The birth
Heavy start
MamainjanuariGuest ·
Hi everyone,
I have a story about my induction (which is still ongoing) that I’d like to share with you all. Mainly because I’m starting to lose hope a bit.
Sunday morning at 8:30, I was asked to come in for my induction because the baby was too small. Around 9:30, the balloon catheter was inserted; everything was still completely closed up, as they say. I have to say that inserting it was absolutely hell for me. Luckily, I could relax by breathing/puffing. About two hours after insertion, things started to improve, and I was even able to walk a few steps around the hospital.
The next morning, I went in for the examination full of hope. It turned out the balloon wasn’t sitting properly anymore... we don’t know for how long. Everything was still completely closed up. The cervix was still positioned backwards. Just a slightly softened tip. (Which I already had) so no progress at all. I didn’t let this demotivate me and went in full of hope to have the balloon inserted again. This time, the insertion hurt even more. They had to redo it 3 times.
So eventually, the new balloon was in place the next morning at 8 am. From 8 am until early this morning around 8 am, I had contractions/cramps lasting an average of 1.5 minutes each. They came irregularly. Sometimes 4 minutes apart, then 8, then 10 minutes. But they were so strong that I had to puff through them. So definitely not fun.
I received 2 paracetamols (which helped absolutely nothing) and a sleeping pill for the night. I ended up sleeping about 5-6 hours, which was nice.
This morning, I had another internal exam. The cervix was a bit softer, but not yet effaced. But there was a 1cm dilation. I almost jumped for joy. Now, after 48 hours, such a balloon needs to come out. If that’s not enough, they’ll switch to another method. But because our little girl is extra small, they prefer to continue with the balloon one more time. They wouldn’t react well to the gel.
So, inserting the balloon again. This time with twice as much water in the balloon. And just before the insertion, I lost my mucus plug. The insertion was even less pleasant this time... I had tears in my eyes. Puffing didn’t help. They ended up spending 20 minutes on it because it just wouldn’t cooperate.
Now waiting to see. The contractions/cramps have gotten worse. There’s still no regularity. I’ve been dealing with these abdominal and back cramps for so long. I’m just completely fed up. I need at least 2cm dilation and half effacement to break the waters. Then they wait and see what my body does, and if not, an IV with oxytocin.
I’m really scared. I’ve had these cramps for 24 hours now. They really hurt. If labor gets much, much worse later on, I’m afraid I just won’t be able to handle it. I don’t normally have that kind of mindset. Especially since there’s a high chance of a contraction storm with such an IV.
I really don’t know what to do anymore.
Can someone help me?
I have a story about my induction (which is still ongoing) that I’d like to share with you all. Mainly because I’m starting to lose hope a bit.
Sunday morning at 8:30, I was asked to come in for my induction because the baby was too small. Around 9:30, the balloon catheter was inserted; everything was still completely closed up, as they say. I have to say that inserting it was absolutely hell for me. Luckily, I could relax by breathing/puffing. About two hours after insertion, things started to improve, and I was even able to walk a few steps around the hospital.
The next morning, I went in for the examination full of hope. It turned out the balloon wasn’t sitting properly anymore... we don’t know for how long. Everything was still completely closed up. The cervix was still positioned backwards. Just a slightly softened tip. (Which I already had) so no progress at all. I didn’t let this demotivate me and went in full of hope to have the balloon inserted again. This time, the insertion hurt even more. They had to redo it 3 times.
So eventually, the new balloon was in place the next morning at 8 am. From 8 am until early this morning around 8 am, I had contractions/cramps lasting an average of 1.5 minutes each. They came irregularly. Sometimes 4 minutes apart, then 8, then 10 minutes. But they were so strong that I had to puff through them. So definitely not fun.
I received 2 paracetamols (which helped absolutely nothing) and a sleeping pill for the night. I ended up sleeping about 5-6 hours, which was nice.
This morning, I had another internal exam. The cervix was a bit softer, but not yet effaced. But there was a 1cm dilation. I almost jumped for joy. Now, after 48 hours, such a balloon needs to come out. If that’s not enough, they’ll switch to another method. But because our little girl is extra small, they prefer to continue with the balloon one more time. They wouldn’t react well to the gel.
So, inserting the balloon again. This time with twice as much water in the balloon. And just before the insertion, I lost my mucus plug. The insertion was even less pleasant this time... I had tears in my eyes. Puffing didn’t help. They ended up spending 20 minutes on it because it just wouldn’t cooperate.
