Induction vs. Natural Labor

I have only had the induced labor ... so I have nothing to base it on vs the other ... but I tell you it was a relief to get induced because he was sitting on my sciatic nerve and I was having really bad troubles trying to walk. I don't know what these gel inserts are they are talking about ... I had an IV ... we played canasta during most of my labor until it got until the end when it was time to have him. My other 2 were c-sections.
 
My first two were natural, my last induced... twice. I've only had one good labor experiece and that was with my second and it was a dream pregnancy too. I also chose to use pain medicine with him, and for all people say you miss out on so much, I felt I was able to enjoy the labor more that way and getting to hold and be with him right afterwards.
My first came naturally and was without drugs. I had the epidural but it wore off about 2ish hours before I started pushing. It was sooooooooooooo incredibly painful, not just the him coming out, but he also broke my tail bone when coming out, and he was only 6lbs and some ounces.
With my last, Miss Belly, I was induced because from about 7ish months on she was transverse, and no matter how many times she was turned she kept going back to being transverse. So what they did was schedule my induction, and before it started turned her back. But then nothing happened. I was only 1 cm dilated after over 12 hours. (I should add even before the induction my body was doing nothing at all and I was 37 1/2 weeks.) We couldn't just say nevermind and go home, because she would more than likely turn herself again, and I would end up having to get a c-section since my doctor will not turn a baby once labor has started. Or I could stay and try again with the stipulation that if nothing happened after a few hours the next day I would get a c-section. So they stopped the pitocin and inserted the gel stuff, which worked wonders. By morning I was 5 cm dilated and when they restarted the pitocin it only took 3 hours until she was born.
 
I wanted to add, if a doctor tries to pull the "induce-you-because-of-baby-size" get more opinions! My second son was projected to be 9lbs+ and my doctor wanted me to schedule a c-section (what with me being so tiny) which I wouldn't do. Turns out I wouldn't have needed one since Ryan was my smallest at 6 lbs. 5 oz.
 
I am a natural labor proponent unless medically necessary. Both of my kids were born at home. DD came at 38w1d and it was a 5-hour labor. DS came at 39w2d and it was 2 hours and 17 minutes from start to finish. Fast does NOT mean easy.

If you have an exercise ball, bounce on that. I swear that's what sent me into labor with both kids. It helps with baby's positioning.

Hang in there! The wait is so hard and you swear you're going to be the only woman in the history of the world who will be pregnant forever, but I promise you won't. :D
 
msteiner99 said:
Same here! My little 6 lb guy broke my tail bone as well. Recovery was awful - I couldn't walk for weeks.
Click to expand...

My last re-cracked it. It wasn't as bad as my first, but I swear the recovery felt like it took longer this time. I still can't sit on hard chairs for long periods of time without being in pain when getting up.
 
Last edited:
I was induced with both of mine due to high blood pressure so I can't really say. My labors were not long though. With DD I only had the cervical gel and didn't feel a thing until my water broke (about 14 hours later). Once my water broke, she was born in about 5 hours. I had a little pain meds by mouth but no epidural. With DS I only had pitocin and he was born about 4 hrs. after it was started. I had an epidural with him but it didn't take and I could feel everything. I will say the contractions were stronger with him, but the nurse said that's because fast labors are harder than slower labors.
 
msteiner99 said:
Same here! My little 6 lb guy broke my tail bone as well. Recovery was awful - I couldn't walk for weeks.
Click to expand...

That happened to me with DD and she was just over 6 lbs too. She was my first though so dummy me didn't realize it and just thought that's what it felt like after you had a baby. :blink::p
 
Give me natural anyday.

My first was induced. I was young, and didn't fight when the Dr. said that was what would work best with his schedule. The contractions for horrible.

My second came on his own, the contractions weren't as bad but I did get an epidural.

My third was born on March 1st. He came all on his own, at home in a birthing pool in the middle of my living room floor. Hands down the easiest labor and delivery of all three.
 
