Discussions

I am a first time mom and my due date has now come and gone.  
 
My obstetrician has suggested setting a date to be induced. I've done a lot of research on it now and have gathered opinions from some mom friends but I'm still feeling really uneasy about making this decision. I like the idea of it happening sooner than later (of course!) but I've had many people advise me to just wait until baby is ready, which is fine by me as well. I've also heard the quick onset of contractions is very unnatural feeling and quite painful.  
 
I've had a healthy, complication-free pregnancy..  
 
Just looking for other peoples' experiences with going past their due dates, please!

I was induced with my first at 42 weeks. Honestly I have heard about the contractions being worse...but will you know any different? There are pain control options available and of course with quicker contractions generally you won't get the 40 some hour labour or whatever that people naturally would. My only hang up with my labour was that despite baby not having moves down far enough they got me to start pushing and I pushed for well over 5 hours. Should that happen again I am going to ask to keep walking and hopefully bring baby down more first. I was induced at 930 am and baby was here at 1030 pm. I don't think inducing itself was a bad thing however I know she would have eventually come out regardless. My friend was induced with both kids and no issues. Some babies are just too comfy. Being a first time mom my biggest piece of advice is to research the crap out of everything and stand up for yourself and what you're comfortable with. There were a few things (not labour related) afterwards I wish I would have done differently but felt like I didn't have a voice because I was new to everything. Your mama instincts know best! Good luck with whatever you choose and with the hardest and best thing you'll ever do

Was induced after my water broke. Water broke but no contractions, so they have pitocin I think it's called. A little different than your situation but I was induced at noon, had baby at 7pm that day. It was a quick process for us, didn't even have time for an epidural. I was given a bit of pain relief during contractions but that was it.  
 
I really wouldn't know any different if the contractions are better or worse with inducement. I think it's going to be painful no matter what lol.  
 
You will do fine no matter what! Good luck!

I was induced with all three of my babies so I only know that perspective. I would have preferred to wait until babies were ready, but I'm not sure if that would have ever happened for me. LOL They were born 16, 16, and 19 days after their due dates! I had a very bad experience with my first....3 days of pure hell with an inexperienced Doctor that made some mistakes in what they chose to do or not do. With my second, it was better. I got a fully working epidural that time and though it was still a long labour it was tolerable. The third was very similar to the second. Of course it's easier on your body if things can start happening naturally on their own, but that may not always be possible. As long as you and the baby are fine health wise, I'd leave it as long as I could before choosing inducing with the hope that labour will start on its own. Trust your instincts and your Doctor and good luck!

did they give you a reason for inducing early? And how much earlier do they want to induce you. Personally I wouldn't get induced unless medically necessary or it was well past the due date. I'd wait for the baby to be ready to come out. I've had two kids and induction was never talked about. Ultimately it is your decision and not your doctors or anybody else so do what you are comfortable with.

I'm not exactly sure why people are so against this? How would you know the contractions would be worse? There's a baby coming out of your body. The contractions are going to be intense regardless. I was induced with my baby after my water broke. They start off very slow and increase the drip slowly. I also had an epidural and delivered my baby with zero complications. I'd do it again if my doctor suggested it. Another thing- in my experience - by the time my water broke, went to hospital was induced and delivery was a total of 12 hours. Had I been sent home to wait and not been induced I could had been in early stages of labor for days. To each their own but my labor and delivery was a good experience as a whole. I honestly think if I was sent home to wait it out it wouldn't have been such a great experience. Especially as a first time mom. Do what's best for you! There's always good and bad experiences on both sides as every mom, uterus, and baby are different good luck and congratulations!

I was induced 2 wks early due to high blood pressure. Because I was so early it took a bit for the induction to work but didn't hurt at all. Contractions started at about 7am and the doc had to break my water later that day. I had nothing to compare contractions to being my first. Once I was fully dilated I only pushed for 1 hour. I do not think getting induced was bad at all.

Induced in Brandon for my first ... Couple hours of contractions. (We're they worse than not being induced? No idea)... I personally didn't find it that bad... When it was time, push and voila!  
 
