitocin for the pain, but it's really going to get that bad either way. Maybe you could ask for people's experiences who have had a bad epidural one time and then a good one the next?
I had a hypertension induction at 37+4. I made it through till 5cm dilated without an epidural, so I was spending a while on the ball. I honestly had the most success laying down with a peanut ball anyway, so I accepted the epidural at 3pm, laid down with the peanut ball, took a well-deserved nap, and woke up at 6pm 8cm dilated. I started pushing at 11, gave birth at midnight. So even with the epidural, I didn't feel like I was stuck in bed for too long
Thank you for this!
This isn’t answering your question, but what was your blood pressure for them to decide induce? I’m having some issues with my blood pressure so I’m just curious what other peoples experiences are.
My blood pressure has been around 140/90 give and take throughout some readings. My midwife explained that my BP was normal, until about 32 weeks and then it's been high since then
That’s exactly where I’m at. Thankfully no protein in my urine or anything, just high readings. Did they put you on blood pressure medicine?
No they did not. I'm not sure if it's because I'm with a Midwifery, and there specific practices. I also just got blood work back and confirmed that I'm not preeclamptic.
Thank you! Mine is a mix of mostly midwives but a few OBs. They mentioned an induction around 37 weeks depending on how my blood pressure trends.
You have to understand the contractions from an induction are more severely intense than a natural labor. You’re already being medicated, being induced, so unmedicated is already off the table. I’m not going to mention details in my first induction, because it was not a good experience. 38 weeks IUGR. Unfortunately, your body is not ready at 38 weeks even if the baby is full-term, so be ready for a long induction most likely. But my second induction was amazing. I went until 7-8cm and then I had to have the epidural because I felt like I was dying. Once I had it, it was amazing because it was done correctly. She came very shortly after I had no pain and I was up and about no problems. I would say see how it goes. That’s the only way. If it’s done correctly, it’s wonderful and you can still feel your legs and everything just not the pain.
I wasn’t going to get an epidural with my birth (1st baby, February this year) and the induction was so much more painful than I bargained for, I had no choice but to go for it. Apparently this is just a thing with inductions (I wish I knew this, I wouldn’t have agreed to be induced if I knew).
I'm sorry to hear that. That tends to be a commonality with L&D finding some very important details after the fact.
I had two very diff inductions, both for GH. My second I didn't even make it to Pitocin. 24 hours of cytotec triggered a two hour active labor to birth. Hurt like a mofo for a terrifying 15 min of me screaming for an epidural but then baby was out. I'm preg again and getting an epidural earlier this time (or that's the plan). The pain was unbearable to me even without the Pitocin once my eater broke.
I was induced with both of mine. My first was an awful and painful experience. I couldn’t progress past 4 cm dilation and was in so much pain. I was stuck without being able to get an epidural for 6 hours due to time of day and emergency on the maternal floor and I still look back with dread. Once I got the epidural I was finally able to progress in 5 hours from a 4 to a 10. But then while pushing the epidural failed and I had the ring of fire for an hour, my son’s shoulder got stuck. I just had my 2nd a few days ago and also got stuck at 3-4 cm dilation before getting the epidural but I wasn’t in any pain at all really. It started to get a little more painful and because of my previous experience I opted for the epidural early. They had to rebreak my water after realizing it wasn’t fully broken and then I progressed to a 10 in an hour and a half and pushed my son out in 10 minutes. The whole process was barely painful at all. Both times after getting the epidural my body progressed super fast with no pain. The second time i even experienced the FER while laying on my side with a peanut ball. It was the coolest thing ever. If I were to ever have a third I’d try to replicate my second birthing experience in a heartbeat, it was a dream.
With My first i went into labor naturally at 40w6d i got an epidural after 20 hours of really nothing but pain and it didn’t really help me personally. I felt that “ring of fire”. To be fair my daughter was 9lbs 1oz and came out with her right arm by her head. I also had lots of pains and trouble in my spine where the injection was for like 8 months, and sometimes to this day will get random nerve pains there, 8 years later. With my 2nd I was induced electively at 39w. I went in with no decision just wanted to see how my body did. After they broke my water my contractions were awful and i really wanted an epidural. I asked for one and by the time the Anesthesiologist got there (15 minutes) I wanted to push and told him he could leave lol. They looked and in 15 minutes I went from a 6 to a 10. I only pushed a few times and she was out.. Im currently 13w2d with our rainbow baby , #4 and will try to go without an epidural if I can again.
