Induction VS C-Section

I was induced with my first born about 4 years ago and it was not a good experience for me, to say the least. The pitocin was administered as high as it could go and I had one constant contraction which lasted for 5 hours, before my 9lb baby arrived. I had no epidural, rather I was very drugged up on Morphine and gas. I was sooooo drugged and stoned it was kinda like a movie but still had pain and was rolling around uncontrollably for the whole 5 hours. The nurses were like mutes who offered no support. DH and I were there alone and had to endure this without any support and it was such a nasty experience. The after effects of the meds were very bad. I had extreme paranoia and anxiety and was in the hospital for 6 days and was not allowed visitors. This carried with me to my home experience and I had extremely high anxiety and then post partum set in. I suffered in silence for a year. Now looking back I think my nasty birthing experience definately contributed to my PPD....

Soooo,,,,this time I'm totally afraid to be induced. I would rather a section and would ask for that if it comes down to an induction.

I don't want to feel this way but I can only go on what has happened with me before.

Does ANYONE have a positive induction story????

Would you prefer a c-section over induction?

Why did my induction go so wrong? Was it the staff ? Was it my intolerance? Was it that the pitocin was turned up too high (the doc and nurse had an argument about the level they were giving me - she said it's too high and he said no so it stayed at the hightes level)?

Any insight or suggestions?

 

QUOTE(Little June Bug @ Apr 12 2009, 01:33 PM) [snapback]1269898[/snapback]
I was induced with my first born about 4 years ago and it was not a good experience for me, to say the least. The pitocin was administered as high as it could go and I had one constant contraction which lasted for 5 hours, before my 9lb baby arrived. I had no epidural, rather I was very drugged up on Morphine and gas. I was sooooo drugged and stoned it was kinda like a movie but still had pain and was rolling around uncontrollably for the whole 5 hours. The nurses were like mutes who offered no support. DH and I were there alone and had to endure this without any support and it was such a nasty experience. The after effects of the meds were very bad. I had extreme paranoia and anxiety and was in the hospital for 6 days and was not allowed visitors. This carried with me to my home experience and I had extremely high anxiety and then post partum set in. I suffered in silence for a year. Now looking back I think my nasty birthing experience definately contributed to my PPD....

Soooo,,,,this time I'm totally afraid to be induced. I would rather a section and would ask for that if it comes down to an induction.

I don't want to feel this way but I can only go on what has happened with me before.

Does ANYONE have a positive induction story????

Would you prefer a c-section over induction?

Why did my induction go so wrong? Was it the staff ? Was it my intolerance? Was it that the pitocin was turned up too high (the doc and nurse had an argument about the level they were giving me - she said it's too high and he said no so it stayed at the hightes level)?

Any insight or suggestions?


one thing that immediately jumped to my attention was the fact that you were having one long contraction. They should have had a monitor on your uterus to measure contractions and one on the babys heartbeat. As far as I know, this is standard practice when pitocin is administered. Had they done that they should have noticed that your uterus was not de-contracting. if this was the case, they should have immediately adjusted the dosage of the pitocin. I can't understand why they didn't, whether they were all incompetent, or just wanted to make sure you had the baby quick.

I definately dont blame you for being nervous about a second induction. I think you should talk to your provider about this, hopefully it isnt the same doc? Your doc should be aware of your anxieties when it comes to your L&D. Are you having twins this time? I may have missed that in your post.

There is absolutely no reason your first labour should have gone the way it did. If it were me, I would make sure that this time around I had a different care provider or maybe even a different hospital if you have more than one in your area. I myself am hoping to have spontaneous labour, but if it doesn't happen before hand, I will be having an induction as long as the babies stay where they are position wise.

I hope your next experience is 1000 times better than your first, and don't be afraid to speak up to the nurses. tell them if you think something is wrong, and if they don't want to listen, ask to speak with the head nurse or unit coordinator. Nurses are there to guide you thru your L&D, they can offer advice and tell you what they think you should do, but ultimately you need to be aware of whats going on and what the next step is.

My advice to you is DO NOT BE SHY when your in there, if something doesn't feel right, go a step above and ask ( or demand) to speak with the Head nurse, and if that doesnt work, speak with the Clinical Care Coordinator, this is the nurse who basically looks after a majority of the hospital. There is always something you can do to change your care if you believe you aren't being treated properly.

Good luck hun!!

 

I had a great induction!
I think it helped that when I showed up the hospital i was already dilated to 5 and 100% effaced. They started my pitocin at 10am. By 2pm I was having contractions every 1-2 minutes but felt Great! I was laughing, smiling, joking etc. The nurse just kept asking if I was sure I felt fine LOL She finally called my doctor because they couldnt give me anymore pitocin.

At 2pm the doctor broke my water and thats when the real contractions began. About 300 I got some stadol in my IV but that stuff made me feel awful. Like you described I felt "drugged" where I coudlnt keep my eyes open but I could still fee everything. Around 400 I asked for an epidural. The anesthilogist came up and had to wait because I was puking (transitioning). They placed the epi and went to lay me down to put the catheder in. when the Nurse went to do this she said "whoa, shes 10. its time to push". they took me down to the OR and both babies were born by 7pm.