Now waiting to see. The contractions/cramps have gotten worse. There’s still no regularity. I’ve been dealing with these abdominal and back cramps for so long. I’m just completely fed up. I need at least 2cm dilation and half effacement to break the waters. Then they wait and see what my body does, and if not, an IV with oxytocin.
I’m really scared. I’ve had these cramps for 24 hours now. They really hurt. If labor gets much, much worse later on, I’m afraid I just won’t be able to handle it. I don’t normally have that kind of mindset. Especially since there’s a high chance of a contraction storm with such an IV.
I really don’t know what to do anymore.
Can someone help me?
Replies
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Betty Guest #2
Oh girl, that sounds awful! I had contractions for half a day at home, and I barely got any sleep. Then when I got to the hospital, I asked for an epidural. Thank goodness, because afterward I found out my baby was completely in the wrong position, and it took another night before we had an emergency C-section.
Be proactive about what you want, ask about your options for pain relief, and don't be afraid to push a little if needed. It's your body after all. We pushed through the C-section ourselves; the doctor was hesitating a bit, but we were fed up and our boy wasn't comfortable anymore. Make agreements so that things are manageable for you. Up to what point will you go, and what if that doesn't work? -
Betty Guest #3
My mom had a really tough delivery, my sister had a very heavy one with induction. Mine was spicy, but I didn't get any trauma from it, so I try to do it together as much as possible and not let it overwhelm you. -
anoniem22 #4
You can definitely let the staff know that you're having a hard time and it's really tough for you. Maybe they could look into options for you in the moment? Of course, childbirth is tough, but it doesn't have to become a trauma. My labor lasted 30 hours, and I kept thinking, "just do it, don't complain, because it's supposed to be like this." I even had an IV for painkillers, and they pricked me wrong 4 times before my mom had to step in. So, looking back, I really regret letting it happen like that. How are things going for you right now? -
Hartje #5
Girl, reading that, it doesn't sound like it's that bad! I also found my contractions pretty intense, 1 every 5 minutes, and I was shocked when I heard I'd have to get 2 or 3 every 5 minutes! You can't imagine that. It worked out, but with the help of the pump. Really nice pain relief, you're still doing the work yourself, but then you can hold out. Make it discussable! -
Anonymous #6
Pff, I'm already breaking out in a cold sweat just reading this!
I also had a balloon, and it was indeed no fun, but for me, things escalated much faster.
The moment they inserted it, my contractions finally started, because my water had already broken 20 hours earlier and my contractions just wouldn't come. So they put in a balloon. And after 12 hours, I was lucky enough to have my little sprout in my arms.
But I did ask for an epidural after 6 hours with the balloon in place because the pain was unbearable. So definitely speak up in time. That's what they're there for!
Wishing you lots of success!
Greetings,
Nathalie
www.littlejack.be -
Mamainjanuari started this #7
Hi everyone,
Still no further progress. Yikes!
They're refusing to do an extra internal exam to check the dilation. They want to wait until tomorrow morning.
I'm not sure if I've gotten used to the contractions (to some extent) or if they've become less intense. They're still there, though. I'm not sure anymore.
I'm trying to hold out a bit longer without pain relief until labor really starts, you know.
I'm really against a C-section normally. Now I'm having something like this. Just do it. I'd have her in my arms. -
anoniem22 #8
Huh, is there a risk with the internal exam? It's just inserting fingers to check how far along you are.. seems like a small effort to me. Really annoying if it takes so long, hopefully the contractions pick up a bit and if you can't handle it, don't feel ashamed at all about painkillers! I thought beforehand I really didn't want an epidural and after 14 hours of contractions and staying at a few cm, the midwife advised me to go to the hospital for painkillers because I was screaming. Nowadays they're so much better with it that it's really no problem. I wish you lots of success! Hopefully you'll have your little one in your arms soon! -
Mamainjanuari started this #9
Yeah, seems like a small effort to me. It's just the protocol. -
anoniem22 #10
How did it go? -
Eileen Guest #11
I’m also having a nightmare with induction.. I didn’t know it could sometimes take sooooo long.
We decided to induce in my case because the baby was already too big. My cervix was also positioned very far back and still closed. I had tablets but without success, so now I also have a balloon. Inserting it was a real hell for me too, because of that tilted cervix they couldn’t get proper access. Multiple attempts but eventually it worked. It’s been in for 48 hours now and still no success.. I’ve already spent 4 nights in the hospital and still can’t even start labor….
If your cervix isn’t ripe enough yet, you simply can’t be induced and we’ll just have to be patient. Only it’s crap that we still get those contractions from the balloon etc.
I’m writing this from the hospital too.. hopefully I’ll have success soon!
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