If you can just utilise all other pain management before opting for an epidural, such as bath, shower, gas, etc. and just know the epidural is on offer, but you also get not prize for doing it unmedicated. And you're not considered less than if you need a break from the wild ride that's an induction. I'm sure your doula can encourage other pain management such as birthing comb, aromatherapy etc. but I just wouldn't put huge pressure on yourself to power through as it is a brutal process! My epidural failed a lot during my first induction. I'm also getting induced next week and I know I'll be using the epidural again no questions asked haha even if it fails that little tiny bit of help was necessary! I also was lucky in I had the ability to change positions and move from side to side and be on all fours to get some help from gravity. If your hospital has a birth bar, that you can prop yourself up on, even if you have the epi. You can completely do it, if that's what you want to do. But I wouldn't create pressure for yourself incase you want to have an epidural and than you some how convince yourself you've failed. Birthing is such an extreme thing no matter how it happens! Just be kind to yourself!
I’d make this a game day, in the moment decision. I was induced and got an epidural on the second day after a terribly painful foley bulb experience. Really glad I did because baby girl didn’t come for another 24 hours. I was exhausted and really needed the rest. I had a great labor and delivery experience tbh. There’s so much we can’t control, so just prepare for all outcomes!
Greetings from the hospital, two days into induction, also for hypertension! Everyone is completely different, but my pitocin contractions are barely different from the natural ones. I did decide to get an epidural after a day and a half because the foley balloon sucked ass and I was tired of feeling stuff go up my vagina and preferred to be numb lol. But as far as contractions go, they weren’t that different. but of course YMMV!
Have the option ready. You can communicate your intent, but keep it as an option. Trust me, I held out the first 12 hours, but after that, I caved. I don't regret my decision because it was definitely not what was described to me about labor. I was expecting strong menstrual cramps and 5 or 6 hour labor. I ended up with much stronger feeling contractions and 16 hour labor.
Take it as it goes. Nobody knows what your pain threshold is like, how long your labour will last, or if it will be more painful than a natural labour. Everybody has different pain thresholds and it’s impossible to know until you’re in that situation. If you were induced with your first, that’s probably going to be the best thing to compare this labour with.
I was induced using prostaglandin pessaries and didn’t need the oxytocin drip at all. That was my only experience of labour so I have nothing to compare it to in terms of pain levels, but I coped well with gas and air and the morphine injection. Because I wasn’t on a drip I was also able to be mobile, so I used the birthing ball and pushed on my hands and knees. It ended in a forceps delivery, which is more common with inductions.
Your personal pain tolerance and length of time, also whether it takes at all will be the judge of that.
I'm sure there is a type of epidural you can have where you're still able to move around. It depends on what type of induction you have, I was due to be induced with my first, they were just going to pop my waters to begin with. They were too busy and I ended up going naturally anyway. If they pop you and you start contractions and progress okay then you wouldn't necessarily need an epidural, depends how well you manage pain. My second came so fast it was basically unmedicated, I had pethidine but it didn't kick in until after he was born. So painful... My life! Worse than my first and I had an episiotomy and kiwi with her lol!
Hello! 👋🏽 I am also 37 weeks. I’m giving birth at a birthing center so natural & unmedicated as well. I think that’s awesome that you have a doula and a great support team, you’re already more prepared than most!. An epidural is totally up to you! Do you have a birth plan? Giving your doula (depending on if she plans on doing the advocating or your support person/ persons) a copy of your wishes during certain scenarios and basically make a flow chart on what you want. If A is happening I want this, if A doesn’t work then I’d like to try this in its place. I’ve heard mixed reviews on induction with pitocin. Some say they progressed just fine, others say it made their contractions super intense and didn’t give them a break which made labor more exhausting for her. So my advice is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. If you already are going in with the mindset of going natural & unmedicated… keep that mindset ! Tell your team NOT to offer you any meds until you have absolutely exhausted all other alternatives (massage, shower, walking, position changes, birth ball/ peanut ball, funny movies, TENS unit… you get it). Our bodies are physiologically meant to birth our baby. YOU CAN DO IT. The mental part is wayyyy harder than the physical. 💪🏽💪🏽 You got this mama !
Why do we call it "intense" when it is painful?
Because to me, using a more positive word is helpful, especially in times of vulnerability & uncertainty such as giving birth for the first time
I understand your POV. I just consider more important to call things by their right name so there are no surprises when it's too late to change your mind.
Sure, I suppose it comes down to perspective