Inducing labour early

ilovemybaby wrote: I am in so much pain with this pregnancy. It's 10 times worse than last time and I feel like an old lady whos body is seizing up. Seriously! I can't do hardly anything without suffering majorly. I can't sit down or lie down for very long before it almost becomes impossible for me to get back up. I wake up all night every time I move even one inch or have to turn over. I feel like I'm ready to deliver now. I was never in this much pain last time. I went to 42 weeks.
Now I'm 26 weeks and I am hoping that there will be a reason for them to induce my labour early... like at 36 or 37 weeks. I don't think I'll make it to 40 weeks.

I'm just wondering if they do this or do they only do it if there is really good reason to? And how safe is it? Surely if I cannot take care of my daughter properly (bathing, putting into highchair and getting out, carrying, picking up, holding etc...) and I cannot do anything but the dishes, washing and vacuuming (on a good day!) then they would let me deliver early?
It's something I don't want to do... incase baby really isn't ready to come out and because I never experienced going into labour naturally last time (induction) or the nesting instinct... but I don't think I'm going to be able to cope much longer.

Anyone here delivered early by request because of a lot of pain?

And I really am in a lot of pain! I'm not being a woos (sp?). This is really unbearable.

My3LilMonkeys replied: Have you spoken to your Dr. about this? If you are in enough pain that you cannot properly care for your child I would think that there should be something they could do for you - that just doesn't seem normal.

As for induction, in my experience they won't do it unless it's medically necessary.

ilovemybaby replied: No I haven't talked to the Dr. I mentioned the pain to my midwife but didn't tell her how bad it is. I thought she would just say that it's part of being pregnant and there isn't much I can do except use Tylenol and a heat pack. She told me to get a referral from the Dr for physio for my SPD (Pubic pain). And to try wearing a smiley belt or a sarong to help support my pelvic area.
I can properly care for Abby still.. .it just hurts so much that I want to cry all the time. When I lift her out of the highchair I get really sharp pains in my tummy and back (I think it's Sciatica because I've had it before when I wasn't pregnant) and I can only just manage lifting her out. I have to do it from the side of the highchair. I can't do it from the front. I just can't lift her out that way.
Everything causes me pain. Even just walking around and standing doing dishes.

So unless I cannot take care of myself or Abby properly and there is no medical reason they won't induce me early if I ask?

ilovemybaby replied: My concern is that I won't be able to cope much longer. That in another month or two I will not even be able to get out of bed! But I know I can't predict how I'm going to be in two months time. I'm just going by how I'm feeling now.

amymom replied: WOW that kind of pain is not normal. You really ought to discuss it fully with the midwife. Even though you are still able to care for yourself and your dd you ought to have some relief. Please call them.

PrairieMom replied: It really isn't safe to induce bafore 32 weeks AT LEAST. I don't know of a Dr. that would do it before 35 unless it were really really necessary. I think they will put you on bed rest first. That kind of pain doesn't sound normal. I think you should really talk to your Dr. about it, and see if there is something they can do for you.

lisar replied: I would call the dr and talk to them. That kind of pain is not normal. Find out what is causing it. And as for the induction I dont think they will do it unless there is a medical reason. Good luck and I hope everything gets better for you.

MyLuvBugs replied: Well, the sharp pains you've described sound like stretching ligaments. I get those too, but they go away. Have you been stretching everyday to help with that type of pain? It will help I promise.

As for your pubic pain...I agree that that's not normal this early. If you were in your last 3-4 weeks, then yeah, that baby's engaged and ready and pushing on your pubic bones. But you're only 26 weeks now, so I'd definately talk to a dr about it. Have you gotten one of those belly belts to help lift up baby? Those (I've heard) help a lot. Does it hurt worse to lay down or to be up walking?

I hope you get some answers and start to feel better soon. You've still got quite a ways to go.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: My doc of course prefers a medical reason, but since I've expressed that I'm worried about someone being here to watch my son, he also mentioned scheduling one after 38 weeks if I wanted. I know a lot of people are opposed to that, but this is just the way it is these days. Some docs will do it and some won't. You just have to ask. I'm not planning one BTW, but I thought I would let you know that it IS possible.

Sorry you're having so much pain. Sounds like a medical reason to me!

coasterqueen replied: IMO, unless it's a danger to you or the baby to wait, I am not for inducing. I did induce with my 1st at 40 weeks per doc suggestion. Should have never done it.

