planning to induce, but wondering if this will work

[Anonymous]

I am scheduled to induce this Friday, which will be 41w 6d.
I am already anxious about this, tried everything I can to induce labor spotaneously (spicy foods, walking, sex, etc.) and am still holding out hope that I will go into labor on my own. I had hoped for a natual labor, and it sounds like induction does not / may not allow for my original plan.

Anyhow... on the way out of the dr's office this morning, another doctor in the practice (who I have seen, but not today) suggested that if I am this closed (1 cm) and baby's head is only a bit far down, that my cervix will not allow for the baby's head to pass through. She basically said if this is the case, a cesarean will be the only recourse.

I am totally distraught over this and while I realize a cesarean is always a possibility, I am now left thinking that the baby is so late because she will never come out vaginally - even with pitocin.

Has anyone been told this kind of thing before they went into labor? Any way to know if this doctor is correct in her assessment, or is the only way to know if a baby's head will fit through is to try it first (labor)?

(Just looking for some similar experiences here.)

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm at 39 weeks, so I still have "time" and I also haven't been there, done that yet, but if it were me, I would question what your doctor and his partner said. Babies can often safely stay in the womb until 42 weeks (some say longer, but I'd probably allow the line to be drawn there). Due dates can be off, as well. And from everything I've heard, dilation, stage of presentation, effacement, etc, mean virtually nothing. Some women don't open up until they're in labor. There are ways to ripen an unripe cervix, both medical and holistic, but that doesn't mean you have to do it. Im suggesting these things because it sounds like you do not want a ton of interventions, so my suggestions may not be right for everyone, but consider asking your doctor what the harm is in waiting until 42 weeks, or if there is a reason he / she is set on inducing so early. Perhaps if you agree to do a non-stress test or another way to reassure doctor that baby is fine, and an ultrasound to check on fluid, etc, they'll agree to wait. Nearly everything I have read says that a NORMAL gestation period for the human is between 38 and 42 weeks.

And I'll cross my fingers for you that the baby decides to make his / her own way into the world. Whatever you do, talk to your primary doctor now. If this other doctor is talking c-section like it's inevitable, I'd watch out for that. So many of them are just so c-section happy it's not even funny. I'm sorry this is happening to you. Remember, baby may decide to surprise you tonight! (hope so).

[Anonymous]

Between now and Friday, you can try evening primrose oil (orally and/or applied up against your cervix), acupuncture, castor oil or even asking your doc to sweep your membranes. All of these have pluses and minuses, so I'd encourage you to read up and ask questions before trying.

You can also decline to show up for the induction -- it's not like the Pregnancy Police will show up at your door and forcibly frog march you to L&D. Offer instead to come in for a nonstress test and/or biophysical profile to check that everything is indeed A-OK inside.

[Anonymous]

Don't stress! I also wasn't dilated, wanting a natural birth. Ultimately, I had pitocin and labored naturally so it can be done Once the pitocin kicked in, it didn't take too long for my cervix to open and, voila, baby came out.

Plus, it's only Tuesday. Lots can happen til Friday

[Anonymous]

This sounds weird to me. I'm 41w 3d, same as you, supposed to have an induction in 2 days, and at my last check on Friday I wasn't dilated (but was 80-90% effaced). My doctor doesn't seem to feel that this will be a problem--they give you cervadil to help you dilate. I don't understand why your doctor would say that not being dilated makes an induced vaginal birth impossible. You can even have a good Bishop score without dilation because there are other things that matter too. Do you know if you are effaced and also what position your cervix is in? (posterior, etc)

You may want to try other natural methods to induce. I'm about to give castor oil a second try tomorrow. The first, about 5 days ago, created strong contractions but then they went away. Castor oil sucks but if you are really uncomfortable with induction (I can relate to this) you don't have much to lose. Just make sure you drink plenty of fluids. If you don't feel comfortable with castor oil (very understandable) then maybe try acupuncture--my doula thought this was another strong option.

