Is it true that induced labor hurts more than going natural?

I really want to have a natural birth, but I'm in a bit of a difficult situation. I was getting my insurance through my mother because my job does not provide insurance. She just got laid off last week, and her severance package lasts up until the 13th of November. I am due the 15th of November. I am going to try all those natural methods of induction before the 13th, of course; nipple stimulation, red raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, etc., but theres still a good chance I won't go into labor by the 13th. If I need to induce with pitocin, is it true it hurts more than going into labor naturally?

I would prefer not to strip membranes if it can be avoided, so I can labor in the jacuzzi tubs my hospital offers in every room. And I know epidural is available, but I really want to go natural without pain meds. I think that is the birth experience that will make me happiest. I have nothing against those who chose pain relief, but I just don't think its for me. Thanks!

Is it true that induced labor hurts more than going natural?
In most situations, yes. It slams your body into labor, as opposed to naturally flowing into labor. I am not understanding why you do not want to have your membranes stripped though. It is not the same as breaking your water. If they strip your membranes, you can still labor in water. Women do it all the time in home water births. It would be much better if you could get your membranes stripped than induction. Inductions have a ton of risks, including increased risks including c-section and fetal distress.
Reply:Having done an all natural birth and then an induced birth I can tell tell you personally for me it didn't hurt more BUT unlike a natural birth where you have time to adjust to the pain of contractions (as they start out weak and increase in strength) induced is almost immediate so it was much worse. I was unable to prepare - I went from 0 to 60mph immediatly - I was unable to get out of bed and walk around or even move to find ways to deal with the pain....and it was so intense off the bat - infact is was so difficult I went with the epidural (which I prefer - it did not make me loopy or out of it - but it did give me the ability to focus on what was happening and enjoy watching my son be born)...it may be more uncomfortable but not nearly as uncomfortable as having to pay that hospital bill on your own - call your doc and talk to them
Reply:I guess it depends on the person. My first one was induced and I didn't have any pain meds and handled it ok.
Reply:I went into labor about 12 hours after I had my membranes stripped, the stripping part really didn't hurt I was just uncomfortable. Even though I was having contractions I was induced, let me tell you the pain seemed the same for a while and of course it got worse, I don't know if it was because of the pitocin I think it just gets worse period! If going into labor after your mom's insurance isn't a problem then wait! There is unbearable pain (some take it some don't) period! Good luck!
Reply:Every labor expirience is different. :) I swore I would go natural then the pain came and I wanted an epidural (which they ended upn not giving me because they had problems with the needle) but ended up not having it. For me the pitocin was intense so they gave me meds to take the edge off. I had her two hours after the pitocin. The epidural for me was worse than any of my labor. The contractions just getb intense fairly quickly. Main thing is have a plan but be somewhat flexible. But I will tell you it was worth it in the end. I have a beautiful baby girl to show for it.
Reply:Speaking from experience (3 boys) I would have to say going natural is the best way. I had an epidural for my first two boys and I can say I felt no pain. However, with my third, I had a natural birth. The part that hurts is the contractions, once the baby is in the birthing canal and you are pushing, you won't feel any pain, just a bunch of pulling and tugging and that is from the dr.'s and nurses assiting you and pulling the baby out. Don't get me wrong the contractions will get very painful, but if you are up for it, then I would suggest that you have the natural birth. Trust me, you are going to be very tired from all of the pushing, but of course, it is worth it!
Reply:The sad thing is a lot of people say they'll go with out pain meds until they realize the pain is too intense to handle, so they request the epidural. But some can go without pain meds. But my mom (she's a nurse) said that the pitocin causes more pain but it also moves the delivery along faster.
Reply:Honey, countless billions of billins of billions of women have come through it just fine. It'll all be cool. Now just don't think of it.. Ok?