My first was natural. My water broke and I went to the hospital. It moved along pretty quickly. It was a pretty traumatic experience for me, because he had a very large head and was facing up. They used the vacuum to help get him out. But by the time he came out he wasn't breathing and all that. I didn't get to hold him for about ten minutes. I am pretty surprised they didn't do an emergencey C-section. He was only 7 lbs. 6 oz. But it was his head that made it tough.

So when I was having my second I was terrified of how my delivery would be. When the U/S tech told me he was a big baby at 36 weeks. I freaked out. At 38 weeks my doctor said, he didn't think I was ready and wasn't comfortablee inducing yet. At 39 weeks he scheduled it 4 days later. But I had so much anxiety I was prepared to deal with a C-section. So I was induced 3 days early, and had a smooth delivery. Second baby was 8 lbs 3 ozs. but he had a smaller head. I did have an hour of really terrible contractions (worse than any with my first). But I did eventually get an epidural which helped the pain tremendously.

Now that I have written a novel. I would probably not suggest it if it is your first, especially if it is before the due date. But I am very glad I did with my second.
 
I was induced for my first child as she was 'overdue' and my health was suffering. Have to say, it was a truly horrible experience, btu I base it more on the extra circumstances. I had started contractions three days before they decided to admit me to hospital, so I was exhausted before the real battle started lol The doctor I was assigned had been in the country two weeks and couldnt speak english properly and took 5 tries to find a vein before the nursing STUDENT stepped in and took over, getting it first time. Then I had to have the ventouse, which was operated by another student, who had no idea what they were doing. So all in all, it was a rough time. Worth it, but rough lol
My second, was all natural. My contractions started with a vengeance and within 3 hours I had my little bundle. I have to admit, this was a scary time too. I was so NOT prepared for how fast things would happen, & I was alone with my 3yo when I went into labour, so trying to care for her, stay calm and get help was pretty intense lol
SHould add, both my births were med free, as we found out the hard way that I was allergic to Pethadine :/
If I had to choose though, knowing what I do now, I'd choose natural for sure. I think, as long as you approach either situation with a good idea of the goings on, you'll be fine. Go to the hospital tours, read any material recommended by your doctor/midwife & just remind yourself to breathe. Just remember, there's a gorgeous little bundle of love waiting for you at the end of it all

Good luck Yari! Sending positive thoughts!
 
Last edited:
I like natural. I just think there's something cool about the baby picking their own birthday. (Which is odd since I'm the uber-planner type...)

Honestly, I think labor sucks any which way you look at it. :p
 
i have two kids -

the 1st - i went into labor naturally one week after my due date. i labored at home all night, and went into the hospital after about 11 hours and was 5 cm. i left the hospital to eat, walk around, etc and while at home my water broke and there was meconium, so i went back in to see my midwife. it was now about 6 hours later and i was STILL at 5 cm :( so - they decided to give me pitocin. after a while of that, i decided to get an epidural (i didn't want one at first) - b/c i wasn't allowed to walk around b/c they couldn't get a reading on the monitor unless i was in bed ... it was painful (i didn't notice that pitocin made the contractions worse - i thought they were ALL bad - LOL) - the epidural was great i thought - haha - wondered why i waited so long.

my second was induced after i went two weeks late - i went in a 9 am and the midwife finally broke my water at 8 PM. i had no pain during that time and just got to about 3 cm. after my water broke i walked around and the contractions started coming hard and fast ... at 10 i asked for an epidural - took awhile for the guy to get there, he did a HORRIBLE job and i ended up getting no/minimal relief and having the baby 10 minutes after the epidural was done - with only one push. then - i got a spinal headache from the epidural which was the WORST - i will NEVER get an epidural again - haha - even though i know it is a rare side effect - it sucked! way worse than labor!

good luck with whatever happens!! it's nice to hope for natural, but be able to go with the flow when things don't work out - i wanted two natural water births - LOL - and had the exact opposite!
 
I've had 3 children. First two I went into labor on my own, and had naturally. My son was 9 lbs 5 oz and my daughter was 8 lbs 6 oz, so they weren't tiny babies, either. Great birth experiences.

