Concerned about Delivery. 39 Wks Advice needed.

[Gemmm]

Hello ladies. I am 39 weeks pregnant. I am due this Friday. I have been visiting my doctor regularly. I took a trip to the ER due to some strong cramping, around  my 37th week (Which we thought was worth looking into. Of course. Also due to the fact that early in my pregnancy I experienced Partial Placental abruption , I also had Placenta Previa  ( Which I'm told was resolved.) The nurse brought it to our attention that I was 2cm dilated. I was sent home due to the fact that I was no longer having cramps ,and seemed to be doing well.
At my appointment with my OBGYN I told him that I was told I was 2cm Dilated, and about my trip to the hospital. He told me the baby was head down, and seemed pleased with that, but did not feel that  I was not progressing (Not thinning.) as well as he wanted. He told me we'd discuss inducing labor if nothing changed by the next week.
I was hoping that I'd go in, be checked, and be told that it would not be necessary to be induced. Although that was not the case. Nothing has progressed any further.  He has told me that although the baby is head down, he is too high up, and that my Cervix is still too thick.

I realize all of this could change within the next two days. (Before Friday, when I am due), but my doctor has set a time to be induced if I do not go into labor on my own within that time. He has told me that I will be given Suppositories to start my labor. If these do have no effect they will preform a Cesarean section. I am more than a little concerned.


I'd like to know what you Ladies think, Also I'd like to hear stories from women who have had to be induced (Positive, and Negative.) Experiences with Cesarean Section , and recovery. What should I expect.

I'd really appreciate any responses.

Thank you. And I hope everyone else's Pregnancies are progressing well, and good luck to all the women who are TTC.

:)

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I agree with sweetangel, if the suppositories don't work there are other options that should be exhausted (if no other complications/medical problems prevent them) before resorting to C-Section.  Doctors nowadays are way to quick to pull the surgery card becuase it's easier for them and it's a more controlled environment so there's less liability involved.  In my case I feel had they not performed a c-section I would have lost my daughter.  She had growth retardation (was 4 lbs 15 oz when born and was 3 days over due) and i had NO amniotic fluid left at all...plus her heartbeat was erratic.  

But if they want to do a c-section just becuase you are a few days over due and suppositories arent' working I think that's a ridiculous reason.  You have total control over your body....do not let the doctors push something on you that you are not comfortable with or do not think they have good reason for.  After all they are being paid to help you...not the other way around.

[megmil]

Wow I never heard of any of those. When I was induced the doctor broke my water and told the nurse that if after an hour nothing was happening to start the pitosin but the dumb nurse started it right when the doctor broke my water and I was in sooooooooo much pain. Both those together was like mega contracitons. I had to have an epidural by the time I was at a three.

[Gemmm]

Hi, There are a few different ways of being induced. I'm familiar with Pitosin (Artificial Oxytocin.) I think Pitosin is used more often than the suppositories which are placed near your cervix. I also believe than can be used prior to using Pitosin. Not 100% on that though.

I've read about a few different methods which include Breaking the bag of Water (Sometimes this is enough.) Pitosin, Suppositories, or Prostaglandin Gels (Prostin), Or Something similar (Misoprostal).

I'm feeling somewhat better about this whole process. Although I still would rather have my child without having to be induced, or without having to under go a cesarean section. Although if it becomes necessary to our health I won't hesitate. My pregnancy by no means has been easy so far, So I do feel somewhat worried.

Ah, I don't want Unfavourable Cervix. Haha. :)

[megmil]

Um well I never heard of using suppositories to induce. I was induced with my first, and both my sisters were once. They used what's called pitosin. It's a drip that they give you in an IV to get contractions going strong and get you dilating. I'm not sure suppositories are even safe. You might want to ask about the pitosin drip. I did not read all the other replys because there are so many but I'm sure someone else has heard of pitosin too. You shouldn't worry about having to be induced though. You and baby will be just fine. I do know that keeping the baby in for too long is real bad. The baby will start to absorb toxins in your body and the placenta could pull away from the uterus causeing baby to try and breethe when it's not ready.

[lisa990]

I have 2 girls - both of them were c-sections.  With my first daughter, I was in labor for 4 days - I was an hour short of going onto my 5th day.  I was induced at 38 weeks because I had gestational diabetes.  Don't tell my that my doctor is terrible for letting me labor for that long....it was because he is a great doctor and he listened to my request to NOT have a c-section.  Since both me and the baby were doing fine, he let us continue on.  The induction was not bad at all.  And the labor (for me) was not difficult.  I only got to 5 cm, so I finally gave in to a c-section because I wanted to see my baby!  But my doctor left the decision up to me, after saying that he didn't think another day of labor would result in a vaginal birth.  The c-section was great....no complications and the recovery was very fast.  I wanted a vbac with my 2nd, but she was breach and since I had already had a c-section, the doctor wouldn't turn her around.  So I had a 2nd c-section.  The recovery for that one was even faster than the first!  Within 12 hours, I was up and walking around - eventually the nurses chased me back into bed, but I felt great and wanted to walk!!

Either way, all that matters is that you and baby are happy and healthy in the end!!  You will do great - just let the doctors do their job and don't get stressed out about it....this is what you've been waiting for!  

[sweetangel7]

I just figured I'd mention, that if I were you, I would request further induction other than the suppositories to see if that moves you along before deciding in a c-section.

Good luck!