2nd time around (in wpg), Dr. broke my water, and 15 hours I was still babyless and I was tired, I finally asked to be induced and boom, couple hours later, he was born.  
 
I think you have to go through it so that you can be the judge of your body.  
 
(My opinion only)

I've never been induced with either of my children, however, both times the doctor has talked about it, and with my last child, there was a lot of pressure given to get my baby out before the Christians holidays, which I found completely RIDICULOUS.... I'm a STRONG believer in "baby will come when they are ready" (as long as there are no complications and nothing effecting baby or moms health) . Both my children were late (1st was 2 wks late, 2nd was 1 week). As a first time mom you will most likely be late, have patience. I know near the end you will just want baby out, as pregnancy seems endless, but enjoy it while it's here. No use rushing baby out If things are still healthy and okay. It will happen when it's supposed to. Keep walking LOTS, moving, clean your house, it'll pass time and might just send things in motion. Either induced or not, good luck and congrats! Children are Gods greatest blessings!!

Even if a pregnancy has been uncomplicated, there are risks to the baby when the pregnancy goes post dates:  
-risk of baby dying is twice as high at 42 weeks as it is at 40 weeks  
-20% of post term babies have fetal dysmaturity syndrome (growth restriction from placental insufficiency)  
-risk of meconium aspiration syndrome is higher  
-post term pregnancy is an independent risk factor for neonatal encephalopathy and for death in the first year of life  
-increased risk of cerebral palsy after 42 weeks gestation  
There are also risks to the mother: risks of chorioamnionitis, severe perineal lacerations, cesarean delivery rates, postpartum hemorrhage, and endomyometritis all increase progressively after 39 weeks.  
(references available on request)

I was induced with my first and it was horrible I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy...  
Dr broke my water 8hrs before baby came out so was a dry birth... I took Every type of pain killer offered to me possible, including the epidural, and was given an episiotomy and in the end he was pulled by the vacuum which was placed wrong and tore me badly...almost had to have a blood transfusion as I lost a lot of blood...and my babies head isn''t the same... I was to say the least traumatized and figured I was done having kids.  
2nd baby went into labour on my own, got to the hospital at 10am baby was out by 10:11am no pain killers, no issues... 2 different pregnancies 2 different doctors and 2 different hospitals.  
Everyone's experience is different of course.  
Do what is best for you... Good luck. And congrats  
 
Edited by 4U2NV:0), 2016-07-24 22:27:35

Has the OB checked your cervix for dilation and effacement? If baby hasn't signalled that it's ready to head out, being induced is like pounding against a locked door. Contractions from Cervidil and Pitocin are strong, but you need a cooperative cervix-contractions aren't enough if your body isn't prepared to let baby out. Either way, outcomes for you and your baby are better if you wait for labour to start naturally. Your OB will not let you go past 42 weeks because of the risks curlysister mentioned. But there is no need to worry about these things if you go past 40 weeks-your OB will be watching extra closely for signs of all those things once you pass 40 weeks. They'll keep an eye on baby's movements and heart rate, and if baby waits long enough they'll do an ultrasound to check for meconium in the amniotic fluid. I was two weeks overdue with my first and had to be induced (I had no choice, it's hospital protocol-they won't let you go longer than 42 weeks). Contractions were strong but baby and cervix were stubborn. Two days later I still hadn't fully dilated so baby was born by C section. In my case I wish I could have waited longer for labour to start naturally. When they broke my water there was plenty clear fluid. Baby was thriving and was just fine in there. Unfortunately we weren't 'average' and the statistics worked against us. Either way, congratulations and good luck with your little one!

Just so you are aware, I was induced with two different methods. First it was similar to a tampon that is filled with the medication. It makes you contract and they leave it in for a certain amount of time. Once they remove it, the hope is that you will continue to contract on your own. For me that wasn't the case and the contractions eventually stopped. I was then put on the IV drip induction medication. This caused contractions but for me... no baby and I ended up having a C-section, simply just because I never dilated at all.  
That is just my experience. I had baby about 10 days past my due date. It would have been a dry birth as well (baby was losing amniotic fluid because she was too long on the inside)  
Good luck!

