Ever hear of a body used to being induced??

[Snugglebugsmom]

I'm still processing the fact that I did not get to have my baby at home.
My midwives have been awesome about making me feel good about having my baby at the hospital instead, and having the typical interventions (epidural, pitocin, etc.). One of them said: "It's not our job to make sure you have a homebirth. It's our job to make sure you have a healthy baby." Dh especially liked her saying that.
Another thing my midwives told me is that with my previous history of inductions (baby #2 was induced with pitocin, baby #3 was augmented with pitocin a few hours after my water had broken) might have contributed to my body actually needing pitocin to get labor started! I had never heard of a woman being "addicted" to pitocin in such a way.
It makes me sad that I agreed to an induction with my second baby even though there was no real medical reason for one.
It's unfortunate that I'm one of those women whose labors start with water-breaking. It takes a LONG time for my contractions to get started, and so there's the risk of infection plus the risk of cord prolapse.

[pazerific]

i've never heard of a pitocin addiction type of thing (certainly doesn't mean it doesn't exist though), but i couldn't read and not send you a big giant

[goldingoddess]

I used to work for a homebirth midwife. The first birth I went to was a third time mom, and we were at her house from Friday evening until Sunday evening. She had had both of her previous births induced with pitocin and had average labors if I remember, less than 24 hours. The midwife I worked for commented that sometimes with clients that have never gone into labor without the help of pitocin it is almost like the body needs the pitocin to go into full-on labor.

I wouldn't feel bad about getting an epidural. I've told my husband plenty of times that if for any reason we did end up in the hospital I would be getting an epidural; I know I can deal with the pain if I'm at home, but in the hospital I would just want to be put out of my misery!

[Kidzaplenty]

I have never heard of it, but it sounds reasonable. And you sound like you have a great MW.

[Tenk]

You know, I've never heard of that but I might say that I agree a little bit. I've said a million times over that my body doesn't understand how to 'go into labor on it's own'. I am being induced this time, but for different reasons I think your all aware of, but prior to this4 inductions various reason. Not once did I even start to dilate on my own. And my labor had been cut in half each time, 46 hours, 24 hours, 12 hours, 19 hours (different situation), and each time was NOT ripe cervix AT ALL.

I don't know tho, maybe it's all in our heads (really!) I mean us women that have had many inductions....kwim?

[Emily12581]

It could be a reason. I too never did anything on my own (water broke and 18 hours still has a long and closed cervix). Funny enough, my mom's body never progressed that well on her own either...I wonder if it runs in the family.

[veganf]

Originally Posted by Snugglebugsmom

It's unfortunate that I'm one of those women whose labors start with water-breaking. It takes a LONG time for my contractions to get started, and so there's the risk of infection plus the risk of cord prolapse.

It doesn't sound like your body has ever done anything "wrong". It sounds to me like your body as never been given the time and patience it needs to begin labor on its own and labor at it's own pace.
I've never heard of the "needing" pitocin thing. Unless something is actually wrong hormonally that your body cannot produce adequate hormones to cause contractions, but I've never heard of an actual condition that causes that either.
Sounds like a lot of things happened out of order for you and that you also had some overly cautious or impatient care providers for you births.

[Spark]

I've never heard of that, but I haven't heard of everything either!

Originally Posted by Snugglebugsmom

It's unfortunate that I'm one of those women whose labors start with water-breaking. It takes a LONG time for my contractions to get started, and so there's the risk of infection plus the risk of cord prolapse.

Depends on what theories you prescribe to on this one. In my experience and knowledge base, I disagree. I would fall into that category you put yourself in (1st rupture - birth 18 hours later, 2nd rupture - birth 56 hours later, 3rd rupture - birth 21 weeks later). And, I think this just further puts the FEAR bug out there that ruptured membranes are something other than another shade of normal. That's neither here nor there though & I don't want to get too far off from your original intent. I just couldn't read that part without responding to it, because I want to present another legitimate opinion about the normalcy of ruptured membranes.

Sending you lots of love & admiration over your sweet sweet newborn!