need input on induced labor - am very nervous

angelhair wrote: I am getting nervous about getting induced in three weeks. has anybody else been induced that can share their experience? my doctor recommended a epidural which I did not have with my son, so I am nervous about the side effects of that as well. is it very painful getting induced. any input would be appreciated thanks a bunch ladies!!!! love dee

aspenblue1 replied: I was induced with Isabella, I am not sure if it is more painful than going into labor since I have not went into labor on my own. I know they say that if you are induced it increases the probability you will get an epidural. I have heard that it is supposed to be more painful.

As far as the epidural. I had a horrible experience with it. I basically ended up have 4 epis. The first 2 he stuck in wrong the 3 finally was right then I had to go back and get a 4th to stop the spinal fluid leaking. I can tell you this if you start getting a really bad headache have them look at it. They kept saying probably from your epi and would go away finally when I couldn't handle it anymore I had to go back to the hospital and have a block done. I can tell you if I end up with epi this time and have another headache I will not leave the hospital until they do the block. I could not even lift my head up with out feeling like it was going to explode.

mammag replied: I was induced with Keegan but not with the other 3. It definitely extended the labor time which I would be inclined to thing would increase the amount of epidurals in these cases. I just didn't feel like having the pain anymore and I was sooooo sleepy and having restless leg syndrome so I justed wanted to feel normal again.

It wasn't so much more painful than with the others except my epidural wore off except in my right leg so I felt the whole delivery thing yet I couldn't walk or go to the bathroom for several hours after delivery because I could feel nothing in that right leg. That really sucked.

I wouldn't really worry too much about it. Yes, natural was a lot better but for me it wasn't sooooo bad.

Good luck to you!!!!

Alice replied: I was induced with Kira, not with Julia.

Maybe it was because it was my second time around, but everything went SOOOO much easier with Kira!! I pushed for 20 minutes, not 2 hours! After they gave me the Pitocin, they kept stopping by to ask how I was doing, and it was quite a while before I could actually feel the contractions.

I had a epidural both times, and I would recommend it highly. It hurts no more than a blood test. And it gave me incredible relief, especially with Julia. (I had pulled my back out, and was in lots of pain, aside from L&D)

ammommy replied: I was induced with Alec and the induction wasn't so bad. In fact, DH and I played cards and read while my labor progressed They just put the pitosen in my IV.
The actual epidural wasn't bad because I had an awesome anesthesiologist (or however you spell it), but I had to be redosed 4 times because it started wearing off one side at a time. I have to say that going from 0 pain to a pain of 9 within minutes wasn't fun, but once the drugs kicked in, all was well with the world. I had a bit of a hard time coming off of the meds, though with shaking and vomitting but that's how my body reacts to most medications stronger than Tylenol.
Overall, it wasn't bad.

~KARA~ replied: I was induced with both my dd's and didnt have an epi. I was in labor the first time 3 hours 2 min and and 2nd time 90min. I only pushed like 5 min with each girl. As for pain meds I got a shot of Nubain. I plan on being induced with this baby and Im not getting an epi no matter what! Im not to keen on some one sitcking a needle in my back!

jcc64 replied: Why are you being induced, Dee?
I've never been induced, and only had an epidural with one of my kids, which frankly, I wouldn't do again. Everybody's different, though. You don't HAVE to have one if you reallly don't want it- it's purely for your comfort. Talk to your dr if you're concerned.
Wow, can't believe it's only 3 weeks away!

amynicole21 replied: I was induced both times. The first time was VERY difficult - labor wasn't too long but I pushed for 2 hours. Epi was great, I dialated 7cm in 10min once I got it! The pain and tension were making me progress too slowly, so once I relaxed it went very quickly. I just couldn't feel to push because they had to redose me due to a spot that didn't take originally.

The second time around was very similar, except I pushed for MAYBE 15 minutes. I again dialated the last 7cm in about 5min, but this time I could feel to push and it went much more easily.

I was very nervous about being induced the second time, but it was really a great experience. It will probably go very quickly for you. Don't worry too much about it!

angelhair replied: thanks a bunch ladies!!! there was one question about why I was being induced, you see I developed preclampsia at the end of my pregnancy with my son and they want to avoid that the other reason is my high risk specialist said that at 41 there was a ncreased risk of other complications the closer I get to my due date so both my high risk specialist and doctor felt that it was afer to take her a bit early. I wonder if pain management through pain medication would help insyead of a ephi. will talk to my doctor about all options when have another appt on monday on pain management during labor. love dee

jem0622 replied: Being induced is more painful. The meds used to help get things going can really make you contract hard. But, with pain meds...you will feel much relief once they kick in!

I've been thinking of you and can't wait to hear the good news!

HUGS

devinsmommy replied: I was induced and loved it, I also got an epi. I would do it all over again. Once I got the epi I went from 4 to 10 in NO TIME. Then I was SO numb from the epi I felt no contractions to begin with. Also keep in mind I was in labor for a week and had NO clue. I just thought I hurt my back...boy was I wrong...lol

In each case everyone is different...as you can see from your replys you have gotten. Some agree and some dont...this is your choice, you do what you think is best. If it was me EPI all the way

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I have nothing to compare because I've only had one child and was induced. But I didn't find it painful AT ALL. I wish I knew the name of the suppository that they put in, but they gave me a supp every two hours or so. So the contractions were gradual. I told the nurses that I was afraid of how fast pitocin can work, so I don't think they actually gave me the pit until six hours into labor. I can't remember how far I was dillated, maybe 5 or more. Not sure...it's all a blurr. I did vomit and had the shakes from the pit, I remember the rush of the IV, and then they gave me the epi right away. My anothesiogolgist (sp?) was fantastic! Once I was having major contractions, the fear of the needle was the last thing on my mind! My DS was born about an hour later. Pushed for maybe 30 minutes. All of it was a great experience and I would do it again if I knew it would happen the exact same way!

You definitely do not have to have an epi, but I thought it was GREAT!