Induced Labour v. Natural Labour?

[14hourstillbedtime]

Not like it's a competition I just have some questions, either from women who have experienced both, or any midwives/doctors out there?

DS was induced at 39 plus 4 for a host of reasons: low amniotic fluid not responding to increased maternal hydration and questionable small size of baby and liver in particular (3 week monitoring period - we did not leap to induction). Given prostaglandin gel overnight, contractions started very quickly and came at 2? 3? minute intervals starting at 11 the next morning, went from high, closed and posterior at that time to 3cm at 6pm. Got epidural as felt that, with c-x so close together, never really got a 'breather'. Went from 3 to 10cm dilated in 3 hours, pushed for half an hour. Baby out. No probs.

Now, I'm exactly 39 weeks with DD - cervix high, closed and posterior at last check - with none of the issues from last DC (very relieved, obviously!) but increasingly wondering about the difference in labours between natural and induced? I would really like to deliver without drugs, if poss.... How is the pain different? Does it make a difference that I had the gel and not the pitocin?

Also, having heard that second labours are quicker, does that still apply if the first one was induced?

Wondering..... Grateful for all replies!

Absolutely NOT an expert but:

I think second labours are quicker, whether you were induced for the first one or not.

I had first one with no epidural and can't imagine trying to push when you can't feel your legs or the contractions (had epi after natural birth as needed to go into surgery - I found it the most unpleasant feeling ever). I found gas and air and a competent midwife really helped (first midwife was hopeless at explaining how to use gas and air and reminding me).

Thanks, There! I know it's supposed to be quicker, I guess I'm mostly wondering if the pain is different, and in what way? Also, cos I went from 3-10 so quickly (3 hours) if I might go even quicker (gulp...) this time....

Any other opinions out there?

IMHO:

Natural labour about a million times easier than induced. My subsequent labours were not quicker, but lots more bods will be on in a minute to tell you theirs were I expect!

Was induced with DD1 as was 40+14.

Was given prostaglandin pessary at noon. It took 8 and half hours for contractions to start and they were 3-5 minutes apart all the way through. Waters broke at midnight and was finally examined at 1am and told "you're only 3cms, its going to be hours yet. You can have some pethidine".
Called for a MW just after 2am as felt like I needed to push, and was told not to be so stupid. She watched me have 5 contractions before she agreed to examine me......she had a shock!!!
DD1 was born at 318am suffering with the effects of pethidine. Thankfully I had a senior MW in with me and she was quick to realise what was wrong and everything was ok.

DD2 was completely different!

Again, was overdue (40+7), but things started by themselves this time.
Contractions started at midnight but were so different. Felt like cramps to start with and gradually built up til at 630am, DP decided enough was enough, we were going to hospital as they were less than 5 mins apart.
Got to hospital at 7am. Wasn't even taken into an assessment room til 745am as it was shift change, and was only taken in then as MW who had just come on duty was horrified to find me in the waiting room on hand and knees.
Turned out I was 7cms already, and needed to push within minutes! No time for any type of pain relief!
DD2 was born at 759am, 10 mins after being admitted to birthing centre!

I'm now 17+1 with DC3 and I don't want to be induced, but at the moment its on the cards. I'll find out for sure at 30 weeks.

Sorru, I need to clarify that by "induced" I am referring to synto, not just prostin.

I know using prostin IS being induced, but my beef is with how painful the drip is. Right, will shut up now, sorry!

Thanks, LittleSilver and Merlin8878!

I'm definitely hoping for a second labour like yours, Merlin!

And LittleSilver - from what I've heard, the drip is more painful than 'merely' the gel - I just wondered how and in what way? Maybe this is an unanswerable question? (And hopefully won't apply this time, either!) I think, though, that given that I was totally unfavourable last time I was induced, and it was still a fairly quick first labour, maybe it was also painful for a fairly quick progression?

Or maybe labour is just painful

Bear in mind I have no professional experience and am giving you a very subjective opinion.

In my experience, the drip just didn't give you a break between contractions, unlike my (one) natural labour (out of three), where I got a breather between, also in the natural labour they built up slowly and I could deal with them quite happily (well, reasonably so with a nice canister of gas and air!) Also the mw just kept cranking it up and up and up and I felt totally out of control and just at the mercy of the staff, not like my second, natural, labour when I was in control all the way. I caved and have epidurals with the induced ones but managed fine on gas and air with the natural one. And I have the pain threshold of a gnat! I wish you a nice easy natural labour!