My second decided to come early at 36 weeks. I am very thankful she was a big baby but because she was just 4 weeks early (which isn't bad most times) we've had a LOT of issues to deal with that the doc thinks we wouldn't have if she had waited a few more weeks. My daughter's private part wasn't even fully developed yet, there were many things of her not fully developed yet. So IMO experiencing that I would never induce early. Let the child tell you when she/he are ready. They really do need to "bake" as long as they need to be healthy IMO

mummy2girls replied: i would wait for as long as you can.. or when the baby is ready to come on its own. Maby the doc can give you something for the pain. But i would talk it over with him/her.

usually you have to have a medical reason for induction. I had to have Jordan and jenna induced. I didnt want to because i wanted to go into labour on my own but i was showing all the signs of preeclampsia... dangerous high blood pressure, protein in my urine, and retaining ALOT of water and gaining 10 pounds in a week. So i was induced.

Heather77 replied: You sound so miserable ... I'm sorry you are in such pain. Definately mention it to your doctor... like the others said, it doesn't sound normal to at this point to be in so much pain.

ashtonsmama replied:


Sorry you're in so much pain Renee...


Talk to your doc.

ilovemybaby replied:
Oh I wouldn't want them to induce labour before 36 weeks! Just thought I better make that clear
I don't want to put my babies life in danger or bring her out too early (when she isn't developed fully).
My concern is that I won't make it to 40 weeks. But I would rather put up with the pain than deliver any earlier than 36 weeks. But at the same time because you don't know when the date of conception was ... you don't know when you are actually 36 weeks. It's more likely that at 36 weeks I'd actually be 34 weeks because they date it from the first day of your last menstrual period (which is not when you conceive ... or at least I know it wasn't for me) and ovulation starts about 14 days after that right? I know it's about two weeks later and that was when we started TTCing. So I know that I'm really about 24 weeks now. So I need to keep baby in for at least another 12 weeks.
Anyway, I got off track there...
I am also concerned about what if I can't cope that long and I need to go on bedrest. Because I'm a SAHM and I am Abbys caregiver during the week when Paul is working how would we even manage if I couldn't take care of her myself? My mother/father and sister are the only babysitters I have (and would trust to look after her) and they all work during the week except for my dad when he is home during the day (because he does shift work) but it's different every day. And he has never changed a diaper in his life.
Paul can't stop working for more than one week because he doesn't have the holiday pay owing and if he uses the week up before I deliver then we also wouldn't get any time alone as a family after Sophie arrives. Which would mean he would go straight back to work after she is born (not have the week holiday that we are planning) and I would be alone to take care of a newborn and Abby by myself straight away while I'm still recovering. And I don't want that either!

ilovemybaby replied:
I haven't tried any exercises ... I'm scared that that will hurt as well. I guess I should give it a go. My back is really bad though. So if they are exercises including my back muscles then that will probably just hurt more.. but I promise I'll try it today!

I thought the pubic pain was normal. I had it last time from about 26 weeks. This time it started at 13-14 weeks. I was told by my midwife that it is normal and that baby is probably lying very low. I have mentioned it to her this time too and she said the same thing. That it's normal
I haven't tried the belly belt yet. I don't know if I can get one on hire or if I'd have to buy one. I thought I could use this one that one of Pauls workmates gave him but he told me it doesn't even fit him. So it won't fit around me!
Do you have to buy them and do you know how much they are?
The only thing I've done is used a heat pack on my back. I haven't even tried taking Tylenol (Panadol here) even though I've been told it's safe to take... I'm paranoid. I just don't want to take it unless I absolutely have no other choice. Believe me, I'm getting close to giving in though!

It hurts worst when I'm walking after sitting down for a long period. And when I try to turn over in bed, stand up and lift one leg off the ground (when I'm putting on clothing) and if I climb over the baby gate. Basically if my legs are not together!
I'm also worried that this will cause problems in labour because I read about a lady with SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction .. which is what this is) that had her pubic bones seperate during delivery and she had to use a wheelchair and smiley belt for a long time. She couldn't take care of her newborn so her family had to help her out. She was basically paralyzed.
I read that sometimes if SPD is very bad that midwives will opt to go for c sections. And I don't want that! But I'm also terrified that what happened to this lady will happen to me.

ilovemybaby replied:
Wow I thought they considered 36/37 weeks fullterm. I didn't think it would be dangerous to deliver then.
Just a question... about your daughters private part... did it just continue developing on its own over the next 4 weeks or so? Or did she have to have surgery? Sorry for such a personal question
That puts me right off delivering early. But I also don't want to wait like last time and deliver at 42 weeks. I don't know how I'll make it that far.

