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A Labor Induction Survival Guide

5/12/2014

34 Comments

 
When preparing for my first birth with a natural childbirth curriculum all I knew about induction was to not do it. Just say no! And no I said… and said and said. But at 41 weeks with poorly controlled, insulin dependent gestational diabetes (because all I learned about that was to eat this and that won’t happen, then it did), I knew it was probably time. We were not happy, we were not prepared, we were determined to still salvage our natural birth but that wasn’t enough. We knew what we wanted, but had no clue how to achieve it. This post is kinda a letter to me, then… and maybe you, today, will find it helpful.

Before we get started, I am completely opposed to inducing labor for non medical reasons due to the risks of induction for mom and baby. Being tired of pregnancy, being over 40 or even 41 weeks, suspecting a big baby or an impending holiday are all reasons that I personally would not consider legitimate enough to justify the very real risks of induction. If you are planning an induction for a non medical reason, please consider letting your baby come when he or she is ready. However, there are times where the risks of continuing the pregnancy outweigh the risks of an induction, and for the health of mom and baby it is necessary. To the mom facing a medically necessary induction, you don’t have to give up your birth! You can still be an active participant and have a positive birth! You are not a failure, you just might need to adjust your game plan.

Medical Induction
There are many different ways in which labor can be induced. In my classes I cover 10 natural induction methods and 6 medical induction methods. Chances are my students will not need the information, but if they do then they can make informed decisions with their provider about what is best for them. I hope you have taken a truly comprehensive class that covers the pros and cons of these options, and you have a knowledgeable doula to help you… or you will have some late night researching to do. Briefly, medical induction usually begins with a cervical softener if your cervix is not already soft and dilating. Though less common in some areas, sometimes a Foley bulb is used to mechanically open the cervix up to 3cm. Some doctors choose to go straight to Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin that creates contractions. These contractions can be longer and harder than natural contractions, and that is one reason inductions are hard on mom and baby. Some doctors begin Pitocin after using a cervical softener or Foley bulb. There is also a pill that can be used called Cytotec, though because of the risk of uterine hyperstimulation and rupture, some doctors and midwives no longer use it. Take some time to research the risks and benefits of these options, one method will not be ideal for everyone. If you have that information, let’s get on to our survival guide!

A Labor Induction Survival Guide  /  Cori Gentry  /  Natural Birth


You need an induction, first take a time out.
You have been preparing for this birth for 9 months, maybe longer. You might have very specific visions for your birth, like laboring at home and arriving at the hospital late in labor… or maybe you were planning a home birth and you are now having to transfer care. It’s ok to take a minute and be mad, or sad, or frustrated. For one of my births I gave myself from the doctor's office to my home to blast my favorite pity party song and cry and be super angry that I wasn’t going to have the birth I had originally planned.  I just happen to do my best crying on the road but you do what you need to do. Get it out, and then collect yourself, because you can do this. You are already an awesome mom. You are making a hard decision for the health of you and your baby. You may have to induce your labor but you still have options and can still have a positive birth.

If you have time, revise your birth plan.
I was given less than 24 hours notice for my induction, though I managed to negotiate 2 more days so I could try to induce labor at home, and pull myself together. Chances are if your induction is medically necessary you will not have weeks to prepare, you may only have a couple days. If you have a birth plan, look it over. If you can do this with your provider, please do. You may have “no IV,” “intermittent monitoring,” or “use tub and shower,” and depending on your hospital's policies and the type of induction, these may no longer be negotiable. Pitocin is administered by IV, because of the risks associated with Pitocin, it’s very important that baby is being monitored continuously, and most hospitals do not have wireless, waterproof monitors so water may not be a tool available to you. It’s better to know this now, and make a new plan, than to be disappointed when you arrive. You may still be able to use other tools like movement, massage, counter pressure… and if your doula is skilled with a rebozo, peanut ball,
essential oils… yeah… you still have lots of options even if they were not a part of
your original birth plan.

