Induction on Wednesday

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any info on gel inductions. I had my u/s and doc appointment yesterday and it was decided to induce me on Wed (I'll be 38 weeks 2 days) of next week. Both boys are healthy and approx 6.5lbs each, both are head down. I was so overwhelmed to know I'll be having my boys that I left the office not asking a signal question and of course they are closed for a few days.

So I was wodnering if anyone can ease my nervousness and give me a heads up on what to expect. I am a first time mom, and wasn't even able to take birthing classes, I have been on bedrest since week 23 due to PTL and when I had some restrictions lifted, it was too late. So pretty much any info on induction, labour, what happens after would be soooo helpful. Also, when does the breast milk kick in???Will I be able to feed them or do I bring formula??

Thanks all,
Yolanda
37 weeks 5 days

 

QUOTE(yoli @ Jan 5 2008, 08:40 AM) [snapback]558544[/snapback]
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any info on gel inductions. I had my u/s and doc appointment yesterday and it was decided to induce me on Wed (I'll be 38 weeks 2 days) of next week. Both boys are healthy and approx 6.5lbs each, both are head down. I was so overwhelmed to know I'll be having my boys that I left the office not asking a signal question and of course they are closed for a few days.

So I was wodnering if anyone can ease my nervousness and give me a heads up on what to expect. I am a first time mom, and wasn't even able to take birthing classes, I have been on bedrest since week 23 due to PTL and when I had some restrictions lifted, it was too late. So pretty much any info on induction, labour, what happens after would be soooo helpful. Also, when does the breast milk kick in???Will I be able to feed them or do I bring formula??

Thanks all,
Yolanda
37 weeks 5 days


Hi Yoli,
It looks like I'm going to be induced next week too--probably friday, they haven't scheduled it yet.

Basically I was told I would arrive at the hospital and the first thing they would do would be to get a baseline with the fetal monitors and my contraction. Then they would start a slow IV of pitocin to see if they can get me contracting regularly/dilating. When the midwife and doctor determine I'm dilated enough, i'd get an epidural. When I get to 10cm, they'll have me push out baby A, and then they will immediately put an ultrasound probe on my abdomen to make sure baby B is still head down. Using the ultrasound for guidance, either the midwife or the doctor will (from outside) attempt to push baby B down to my cervix for pushing. If baby B turns after baby A comes out or does not descend, someone will reach inside me and pull him out, still using the ultrasound for guidance.

They said Colostrum should come in shortly after birth, and breast milk within about 5 days. The babies will eat the colostrum at first--its normal for babies to lose some weight at this point, and start gaining again after the milk comes in.

HTH! Good luck to you!

 

If baby B turns after baby A comes out or does not descend, someone will reach inside me and pull him out, still using the ultrasound for guidance.

Oh my! Thanks for the info. I wish you all the best on your induction next week. I cant wait to hear your birth story, I hope it is smooth sailing.
Yolanda

 

QUOTE(yoli @ Jan 5 2008, 10:26 AM) [snapback]558654[/snapback]
If baby B turns after baby A comes out or does not descend, someone will reach inside me and pull him out, still using the ultrasound for guidance.

Oh my! Thanks for the info. I wish you all the best on your induction next week. I cant wait to hear your birth story, I hope it is smooth sailing.
Yolanda


Yeah, the midwife must have seen the look on my face when she said that because she hurried to reassure me that that was much less painful than the pushing.

 

QUOTE(yoli @ Jan 5 2008, 08:40 AM) [snapback]558544[/snapback]
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any info on gel inductions. I had my u/s and doc appointment yesterday and it was decided to induce me on Wed (I'll be 38 weeks 2 days) of next week. Both boys are healthy and approx 6.5lbs each, both are head down. I was so overwhelmed to know I'll be having my boys that I left the office not asking a signal question and of course they are closed for a few days.

