3cm no contractions, induction looming...

[SpikeMomma]

I'm full term plus about 9 days. Had sweep yesterday and was told that i was 3cm dilated (not sure how, as i haven't really felt 'proper' contractions - only what i thought was BH and just 'back ache' pain under left rib. Think baby is back to back - groan - this obviously is the calm before the storm!).

Anyway, Got induction scheduled for Thurs and wondered has anyone else had similar experience - dilated, but no strong contractions or waters gone. And if induced, how long does it 'normally' take before baby arrives?

[jessicasmummy]

if induced, they will onyl break your waters as you are already 3cm.... not sure about length of labour tho.

[jessicasmummy]

if induced, they will onyl break your waters as you are already 3cm.... not sure about length of labour tho.

[misdee]

i was indecued. when they camt to do the gel i was 3cm. like u hadnt had any niggles or anything. they broke my waters, within an hour contractions had started, and i had her 3 hours after waters were broken. but she wa my 3rd baby, apparently that an amke a bit of differece.

[QueenFlounce]

Spikemomma - I got to 4cm with no contractions! Breaking my waters was enough to set things off though. Good luck!

[CarlyP]

I was induced both times and both times at 36wks.

1st time i was 1cm already, gave me the table inside, 12 hrs later (they had an emergency) they broke my waters and gave mt syntocin to speed things along. ds1 was born 6hrs after waters breaking

2nd time, i was 3cm dilated, had 1st lot of gel at 10am, by 5pm only 5cm, but they broke waters and at 5.47pm i had my ds2

good luck. induction isnt as bas as some might say. (although i have nothing to compare it too!) but i was fine!

cx

[misdee]

i didnt actually get the gel btw. they just broke my waters for me.

[SpikeMomma]

Thanks for responses - makes me have an idea what to expect. Also makes me think i'm less weird for not following 'normal' contraction/dialtion protocol!

Did the breaking of waters hurt (i know diff for everyone, but interesting to know). Also, isn't it meant to be more painful if they are broken artificially?

p.s Currently leaning over keyboard pretending it's a bean bag whilst 'bouncing' my knees for gravitational pull. Don't need to draw the curtains as my arse is blocking out most of the sunlight... no sign of any contractions.

[QueenFlounce]

SM - Didn't hurt at all!

[mogwai]

spike momma - all my books say artificial rupturing of membranes doesn't hurt. Now I come to think of it, they were all written by men

Perhaps others who've been there will disagree!

[starlover]

oi you 2 passive laydees! i had my waters broken when i was in labour and it didn't hurt at all!

it was quite nice actually

[starlover]

might get those goose feathers damp though

[SpikeMomma]

Will it wash away my body glitter starlover? - that is the most important question...

'quite nice actually' [cast eyes up - think 'demented'!]. Was that because they looked longingly into your eyes just before the ARM went up there..?

[Willow2]

There's an absolutely blinding piece on Induction in this month's Junior Pregnancy & Baby magazine... she said, modestly

[bundle]

found ARM (artificial rupture of membranes) v uncomfortable and didn't do much as ended up with 2 c/s (for different reasons). good luck spikemomma

[CarlyP]

DIDNT HURT AT ALL, ALMOST A NICE RELIEF!

[jessicasmummy]

mine didtn hurt either.

[starlover]

yeah sorry... body glitter won't stand a chance if ytou have as much water as i did!

i think having them broken is far more passive though. why wait for them to break when you can have it done for you'? and THEY clean up the mess!

[SpikeMomma]

Were some of you getting contractions before you had ARM then? Or were you just fed up with waiting?

[bundle]

both

[jessicasmummy]

nothing here - was induced with gel at 6pm, left me til morning and said they could break my waters, so they did.... still nothing mind you and ended up on a drip - but then i wasnt 3cms to start with!

[QueenFlounce]

Spikemomma - I had mild period type pains, which I recognised as small contractions. But I knew tehy were not strong enough to dilate me past 4cm. Waters were broken at 10pm.....still nothing much in the way of contractions.... had an internal at 2am and was found to be 6-7cm dilated. The Doctor fiddling around down there just must have set something off as I was pushing 50mins later!

[starlover]

i was in labour when they did mine. had been for some time! lol

[Gem1355]

Hi SpikeMomma,

My daughter was born in her waters i pushed the membranes out into a bubble they broke them and DD was born straight after!!! it didn't hurt.

[RoseBerry]

I am glad you started this thread, I am in a similar position (no pun intended?). Last check I was 2cm, mid position and soft, since then I think I may be 3cm for various reasons. I go in on Thursday for my next appt and to discuss options. Maybe I will just ask for my waters to be broken then. I have been very resistant to the idea of induction, don't want any drugs if I can help it, want this baby to come naturally but at this point I am just afraid he isn't for doing so.

So how do they break waters, do they just poke you with a stick then or something, what exactly happens? Do the contractions start right away or what?

[SpikeMomma]

Gem1355 - my god - with your talent you could make your fortune in Thailand. I've never heard of that before. V. impressed!

Roseberry - apparantly they break them with a big branch from an elm tree.... Sorry, couldn't help myself. It's just like a plastic stick with a tiny hook moulded into it at the end (sounds more sinister than it is). Do you remember those plastic peelers you could buy for oranges - reminds me of one of them. Our NCT class showed us. Didn't quite realise at the time i was going to be 'lucky' enough to get practical with one. They just place it 'up' and rupture the membrane to release the waters. Not sure how quick things happen after that. Depends on the person really.

How over due are you?