With my 3rd, I was induced due to moving into eclampsia. It was by far my scariest birth experience. Due to the drugs they were giving me, I wasn't able to focus on my breathing through contractions and due to the pitocin, they were coming hard and heavy. I ended up asking for an epidural, and that caused my previously skyrocketing blood pressure to completely bottom out (to the point where I feared for my baby's life, and had already decided I was probably going to die). In the end, the epidural finally took just as it was time to push, and that part was super easy. However, given the choice, I'd always choose to go into labor naturally. My inducement was far too medical, and to me, labor should be more natural.
 
Well, I had natural childbirth with DS...and I mean totally natural with no meds and then I had a c-section with DD...I would rather birth 3 more naturally than to have a c-section again...I've never been induced so I have no way to compare that one.

With DS..it hurt..but once it was over it was over...I got up and went to the bathroom 15 minutes after he was born...with DD...UGH! Recovering from that section was awful...and I can usually tolerate a good deal. I hated the entire section experience actually...and the worst of all the catheter duh duh duuhhhh... :) I didn't have to have one with DS.

But DD wouldn't budge and by the time my doc realized she wasn't going to budge she was too big to be induced...so I had the section...she was 9lbs 5 oz..but I still think I could have pushed her out lol :)
 
ryliesmom said:
That happened to me with DD and she was just over 6 lbs too. She was my first though so dummy me didn't realize it and just thought that's what it felt like after you had a baby. :blink::p
Click to expand...

Argh! That totally happened to me, but no one would listen to me! I kept asking "Is my tailbone supposed to hurt this much? I know my friends have been able to get up and walk but it literally makes me cry to do so." and no one would listen to me. :cursing: I'm glad to know that I was most likely right. I was in fairly serious pain for 3 months, and the lactation consultant thought I was a baby when I was having so much trouble rolling over or sitting up. I'm glad to know that it has happened to other people too, and that I'm not just a big baby. The tailbone was way worse than childbirth!
 
MissKim said:
My inducement was far too medical, and to me, labor should be more natural.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you when there's no special medical reason to do it. I think my doctor suggests induction to every pregnant woman that he sees in his office - VERY induction friendly (maybe because it works with his schedule better). But the good news is that he is a really good doctor and I am happy so far. He has delivered two of my babies and now I feel like, "hey! I can make my own decisions here and have it the way I want it" (no matter how much he persists. :) I feel good this time, health wise, so I am going to wait and just hope that baby comes on his own soon.
 
ryliesmom said:
That happened to me with DD and she was just over 6 lbs too. She was my first though so dummy me didn't realize it and just thought that's what it felt like after you had a baby. :blink::p
Click to expand...

Yep, me too! And my first was my smallest baby at 5lb 14oz! Totally hurt for so long! And I told the nurses and doctor that I thought it was broken and they just said that I thought it was but that it really wasn't. How do they know? They didn't even check or anything! Ugh!
 
yari said:
Yep, me too! And my first was my smallest baby at 5lb 14oz! Totally hurt for so long! And I told the nurses and doctor that I thought it was broken and they just said that I thought it was but that it really wasn't. How do they know? They didn't even check or anything! Ugh!
Click to expand...

both times mine did my doctors gave me an xay after I described the pain. The description that seemed to convince them the most was that when I sat or went to stand, I could literally feel the pieces shift. I mean, especially with my first it was a HUGE pain, completely overshadowing the pain and cramps from having him. I was literally crying and screaming when I had to get out of the hospital bed to shower after I had him.
 
MommaTrish said:
both times mine did my doctors gave me an xay after I described the pain. The description that seemed to convince them the most was that when I sat or went to stand, I could literally feel the pieces shift. I mean, especially with my first it was a HUGE pain, completely overshadowing the pain and cramps from having him. I was literally crying and screaming when I had to get out of the hospital bed to shower after I had him.
Click to expand...

Did they tell you how to treat it, or is it just a wait and heal process? I could feel mine clicking when I was changing from sitting to standing and vise versa, or even when I would readjust in bed. I felt like such a bum for how much I hurt for so long after childbirth! If it happens next time I will demand that they look at it! I can still feel it if I sit on hard chairs for more than 15 minutes!
 
glumirk said:
Did they tell you how to treat it, or is it just a wait and heal process? I could feel mine clicking when I was changing from sitting to standing and vise versa, or even when I would readjust in bed. I felt like such a bum for how much I hurt for so long after childbirth! If it happens next time I will demand that they look at it! I can still feel it if I sit on hard chairs for more than 15 minutes!
Click to expand...

