Birth plan for early induction?

[Zahrah5]

Anyone has any advice on birth plan for early induction?

What are the possible options for remaining as active and as in control as possible if we are looking at constant monitoring?
Any active positions possible?

Im assuming if I will be tied up to bed I will have to have epidural at some point.
Is there any option of not birthing lying on the back with epidural?
Really love kneeling positions and on all fours, possibly sitting like on the toilet.

[2preteendramaqueens]

Im going to watch this as I'm being induced at 36+6 weeks next Wednesday due to having a little fatty

[Pinotgrigioplease]

I'm being induced at 38weeks soon due to complications with a previous birth.

Last time I had the syntocin drip but no epidural so was able to stay relatively active. I could walk around, use the birthing ball and also lean over the back of the bed in kneeling position. The only restriction was the length of the iv line & monitor I was attached to.

Good luck!

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

I was induced at 37 weeks due to pre eclampsia beginning. I had constant monitoring, but because DD was hiding from the sensors, instead they put a clip on the baby's head (not as scary or uncomfortable as it sounds if you've never had it done before, it's a breeze with gas and air) to monitor her, and so I was able to get up and around. I was connected to the IV line, and the wire on baby's head, but I was still able to move. I danced with OH at one point to control the contractions, walked around a lot, leaned against the bed, birthing ball etc.

I decided not to have an epidural as the pain was manageable really, and they gave me a choice as to what position I wanted to give birth in - originally I had planned for all fours, but by the time they asked me, I was in transition (although no-one knew about it as I hadn't been checked for a while), and the pushing happened really quickly, so I didn't get a chance to get on all fours. I gave birth sitting up on the bed - it was actually a comfortable position and so good for bearing down and pushing! Was adamant I didn't want to be flat on my back.

My biggest advice would be to not go in with a rigid birth plan, but don't throw it out the window either. Be prepared for plans to change, but don't be afraid to ask for what you want - just because it's an early induction, doesn't mean you don't get any say. My birth was still lovely, relaxed, happy and I felt totally in control.

Best of luck

[Zahrah5]

Pinotgriogio

Did you the monitor things strapped on your belly with the elastic straps and still able to walk around and do different positions?

[Pinotgrigioplease]

I think so Zahrah, although it was 3 years ago so I'm a bit hazy on the exact details. I also ended up with the clip on my DS head at one stage too.

I know people can give inductions a bad name but I agree with the poster above, they can still be positive experiences. Just make sure your MW knows your preferences.

And it couldn't have been that bad as I was offered an ELCS this time around and I've chosen induction again instead.

[Liney15]

I was induced at 36 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. I had 2 things on my birth plan one of which was the vitamin k injection the other that I wanted pain relief. The syntocin drip was painful and my DD was back to back so I ended up having an epidural, I'd second not having too rigid a plan.

[Zahrah5]

Mostly I am having panic fear of being tied to the bed during labour and during pushing lying on my back with legs spread out sky high.

[SmileItsSunny]

I was induced with DS but just a pessary then they broke the waters. going in for induction tomorrow, hope for same again, felt like natural birth!

[moomoob]

It depends how they induce you I had the pessary and was monitored for around an hour after having it after that I was able to move around, they then monitored me around 4/5 hrs later for half hour ish.

[jenmcspen]

I was induced at 38 weeks. I had constant monitoring, but early on this was with wireless monitors so I could move round. I found that despite wanting to be very active before going onto labour, in practice I found it very painful trying to, and all the active birth positions went out of the window!
I was advised to opt for an epidural early as the drip can give very intense and painful contractions. got one about 30 mins after being put on drip, just as pain was really amping up. very glad I did!!!
Slept through most of the next 9 hours
Had 50 mins of pushing, on my back, with stirrups near the end.
I know drip, epidural and pushing on ur back is not what most ppl would plan on, but it was a very positive experience for us, and I was pleased that my community mw had prepared me (the stage prior to having waters broken was v long for us!)
I would recommend having a really honest chat with them about what they recommend

[duckbilled]

I had a induction with the drip and unfortunately had to stay on my back as they kept losing the babies heartbeat. I managed without a epidural, BUT i think if i went through it again i would ask for one.

[jessplussomeonenew]

With monitors and drip in I could kneel on the floor and lean on the side of the bed or kneel on the bed and lean on the raised upper end - had to get the midwife to help me move but she was great about it.

As it turned out I didn't get far with the induction (12 hrs in, still not in proper labour, baby distressed) before I had to have a section, which (both op and recovery) was actually far better than I'd feared. I don't want to be pessimistic but it's worth thinking through what you would want if you needed a section, just in case. There were a few things that didn't happen which I think I could have had if I'd put them in my birth plan, e.g. to have the screen dipped so I could see the baby as soon as he was out, skin to skin in theatre if possible. Still, overall I'm really happy with the way the birth went, even though it was nothing like the way I'd hoped it would go.

[TheOriginalWinkly]

I was induced by drip (though at 41+1) and had a mobile epidural, my midwife helped me move around, I bounced on a birthing ball, walked to the loo, and pushed on a birthing stool and up on my knees.

[weeblueberry]

Please don't assume if you're not able to be as mobile as you like that it means you'll have to take an epidural. If you want one or feel you need one that's one thing but if you go into the labour assuming you will that might really knock your confidence.

I've had two drip induced labours and while I certainly wasn't able to walk miles I could have moved around the room or bounced on a birthing ball. As it turned out, both times I actually wanted to be lying down!! I was pretty shocked at myself tbh but it turned out to be hoe my body dealt with it. So don't try and plan too much - it might well all go out the window.

[stubbornstains]

Interesting.....I'm 34 weeks and on the point of writing my birth plan. Last time I was induced at 40+15, and my birth plan was, basically, ignored.

I started contractions after the initial pessary, but they weren't deemed fast or strong enough, so was put on the drip against my strong protests. Which led to epidural, continual belt monitor, being pretty much strapped to the bed and not allowed to move around etc....

This time around I am 41, so have been advised to be induced at term, if I don't go into labour earlier. I'm minded to give in gracefully, BUT will be fighting my absolute hardest to be given more time to just let the pessary work, without being railroaded into having the drip, with the whole ensuing cascade of intervention.

[ChunkyPickle]

I had induction and wireless monitoring with my first (even in the jacuzzi bath!), plus drips and goodness know what. I caused hilarity wandering the halls in a bright yellow dressing gown.

My second wasn't induced, but was monitored, wired this time, and one midwife did try to keep me on the bed, but I found it agonising and insisted I stayed on the ball.

Another midwife was fine about it, just asked that I did my best to hold the monitors in place every now and then so they could get a good clear trace.