So I was wodnering if anyone can ease my nervousness and give me a heads up on what to expect. I am a first time mom, and wasn't even able to take birthing classes, I have been on bedrest since week 23 due to PTL and when I had some restrictions lifted, it was too late. So pretty much any info on induction, labour, what happens after would be soooo helpful. Also, when does the breast milk kick in???Will I be able to feed them or do I bring formula??

Thanks all,
Yolanda
37 weeks 5 days


hey sister!!! I'm so excited about you going this far!!! They tried to induce me (although I was only 36w so I was not ready to deliver and I didn't dialate at all)...I wound up with a section anyway...as for BM - mine took 5 days to come in - you shouldn't need to bring formula - they should have it in the hospital but you may want to have some for at home in case the bf'ing doesn't work out....

hugs to you and email me if you need anything!

 

Hi, congratulations for making it this far!!! Especially with your PTL issues.

I was also induced at 38w2d and delievered them the following day. I went in to the hospital at 8am to be monitored. My OB put the gel on my cervix at 9am and I was monitored for a couple hours and then was told I could go home and rest for the afternoon but to be back by 5pm unless my contractions were bad or my water broke. I lived far away so I went to my SIL's who lived 10 minutes from the hospital.

I had contractions all afternoon and returned at 5pm. I was monitored and my OB did a cervix check and I was 2cm dialated. I was moved into a birthing room and at 7pm my OB broke my water...another cervix check showed I was now 3cm dialated. I got an epidural as the contractions (after my water was broken) was getting a bit more intense. At midnight I was started on Pitocin and continued to labour all night. By 9am I was fully dialated and ready to start pushing. I pushed for 2 hours and then told to stop as we needed to deliever them in the OR in case of emergency. As soon as I was moved to the OR table I was allowed to start pushing again. Baby A was born at 11:45am with the help of forceps (and I needed an episotomy) and Baby B was born at 11:49am. She was a breech birth. My OB didn't even bother to turn her and just pulled her out by her feet. I was told at my first appt (10w) to expect him to have his hand all the way inside

I was started trying to bf as soon as they were born. Nurses wanted my DD to have skin to skin contact and right away we had colustrum. My breast milk didn't come in till almost 5 days later. I supplemented with formula. I did eventually end up exclusively formula feeding my two.

 

I think the way an induction goes vary a lot between people. In my case, I was induced for my daughter at 41 weeks. I came the evening before and got the prostaglandin gel applied to soften my cervix. I spent the night in the hospital lying down and not allowed to eat or drink. The next morning they checked that it was indeed soft, which was the case. But I don't think I was dilated yet or very little. I was allowed to drink and eat a litttle, then they started the induction with an IV of pitocin around noon. The rest of the day I started to contract and dilated progressively. But I didn't have my daughter before 11 pm that day.

Good luck! :hug99:

 

Good luck - you will do great!!
I was induced with my singleton and had to have pitocin with the twins. They gradually increase the pitocin every 20 minutes or so, you may not feel contractions for awhile. Sleep while you can!! Easier said than done since you will be excited.

As far as birthing classes -don't worry, I didn't take them either. Your nurse will coach you as to what you need to do. One piece of advice as far as pushing - everyone at the hospital will say "push in your bottom" so you really are pushing like you have to poop (and it will fell like you are pusing out an enormous poo by the way :huh: ) is to try to push your lower back into the table as you are pushing - it helps utilize the proper muscles to get those 2 out. Oh yeah - you will probably splash all the docs and maybe DH when B comes out - since they usually don't break that bag, when you push it may break with a gush - it was kind of comical really.

You may want to call the MD office or hospital and see if they have doulas available - often they are free of charge in a bigger hospital - but that would give you someone just focused on assisting you.
As far as the turning baby B, mine stayed head down but had his hand up by his head - so they reached in and moved his hand - really not that painful. Pushing B out was much much easier than A - even though B was bigger - so you are way more than half way done when A is out. Delivering in the OR is a little weird - just cold and metal everywhere. Be prepared for a crowd - my hospital required a NICU team for each baby (I was 38w2d) so you have about 15 people in the room.

