Does inducing labor cause the contractions to be more painful?

I have read that inducing labor causes the contractions to be more painful.

Does anyone have any experiences with inductions vs. natural labor? 

Note:  I was induced with Baby #1 and not sure the route we are going to take with Baby #2.

I found this article to be interesting:

Excerpt:

Are Inductions more painful?
What every mother should know about the pain of inductions before they have one.

While inductions are convenient and allow mothers to select the provider for their birth, inductions are notorious for causing very strong and powerful contractions.

Here are several reasons why birth experts believe that inductions may indeed hurt more than contractions from spontaneous labor.

• Monitors are uncomfortable - Because the use of pitocin for inductions can cause strong contractions, which in turn can affect the baby's heart rate, mothers are required to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM).
• Contractions are closer and more intense sooner - Though there is no research per se that contractions themselves are actually more painful using pitocin, mothers who are induced often report that intense labor occurs much earlier than in normal labor. Pitocin causes contractions to be unnaturally close to each other. Not having enough rest in between contractions can make labor feel more painful. Intense contractions also occur much earlier for mothers being induced, sometimes even before her cervix is significantly dilated.
• Pitocin is not initiated by the pituitary gland - Another fascinating fact about the mother's own production of oxytocin is that it is secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate contractions during normal labor. Oxytocin lowers the stress hormones and blood pressure as well as increases the mother's ability to manage pain.  Pitocin that is used in inductions comes directly into the mother's bloodstream from an IV and does not cross the same blood-brain barrier as her body's own oxytocin does. Therefore, pitocin does not provide the same sense of well-being or give her the same help in managing pain.  Because the hormones are initiated very differently in the mother's body, it is very likely that contractions from a pitocin-induced labor are indeed more painful than those from a normal labor.

Original Post by undertherainbow:

juliemae2 ~ After I received my epidural, I slept for a few hours.  I was so relieved.  After that point I didn't feel much of the pain.  Are you planning on having any more children?  If you do, what route do you think you would take during the next labor?

I'm 99% sure we are done, but we haven't been "fixed" yet, so... never say never, right?

It's hard to say. 

I don't think I'd like to be induced again.  I've learned so much since that first experience.  I can say now that I believe she was NOT ready to come out.  10 days past due, but not ready.  lol  It was a stressful delivery for her.  She passed meconium, had to be vacuum extracted, and then they suctioned her little lungs (because of the meconium in my amniotic fluid).  I was also threatened with a c-section when the vacuum extractor couldn't be properly attached, due to all her hair.

I learned a lot during the second birth, too.  I learned that you can do whatever you damn well please when you are the laboring woman.  I never would have gotten demanding if it hadn't been for the pain.  But, because of the pain I insisted on being in a position conducive to delivery (eg.  NOT laying flat on my back).  I also insisted that the nurse stop telling me what to do ("push, push").  I didn't scream or pitch a fit, but I did take control that I wouldn't have taken if I were pain free.

If I were to do it again, I'd probably try to go without the epi - since the epi is the implement doctors and nurses use to take control away.  You have to lay down, don't move around too much, push when I tell you, since you can't feel the contractions well.  OTOH, it really, really, really hurt.  I'm a wimp. 

You know what would be nice.  Novocaine for the vagina.  I could deal with the contractions.  The feeling of a child emerging through my vagina was almost intolerable.

I would have to say there was no difference.  My first was induced as I was way overdue (3 weeks) and I had her natural.  Other than being exhausted -- mostly from the excitement -- Braxton-Hicks (sp?) for three days solid and finally being induced, I hadn't gotten much sleep in a couple of days.

My second, I went to the hospital and they sent me home because he was not in position.  I was having strong contractions in my lower back -- wrapping around my lower back and hips, but not all the way around my belly.  That was apparently him changing position as I went back to the hospital 3 hours later and he was definitely in position and came quickly after that.  Had him natural as well. 

I was able to use focus techniques during my labor to help me out.  I never thought of the contractions as "pain" just discomfort.  I concentrated on the fact that they were stretching and reshaping my body and tried to imagine the stretching occurring and helping it with visualization.  I also kept my "eye on the prize" and concentrating on the end goal of having my baby wrapped up in my arms. 

 

Ainla-  your little one is adorable!!  so precious.

No baby yet!  I'm sure I have a few days to go.  I am working at home today; since I didn't feel like battling the heat on the subway today.  That; and it was a rough night with the pee trips and sore hips.  Until then I'll just enjoy her moving around.

I'm just hoping all goes well.  I'm ready for anything and promised myself I would not freak out if my "birth plan" of a natural birth doesn't work. 

Keep those stories coming!  I love reading them.