On scheduled inductions do they always use the same method?

You're right. There are different methods depending on the status of your cervix, as well as your doctor's (and your) preferences on how to induce.

If your cervix is firm, high, long, and either not dilated or not dilated much, then cervical ripening is needed. This can be done with prostaglandin gel, a tablet of Cytotec, or Cervidil (a tampon-like string). Usually they need to ripen at least over night.

Once the cervix is more favorable, they will either rupture your membranes or start pitocin, or both. Many women who have their membranes ruptured will begin to labor spontaneously within a few hours - but not always. And once your membranes are ruptured, they don't want to wait too long for baby to deliver, because the longer you are ruptured, the greater the risk for infection, so they tend to want to use pitocin to help move things along.

You have the right to refuse anything they want to do. But you should ask them to explain in detail the risks and benefits of the different options they are giving you before you make your decision. Some people are very anti-pitocin, but honestly, pitocin is a necessity in many cases. Rest assured that your doctor is competent and knows what they are doing and will encourage the use of the best method that will safely deliver your baby.

Good luck, and congrats!

If you want to go through all of this to get your tubes tied, I am sure a doctor in the U.S.A will do it. I know not all of them will do it so you might have to do some research. I know in Canada they will not allow a planned c-section unless it is a medical emergency, because it is a major surgery. Personally, I wouldn't want to get a high risk surgery that includes getting my abdominals cut open, dealing with a nasty scar along with more pain and a longer recovery. If there is no medical emergency for a c-cestion, I say it's very unnecessary. ALSO- Getting induced cuts off the natural hormones and oxygen to you and your baby. It causes the contractions to be longer, stronger and closer together. This will put you in a lot more pain and probably end up wanting an epidural, this cut off oxygen to the baby making labor harder and which is why 1 in 3 births in the U.S.A. end up in c-section. So you have a high change of getting a c-section anyway because you are choosing to be induced. Does this sound very fun and healthy for you and your baby? All of these things are unnecessary unless it's a true emergency, which in that case is the safest route. I wish you the best!

My 2 doctors came in the morning and broke my water and started the pitocin. With my 3rd I took a pill which I don't recommend his heart dropped to 30 and freaked me out!! If they have a whirlpool that really relaxes your body to give birth. Ok it brings on the contractions it's not actually relaxing to you but it relaxes the body muscles to allow child birth. I also walked the halls. Epideral as soon as I get it , it's time to push??

I was induced with both of mine. First one they put a pill on my cervix and that started the labor but the last one I got the drip and after 4 hours of nothing he broke my water (DOES NOT FEEL GOOD)(well with no med's) and that started it along.

it depends on how "ripe" your cervix is. Pitocin is the drug of choice, but if your cervix isnt ripe, they will use a prostaglandin gel on it to get it to soften up & dilate easier. Breaking your water should NEVER be done as a way to induce, that is just asking for infection.

GOOD LUCK!!

i had pitocen, and they broke my water, i also had an epidural for my first baby only because i was in back labor, but it was fast, only 4 hours of labor, 10 mins. of pushing. good luck, and an induction isn't as scary as it sounds.

They do different things. I did NOT want petocin and so I came in on the morning and they broke my water. That was all it took, baby came 3 hours later. It depends on how soft your cervix is, your personal preference and if you're dilated at all.

Everyone else pretty much covered it.... but just wanted to say good luck! My girl came on her own the day before my induction...here's to hoping yours does too!

They can try just breaking your water, poitocin, and yes a gel. If you want to get things moving before then, try these things.

http://www.squidoo.com/natural-labor-induction/

well most of the time yes they start using different methods when one isnt moving you along fast enough good luck and congrats!!!