Also why shouldn't you have delivered your first at 40 weeks? Did you have problems with her too?
I think if anything I would try to wait to 40 weeks but I don't think I will want to wait to 42 weeks this time!
If it wasn't for induction I probably would have gone until 44 weeks with Abby. I was 25 days overdue! Back then they didn't induce labour. So my mum had to go to almost 44 weeks! And I had problems because of that. I was born with a low heartbeat and rushed straight to NICU and my mum didn't get to see me or hold me. I was gray.

coasterqueen replied: 36 weeks by my doctors terms is considered early, but stated that they would not stop labor if I went into labor at 36 weeks and they didn't. Thankfully she was a big baby. Her private area down below was sorta, not how you put it. We weren't for sure what she was, lol. I remember asking the doctor if she was going to be normal or what was she. He said things would grow the way they were supposed to in time and it was about 4 weeks, no less and "it" looked normal down there. Dh and I were very frightenend. Who wants their baby to look like a freak anywhere?

They also think her sensory integration issues were due to being early and that's something she'll always probably deal with. All babies are different and you just don't know til they are born. MOST babies do ok at 36 weeks. Megan did, for the most part. There were just things that weren't formed yet, her body wasn't ready, that's all.

I was induced with my 1st at 40 weeks because I was naive as all get out. Kylie was extremely low, I was in a lot of pain and I was anxious to not be pg anymore and so she told me it was time to induce. Well Kylie nor my body was ready. After 40 hours of labor I had to have a c/s. Was the most awful experience to me, wasn't going to let that happen again. I was determined to let Megan stay as long as she needed. She just didn't want to stay as long. Course Megan was my problem pg from day one. I was on moderate bedrest with her, a few weeks of full bedrest, bleeding pretty much 3/4 of my pg, low placenta, lots of Bh early on, put on progesterone, etc, etc. I know working like I was close to when I had Megan contributed to going into labor early.

moped replied: I think 36 weeks is 4 weeks too early, the baby really needs to be in there as long as possible...sounds like you are in pain and maybe you need to tell them how bad it is for the healthof the baby.........................I had Jack at 41.5 weeks, granted that was way too late for me, but I knew it was best for him to come on his own. I don't wish you to be that overdue, but honestly I wish you to go to at least 39 weeks.................if bedrest is required you will figure out what to do.....we always do right?

Hang in there and talk to your doc asap

My3LilMonkeys replied:
That is basically what I was going to say....don't worry about it until the time comes, you don't need the extra stress. My SIL was put on bedrest with a 2 year old at home and she told the Dr. no way could she do it, there was no one else to care for her child - but she managed.

ilovemybaby replied:
Thanks. Well I guess I will just have to find a way to put up with all this pain. Even if I'm balling my eyes out every day I guess... I can't just ignore the housework that needs doing. I have to clean the da*n shower and bath (it's all in one) today. It really needs to be done. But I know it's going to cause me lots of pain.

I don't know how I'd manage. MIL is NOT an option for babysitting (we have no contact with her at all) and she works part time and so does Pauls best friends mum and my auntie is a SAHM but she has four kids (two at school) and she has a toddler three weeks younger than Abby and the thing is I don't like or trust any of them especially when it comes to their parenting (my auntie told me recently that her oldest once got outside and she found him riding across the main road on his toddler bike and cars were zooming all around him... this just doesn't sit with me). I have a hard time trusting anyone but my mother and sister. I even find it hard to trust them. I would feel comfortable with my mum or sister or Paul taking care of Abby and that's it. It would end up being Paul unless my mother or sister were actually willing to take holidays or lose pay to take care of her. And I doubt it. And that means Paul would have to either lose pay or take holidays early and not have any holidays when baby actually arrives and over Christmas. And that means I'll be miserable and I'll probably end up with PPD again. I don't need to be worrying about this but I can't stop worrying about it.