Prepare for a long stay.
Inductions are usually a long process. Shame on the doctors who love to say, “We’ll have this baby by dinner time!” when a mom is checking in for a 7am induction. Sometimes this is the case, but not usually with first time moms and it does no one any good to be unrealistic. Inductions usually take a couple days. This is ok, you probably won’t be in active labor that long. The first day, or night, depending on when you begin your induction, will likely be spent with a cervical softener like Cervidil, or on a low dose of Pitocin. Even on maxed Pitocin sometimes contractions just don’t begin for a long time, 6, maybe 12 hours. So prepare for a lot of waiting. In the evening, have an eye mask and ear plugs so you can sleep. Bring your own pillows and blanket if you like, and it’s ok to ask the nurse for a medication to help you sleep. In the day, bring a book, magazines, cards if you like to play card games (I do!) and your laptop or tablet with some favorite shows and movies. Maybe arrange for a friend or family member who is supportive of your birth plan to come give you a pedicure if not much is happening. Maybe you WILL have a baby by dinnertime, but you might not so come prepared.

Induction Day: Celebrate!
Celebrate? What? Your whole birth just came crashing down around you! Well… no… it didn’t, you have looked over your options, you are prepared, and guess what… you are having your baby! This does call for a celebration. Inductions are best started in the evening, so request an evening appointment and make dinner reservations at your favorite restaurant. Relax at home before, take a long shower or bath and a nap if you can, maybe you and your partner can get a massage. Massage stimulates oxytocin! Go out to dinner and be sure to order something with plenty of carbs and protein. If you are an athlete you know how important carbs are for an endurance sport! If you aren’t… trust me… you will be burning lots of calories in labor and some doctors will not let you eat during your entire induction (though more on that later). This meal is important, but also enjoy it. You might not be eating out in a nice restaurant for a while.  Toast (maybe with a little wine) the baby you will soon have in your arms!

Check in and pass out.
I mentioned sleep above, but I want to stress how important it is that you sleep as much as you can in the hospital before labor is established. This isn’t easy… nurses are in and out, it might feel like there is a cord attached to every limb, machines are beeping… but please try. If you are inducing in the morning (and you can request inducing in the evening) but had a restless night, nap once the nurse has you set up in your room and started your cervical softener or Pitocin. If you are over tired and anxious, this may make your labor more difficult and painful. Put in some ear buds with some relaxing music and zone out. If you have had a full night of sleep and feel energized, then choose a relaxing activity. This is not the time to be walking halls, save up your energy for once labor begins.

Now what might happen next?

Scenario 1: Labor begins!
Whoo hoo! You are having strong contractions with a great pattern! Your body was ready to have this baby and all it needed was a nudge in the right direction! Be in contact with your doula and decide together when she should arrive. If you can smile and talk through contractions, continue with the relaxing activity you have chosen, though try to remain upright and use movement occasionally.  If your contractions require you to stop everything and focus, use movement, upright positions, and establish your rhythm. Tap into those tools you learned in birth class, but don’t exhaust yourself if you don’t truly need them yet. These contractions may be harder than you expected or saw in birth videos, there might not be breaks like you prepared for.  Some women will need pain medications, but some women will still be able to have a natural birth. Both scenarios are ok, don’t be hard on yourself. If labor is well established, you can always ask for the Pitocin to be turned down, or turned off and be unhooked from the IV, to see if your contractions continue naturally. You can labor the way you planned to originally, work with your doula and partner to stay on track for a vaginal birth!

Scenario 2: Contractions begin, but you can’t feel them!
Sometimes during an induction contractions begin to show up on the monitor but mom doesn’t feel them. This happened for a full day for me on the maximum dose of Pitocin. Had I known this was possible I may have not had an embarrassing meltdown after 12 hours of not understanding what my body was doing. So, this can happen, it’s ok. Rest or do a relaxing activity. You might not begin to feel contractions for a while. Choose an upright position, hang out on your birth ball, use your doula’s peanut ball, this is all still normal!

