Induction advice please!!

Submitted by laughLOVElive on July 21, 2014 - 6:59am
Body: 

Hi, I'm really hoping for any advice regarding induced labour. I've looked up the references in the saving the WW book and know it often results in more intervention and looked up posts on the forum which also support the fact that more issues can occur. However, apparently if I leave it too long, fetal distress, lack of oxygen to baby, placenta issues can occur. Obviously I just want to do what is best for baby and me. At 40 weeks pregnant I'm measuring 43 weeks (however I think I have plenty of fluid which might make the measurement higher?). Obstetrician wants to schedule induction the day before I'm 41weeks (so 6 days overdue) and he said baby is a good size. There is still a chance I could go naturally before that but my mum was at least 10 days over with her second baby and her and my first labours were very similar so I'm guessing this might be the same. So should I go against obs and wait longer or take his advice? I still have 2 days to decide.

Forum:

lifegoeson04

July 21, 2014 - 11:12am

Hello, is this your first baby? It's very hard because the medics scare you beyond belief, I was adamant no induction as everyone I know has had an awful labour and most ended up with c section. I went 40 + 5 days with my first. He was 7.14 with my second (5 weeks ago) they advised I was small and got sendmt for scans etc and she was 6.9! Honestly if you look at google they are so not accurate with weight size even if they measure with a scan. People I know got told it was 10 pounds at 38 weeks so was induced ended up in section and baby was 7 pounds. But I don't want to influence because obviously it's scary when your being told the worst case scenario, also I would be interested to know if it's your first or second. I know people third baby who were 10 pounds on the due date or late so it's very hard to know. I personally would avoid inducement but that's my personal opinion. Hope your ok and take care

lifegoeson04

July 21, 2014 - 11:16am

See it's your second I didn't see the last bit, very hard decision, how heavy was your first baby? Me personally but I don't want to go against medical would be to go 10 days over, did your mum have issues? Big baby? All I do know is they never seems to get weight right from what I've found with friends and internet but it's a very hard decision I know. I got pressurised when I went 40 + 5 but a lot of European contoured class full term as. 41 anyway and then go over that!

laughLOVElive

July 21, 2014 - 9:11pm

Yes 2nd baby - first baby was one day early & 7 pound 7. Mum didn't have any issues apart from prolapse - her 2nd baby was 10 pound but she said it was a much easier labour. I'm thinking the same about avoiding being induced until at least 9 days (obs won't go past 10 days overdue). But I'm going to do lots of walking in backyard today & if not in labour by tomorrow morning, I'll call obs to discuss a later date for induction and also how he induces labour as I don't even know that! Thanks heaps for your advice & info - it is very helpful. Hope you are going very well with your new baby!

kiko

July 21, 2014 - 10:27pm

Ask for a stretch and sweep. I had two of those within a few days for second baby and the second stretch and sweep kick started my labour at 6 days overdue.

I was induced with syncotocin with my first and it was smooth and all over within four hours. There was no more intervention than with my second labour. The induction was ultimately unnecessary and misdiagnosed, but it was a bad pregnancy and the doctors were working with the best information they had at the time and it did not affect bonding or breast feeding or anything.

pg

July 21, 2014 - 11:37pm

Hello, I am new to the forum and just received my DVD. I was diagnosed with uterine and bladder prolapse some time ago but I have just begun having symptoms. I have looked around the site a bit and have watched through part one of the DVD. My question is, what is the recommended schedule of performing the exercises o the DVD? Everyday? Thanks...

laughLOVElive

July 22, 2014 - 5:05am

I'll ask about the stretch and sweep - I know it can be uncomfortable but much rather that. Also good to know your induction wasn't a horror story - thank you!

Surviving60

July 22, 2014 - 7:17am

Hi pg - it's great to do a workout every day if you can. But these exercises are to support WW posture, and staying in WW posture all day long is the real essence of this work. - Surviving

laughLOVElive

July 24, 2014 - 5:41am

Had stretch & sweep yesterday. Am 1cm dilated. Although, it was funny as obstetrician couldnt find cervix straight away. i assumed with prolapse, it would have been low. will be doing all i can post baby to ensure prolapse doesnt worsen. Still no baby but much better to have s&s rather than be induced today. Well be induced in a few days if no baby still but feel better doing it at 10 days overdue instead of 6 days. Thanks again kiko & lifegoeson04

Holley

July 24, 2014 - 10:20am

Hello LaughLoveLive
What an inspiring name. I had my son at home at almost 42 weeks. That was a long time ago. After that I became a home birth mi dwife and was trained by some of the best in the US in the 70s.

