Deciding to have your labor induced versus going into labor naturally is a life changing choice. I have given birth twice and both times I have been induced a week early as a precautionary measure due to the fact that my girls were expected to be larger than they actually were.
So, I have never had the pleasure of going into labor on my own. It didn’t really matter because I don’t really know the difference.
Since giving birth those years ago, I have spoken with a lot of women and I am convinced that there are quite a few significant differences between having an induced labor and going into labor naturally.
From my own personal experience, I can tell you that the day of my inducements started with being given a steady flow of Pitocin. Both times, I arrived at the hospital already dilated 4 centimeters. Both times, I was hopeful that my labor would progress quickly. Instead, since my body was not ready and going into labor naturally, it fought the inducement.
The first couple of hours I laid there watching bad television, bored out of my mind. Then the doctor came in to check me and broke my water. Labor slowly got harder. During the whole time, Pitocin was being steadily amped up.
About 6 hours into my first labor, my labor pains went from tolerable menstruation like cramps to very painful and overwhelming take your breath away contractions.
Unfortunately for me, this was when I begged for the anesthesiologist to give me the epidural. He was in surgery. I had to wait for him to be available. The pain was unbearable. I could not breathe and I was doubled over in excruciating pain.
What I didn’t realize then, which I know now, is that induced labor is much more painful than going into labor naturally because you are forcing something to happen that your body is not ready to have happen. It’s like walking up to someone and beating them over the head with a club while they were watching TV and had absolutely no idea who you were or why you are beating them. It’s an assault against the nature of what your body is expecting.
By the time the anesthesiologist reached my room and got the epidural into my back, I laid back, the nurse checked me and I was at 10 centimeters dilated and had effectively experienced my entire transition labor unmedicated. The nurse told me that I could push and that they didn’t need to give me the epidural medication.
My doctor wasn’t there and I needed relief. I pleaded with them to give me the relief of the epidural. They obliged and only turned the epidural up to about half dose to help subdue the mind numbing pain until my doctor could arrive and I could push.
After my first child was born, I was not sure that I would ever be able to give birth again. I was terrified of the pain. But I did do it again, and again I was induced, and now I am convinced that having your labor induced is one of the most painful experiences that a woman can ever endure.
If I were ever to have the opportunity to give birth again, I would definitely choose to go into labor naturally. I am only speculating but I am convinced that natural labor has to be less painful then being induced.
Were you induced or did you go into labor naturally? Have you done both? If so, which was less painful?
Photo Source: DHGoodMan