You might say, 'but you're a man, how would know?' I don't, but still, to this day, men are the only ones who are legally allowed to do dangerous work, and men still do 19 out of 20 of the most dangerous jobs, and there wasn't many women who had a hard time in war, so touche babe.
Reply:I was induced with pitocin and I delivered naturally without an epidural. I don't think it hurt worse, but I guess I can't say for sure. My second child was not induced, and that labor was easier, but with my first I was induced and it took about 8 hours after they started the iv and I had the baby about two hours after they broke my water. With my second my water broke on its own and I delivered my son an hour and forty-five minutes later. I think the first one was harder because it lasted longer, not really because of the induction. If you have to be induced, try not to worry about it. Either way, there will be some pain, but it will be manageable.
Reply:if you don't want to induce before your insurance runs out you can always get state medicade coverage for the birth and for your baby afterwards!
Reply:If this is your first baby, you really can't say beforehand which is going to be easier for you! I was induced, because I had dilated to 4 cm without going into natural labor. My first, last and only child was born 15 gruelling hours later. I gave in and asked for an epidural after many hours of HARD labor. If it hurts too bad, go for pain meds.Don't be a hero - just do what you've gotta do! I wish you well!
Reply:My Dr. tried inducing me with cervadil and it didn't work as the baby was not ready to come out yet. He stripped my membranes the day before I was due and my baby was born the next day on her due date. It wasn't bad. I also had an epi, If you want to go natural thats all great and everything but keep your options open. I was in terrible pain on the ride over to the hospital as soon as they gave me the epi I was pain free then spent the next 7 hours watching TV, playing solitaire on my PDA and taking a nap. It was great and would do it again. Best of Luck!!!
Reply:Based on experience, yes definitely....I experienced it on my 2nd child (not by choice though)...the pain was not the same as natural labor pain, it was so intense that I thought I'm gonna die....
Reply:i had picotiun to help me induce and i had a great deliveryyh compared to others i heard. i only have one child so i wouldnt know what would hurt most natural or with picotin but i had the picotin and my delivery wasnt bad at all but of course it does hurt but i also had the epidural so yeah i didnt have too much pain
Reply:It is true that it can hurt more with induction BUT that is only because labor usually moves faster that way. So it's really just a perception. A natural labor with start slowly and work it's way to more intense phases, gradually. With induction, you go straight into a more painful stage without the gradual buildup. I had 2 kids naturally and 2 induced.
Reply:Honey, it's going to hurt either way...a lot!
Reply:I was induced with pitocin and they also had to break my water(that was painful). It hurts because it comes on and FAST. I was going to do the whole natural thing as well. DIDNT HAPPEN. Once those contractions kept coming on strong, i asked for something and they gave me demorall(sp). I was so out of it and that even hurt like crazy! Unfortunately its going to be uncomfortable no matter what. Good luck and congrats.
Reply:may you prefer natural birth becoz there will be natural healing and restoration of membranes
Reply:I had one natural with no meds and one induced with an epidural. Even if induced you still go through labor before you can get an epidural. For me the pain was not any worse and the delivery with the epidural was sooo much easier, pain wise and pushing wise.
Reply:No. Labor hurts end of story. Even with an epidural the pushing takes everything you've got to give and more.
Reply:My wife went without pain killers (they really don't want you drugged up), she struggled but the little prince popped out pretty quickly...I felt no pain...lol...til we got home...haha
Reply:I've never heard that before. I was induced with both of my kids and the pain was pain. I went epidural all the way. I wanted the babies. Childbirth was just what I had to do.
Reply:Pitocin makes your contractions more frequent and stronger but labor time is much shorter than if just going natural. Having a natural labor using pitocin is very hard but I've done it with my last child, I'm not going to lie, very painful but i was induced at 8:30 a.m. and he was delivered at 3:04 p.m., and I also had my membranes stripped it wasn't painful but felt a little discomfort. Using pitocin I would recommend getting pain meds. Natural methods of induction didn't work for me, and I wouldn't recommend taking castor oil either, I got bad diarrhea. You have to choose the best option for you and just maybe you won't have to be induced. You could have your wish of a natural birth. Is this your first child? I've had a natural birth without inducement meds. and a natural birth with pitocin. Natural birth was painful and very long but with alot of great support from my doula was bearable, but natural birth with pitocin, I never want to experience again in my life, extremely painful but labor was short, it felt like I was in labor forever.
Reply:Pitocin makes the uterus contract strongly and often. It does make labor "worse" - than if you can go on your own.



If this is your first baby -labor could take a while. But with my first I went into labor 5 weeks early. Anytime after the 37th week is considered full term.



Talk with your doctor about natural labor inductions. Some women swear by them - but one thing for certain - the baby will come when they are ready -and not before.



The link below leads to an article about labor inductions.
Reply:Yes, it hurts more to have labor induced. You are speeding up what is a natural process. When you let it naturally occur the pain/contractions are spread out over time. When you induce/speed up the contractions they come at a greater frequency and hurt more. I'm sorry that you are running out of insurance. Do keep in mind that the doctors are usually a couple of days off with their due dates, so he/she (baby) may come early. Good luck with your bundle of joy!! :) :) :) :)
Reply:Inducing labor makes the birthing process go quicker meaning more pain (most of the time) I would be careful of the ways you try to induce the labor yourself, definitely ask a doctor. I would recommend drinking Castor oil as that is a old wives tale (I tried it when I was 10 days overdue it didn't work for me) and my doctor chewed me out telling me that in most cases in caused diarrhea and not only for the mother but the baby as well and if the feces would of gotten in the child's mouth she could of been very sick, the best thing I can tell you is walk a lot!
Reply:i origenaly wanted to have a natural birth then changed my mind when i started having NONSTOP contractions for 14 hours. i did get an epidural but they did not hit the nerve right or something and i felt EVERYTHING. it hurt so bad hun but at some point you hurt so much that you cant focus on a single part thats hurting, which actualy makes it hurt less.. its weird and hard to explain. but dont worry about it so much it will happen and anticipating the pain makes it hurt more. do not worry about inducing labor my sister had to have the doc do that cuz it was late and dangerous for the baby, she said it BURNED. that didnt sound nice. look up what local hospitals have some kind of community pay program and see if you qualify for it, its when people donate money and pay the bill for you if u cant afford it. also see if you can apply for medicaid through the state.