[crazy cat lady]

Thats a very sad story and under those circumstances incuction was definately the best thing to do.

May I ask what your reasons are for fighting me at every corner here?

All I'm trying to get across is that induction isn't always the best option, and sometimes it is. I've given many reasons as to why if it isn't necessary, it should really be avoided. If I were to care for a woman having an induction for whatever reasn, I would be 100% supportive of her decision. Its her baby and her choice and my priority would be with the health and safety of the woman and her baby.

However, if a woman has an induction and isn't fully aware of everything that can go wrong and the interventions that may be necessary, it can make for a very frightening and unpleasant labour experience. Induction removes an element of control and empowerment, and a feeling of a loss of control is one emotion you don't want to be dealing with in labour. Labour also is not a time and a place to be asking 'why is this happeneing to me?' and 'what is that intervention for?', hence giving as much info as possible prior to making that decision and being aware of the risks.

No a consultant isn't going to induce every woman on his private books, and a hospital isn't going to induce every woman because the roads are icy either!

[wmpdd3]

Originally Posted by Das Kitty

Good to know. Everyone on a pregnancy board I was on at the time was having them done, and repeatedly.

It's a really unpleasant procedure. I remember feeling so sick after and 3 hours later I was in agony.

In Ardkeen in Waterford sweeps seem to be automatic after you due date, according to the out patient que.

[implausible]

Originally Posted by Das Kitty

I spoke to another consultant after the birth and she told me that from her experience giving sweeps before the cervix dropped on first babies nearly always ended in intervention.

Originally Posted by Das Kitty

Good to know. Everyone on a pregnancy board I was on at the time was having them done, and repeatedly.

Originally Posted by crazy cat lady

Sweeps are not 'advised' anymore although many old school midwives and doctors will still perform them.

Oh my God This is the first time I've heard this and I lived on those boards coming up to my wee man's birth. He never dropped, I demanded a sweep and ended up with an emergency c-section. I don't blame the sweep, but I won't be asking for one again!

[cynder]

Originally Posted by crazy cat lady

Thats a very sad story and under those circumstances incuction was definately the best thing to do.

May I ask what your reasons are for fighting me at every corner here?

All I'm trying to get across is that induction isn't always the best option, and sometimes it is.



No a consultant isn't going to induce every woman on his private books, and a hospital isn't going to induce every woman because the roads are icy either!

Im not fighting you at ever corner and i totally agree with 'All I'm trying to get across is that induction isn't always the best option, and sometimes it is' as i have said that a few times, not that you acknowledged that i've said that in more than 1 post on this thread.

And as for 'No a consultant isn't going to induce every woman on his private books, and a hospital isn't going to induce every woman because the roads are icy either!' DID I SAY THAT? NO!!!!!

I said it would be a pro not a con considered they were offered an induction by the consultant. I did no way say that every woman should be offered an induction because of ice, in there situation they were offered an induction and i said it would be a pro under the current weather conditions.

[Das Kitty]

Can we calm it down a little folks?

[laurpat]

Thanks for all the replies. What we have decided is that we are going to wait before we go ahead with the induction . Monday I am contacting the Consultant and confirming with him. I must say the Vhi Nurse line was so helpful when we contacted them and give me all the options and reasons why we may need to go early. So now it's just wishing and praying that labor happens soon.

[cynder]

Best wishes, hope all goes ok.

[beachbabe]

I was induced at 39 weeks for medical reasons, I was on heparin to prevent a DVT, as I had one a few years ago, and heparin can lead to complications with bleeding if an epidural or c-section is required. The consultant reccomended induction as controllong the timing of heparin doses, and getting me back on it asap after the birth was important.
I knew from early on I would be induced, and therefore knew the day baby would be born, which was odd!
I did not need the gel as I had started to dilate, just went in that morning for syntocin.
Apart from the syntocin, and having my waters broken, I needed no other intervention. The labour was intense, and fast, but no epidural, and the little man needed no help entering the world.
Just thought I would post this to show an induced labour does not always mess around with your birth plan, or lead to a cascade of interventions.

[crazy cat lady]

Originally Posted by beachbabe

I was induced at 39 weeks for medical reasons, I was on heparin to prevent a DVT, as I had one a few years ago, and heparin can lead to complications with bleeding if an epidural or c-section is required. The consultant reccomended induction as controllong the timing of heparin doses, and getting me back on it asap after the birth was important.
I knew from early on I would be induced, and therefore knew the day baby would be born, which was odd!
I did not need the gel as I had started to dilate, just went in that morning for syntocin.
Apart from the syntocin, and having my waters broken, I needed no other intervention. The labour was intense, and fast, but no epidural, and the little man needed no help entering the world.
Just thought I would post this to show an induced labour does not always mess around with your birth plan, or lead to a cascade of interventions.

Beachbabe, its great that you had a positive induction experience. I think that because you had started dilating and your body had started the process naturally that this would have made things a little easier.

There would've been a cascade of interventions, the artificial rupture of your membranes, the oxytocin and then, I'm sure you would've been on constant fetal monitoring? This would've restricted you during your labour and eliminated the possibility of walking or using the shower during your labour. This is fine as I'm sure you were prepared for this from early on in your pregnancy when induction would've first been discussed. However, to someone who has the possibility of induction sprung on them at 39 weeks (as Laurpat has) may find this distressing, especially if they have a very 'hands off/natural birth plan.

Anyway, its great that you can share your story for those who are going to need an induction. As I've said before, inductions can go well and you are a great example of this.

@ Laurpat: Its great that you are seeking lots of advice before agreeing to be induced. Make sure that whatever you decide is for the right reasons for you and your husband, and be sure that you are aware of the process before you begin it should you be induced.

@ grindelwald: I'm sorry if I've misunderstood you throughout this thread. It just seems that you have disagreed with some of the things I have spoken about (playing around with nature unnecessarily, being induced without medical necessity, what Consultants do and don't do to suit their social calendar) Its my profession and I like to think that as I am speaking from experience and from my professional education, that I do know what I am talking about.

I hope that some of what I have said has been useful - and judging by the amount of 'thanks' I have for some of my posts it has.

Good luck to all you girls in the decisions that you make! I look forward to hearing about your bundles of joy over in the newborn and toddlers forum very very soon

[BengaLover]

My advice for what its worth.
Dont be bullied, if your baby is healthy and happy where it is, leave it be.
6lbs is not particularly small - but there is no way really they can be completely accurate with a weight whilst baby is still in fetus.
As for the whole 'overdue' debate, I dont know how long they 'leave' ladies now, but back in the day (i had my first in 1995) it was up and over 10 days, but with good monitoring.

[laurpat]

No need for induction after all, water broke this morning and we're in the labor ward now... will be posting an update soon I hope...

Come on Mum and Junior , yee can do it...

[January]

Wohoo Let us know!!

[BengaLover]

aw, keep us posted..First for boards.ie eh?

[crazy cat lady]

Originally Posted by laurpat

No need for induction after all, water broke this morning and we're in the labor ward now... will be posting an update soon I hope...

Come on Mum and Junior , yee can do it...

Best of luck

And turn your phone off in the labour ward

[cynder]

best of luck,
can we now place bets on a 11/12/2010 or a 12/12/2010 baby?