I just had my daughter almost 4 months ago. I was induced as well and I was 10 days over due. My pregnancy was healthy and there were no problems. They induced me three times because I was not dilating. Contractions weren't that bad for me because my water broke at 1cm. I was the same I was worried about a c section but in the end I was just happy that she was born and was healthy.

I never got induced, even though it was pushed hard at me...each time. I had all my many babies naturally (and at home on purpose, actually). For a few of them, I was a full 2 weeks over. I was also told by the doctors (for a few of the babies) that they were big babies and this and that. They were wrong each time. Their dating method is not fully accurate and it is your body and your baby, so don''t allow them to push.  
 
It is recognized in natural birthing communities that inducing often makes for premies and inducing can lead to a host of problems. The baby is not out yet because he/she is not ready.  
 
If you and the baby are fine, my thoughts are (and my choice was) to wait it out at home if you are not comfortable with their suggestions...they will insist more each time now when you see them. They don''t need to check you constantly and be in your ear. It causes stress and stress is not healthy.  
 
Do not be afraid of any of the pain. I didn't like it and I don't think anyone does, but you know, you can handle it and your body can too. It is a process that doesn't last forever, and you feel very empowered. You will not experience it too many times in your life (and men never will). Women''s bodies are awesome and can and do amazing things.  
 
Here is a great place to search articles from midwives worldwide on all topics birthing: http://midwiferytoday.com/articles/index.asp I read many articles on this site and all sorts of books to find out all that I could about birthing and to become well informed.  
 
I wish you well in your birth choices. Stick to what you can. Stick up for yourself and your new baby. It is your own beautiful family. Congratulations!  
 
Edited by Flutterby, 2016-07-25 14:36:47

In response to curlysister....and what are the risks with aggressive induction?? I can say from experience the difference with the labour pain was significant. From a medical perspective there are risks with induction and oxytocin as well. I think placental insufficiency is obviously a factor when one is post term...and if all else fails then something must be done. I wish that there was a easy answer. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that Mother Nature always takes over perfectly. But there are natural things that can be done to help ripen the cervix and get things progressing.

My first I was induced and contractions were very bad and needed pain meds and epidural. Second did not need to be induced and labour was manageable and contractions were way less painful and didn't need an epidural. Third was an emergency c section which was the worse!

I had one done on my second cause I already was 1cm I was scared no idea what to expect. They just put a gel up there's and wait either for your water to break or the times up. Mine broke at the hospital heading back... At Tim's... Embarrassing ha

So, what we see here is pattern behavior where the system pressures induction. Can you imagine? Whatever did they do before induction and 'planned' C-sections??! What a disaster.  
 
I was pressured, unknowingly at the time, with my first. Never gave in the next time. NO WAY. And people say that they had their babies 'late'. How do you really know it was late??! You are saying that based on some person giving you and estimated 'conception' date!!!!  
 
The world is in the mess it is in now because we can't leave nature alone. Now, for all of those who will say to me, "But we are saving babies' lives!" - I do of course understand that. But as I originally said, we are seeing pattern behavior - the same things being forced on us, baby after baby after baby - but each one of our birthing situations is totally unique! How can this be the widespread, solid answer for each woman? It can't.  
 
Induction is something I would NEVER agree to again, now that I am wiser.  
 
And good for you for doing research & getting all sides of the story....

Most times, peoples' due dates are miscalculated anyway. I understand you are fed up with feeling tired and fat (been there a couple times, and currently) but overall it is healthier for the baby to just come when they are ready. If you CAN hang in there, do! Really there's no medical reason to induce if there's no complications.

Right. So I should also add that that our baby didn't want to come - they gave the drugs, and we were stuck in to a 8x12 foot room with no windows, no air circulation and no place for my husband to rest - and the baby didn't want to come.  
 
And you know why????  
Because he wasn't ready. And he didn't come for a long time, and they just kept giving me drugs. And I was a mess & didn't know how to say no.  
 
