induced contractions vs "natural" contractions

[BetsyBoop]

first time round my waters went but I didn't go into labour immediately.

I ended up being induced as my BP was high (177/110 when I arrived at delivery suite ) and DD was showing signs of distress.

I was induced with syntocinon, so I know what contractions feel like, but are they the same as "real" ones?

I had 5hrs of syntocinon (then emC/S as DD getting more distressed & my BP still too high), but nothing much happened with my cervix (DD had been breech until 38+5 & waters went at 39+4, DD's head hadn't descended at all, & being strapped to the bed with no gravity to help either meant no pressure on my cervix at all....) The contractions were painful, (3 or 4 in ten mins lasting a minute + each) but nothing I couldn't cope with using breathing/TENS However would they have been worse if my cervix had been dilating? Just wondering how much worse it would have got...

(26wks with #2 & starting to think about my birth plan...)

all thoughts appreciated, thanks

[reikizen]

Not in my experience. 'Real' contractions feel more manageable, perhaps because with induced contractions you think 'God, can this be okay, is it supposed to feel like this?' and if they are natural you just relax and think 'good, baby on way.'

[DivaSkyChick]

I have read that the main reason "natural" contractions are more managable is that your body has time to keep up, to produce endorphins (natural pain killers) and your mind has time to keep up to avoid the fear / tension /pain syndrome.

Syntocinon is like going from zero to 60 in a few seconds - it's a huge shock to mind and body.

That said, sounds like you were coping pretty well. I'm not sure about the cervix part but someone will be along shortly. Good luck with the next!

[lulumama]

you'll find spontanoues labour easier to manage, as you will have time to build up to the frequent , strong contractions..also, if baby is head down, pressing on the cervix, you are upright, mobile, and able to lean forward through the contractions, it makes them much easier to cope with

pressure on the cervix helps dilation, and encourages the release of more hormones that keep labour going, and going, so would be quicker labour too...

hth

[LadyH]

I have been told by many people that induced labour is often much more painful than natural - my ds arrived after an induction, though I've had no experience of natural....

I do know that I would not be induced again unless there was a medical reason - i was induced for being +13 days