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Childbirth

inductions

63 replies

s4m4nth4 · 28/07/2014 16:10

Hi I'm being induced at 39 weeks this friday after a really tough pregnancy (due to panic attacks and anxiety) it's my second child my first was an emergency c section at 35 weeks. I've developed a HUGE fear of childbirth and I'm absolutely terrified but still feel being induced is better than a c section due to recovery time. Has anyone else been through this? I'd like to know bad and good experiences. Also is there anything different I should take in my hospital bag?

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Report

CultureSucksDownWords · 29/07/2014 23:05

If it helps, hardly anyone shares their straightforward birth stories. The ones that get shown on TV are all chosen because they are out of the ordinary.

I found that labour was hard work and exhausting, but it wasn't the worst pain I had ever felt. Because it builds up (even with an induction) you can cope at each stage. If you have an epidural once you're in established labour you really won't feel much at all.

Outflewtheweb · 31/07/2014 18:52

I

Outflewtheweb · 31/07/2014 18:57

I was induced - my baby boy is 14 days old today. The tampon thingy and a couple of doses of the pessary failed to kick things off, so I had my waters broken then was hooked up to the synto drip (and antibiotics for GBS).

Have to say, I didn't enjoy having my waters broken - it was a rough old job, but at 39 weeks my body wasn't ready to give birth. After that, though, all was smooth sailing and baby came with gas and air in an hour and five minutes. Looking back it was pretty amazing.

Good luck!

BeanpoleSally · 31/07/2014 19:14

Take books and snacks.

If it hurts too much gave an epidural, don't feel you shouldn't if you want it.

It can take a long time, but that's no bad thing sometimes. I chatted to the midwife for hours after my epidural and learnt loads of interesting stuff!

s4m4nth4 · 01/08/2014 20:26

Hi turns out that there was a mix up with my induction date. I'm now being induced Monday. I'm absolutely terrified still but looking forward to being a mommy again

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s4m4nth4 · 01/08/2014 20:27

How can you push if you have an epidural? I'm thinking of having pethadine

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CultureSucksDownWords · 01/08/2014 20:53

Well, even though you can't feel it, your body can still do the pushing. The midwives (or the monitor) can indicate when a contraction is coming, and then they can coach you on pushing. Even though you can't feel what you're doing, you can still do it just by "trying" to push iyswim. And I think they try and adjust the epidural so that you do have some sensation towards the end, if they can.

There have been many cases of women who have delivered vaginally when in comas, so they wouldn't even have been aware of being in labour.

thestamp · 01/08/2014 21:02

you can push perfectly fine with an epidural. as countless millions of women all over the world do.

in any case, the less you push, the better. your uterus pushes the baby out without you doing anything, if you let it. people get obsessed with pushing consciously, but other mammals don't push, they just let the involuntary contractions in their bodies get the baby out. the less you push, the quicker your recovery, usually.

Seriously if you are afraid of pain, why not try the best pain relief available for childbirth?? epidurals are a godsend if you're afraid of pain. it can't hurt to try. you may have an amazing experience.

s4m4nth4 · 01/08/2014 21:26

I just remember having the spinal one when I had a c section and I couldn't feel a thing is that an epidural?

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CultureSucksDownWords · 01/08/2014 21:37

I think that technically a spinal block and an epidural are different, but they both have the same effect.

I had an epidural, which they then "topped up" when I had to have an EMCS. So my C section was done with an epidural not a spinal like a planned C section would have been, I think.

s4m4nth4 · 02/08/2014 11:06

Ah I always thought that was what an epidural was. When I had mine they asked me to hold my legs up and I physically couldn't so I was wondering how you were supposed to push if you couldn't feel anything

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MummaSmurf1 · 02/08/2014 16:16

I'd recommend talking to a midwife at your hospital rather than community midwife, they are SO helpful and can talk you thru everything.
You can go over 42 weeks and not have induction if you want to - hospital will monitor you every 48 hours to check baby ok until you go into spontaneous labour.
I had booked ELCS because I refused induction. But I went into labour anyway. Epidural takes all the pain away and I found it painless going in too, but my mind was on labour at the time!
I had CS in the end anyway so apart from the labour before epidural, the whole thing was pain free and lovely. Even my CS wound felt as painful as sunburn for a day then hasn't really bothered me since. My babe is 3 weeks old.

s4m4nth4 · 04/08/2014 11:37

Just been induced. Pessary in. Absolutely terrified

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Hobby2014 · 04/08/2014 11:43

Hope all goes well OP. This will be me next Tuesday. Just try to remember you'll have a baby at the end and it'll all be worth it. I hope it goes smoothly for you x

CultureSucksDownWords · 04/08/2014 13:11

Hey I've been thinking about how you're getting on S4m4nth4.

Hope you are comfortable and that you've got someone supportive there. Please do tell the midwives how you are feeling, and if there's anything they can do to help your anxiety. Have you discussed the epidural with them yet?

s4m4nth4 · 04/08/2014 14:09

Hi had

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s4m4nth4 · 04/08/2014 14:12

Hi had pessary in. Just had it double checked as I thought it had come out but its still there. Midwife's just explained pain relief. May go for an epidural now its been explained properly and just leave it longer between top ups. Starting to feel lots of pressure now and monitor shows i'm having pains and tightenings so hopefully wont be long. Still nervous though

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Hobby2014 · 04/08/2014 14:18

Oooooh exciting :) keep us updated.

CultureSucksDownWords · 04/08/2014 14:23

Ah, sounds promising! Hopefully it won't be long, and that sounds really positive about getting the epidural as soon as possible.

Would you believe that I'm actually a bit envious of you?! It won't be long now till you get to meet your new baby

s4m4nth4 · 04/08/2014 15:20

I feel so uncomfortable. Lots of pressure down below. That's the best I can describe it. I really want this to all be over now

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LBOCS · 04/08/2014 15:24

I had the pessary at midday, waters went spontaneously at 10pm which started my contractions, had DD at 10.30am the next day. No drip, and a semi-successful epidural. It's not always awful, honestly

CultureSucksDownWords · 04/08/2014 15:31

It will be over soon, it really will be. Keep doing whatever you need to do to be comfortable - ask the midwives for help if things aren't how you would like. Try and rest/eat when you can as well.

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s4m4nth4 · 04/08/2014 16:13

God I hope mine goes quick too. The midwife says the baby's nice and low. I'm getting quite severe period pains now down below and in my back and legs. It's really uncomfortable and I cant keep still. What does a contraction feel like?

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CultureSucksDownWords · 04/08/2014 16:22

That sounds like early contractions, possibly. A period pain type sensation is often how it starts.

Once mine got going they felt like a wave of tightening that was focused in my lower back and sort of pulled my bump in iyswim. Not painful to begin with, just uncomfortable. Once it was decided to have the epidural I didn't feel them hardly at all - just a slight awareness of them.

s4m4nth4 · 04/08/2014 16:28

I think I'm having contractions now but not really sure as never experienced them. It feels like the period pains gets worse in waves. They only last for about 10 seconds but I cant keep still for long

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