I have to phone L&D tomorrow morning to see if they have any beds to induce me, they didn't this morning so I am hoping they do. The nurse said they would insert the Gel and then send me home, and after 6 hours I would have to come back for a second round. How long does it take for the Gel to work? Is it favorable with a cervix that is short but still high? Will they send me home after the second round? Once the gel has been inserted and nothing happens will they just send me home, and tell me wait till things happen naturally? How many rounds would I need in order for it work? I have a cervix that is still high up there but it's short.
I am really hoping they can induce me tomorrow and things will start to happen.

It's hard to say how many rounds it will take as we are all different. It is also hard to say if this will work at all.

I had this used on me over 14 years ago. Where I am from it is not used as widely anymore.

I guess she was saying that's the first step they do, but from what I have just read it doesn't seem to work very well. Why would they even try it then?

They would try it maybe because it could be the mildest form of induction. Where I am from, we use cervidil for this, but the woman is not allowed to leave the hospital, nor is she allowed to get out of bed.

Remind me please, are you dilated or effaced at all?

I am not sure I was having really bad pain in the last 24 hours in my back ( broke my back when I was 16 baby is putting too much pressure on it), so the Dr was concerned that The pain would be too much for me. As well that I would not be able to have an epidural during labor, because this could do more damage to my back. When I went to his office yesterday he checked me and said my cervix was still high closed but short. He didn't say anything about the effaced part, does that mean I won't be going into labor tomorrow? He still has to consolt with a OB about all this, she may pull back and say no to everything, I really hope she does not.

What kind of doctor do you have following your pregnancy? You don't have an OB?

No we can`t see OB`s where I am from, only your family DR. The OB is only there for complications or sections. Other then that you are with your family DR to help you out.

Where are you from?

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Originally Posted by davejag

No we can`t see OB`s where I am from, only your family DR. The OB is only there for complications or sections. Other then that you are with your family DR to help you out.

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Wow, that's right out of the 1970's where I am from!! :eek:

At the hospital I work at, the doctors will not allow a woman to go over 42 weeks in pregnancy due to complications with the baby, typically called uteroplacental insufficiency, which means that the placenta no longer functions well enough to nourish and oxygenate the baby.

It may also be possible, and I hesitated in mentioning this, that you may not be able to have a normal vaginal birth. After reading that you broke your back when you were younger and an epidural may not be possible, it may be better for you to have a C-Section.

Yes I know I live in Canada you would think that I would be able to see a OB but nope lol. I am only 2 days over my due date but because of the pain I am in they thought of inducing. I went in this morning and they had me on the monitor the baby seemed happy. The heart rate was between 180 and 195 so I think that was okay. I asked him about pushing and doing more damage on my back and he said no I don't think that will make a difference. Even though I still think pushing might do some damage. He still has to talk to the OB, I am just afraid she`ll say well your only two days over due and your cervix is to high.

Remember that delivery dates are only an estimate. The actual "due" date could be two weeks before or two weeks after what the doctor has given you. So, you may actually still have almost 2 weeks to go.

Well I asked him about that and he is sure that my due date was 2 days ago, because of my period and the size of the baby. I don't know anymore it seems like it chances day by day, I just want everything to work out.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with your doctor. I know I am only a measly little nurse, LOL, but he cannot say for sure when the sperm met the egg unless he was in bed with you. Giggle.

There is always a two week window either way. When we have a baby, the most accurate way to tell how far along you were is to test the baby using several different methods. We had a baby last week that was supposed to be 38 weeks, after testing, it was found that mother was actually 43 weeks.

WOW 43 weeks that poor lady LOL and I thought I was bad. Well nope my DR was not in bed with me thank god, but I guess I can`t really argue with him since I am only the pationd. So what do you think should they induce, do you think that the OB tomorrow will say no because my cervix is still hight and closed but short.

PS your not a measly nurse you know what your doing at least you tell the truth and not try to make it sound so sweet.

High, closed and short is no reason not to induce. We do that frequently, but we use cervidil to soften and open the cervix.

However, inductions carry quite a few possible complications.

Well I hope that Ob agrees tomorrow that really scares me besides the fact that they won't have any beds.

Girlfriend, there are many times we don't have beds, but we make do. LOL

I'm sure you will get through this just fine.