[sweetangel7]

I was induced by choice because my son was past his due date.  They admitted me at night and gave me the suppository/cervidil to open my cervix.  By morning it had only opened me up to 1cm.  Then they took me to a delivery room and started me on pitocin.  It brought on the contractions hard and fast.  Around 3-4cm I got an epidural then I went from 4-8cm within an hour and the epidural was not fully working.  It just took the edge off and I could feel everything.  I went from 8-10 quickly too.  I pushed for an hour and he was out.  Overall, I feel I had a positive experience...as good as it could have been.  I would be induced again by choice if pregnant and my baby was past due.  

[Gemmm]

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their stories! :)

[luvmy2girls]

It's so hard to say...but it comes down to how much you want to wait really.  I would personally wait it out and see what happens in the next week or so.  I have heard many people say that natural labor is so much better than being induced.  I have only gone into labor on my own so I don't know.  But all of my labors have been so smooth and quick.  I hope it all turns around for you soon!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Ok I have several experiences I can share as I've given birth several times though i won't share all.  My first was a semi emergency c-section...due to IUGR and oligohydramniosis (no amniotic fluid).  I was only 18 and scared to death.  They gave me a sedative.. I was awake but relaxed...I got a spinal block and didn't feel a thing aside from a little bit of tugging which didn't hurt.  My c-section was arounrd 4:30 pm and  was up and walking the next morning.  So overall it wasn't a bad experience.  I did pop a staple about 2 days after thanks to my mom and best friend making me laugh too hard...THAT hurt...but I healed well.

With another one I had not dialated and was only a few days before my due date...I woke up at midnight to my water breaking and the contractions satrted almost immediately.  She was born at 6:27 that morning.

Another time I dialated 2 cm by 38 weeks...I had my membranes stripped on a thursday and he was born on Friday.  I got to the hospital about 4:30....my water broke around 5....he dropped in the middle of me getting my epidural and was born about 10 minutes later

This last time I was induced on my due date.  Having been pregnant so many times I was expected to progress more and earlier...however by my due date i was only 1 cm and not effacing....I was started on pitocin (no suppositories) around 1:30 and he was born at 8:08 pm.  My water broke around 6:30.  

Hope this helps :)

[kjbutcher]

I was told same thing.  High baby, not progressing and possible c section due to this. 4 days later 39w 5d I was at the hospital at 4am dialated to 3 and still high baby.  by 6:30am I was fully dialated and at +2.  Baby was born 45 mins later naturally.  (too quick for epidural even)  Things can change so quickly!!  good luck to you!

[daisymomlove]

I just had my daughter May 17th.  I was due May10th.  My pregnancy kinda was bad.  Poor little girl gave me so much heartburn.  With this one I couldn't hardly eat anything.  Then at the last month her head was sittiing on my nerves so I had nerve pains in my legs everyday on and off till I had her.  So I didn't try walking, running downt he hallway with my daughter lol, and yes sex.  I was only diolated 2 as well, I was still think but her head was far down there.  But all of this didn't work for me.  So I got indued.  Which my labor was only 8hrs.  She still didn't want to come into this world lol.  They actually had to try and sucktion her out a couple of times, then finally they had to cut me.  So yeah it was kind of a bady pregnancy and delivery but it was all worth seeing her face.  She was 6lbs8oz.  She was my biggest.  My first was 5lbs15oz and my second was 5lbs12oz.  I dont' see how she was bigger she was the one that I couldn't hardly eat with.  LOL oh well.   Well my recovery went pretty good.  I'm still sore from where they had to cutt me.  The first week I was walking around like it was my first time you know what.  Still a little painful but everyones body is different.  Good luck on your delivery and keep us posted

[JoyRenee]

I'm going to send you a PM.

[Gemmm]

Thanks Ladies!

[ConfusedMom464]

First of all good luck and good job for coming this far! I was induced at 38 weeks and I was not completely thinned out and I was dilated 1.5cm.  What I did to try and dilate more and thin out more before my induction date was constant walking, and sex! It worked, by the time I went in on Monday i was 2.5. The induction was not as bad and neither was labor. I had epidural before my contractions started which I recommend so you can have energy to push. I was in labor for 16 hours but for 14 of those 16 hours I wasn't dilating. My gyno came in and said I'd have to do a c-section. I said give me one more hour and if i DONT dilate anymore than we can go ahead w a csect. (baby might have been in trouble because my water had broke 12 hours ago) Anyway, I ended up dilated to 10 cm in 1 hour!!! The nurses were amazed. 40 minutes later, a healthy 10 lb baby was popped out!!!! It was an amazing experience. good luck, its not as bad as people make it-stay positive!

[smjmekg]

I have two experiences to share. The first was not my birth story, but my aunt's. She went into labor and was dilating, but never went past 4 centimeters and ended up having a c-section, which is probably what your doctor is saying with talking to you about having one. If you aren't progressing, then they'll do a c-section. She bounced back from the c-section pretty quick, but wasn't allowed to walk for a day or so because she had the epidural.  Now mine, my son was breech and I had a scheduled c-section (yes they can flip a baby, but after researching it I decided to go with the c-section) I was up and walking within 24 hours after I had him. He was born at 1022 and I was walking at 1 am, 15 hours later. I wasn't in much pain the first few weeks unless I was coughing or laughing. I became tired more easily for a while, and I was weaker, but almost like my normal self. Recovery for me was a breeze. Other than being tired, and a little weak, I was fine...I did have a spinal headache, but I blame it on the horrible anesthesiologist that I had poking me five times before someone else came in and got it in on the first try...so all in all it was a pretty good experience.