How long does it take to dilate after you are induced?
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It really varies on how high they are able to titrate the meds. For me it took pretty much all day (16 hrs) because I couldn't tolerate high levels of the pitocin. Some women go quickly but most take about 4-8 hours. It sounds like a long time but my 16 hr. day was so exciting and I had a great epidural so the time really flew by - I couldn't believe it had been so long when I realized what time it was!
Definitely get the epidural as soon as you can - it will help your day be much more pleasant and you will be able to enjoy the whole process so much more.
If you get an old fashioned doctor who wants you to wait until you are at least 5 cm. then remind him(her) that a couple of years ago in the Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) there was study published that early epidurals don't increase labor times and pose no significant risk for increased problems during the L&D process.
Good Luck and best wishes for a quick labor and healthy baby!
I think it only takes an hour or two. Make sure they give you an epidural first.
I was induced when I had my daughter. I think it may be different for everyone. My procedure started @ 7am and had not dilated at all by the end of my first IV bag of Pitocin(what was used to induce my labor). It was almost noon before I started to dilate. It took about 1-1/2 hrs after that before she was born. GOOD LUCK!!
P.S. Doctors will not give epidurals until you are dilated to 4cm.
It depends on the person. I was induced twice for my child. The first time I didn't even dilate. The second time (a week later) I only dilated to 2 centimeters after 8 hours on pitocin. Had to have an emergency c-section because my son was in distress.
If you are young, healthy with no high risk pregnancy issues than I would say things should go well. But there is no way to tell how long it will take to dilate, despite what others may say.
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