37 weeks

Today marks 37 weeks for me--another milestone I never thought I'd hit! Saw my OB today--her reaction? "I can't believe you're still pregnant!" I've showed signs of early labor for a week and a half now. No one ever told me that the early stage could last that long!!!!!!

I'm still 3 cm dilated, as I've been for a week. She also said that my cervix has softened. And our boy who had his head positioned right against the cervix has somehow moved up a little bit. The doctor thinks that if I could ever get contractions that were strong and regular, things would flow quickly from there. But it seems like for the most part, it's either/or. She suggested walking (to get the boy especially to drop back into place) and doing the deed (see if that triggers some contractions that might continue--trying that tomorrow night, wish us luck! The logistics are getting, umm, interesting! ).

Otherwise, we have an induction scheduled for next Monday. Those of you who have had inductions, could you tell me something of your experience? We're all hoping and praying they'll come on their own before then, the dr. really doesn't want to do an induction if we can avoid it. She said that with the stress that the uterus is already experiencing during a twin pregnancy, the pitocin can be rather uncomfortable, and sometimes can lead to a c-section. She wants to try breaking my water with a very low dose of pitocin to see if that gets things started. Anyways, anything you can tell me about your induction experience would be helpful.

 

I had a great induction. No problems at all. I wasn't as dialated as you however.

I was checked at my 38 week appt and found to have nothing going on with my cervix. The babies were to comfy

Anyways, I went in the next morning (38w2d) to have the gel placed on my cervix. I was monitored for an hour and got to go home till 5pm when I was told to be back at the hospital. Told to come earlier IF my water broke or contractions were bad/intense. I did leave the hospital having some mild cramping. It continued all afternoon.

Was back at the hospital at 5pm and checked. Was told I was 2cm dialated. I was admitted. At 7pm I was checked again and was 3cm dialated. OB broke my water and I got an epidural. I laboured all night with no problems. Every time the nurse came she mentioned how good the babies reacted to the contractions...called them "happy babies!" At midnight they did add pitocin. By 9am the next day (38w3d) I was fully dialated and ready to push. I pushed for 2 hours and then was taken to the OR to deliver my two. Baby A was born with the help of forceps (I needed an episotomy OUCH!!) and Baby B was pulled out by her legs by the OB 4 minutes later.

All in all I'd do it all over again!!

All the best!

 

I was induced. My first came by herself, but late. With the twins I had a fairly easy pregnancy. I started to dilate at 32 weeks. 2 cm week 32 and 33, 3 cm week 34 and 35, 4 cm week 36 and 37 ... 4 1/2 cm when I was induced. I had lots of signs (no contractions) but nothing happened.

They started the Pitocin at 6.00 am, at around 7.30 am I was 5 1/2 cm, and they broke my water and placed my epidural, that was around 8 am. At 10 am they started wheeling me to the OR. I pushed 5 times for baby A and she was out (10.32 am) and baby B was born 4 minutes later by breech extraction.

Very easy, smooth and fast (unlike my first) delivery. No pain, never felt a single contraction, recovered quickly.

ETA: Once they broke my water, they had to switch the Pitocin off, my body took over completely and I was laboring without any help. Somebody just needed to push me over the edge I guess.

 

I was induced at 37 weeks. I was 4 cm dilated for a week, with contractions--but no progress. A little pitocin and 6 hours later, I had both babies vaginally with no problems. I hope you have a smooth delivery whatever happens! Good luck!

Reyna

 

:hug99: Thanks so much for the positive stories! They were just what I needed to read this morning. I really hope they come on their own, but it doesn't sound like an induction is the end of the world--and maybe I won't need much to get things started!

QUOTE
Anyways, I went in the next morning (38w2d) to have the gel placed on my cervix.


Diane, what kind of gel was that? I wonder if I could talk to my OB about starting with something like that instead of the pitocin...

 

I think the gel is usually to soften things up (no dilation) but since you're already 3 cm it should be easy with a little of Pitocin. No doc, but that's my guess.

 

I went to the Hospital after "doing the deed" and i had been 3cm dialated for 3 weeks.. I was having contractions that werent doing much of anything so they gave me pitocin. And like 8 hours later we had babies! at 38+3

 

i was induced at 37w5d due to high bp, i was 3 cm dilated to start, thet started the pitocin at 3pm, my water broke naturally at 10:30 pm, I got the epidural and slept from 11p-2a (and went from 3-10cm). I started pushing at 3:30, and the babies were born at 4:30 and 4:37. The induction was a breeze, highly recommended!!

 

congrats!! i was induced for my singleton only so i dont think it would help a twin pg thou --the pitocin helped the contractions come on strong and stay there until they were on top of each other and i was dilated to 4cm and begged for the epidural-after that it was a breeze! both labour and pushing