Feeding - your colustrum will be there right away - and your mild will come in by day 5 usually. Don't bring formula - the hospital will provide if needed.
Be patient with your body - after bedrest it takes away to get your muscles and stamina built back up to where it was.
Lets see anything else - after the babies are born, I was able to nurse in the OR and hold them for awhile and they took them to the nursery for baths and such (DH went with them) - I had to stay and be monitored for 1 hour I think. Mine roomed in and slept much better when they were together.
The nurses are usually wonderful, just ask away and tell them your concerns early so they can help you along. Can't wait to hear the birth story!

 

Thank you so much everyone for your induction stories.and great info. I feel so much better and more prepared.
I can't believe I am to met my boys and hold them soon.

Yolanda

 

Hi Yolanda, first of all, congratulations on getting to 38 weeks! I am sure those babies are ready to enter the more roomy world!

I was induced at 40w when I had my son - but I was in active labor when they started the induction. We didn't do the gel, we did the pitocin (sp?). They gave me nubain for the pain and around 6 hours into it (or less, I was really out of it), I got an epidural. I had a very sleepy induction. I was induced in the evening, was given medication to help me sleep (and rest up for pushing) and then 11-12 hours after the arrival at the hospital, I pushed out our son. So, needless to say, my induction went very well and was worry free.

I would expect the basics. A long wait for dilation and then the time to push. If I had not been pregnant with twins, I would have opted out of an epidural, but from what I've been told it is wise to go for an epi when you are vaginally delivering twins just in case the second one becomes under distress and an emergency c/s has to be performed - that way, you can remain awake rather than put under.

Don't stress about it too much. Really. It will be over before you know it and you will have all kinds of new things to stress about. Try to enjoy the last few moments of them being in you and relax. Breathe and relax and you will do just fine!

(((HUGS))) and good luck!

 

I was induced at 39 weeks and my induction wasn't at all what I expected. First, they hooked me up to some monitors and informed me I was already in labor. News to me. They broke A's water, put a scalp monitor on him, and started some pitocin to try to move things along but told me they didn't want my contractions getting much closer together so they'd go light on the pitocin. Every nurse I encountered seemed baffled that I couldn't feel the contractions. They also placed the epidural then and gave a test dose but the pump was left off until I wanted it switched on (I had it turned on around 5cm but could have gone longer -- the guy just happened to be there and it seemed like things were moving right along). 24 long hours later, they finally determined that A had wedged and wasn't descending in spite of my being dilated and I was prepped for a C. Sometimes even if they are head-down, they don't present well (my guy was ear-first).

As for breastfeeding, I had colustrum leaking prior to birth and my milk came in between the 3rd and 4th day. The twins were my first pregnancy as well so there was some learning to be done but they seemed to know what they were doing and we never needed formula. You should visit the breastfeeding board here on TS if you haven't already done so.

 

I was induced with my son 12... 13 years ago. It was not as bad as you might think. I went in at 6 am and they started pitocin in the IV. Contractions do come harder and faster, but it wasn't too much to deal with. I had him completely natural. No epi or anything. They did have to restart me once as my IV popped out during one of my contractions, while I was pushing. I had him at 12:29pm that afternoon. I am sure you will be fine and they will explain and answer any questions as they go along. Just don't be afraid to ask questions when you get there. This is your delivery... not theirs! Do what is right for you and I hope yours will be as smooth as mine was!

As for BF, you can bf usually right after birth. Collostrum is one of the most important first feedings your babies will get. If you need to supplement formula, the hospital will provide it. A friend of my SIL has twins and what she would do to make sure that both babies were getting enough, was she would bf one baby and ff the other. Then she would switch at the next feeding. I think it sounded like a pretty good plan. It gives the babies the best of both worlds and you don't have to worry that they are not getting enough during bf. (One may get more than the other or one breast may have more milk than the other.) Good luck and cogratulations ahead of time on your new little Capricorns! I am one too... great sign!