I won't be surprised if breastfeeding doesn't work out because if I'm depressed after baby is born then that is really going to stuff things up just like last time I was miserable and it didn't work. And I'm already having so many doubts about even wanting to breastfeed this time... I can list so many negatives and hardly any positives eg NEGATIVE waking up every two hours to feed overnight... I am NOT a good night waker infact Paul had to elbow me in the ribs every time Abby woke up during the night because I'm a deep sleeper and I'd sleep right through it. How is that for a mothers instincts?! NEGATIVE once baby is too big for bassinet it's most likely that there won't be room for the portacot in our room which means moving baby into Abbys room which means she would get woken up every time baby wakes up crying. Whereas if I bottlefeed baby would sleep right through (well, hopefully). Abby slept through the night at one week old (she was bottlefed from day three). NEGATIVE baby still waking up at 10 months once a night for a feed?! UGH Anyway, this is not about breastfeeding it's just that the way I'm feeling about being a mother of two including a toddler who isn't potty trained and won't be by the time baby arrives... I don't know how I will even manage breastfeeding. I'm so self conscious I don't know if I can even do it in public. And I read that it's not a good idea to pump or use bottles for quite some time. That means feeding before going out (which doesn't work because baby can be hungry anytime right) and coming home before they need another feed. Or feeding in the car or something or just not going anywhere for like three months. The only people I felt comfortable bfing in front of were my mother and sister and Paul. What hope is there for me?!

UGH ok I think I'm really going to cry now. I am getting off this computer. My back is sore and I have all this housework to do before tonight because we have visitors coming over and I don't even want to have any visitors any more (we have a Homegroup every Tuesday night). I just want to be able to relax at night and lie on the couch or in bed and watch TV instead of hosting this darn homegroup and making drinks for everyone and reading the bible and studying it. I know... so not a Christian attitude I'm just so not in a God loving mood right now. Nothing goes right for me. I just want to get through this pregnancy without any more problems.

And you'd think that Paul would clean the shower. I told him last night that I was going to have to do that today and he was like "I don't want to get a phone call saying that there is something wrong and you need to go to the hospital". He is like "can you even do that?" and I'm like "well, I have to do it". Did I hear him offer to do it? NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
And I still haven't sorted out this bedroom for the baby because he doesn't want me to be moving the furniture around and he said he will help me but it never gets done! Heck he never even mows the lawns when he says he will. I find it hard enough to get him to hang out washing and bring it in for me.

Ok vent is over! Now I am getting off the computer!

MyLuvBugs replied:
Just try stretching first before actual exercises. Just sitting on the floor in the tailor sit and slowly rocking is a good one. Here is a link to an article that talks about different stretches you can do while PG that will help with lower back pain. I hope it helps: Pregnancy Stretching

As for a belt, usually around here you have to buy one. They sell them at the motherhood store sometimes, but I dont' know if you have them in NZ? Hmmmm...
Here is a site that sells one for $38.95 USD: Pregnancy Belt
Here's another one:
Support Belt

MyLuvBugs replied: Sweetie! I also found this site that might help:
SPD treatments

Maybe a chiroprator will help you?

ilovemybaby replied: Thanks! I will have a look later on when I finish the housework if I'm still standing! Or tomorrow morning.

I've tried the heat pack thing. It works for the moment (like while it's on you) but once it's off it wears off real fast. I'd have to find a way to strap it to my back so I can wear it all the time.
I also tried a cold pack down there but it's too unbearable FREEZING COLD!
I guess if the belt thing works it's worth the money... I just wonder if it will help or not?

ilovemybaby replied: Yeah the midwife told me to get my GP to refer me to a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor... can't remember which one but I haven't done it yet. I don't know if they can help or not. She said they would tell me to use a belt or tie something like a sarong around my waist tightly. So I don't know if there is much else they can do for me? The lady I read about had a Chiropractor put her pubic bones back into place and they just seperated again. So in other words it was a waste of time. I don't know if I'd have to pay for the Chiropractor or not and I don't want to waste money if it's only going to work for a short period too.

Guess I should stop complaining until I actually do everything I've been told to do.
So I need to phone my GP and make an appointment. Then see a Chiropractor.
Get a support belt. And do the stretching. Check!

holley79 replied: I am so sorry sweetie. I know one of the girls in my lamaze class did early induction by request. I'm not sure how common this is though. I would be sacred to do it also. I was induced early because of BP. I hope that it subsides a little bit for you though.