Irritable uterus and talks of being induced due to fast labours

[victoriac123]

Just looking for some advice / info / experiences really.

I am pregnant with my third, currently 28 weeks. I have been experiencing what I can only describe as intense Braxton Hicks contractions since probably about 20-22 weeks. I was referred to the OBGYN dept at the hospital for shared care and the OBGYN had said that it sounds like I have an irritable uterus. I've read the very little amount of info online about IU and other mummy forums and can confirm that I fit the bill compared to other mums experiences with IU.
I was hoping for a home birth (planned this time) but the OBGYN didn't like that idea and had said that she would like to monitor me during labour, (which I am not quite sure why).
That combined with my history of fast labours (5hrs first, and 1hr 49mins for second) she said that in order to control labour and monitor me, it would be favourable to induce me.

I guess what I'm after is mums experiences with being induced, and how it compared to a previous natural labour in the way of length of labour etc.
I am just worried that labour will not progress as well as previous labours meaning I'll be in labour and pain for longer, be in hospital strapped to a monitor belt and not being able to be mobile and have an active labour.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what the consultant or any HCP wants, it's your decision.

I'd ask the consultant:

what are the medical benefits to you and your baby of being induced and monitored? Then consider against the risks of induction and CFM.

What are the risks of IU and spontaneous labour specific to you?

Hi, I had my 5th on Wednesday by induction at 37 weeks exactly. All 4 previous births VB births with 4th being in water. I have fast labours also and so they wanted to induce me due to risks of PPH.

The induction for me was quite long, but a fantastic experience. breaking my waters did nothing so I was not in pain. They decided to start drip but as it was my 5th, they only wanted me on it for 4 hours. I had a mobile epidural and whilst this took away the sharp pains, I still felt intense pressure and was mobile and able to get up to go the toilet etc. I used Gas and air and was really able to focus. I was able to maintain control and the MW stood back and let me tell her what I was feeling, when I wanted to push, change position etc.

The best thing was I had a saline drip throughout and maintained fluids, also they used the drip for an hour after labour to help the uterus contract back an for the first time ever I have not experienced afterpains.

baby was born 4am and I was discharged and on my way home by 9am.

I have definitely bounced back quicker than my previous births and i credit this to the hydration and pictocin I received during the managed labour.

Thanks Flisspaps (love the name )
I have another appointment with the OBG at the hospital so hopefully more light will be shed on all the reasons for wanting to induce and monitor me.

Thank you 4athomeand1cooking for your insight. Sounds like a relatively calm experience for you being induced. Can I ask what PPH is?

Pph - post partum hemmorage.

The only risk was because of number 5 and fast labours but I was fine and only lost 300mls.

In reality I should have ignored advice and continued with my HB plans but allowed myself to get scared by the consultants.

But the induction was great and I feel great so no regrets.

I don't have IU but had a PPH with my first (induced) labour.

My choice for DC2 was to plan a Homebirth anyway, I read up on stats/risks of PPH and management of it at home vs management in hospital and for me, it was still worth aiming for a home birth (DS had other ideas though )

I had irritable uterus with my first and third child, but it did not mean they arrived early. Dc1 was 38 weeks, dc2 38 weeks and, dc3 39 weeks.

I had fast labours in my second and third. Third ended up as unplanned home birth. (Was told with third that as I had strep B, home birth not allowed, baby had other ideas)

Irritable uterus is not a reason for induction. But the fast labour would mean that the hospital would prefer a controlled situation, rather than risking an unplanned or unassisted home birth.

However, if there are no other complicating factors, then I assume there is no reason for you not to have a planned home birth. If it was your 5th child or more, or had in previous pregnancies, then post parted haemorrhage would be a consideration.

Hope you get the outcome you hope for.

I had a PPH with a fast 3rd labour. I don't want to scare you but I don't want to ignore the post either.

Just bare in mind what a PPH after a fast labour is like - It's lots of blood pumping out of your uterus - fast.

I gave birth to DC3 in 1 hour start to finish, nearly in an ambulance.
Managed to get me from the trolly to a bed and his head arrived before the midwife had finished washing her hands.

The after birth came very quickly after and I thought, wow, that was amazing, so easy.

Sat down, held my new baby and I suddenly passed out. The clots were preventing the blood to pour out at first so nobody was aware.

The emergency button was pressed and instantly there was a team of consultants etc around my bed doing all sorts of painful things to stop the bleeding and they managed in the nick of time.
This all happened in minutes, not hours. I lost 2 litres and was taken to High Dependency to get a blood transfusion.

The Doctor who basically saved my life told me that if I had been at home i'd most definitely have died.

Not what a hormonal and severely anemic woman clutching her newborn needed to hear but she was right.

Please think twice about what is really important to you.
This is your third baby. You have fast labours. The more you have the more your womb looses tone and doesn't contract down as efficiently after the birth, leaving the blood vessels open.

I hope I haven't worried you but the risks are real and worth knowing. As long as you are in hospital or at least on your way then you are in the hands of people who are ready for eventuality's.

Thank you princesspants, no haven't scared me but it's nice to get all perspectives. I've not experienced PPH with either of my previous labours and it's not been mentioned to me before by any of the MW's, so I've not really thought about that.
My 2nd was an unplanned homebirth with my OH only just arriving as baby was just about to crown. Luckily his aunty was with me, phone in hand to paramedics lol.
I guess I'll find out more from the OB at my next visit in Feb what their intentions and possible risks are.
But thanks for sharing everyone, has helped to ease the unnecessary worry.

Hmmm.

My second DD was also an unplanned, unassisted birth (around 1.5 hours) and all the MWs I've ever seen both after her and with this pg (33 weeks) have recommended that I have a homebirth this time round.

Never heard a whiff of a mention of induction- and I'd refuse if they did. I can't imagine for a second how making the birth five times as long and painful, and needing far more medical intervention could ever be a good thing.

Should say- My second DD was also an unplanned, unassisted homebirth

Does induction slow it down saucyjack?

princesspants it can - but it can also speed things up. It's not a guarantee of a slower labour at all.

Previous quick labours are not a good enough reason for an induction. I wonder why your consultant feels the need to continuously monitor your baby? I think this question needs answering before you can make a decision. You may find the reason is legitimate or you may find the consultant waffles a bit but gives no evidence based reason. I would think for uncomplicated quick labours, that home is the best place to be. No chance of being stuck in the middle of nowhere giving birth in a car. Call the midwives to come to you instead. There are always scare stories from all different points of view. I could tell a few about inductions, but i won't. Google the Birthplace study for supportive research about homebirth. Oh, and I think your concerns about being induced are completely understandable.

Does induction slow it down saucyjack?

No, it's not that it would slow it down as such, but inducing the baby before s/he is naturally ready to make their own appearance is almost always going to make the birth process more complicated than it would be had labour started of its own accord IYSWIM.