A pregnant mom often begins to feel as if she is going to be pregnant forever during those final weeks of pregnancy. Most moms are miserable, are unable to get comfortable, and sleeping is often difficult due to being uncomfortable. In fact, the closer you get to your due date the more anxious and nervous you generally tend to get. You are so excited and can’t wait to meet the baby who has been residing in your womb over the last eight or nine months. If your due date has come and gone, try to relax as much as possible because your doctor will only let you go a maximum of two weeks past your due date.
Disclosure: I am not a doctor, nurse, or health care provider. This post is for informational purposes only and never should replace getting medical treatment for you and your unborn baby.
Once you are past your due date, your doctor should begin discussing with you about being inducted. Induction uses medications or other proven techniques to help jump start labor if your body hasn’t started labor on its own. There are several methods that your doctor could use to help your body prepare itself for labor. Never use self inducing techniques, without proper supervision they can be harmful to you and your baby.
Cytotek
Cytotek is a medication that is placed near cervix or it can be taken orally. If the tablet is inserted into the vagina it is painless and doesn’t hurt. The pill can take a few hours to work; however, it is possible that it can cause your body to go into labor immediately. Every woman responds to medications differently. If your doctor gives you this pill to take at home, make sure that your follow your doctors instructions, especially, if you start having regular contractions. Some doctors might go ahead and admit you into the hospital so that they can monitor your progress and contractions after the Cytotek is inserted. Cytotek is designed to help make your cervix more favorable for labor. If your cervix is unfavorable your labor will likely not progress or even have a failed induction.
Prostaglandlin Gels or Suppositories
Prostaglandlilns are designed to help soften the cervix and make it more favorable for an induction. The gel or suppository is inserted into your vaginal and is placed as close to your cervix as possible. The gel or suppository is painless and doesn’t hurt but it could be messy. In fact, if you are given prostaglandlins most likely your doctor will want you to lay down so that the medicine stays as close to the cervix as possible. Once it is inserted, you may begin to feel mild contractions or it may feel as if it is doing anything. If your doctor inserts a gel or suppository while in the doctors office, make sure that you follow their orders and don’t wait too long to go to the hospital if you begin having regular contractions. Some doctors will go ahead and admit you into the hospital so that they can monitor your progress and contractions.
Pitocin
Pitocin is a liquid, IV drug that mimics your body’s natural hormone oxytocin. This synthetic hormone simulates the same hormone that your body produces when you go into labor on your own. Once pitocin is started you generally are stuck in bed and are monitored continuously to ensure that your baby is not getting stressed out from labor. Continuous monitoring is necessary once Pitocin is started to ensure that your body is tolerating the contractions. Sometimes it causes you to have contractions that are too close together or last too long. Most doctors will start you off with a slow drip and slowly increase the amount of medicine that you are receiving through the IV every 15 to 30 minutes until your body has started contracting in a natural, regular pattern. Pitocin generally works fairly well at inducing labor; however, if your body isn’t ready for labor it may not work. Your doctor will explain all of the risks involved with inducing with Pitocin before they begin inducing your labor.
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Were you induced? If so, why did your doctor induce you?