They said there wasn't much they could do, other than give me extra pain medicine. They gave me advice, like not to sit to still, to try to move around when you're sitting.The biggest advice that helped me though was from my grandmother (who's a nurse) she told me to use the boppy we got to sit on, (or to buy an extra if you can afford it) because it takes the pressure off the immediate break area.
 
After being induced for 5 out of 7 days with my youngest before an emergency c-section, I'd definitely say natural. My oldest was natural and labor was much easier. Although I thought the recovery from the c-section was easier :)
 
Induced twice and natural labor once - HANDS DOWN Induction!!!!!!!!!! Natural Labor for me was HELL -

Everyone is going to have their own story - go with your gut -
 
Mine were induced - they were both perfectly happy inside my tummy!!! LOL! Best of luck to you :)
 
I was induced with my first, went into labor naturally with my 2nd. The 1st was sooo much more difficult. The contractions never stopped. The 2nd, I went into labor about midnight, went to the hospital, and actually slept until about 8 the next morning, through contractions and everything. I had epidurals with both, but I'm definitely doing a total natural, medication-free one this time as long as I don't go into labor too early (I'm at risk for that).
 
I'm not a lot of help since both mine were natural, first at 36 weeks and second at 31 weeks. Which is why I won't be having another. I was in labor for 5.5 hours with the first and 2 hours with the second. It was really scary with my second coming so early and quickly the nurse kept telling me to close my legs cause the doctor wasn't there. Well that doesn't work. They came to check me once more and she popped out. No pushing required. I firmly believe when they are ready, they are ready. Doing it to fit schedules seems weird, for medical reasons I can understand. I hope that your walk brings you success since you are @40 weeks you are probably pretty ready to go :)
 
3 hours of walking today, one of which was carrying my 2-yr-old while he was asleep. And what did I get from it? Nothing but exhaustion and a bad headache. I'm still here. :thumbdown:
 
I have a lot to say on this subject, and I haven't read the rest of the thread. ;) :thumbup:

I've had an induction, an in hospital natural birth, and last Monday, Memorial Day, I had my first out-of-hospital birth/homebirth, at 41 weeks. If we ever have a fourth, we will definitely be planning another homebirth. It was an amazing experience. If homebirth wasn't available to us, than we'd probably go unassisted rather than go to the hospital. Even my husband feels that way. Of course, if being in a hospital was our absolute only option, we would still be planning completely natural birth.

For me, the recoveries do not compare, and neither did the experiences. In my natural hospial birth, I was able to be in any position I wanted/needed to be in so that pushing was effective. Pushing, and laboring for that matter, on your back is not effective. Your pelvis is smallest in this position. It's the widest when you're on your hands and knees, which is how I delivered on Monday. Getting on your hands and knees can also be a good way to dislodge shoulder distocia (Gaskin Maneuver). Pushing during my induction was hard and painful. I had no knowledge of what was going on because I had an epidural in place. No one even told me she was crowning. With my second, he was smaller, and my body did most of the work. I was squatting though, and he pretty much slid out. The one I delivered on Monday, I actually had to push again, but I was able to completely follow my body. I pushed only as I felt my body telling me to do so (as my contraction peaked), and it was so much more effective (about 3 contractions) and less painful. It was actually a relief compared to labor. I was also completely aware of what was going on, as in feeling his head completely descend, his body rotate afterwards, etc. With my induction, I tore, but I didn't with the natural births.

There were also marked differences in my babies. My oldest (induction) was very sleepy and hard to nurse for about 3 days. Both boys were alert immediately after being born, and both nursed vigorously within an hour of birth.

So, for me, there is no question. Assuming that nothing crazy and truly life-threatening came up, I would never induce again, and I would not deliver in a hospital again, after the experience we had Monday.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2026 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top