LoL it got so bad this morning new moms were lying in the Hallway with their babies, they had 3 deliveries of twins last night plus 2 in the parking lot and 4 sections. So she told me sorry lady but you can`t come back unless your crowning. I was like okay I guess I won't join anyone in the hallway today LOL

LOL, been there done that. Fortunately it was when I was doing my clinical rotations and could only "watch"

But now, I actively participate. What was supposed to be a relatively quiet day (no scheduled sections or inductions) last Thursday, turned into 10 deliveries. We only have 4 labor and delivery rooms and one section room!! :eek: :eek:

How do you do that with only 4 rooms

The nurse this morning was telling me how bad it can get in there, because we are the only hospital that will deliver for 4 different towns ( the hospital is the only one in the city).

It takes a lot of manipulation and skill. Not to mention that we had 3 nurses on staff, one for the nursery, one for labor & delivery and one for post partum. I am still a GRN (Graduate RN), so I shadow the other nurses, and one OB/GYN.

I can tell you it was a madhouse that day, and I officially got "broken in."

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Originally Posted by davejag

The nurse this morning was telling me how bad it can get in there, because we are the only hospital that will deliver for 4 different towns ( the hospital is the only one in the city).

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LOL, ours is the only one in the city and the only one in the COUNTY!!

WOW okay maybe those nurses at my hospital shouldn't be ing because they always have 4 on plus 3 at the nursery. I thought my hospital was bad for not being able to get in but heck I wouldn't want to leave near you LOL.

Okay well I am going to try to have a lie down because my back is killing me again, thanks a lot of all the help J_9 all keep you posted.

Keep me posted sweetie. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Oh, yeah, the reason it was all chaos... FULL MOON!!

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Originally Posted by J_9

It takes a lot of manipulation and skill. Not to mention that we had 3 nurses on staff, one for the nursery, one for labor & delivery and one for post partum. I am still a GRN (Graduate RN), so I shadow the other nurses, and one OB/GYN.

I can tell you it was a madhouse that day, and I officially got "broken in."

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Best way to learn sometimes... in the heat of the moment! Helps you get prepared for just about any possibility... :)

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Originally Posted by davejag

I have to phone L&D tomorrow morning to see if they have any beds to induce me, they didn't this morning so I am hoping they do. The nurse said they would insert the Gel and then send me home, and after 6 hours I would have to come back for a second round. How long does it take for the Gel to work? Is it favorable with a cervix that is short but still high? Will they send me home after the second round? Once the gel has been inserted and nothing happens will they just send me home, and tell me wait till things happen naturally? How many rounds would I need in order for it work? I have a cervix that is still high up there but it's short.
I am really hoping they can induce me tomorrow and things will start to happen.

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I am guessing they are using Prepidil? In the US, most often you will see either Cervidil, as J_9 mentioned, or Cytotec. Which is chosen depends on the care provider and how favorable the cervix is. I know some use one of these first in the evening, then start with pitocin (syntocinon) the next morning. But some do a few doses of the prostaglandin to see how effective it may be. For some women, it does start contractions and possibly may help them avoid pitocin. The concern some have with the gel is that it can't be removed, where as when a suppository or tablet is used it can be taken out if need be.

Do you know where your back injury was, as far as which area of the lumbar was effected? The anethesiologist will have to determine whether placement can be done, they have a small window up or down that they can use, and whether having one would be a benefit or more of a risk for further injury. If you do have one, and even if you don't, be sure either you or partner makes sure those helping you are aware of your back. Some positions may be better than others for your comfort and to avoid further injury. One potential done side of being induced, is that, for some women, it can make contractions come on more quickly and peak faster... making them more challenging. For other women the contractions mimic a natural labor pattern more closely and it goes smoothly.

In these last few days, be sure to talk with your partner about ways to help you during labor for comfort so that whether you are induced or not, you will be able to use a variety of means to help yourself be more comfortable and keep the labor progressing. One way or another, not much longer before you are holding your sweet baby!

Well I broke one little bone up from the tail bone sorry don't know what it is called, I am really hoping that they can get me in tomorrow because my back is in so much pain. The Tylenol isn't really working either, I hope I can sleep better tonight.

Just checking in to see how things are going today.

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Originally Posted by DoulaLC

Best way to learn sometimes...in the heat of the moment!! Helps you get prepared for just about any possibility.........:)

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You are absolutely right there!! We had a precip that day and I now know how to deliver a baby without a doctor. ;)