I would also recommend doing big hula hoop circles on an exercise ball, that can help the baby descend.

Hang in there! I am in the same boat, also hoping for a natural labor, and I know how hard this is and how difficult it can be to just breathe and remember that it will all be all right.

[Anonymous]

This is pp again--to pp 18:45: you can't have your membranes swept if you're not dilated, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

I went into my induction with DD#1 with no dilation, barely effaced and she was sitting up high. 24 hours later I vaginally delivered my DD. During that 24 hours my Drs used every induction technique in the arsenal, but it worked in the end. I did have an epidural, but I'm a wuss and was not planning for a natural birth.

With DD#2, I was also induced but started at 2.5 cm/50% effaced. The cervical softener was all I needed to kick start labor. It only took 6 hours and had I planned for it, I'm pretty sure a drug-free labor would have been possible.

The thing I appreciated most now in retrospect about labor #1 is that I never felt rushed. The Dr would try something and give it time to work. Talk to your Dr, explain how you are feeling and see what you can do together to get to your preferred outcome. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I was induced at 40 weeks due to no fetal movement. I I was 1 cm, not effaced. I labored for 12 hours and delivered vaginally with an epidural. Don't rush into anything, listen to your body. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I was in your situation at 40w1d - no dilation or effacement, baby still high and "floating", cervix posterior. My water broke the next day and I did have to have pitocin as natural labor never kicked in. I was able to dilate all the way and pushed for 2 hours before having a c/s for failure to descend (the head was malpositioned). So in my experience, and from what I've been reading since then, positioning is much more important than anything else. I wish I paid more attention to that at the time, I tried some exercises but only half-heartedly unfortunately. Cervidil and pitocin will cause you to dilate but that's only 1/2 of the work. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

And have sex! (Though it won't be too comfortable at this stage). At my 39 week appointment I was not dilated AT ALL. Dr. said I would probably go past due date. I used primrose oil, and had lots of sex (sorry TMI), and within two days I had delivered.

[Anonymous]

PP who commented earlier, just realized I misread your message -- you are nearly 42 weeks. I thought the doctor was trying to induce at 41 weeks. Sorry!

[Anonymous]

I don't think you are necessarily doomed for a C-section. I had to be induced at 41 weeks and I was only 1 cm dilated and the baby was waaaaaaay up there. It took 36 hours but I still managed to have him vaginally.

I'm not a doctor so I don't know what the doctor was trying to get at, but I suspect he was referring to you having a low Bishop score (it has to do with dilation, effacement, position of the baby, etc.). The lower the Bishop score, the less chance a medical induction will be successful. But it doesn't mean you'll have to have a C-section.

You'll have your baby home before you know it. I hope you have a good experience and are able to have the type of delivery you want.

[Anonymous]

I was not dilated one bit at 42 weeks and had to be induced. After laboring for 30 hours (including 2 pushing) and forceps failure I had a C-section. DD was 9lbs 6ozs. Do not be surprised if it happens to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was not dilated one bit at 42 weeks and had to be induced. After laboring for 30 hours (including 2 pushing) and forceps failure I had a C-section. DD was 9lbs 6ozs. Do not be surprised if it happens to you.

Poster, obviously she is not going to be surprised if this happens to her. She doesn't want to go into it with a "doomed to c-section" mentality, however. I understand sharing your experiences, but how is this brusque downer of a post going to help OP? OP, I see more hope than gloom in most of your responses. Good luck to you! Rooting for you to have a safe, vaginal delivery.

[Anonymous]

There's still hope, OP! Have you thought about reflexology or acupressure?

I was administered pitocin when my labor stalled and managed to deliver vaginally, without an epidural (I point that out only to offer support in case you are hoping to avoid pain meds, since I wasn't sure from your post).

Anyway, try not to let that doctor's comments get to you and go treat yourself to a pedicure or something else! Let us know how it goes.