It was hell, no one came to check on us for hours at a time, and our baby was being forced out, against what was right.  
And I am so sad that this happened and that I didn't know better.

have you had your baby?

I was 16 days overdue when my son was born under the advice that he would "come when he was ready". I, unlike many, know I was exactly 16 days overdue because I underwent IVF treatment so I knew to the minute when conception occurred.  
I wish I was induced earlier. Because we had waited so long, I laboured for 13 hours and pushed for 3 hours, with ZERO progression. It resulted in my son becoming distressed and I needed a c-section to get him out. During my c-section, I lost a lot of blood from all the stress to my body and because my son was over-developed, my uterus was destroyed which resulted in my not being able to labour ever again. My son was confined to an incubator for two days (I never got to hold him during this time) and stayed in the NICU for 8 days.  
While not everyone requires induction, it's not something that's thrown around lightly. It is standard to talk induction after 10 days post due-date, because being overdue can be just as risky to the baby and mother as being premature.  
At the end of the day, you never can tell how it will all turn out because every single birth is so unique. All you can do is educate yourself and when the time comes, decide what you think is best for you and baby.

My second child I had was by far worse then my first. I got induced with my first child because he was overdue by 41 weeks and it was fast, quick and less painful. Mind you I had an epidural...the contractions were not as bad. My second child I did not get induced, I had her natural with no drugs as well and it was pretty awful. I was to far dialated with her to even receive an epidural. It also all depends if you are going to have drugs or go natural. I would say that not being induced is way more painful but then again the baby was ready to come and she was like 3 weeks early. Every woman is different so it based on what you think is right for yourself. A little push for your baby wouldn't hurt either. Good luck to whatever you choose, either way the contractions are painful but I would say its faster and easier to get induced. Congrats on your baby for when they come into this world!

They actually say that inducing labour increases the chance that you will be in labour for a long time. But, ultimately, there is no guarantee on how long your labour will be.  
 
I was induced with my twins, who hung on until 39 weeks. This is not "passed due" per se but 50% of twins are born before 36 weeks so I was definitely pushing it on my projected timeline. My kids were also getting very large for twins so I was more than a little uncomfortable and there was beginning to be too little room in there for them.  
 
In general my labour and delivery wasn't really that bad. I was in labour for almost 36 hours but noting was really happening most of that time, I hardly ever felt any of my contractions until the last few hours, and I only pushed for an hour and a half.  
 
One of the worst parts of being induced is that you have to do the whole thing in the hospital. My waters didn't break until I had been in the hospital for 15 hours. Most of the time, you don't have to go to the hospital until your waters break and I would have much rather have been at home for those 15 hours. I spent many a boring hour roaming the halls and my bed and couch at home would have been way more comfortable to be on.  
 
Because they are monitoring your contractions and the baby, there's a chance you will be stuck in a bed, or at the very least in your room, for most of it, depending on how fast things start to move.  
 
Do you want to risk the possibility of having to share a room with someone else, and their family and friends, who is going through labour for the whole time you are going through it? If you stay at home as long as absolutely possible, you have a lot more privacy. There's also all the general hospital noise outside your room, and the bright lights.  
 
If they use Pitocin to induce, it actually makes your cervix very sensitive and very painful to touch. I basically cried every time they checked to see how far I was dilated, which was at least 6 or 7 times until my waters broke. They take it out long before you have to push but while it's in, it really sucks.  
 
My vote would be to let the baby come when he/she is ready so long as everything else is still moving right along as normal. Right now, every day is going to seem like an eternity but in the end you will deliver before you know it and those extra few weeks will seem like a blip compared with how long you get to love and enjoy your baby.  
 
With my twins, I didn't really make a birthing plan, beyond that I knew I wanted an epidural. It wasn't my birthday, it was theirs. I had been saying that all along but I somehow forgot when it came time to decide on their birthday. They should have be allowed to dictate the terms of it as much as possible.  
 
I'm now 25 weeks pregnant with my third child and I have absolutely no intention of even considering inducing. There will, in all likelihood, be no good reason to force him to come out before he's ready. I can be strong enough to handle a few extra days/weeks for him.