Currently at Hospital 42w2d

[nermeen]

Hi gals,
I need some help. I have had a triplet pregnancy that went up to 29w0d- had a scheduled c-section (almost emergency) because I was dilated to 3 cm. Anyway, 6 months later, pregnant again, wanted to do a VBAC.


Had a trouble free pregnancy, no problem whatsoever, just a lazy uterus/cervix- hadn't dilated to more than less than a fingertip for a few weeks.

I am now 42w2d and am in the hospital being induced. I was to come in 7 am on Friday to start the Pit drip. I was told to come in at 1 pm. Pit drip started at 2 pm, no big deal contractions, they had me on until 11 pm max they went up was 24 units. Before the nurse took me off the pit she checked my cervix and found that I was more effaced (I was about 30%) and dilated between 1-2 cm.

Plan was to get me on the pit in the morning at 6 am. 6 am comes, I get a nurse coming in to tell (lie to) me that the VBAC form I signed at my OBGYN's office needed to be there for her to start the pit. I said, well let me sign one now. She said the doc has to be here... I waited and waited until 2pm to get the pit going again.

At 6 pm doc checks my cervix still the same, effaced a bit more, but heck I feel the contractions closer and stronger. I believe the pit is really working...
She decides and wants to break my water "After her supper"....
And so I go with the plan for a few minutes but then thinking about it, just didn't seem right...
She came back with the tools around 8 pm and I let her know I'm not interested in breaking water that everything seems to be progressing nicely and that I am in no way going to get an epidural and if she breaks my water at 2 cm (or less) at 8 pm, with the pit intensifying my contractions, I was bound to cave in to the epidural or even a c-section, and it's just not fair, I hadn't really had my chance...

She says they are understaffed, doesn't make sense to wait, she couldn't really give me a reason... including that the nurse with the missing VBAC consent form lied to me, there just wasn't enough nurses in the morning to start my pit drip... At this point, I am just so ready to leave this hospital and just go elsewhere...

Anyway after putting up a fight, she agreed to let me off the pit tonight at 11 and start all over again in the morning and I let her know I am willing to let her break my water in the morning if she felt like she needed to.

Gals,

I still don't feel right... Am I doing the right thing? Is there something you can advise me with or let me know.... The baby's heartbeat is fine, I'm doing fine, the epidural is something I don't want to do because of phobic reasons, I am open to a c-section, do tolerate pain well, but do not want to feel rushed or pushed around....

[EllyMayMomma]

I lurk here now and then as when I get pg, I will vbac.

Good for you for standing up for yourself! That is really hard in the hospital where you feel so out of place to begin with. You are a strong momma!

I just want to say that understaffed and not wanting to spend the time waiting is not a good enough reason to break your water. It will cause the contractions to be stronger, and hurt more. Of course, it will also speed up your labor, which is what the doc is after. If she feels like she needs to and you do not agree, make her give you a good reason why. If the baby starts to get stressed, that would be a good reason why but make her show you how she knows the baby is stressed.

When my labor was augmented with my second, I did let the doc break my water early - like at 4 cm - because I wanted to have the baby asap. It worked - baby 4 hrs later. But my doctor never made me feel like it was not my choice and if I had said no, he would have respected my decision. I was determined to avoid the epidural and was able to do so. It just was not an option. I did get one dose of some IV medication.

Try to get some good rest tonight. Sounds like tomorrow will be a huge day! God Bless.

[cairomama]

You bought yourself more time, that is great! Make you sure rest tonight, you'll need your strength. I would try the Pit again tomorrow without breaking water and see what happens. Ask what station (how low the baby is) before they break your water.

A friend of mine has had 9 children and 8 were Pitocin inductions and she went unmedicated with them. It can be done, but if it got too intense, I would also labor with an epidural before deciding to have a c-section. You will have to have one for the c-section anyway. You could try to get to 5cm before you think about getting the epidural and always get checked right before because you might have made more progress and that will give you the motivation to continue. I had an unmedicated VBAC, but I didn't have Pitocin. I would definitely choose an epidural with a chance to VBAC over a repeat c-section.


You could also sign out and wait to go into labor on your own or find another provider, but if you don't want to do that, just keep doing what you are doing and delaying the doctor as long as baby is looking good.

[Banana731]

Are you only being induced because you are 42 weeks? Unless there is something wrong with you or your baby that is creating a need for induction, I would just go home and wait for labor to start on its own.

Tell them since they said the ward was "understaffed" for the weekend you feel more comfortable coming back during the work week.

It's your birth, take it back!

[CookAMH]

Get them to leave you alone tonight, hopefully they already are. I would be very wary to have your waters broken until you are further along. If and when that does happen, be very strict about vaginal exams after that! If you have a longer labor, and have hands going up there, you are asking for an infection which can lead to distress and automatic c/s.

Who are your support people who are with you? If need be, can you have a friend to come in and support and help advocate with you?

Can you be mobile while on pit? (I don't know). Is there a tub or a birth ball? What are you doing to help labor move along? Sit up all you can if you are stuck in bed, and get out of bed if you are able (tomorrow - try to sleep tonight in preparation for more labor). Keep drinking, and eat. If they don't let you eat, have someone sneak you food! You need nourishment.

Try to keep your feet, hands, eyes and forehead relaxed and not tense. Envision your cervix opening and relax your body during and after contractions as much as possible.

Keep us posted!

[MamaChef]

Originally Posted by Banana731

Are you only being induced because you are 42 weeks? Unless there is something wrong with you or your baby that is creating a need for induction, I would just go home and wait for labor to start on its own.

Tell them since they said the ward was "understaffed" for the weekend you feel more comfortable coming back during the work week.

How's baby tolerating things? Since you have been on Pit for 9 hours with what sounds like a still unfavorable cervix and they have went up 24 (protocol here is 1 an hour) If babe looks good then I'd go home. Have you used any EPO vaginally? Do you know what position baby is in? What way is babe facing? Have they done a recent biophysical profile? Have you had contraction activity at the end of your pregnancy?

All of these are considerations as to where to go from here. But if your intuition is to leave then just tell the Doc that you dont want to force the baby to come out because of the place being understaffed and everyone should go home and reevaluate on Monday.

[kltroy]

Hope things are going ok for you and that you're holding your baby in your arms now! I think your instinct to stop the pit and take a break for the rest of Friday night was right on. Even if it takes a couple of days of gentle pitocin to get your body ready for labor, there's no hurry so long as baby is fine.

Anyway, best of luck. Please post an update when you have a moment.

[quiero a mi bebe]

Definately a good choice not to break your water. It's not your fault they are understaffed, and if they break your water too soon it could led to other problems. If you don't have someone who can be firm for you when you are in pain or more vulnerable that would be difficult with a doc like that. I hope all is going well or went well! Good luck, stick to your guns!

[cagnew]

Dying to know how things turned out....

[MNHall]

Thinking about you mama...update when you can!