As soon as they realized I was 10 and was going to need to push my epi stayed at a low level. I only had it for 3 hours and my husband said I looked great after I had them. I felt like I was on cloud 9 ready to run a marathon. It was exhilierating.

The only hting I would change is I wouldnt get the stadol in my IV. If I absolutely needed pain relief Id go straight for the epi.
I am TERRIFIED of C-section. Thats major abdominal surgery. I worry about infection, scarring, healing, leaving parts in there etc. I also like ot breastfeed and I know it can be difficult for some mums who have had a c-section.

I wish you the best of luck and who knows maybe you wont need either. Maybe you will go into labor all on your own and it will be smooth sailing!!

 

That sounds like a horrible experience! I was not fond of my inductions by any means, but it wasn't like that and i would still take it over a c-section any day! The pitocin is not fun and the contractions it causes are worse than regular contractions, but a hospital should not let one go on as long as yours did. With my first, i had it pumped up really high and they gave me an epidural for the pain, which definitely helped. With my 2nd, it all went so fast that they didnt have time to really give me anything. I hope you have a better team this time around. :hug:

 

I'm sorry to hear you went through all that! One thing I asked for with my induction was that the Pitocin be turned up gradually to be more like natural labor. I actually tolerated the Pit contractions pretty well; it was the amniotomy that had me asking for an epidural!!
My induction was hard but I still think I'd prefer it to a C-section, all other things being equal. I would ask around though and try to find an OB and hospital in your area who are most competent and most known for respecting the mother and her wishes. I did that and ended up switching OBs at 31 weeks, but it was definitely worth it to have a doctor (and amazing nurses!) who treated DH and me with respect, discussed decisions with us, was always very caring and compassionate, etc.

 

I am delivering at a different hospital this time. The first hospital was a tiny facility with minimal staff and we were actually the only ones on the maternity ward - not one other baby or anyone laboring at all! They didn't even have staff to administer an epidural...sooo, I'm guessing we were not at a good place. I didn't know as we were new to the area at that time...

This time, it is a very large, highly recognized, top hospital with specialists and known for their outstanding expertise in deliveries, sick children, etc. They have a specialized multiples ward and people from all over this part of our country, use this facility as they save/help alot of people and families.

My doctor says we are going to try natural BUT again, I'm still afraid of the induction if it has to happen (nurse said they would not let me go past 38 weeks)...maybe I'll have a long chat with them next week...just to express my concerns and to see what they have to say.

This time as well, I've hired a Doula. It was $700 but I'm so afraid of a repeat of last time, I'll do anything...

 

Sorry about your bad experience. I had natural birth with epi the first time, she was over 9lbs. It was a long labor (28 hours) with lots of Pitocin, with 2 1/2 hours of pushing but I still feel it was a positive experience. The epidural did what it had to do. Not too much pain at all.

With the twins I was induced since nothing had happened until my date, 38w2d. I was already 4 1/2 cm when I arrived (started dilating at 32 weeks). I got there at 4.30 am (very early ...), they started the Pitocin at 6 am, at 8 am they checked me and I was 5 1/2 cm, then they broke my water and administered the epi. After that my body went in full force labor (but I didn't feel anything). I started throwing up (not good with epi's) but they put something in my IV and it stopped very quickly. A little bit past 10 am I was 10 cm and they brought me to the OR. I pushed 4 times for girl and my boy was born 4 minutes later by breech extraction. After breaking my water they had to turn down the Pitcocin because my body took over and I no longer needed it.

I had a very good experience, but the hospital I went to is a very large teaching hospital with excellent reputation. I had all 3 there and have been more than happy with the care.

Reading your story I think the staff mainly failed. Of course inductions can cause strong and painful contractions but the Pitocin is easy to control for nurses and with an epidural in place things can still be very comfortable.

 

So sorry that happened to you
we were induced with the twins and had a great experience.
i only labored about 1 and a half hours after my water was broken before i got my epidural
i was than able to take a nap, slept and was 9 plus when i woke up from sleeping.
they checked me on the ultrasound and i started pushing.
DD got a bit stuck and they needed the vac to help her get out. she did rip me a bit (although i did not feel it with my epidural)
Hope this time goes better for you.
i would for sure talk to your OB about what happened last time and what can be change for this time.

 

I was induced at 38 weeks and didn't know what I was getting myself into then! I thought that I would just go in and have my babies the next morning. After over 30 hours of labor and my cervix never getting past a 1 cm my doctor finally gave in and did a c-section. I recovered so well from my c-section. I followed the advice I had remembered reading: get up and moving as soon as allowed and stay on top of meds. I was more mobile and felt better than at the end of my pregnancy. Being induced was a horrible experience.

 

Inductions tend to go well with women who are already dilated and partly effaced. I was 4 1/2 cm when I went in, and it took 4 1/2 hours to have them after starting the induction. So have your cervix checked, if it's favorable you have much higher chances for good and smooth outcome.