My baby was due June 30th and it was very miserable being pregnant during the summer (in fact, our a/c even broke for one week during late part of my pregnancy). My ob/gyn suggested that my labor could be induced since this was my second child and the first baby was somewhat big and was born past his due date. At first, I was totally against this idea since I didn't really feel I should do it unless there was a serious medical reason. My ob said I could be induced one week before my due date, but I decided to give my baby at least until her due date to come along on her own. If she wasn't born by the 30th of June, which fell on a Sunday, I would be induced the following Tuesday.
I did everything I could think of to hurry the process along. I went jogging, did lots of prenatal yoga (especially squats), and even had sex (although I definitely did not feel very sexy). Nothing seemed to help. My due date came and went and Tuesday morning my husband and I were driving to the hospital to be induced.
I had already sent the paperwork ahead of time, so we were immediately shown to a delivery room upon arrival. The nurse gave me a gown to change into and hooked me up to the IV and started me on Pitocin at about 8:00 am. At this point, I was only dilated about 1.5 centimeters. The nurse broke my bag of waters and left to allow the Pitocin to take effect. The Pitocin quickly began to work and I started having some mild contractions. I was able to use my breathing techniques from Yoga class, deep concentration, and even some of the poses to get through the contractions. I had to use the bathroom a lot, which wasn't much fun. I would have a contraction, get through it, walk to the bathroom with IV in tow, and get back into bed in time for another contraction. I did find it helpful to stand and lean on the bed to break up some of the monotony.
The pain got more and more intense until I was crying and didn't think I could handle it if it got much worse, so I asked for some medication. The nurse gave me Stadol, but it didn't seem to help enough. It did take the edge off of the waiting in between contractions, but during contractions, I actually think it intensified the pain. The next time the nurse checked me, I was 7.5 centimeters dilated! This scared me because it all happened much faster than the first birth, so I asked for an Epidural.
The hospital was really busy that day and everyone seemed to be waiting on the anesthesiologist. When I finally got the Epidural, the contractions were coming on so fast and strong that it didn't really take away the pain as it did during my first birth. I could still feel the contractions, but by the time it was time to push, the medicine started to kick in a bit. Once I was 10 cm dilated, the doctor came in and said it was time to push. I was so ready for her to be born!! I could feel intense pressure as I pushed. The good thing about still having some feeling is that I only pushed four times and her head was out! This probably has something to do with her being a second birth or it could be those darn kegels Anne made me do in Yoga class!!! Olivia Grace was born at 12:34 pm on July 2, 2002. Since she was born so quickly, there was some slight tearing which only required a few stitches.
I think I could have gone through the labor without drugs if I had been a little braver. The pain was intense, but I think I endured most of it before I ever got any drugs. Panic struck me and I wanted relief. (I had considered natural childbirth, but didn't think I could do it.)
Recovery was quicker than my first birth. I was walking around later that day since I only had one dose of Epidural. With my first birth, I couldn't walk until the next day! Being induced does have its advantages: you can schedule the birth, you don't have to be awake all night (if it's quick like mine was), and it's fast. The downside is the contractions caused by the Pitocin are much more intense, quick, and painful than the normal ones. I definitely feel that the prenatal yoga helped make my pregnancy easier and helped me endure the contractions.