 

hi...i was induced with gel with my first son at 38 wks due to high blood pressure and prot in urine. They gave me gel at 9pm at night and said only 30% of women go into labour with gel alone, and that they said they would break my waters in the morning. so i epected not much to happen unitl morning .

By 11pm i was having bad period pain, but wasn't told this was labour. When i asked for my husnabnd they wouldnt let me have him, saying tomorrow would be a long day labouring and it was only early. They gave me a shot of pethidine to help me relax and sleep.

Through the middle of the night (very groggy and disorientated from the pethidine) i had a shower to help relieve the "period pain" still didn't fully realise i was in labour , and the nurses came in and said i was in labour(must have been litening to me groan with each contraction).

It was only at 6 am that thjey took me to l&d and allowed my dh in, another shot of pethidineZ(wayyyyy to close to delivery , i did not have any conrol or know what was going on and found this scary, was sleeping thru til each contractionZ) had my son at 8am. Afterwards i wished i had never had the pethidine as it really knocked me out .

I was also induced w/ my 2nd son due to waters breaking and not going into labour. Waters broke at 1 am, 8am after no contractions went to hosp, 4.30 that afternoon i was indueced with pitocin and i had a very excruciating labour rapid unrelently contractions very close together and had my son in just 2 hours from the time the drip went in. (i was only 2 cm dil at that time) I wouldve liked them to slow the pitocin drip down as i got no respite from contractions. I also had NO pethidine .

I have never exp a natural ununduced labour so i cant compare, but i think the pitocin labour was worse that the gel induced lanour, as it progressed fast and went from whoa to go in 2 hours compared to 9 hours with the gel.

Don't mean to scare you, but just wanted to give you my realistic account of my induced labours. This time i am going for a c sect at 36 weeks, no matter how the twins ate presenting, and thats only cause my dr recommends it due to stressing / losing second baby otherwise i would def be going vag again.

 

QUOTE(natasha163 @ Jan 7 2008, 11:20 PM) [snapback]562326[/snapback]
By 11pm i was having bad period pain, but wasn't told this was labour. When i asked for my husnabnd they wouldnt let me have him, saying tomorrow would be a long day labouring and it was only early. They gave me a shot of pethidine to help me relax and sleep.

Through the middle of the night (very groggy and disorientated from the pethidine) i had a shower to help relieve the "period pain" still didn't fully realise i was in labour , and the nurses came in and said i was in labour(must have been litening to me groan with each contraction).

It was only at 6 am that thjey took me to l&d and allowed my dh in, another shot of pethidineZ(wayyyyy to close to delivery , i did not have any conrol or know what was going on and found this scary, was sleeping thru til each contractionZ) had my son at 8am. Afterwards i wished i had never had the pethidine as it really knocked me out .


I don't understand why they wouldn't let your husband in. This is ridiculous and totally arbitrary :huh: . I was also treated with prostaglandin gel and my husband was there with me the whole night.

 

Whoa -- natasha163's story sounds like the old fashioned drug 'em senseless & tell them nothing approach. I thought that went out in the 60's. :huh: I promise that this is NOT the norm.

Good luck tomorrow!

 

Good luck tomorrow Yoli!!!! I am kind of hoping I can talk them into taking me in Thursday afternoon for mine.

 

Thanks everyone for all your stories, words of encouragment and advice. I will give an update as soon as I can. Until then I will be on pins and needles with excitment (and a little bit of anxiousness).

Yolanda

 

I just wanted to wish you well tomorrow!

Also, I was totally unprepared for the first natural birth I had, and you know what? It just seemed like my body knew what to do and went on autopilot. . . and if docs and nurses are around, you can be encouraged that they know what they are doing. You can do it! Just pretend it's like an "all night" project for school or work. . . sooner or later, it's all over! And you'll be so happy and relieved!