Sometimes an orgasam can cause labor to start. Nipple stimulation also can induce contractions. A second "sweep" could also help. We used to induce labor by administering castor oil, (let me know if you want the formula) but it's a kind of miserable way to go. Diarrhea is part of what happens.....Walk and squat. Make love if you can and best of luck with your baby. Oh yea, acupuncture can help induce labor if you can find one knowledgable in OB.
Blessings to you and your family. If you end up needing pitocin in in the hospital, just go with the flow and love yourself no matter what.

kiko

July 24, 2014 - 11:06pm

Hoping the best for you lovelaughlive. 1cm dilated is a great sign! Ask for a second stretch and sweep the day before induction if nothing has started. Hopefully it's not too uncomfortable to have another...but you may not need to anyway! And yes, go with the flow, come what may. Baby's nearly here, woo!

Holley

July 25, 2014 - 9:24am

If when you are having exam on the table, if you put your fists under your bum and tip your pelvis up just during exam it will be easier for the doc or midwife to find your cervix. The babes head is probably pushing it way back. Happens before the baby comes down more in most women, prolapsed or not. Hope this helps. The exam should be more comfortable for you then.

This is just my old midwifery experience. I am still a newbie here and not a WW Practitioner, just wanted to be clear about that. :>)
Holley

laughLOVElive

July 25, 2014 - 11:20pm

Thanks Holley - great advice - have tried some of those tricks but yes, will leave the castor oil one out. Will try the walk & squat later. That's awesome you were able to have baby at home at nearly 42 weeks! I'll be induced at 10 days - I'm comfortable enough with that & if cervix ripe enough (will try the fists for examination) will just have waters broken - hopefully being 2nd baby and it being low - it will all happen!
Thanks kiko - wasn't sure if 1cm good or not at this late stage so that's given me hope! Better than nothing too! And yes, more importantly, however it happens, we'll have another baby soon! Looking forward to posting the good news soon. Sorry, just one more thank you - thanks both of you for the 'go with the flow' comment - very important to remember when there's nothing else you can do - learnt that during last labour too!

Holley

July 29, 2014 - 7:54am

Inquiring minds need to know. I hope you have a very positive birth experience. What ever happens, a mild induction, a fast labor, a C Section even; I am sure you will have done the best you can and that's all we can do, right? Are you in the UK? Do you go to a hospital with a midwife?

BTW, The only reason I got to go all the way to 42 weeks is because I had my baby at home and I did not even have a midwife. I would not recommend that to anyone. That's how I became a home birth midwife way back then, over 40 years ago. I realized other stubborn women like me would have their babies at home too and I joined the midwifery movement back then in the 70s and got training from some of the best….including Ina May Gaskin.

Speaking of stubborn, my own prolaplse, now diagnosed as a GRADE 4 enterocele, rectocele and cystocele and I am NOT having surgery. I am only 2 months into this process and this forum has given me the strength to say no to the knife and Yes to life!

happy birthing!

laughLOVElive

August 4, 2014 - 1:00am

Thanks Holley! Yes I have had my baby! Labour went well actually - had half dose of prostaglandin gel inserted - mild contractions for few hours, waters broken, then contractions got gradually worse - established labour for about 3 hours which was a crazy time, but could be in whatever position I wanted, probably pushed for too long but then out came my beautiful baby!
Only early days for me after the birth, but do feel the prolapse is and will be much worse, but like you, being positive and focusing on all the wonderful things in life. Plus, this awesome WW forum & Christine's research and knowledge has plenty to keep us going and improving on. Love your saying no knife and yes to life!!

Aussie Soul Sister

August 4, 2014 - 6:32am

laughLOVElive - Congratulations on the birth of your baby !!
Best wishes,
Aussie Soul Sister

Surviving60

August 5, 2014 - 4:33am

Congrats to you on a successful labor and wonderful new babe! I am sure that if you are mindful of the WW work as you go through the months/years of healing, you may feel the ups and downs but like so many before you, will be better than ever in time. - Surviving

kiko

August 5, 2014 - 9:45pm

Congratulations, LLL! What a positive labour story. Fantastic.

Yup, it'll feel worse for a while. I felt worst at 4 months pp, to be honest... don't judge it too soon (you sound realistic though).

lifegoeson04

August 6, 2014 - 1:30pm

Enjoy the time, I am not even looking at the damage just trying to enjoy baby time. If you suffer at all from constipation when you've just had the baby I can send you the details of some natural pills I am taking 100% fermented and it's really helped. Just thought I would say incase you do. Hope your enjoying your baby

laughLOVElive

August 9, 2014 - 6:41am

Yes loving having a newborn baby again. Thanks for your congratulations and love how we support each other!