Scenario 3: Approaching day 2 and still pregnant!
This is also ok! Hopefully you have been resting and passing the time with enjoyable activities and you are not exhausted (like I was). If labor has not begun, you can ask to be unhooked from Pitocin so you can walk around, have a hearty meal (send dad to get it, they probably won’t feed you in the hospital), and take a shower. If mom and baby are doing well and your water has not broken, ask if you can go home to recharge for a bit and return in the evening. The uterus is most receptive to oxytocin in the evening, so this is a great plan. THIS is when choosing a supportive provider will really pay off! It may feel like this will just delay meeting your baby, and while it might add a few hours to the whole process, it’s better to go into labor relaxed and energized than discouraged and exhausted. No one has ever been pregnant forever and you will not be the first.

Tips for a positive induction!

Keep your waters intact as long as possible.
Once the doctor breaks your water, you may be on the clock for a cesarean. It’s true that this can really kick up labor, but it can also cause baby to distress, a cord prolapse, maternal infection, or more painful contractions. There is a time and a place for it. I chose to induce my third child at 42 weeks and 2 days by just having my water broken with no medications. I was already 5cm and I weighed the risks and benefits. For me, it was right. For most moms, saying no to having their bag of waters ruptured will help them have a more positive induction experience, for some it will be the right decision. Weigh the evidence you have gathered prior to your induction and consult your doula during your induction.

Stay nourished and hydrated.
Many doctors will not allow a mom to eat or drink during an induction. This is a recommendation, no one can tell you that you cannot eat. Even though you are in the hospital, you are an adult with a right to fulfill your basic needs. I have heard nurses say “the doctor says you can’t eat, but there is a lot of time that I’m not in this room and what I don’t know won’t hurt me.” The fear is that should you need a cesarean under general anesthesia, which is very rare, you could possibly aspirate. This fear is not supported by evidence. Bring snacks, send your partner or doula out for light, easy to digest foods that will give you the energy you need to birth your baby. I personally have not asked permission to eat or drink since my first birth. I just do it, and I have not had a nurse say anything, even during an induction.

Move!
Use movement and position changes during your induction! Most of us have an image of a woman in a gown laboring in bed. Staying in one position in bed may prevent your baby from getting in an ideal position for birth. Some positions like squatting open your pelvis by up to 30%! Rock, sway, slow dance with your partner… even hooked up to an IV and monitors. Once those contractions begin you don’t want to exhaust yourself, but you also don’t want to be completely sedentary.

Never give up your birth.
This is my biggest regret in my first induction, and something I refused to do again. Often times when enough of a mom’s birth plan has been compromised she gives up on everything else. To every mom who desires a natural birth, I believe you can do it and I hope you do! However, even if you have an epidural, your whole birth is not lost! Once you have rested, or if you are fully dilated, ask them to turn it off. Get up in a squat using the squat bar and support from your partner and doula and bring this baby into the world on your own power! If baby is poorly positioned and needs to be turned with forceps or a vacuum, once baby is on your abdomen bring him or her up to your chest for skin to skin yourself! Even if your induction ends in cesarean, ask that the curtain be lowered and baby be brought straight to you. No matter what happens, this is still your birth and a day that you will cherish.

I hope this post helps to make what might be a scary experience a more positive one. I would love to hear what has helped other mothers through their inductions or what doulas have found helped their clients!

34 Comments
Victoria Griffing link
6/12/2015 07:17:45 am

So happy I found this post! If baby doesn't arrive by Thursday, I am getting induced Thursday night due to GD as well. I am really hoping he comes on his own since I have said no meds during labor since I was a kid myself! This was great information.

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Anna R
6/17/2015 06:40:31 am

I can't thank you enough for this post! I will be at 40 weeks on Friday, and my Dr is saying my baby is too big (estimated at 8 lbs) and wants to induce Sunday night! I'm not petite, I'm 5'8" and average build, so I don't understand her reasoning. This is my first pregnancy, and she just sprung this on me at my 38 week appointment. I've been able to put her off until now, but I'm still not comfortable with the idea! I want to trust my Dr, but this seems like a bad idea to me! She's already said she won't allow her patients to go past 41 weeks.

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Cori Gentry link
6/17/2015 07:06:08 am

Hi Anna! Please question your induction. She cannot make you get an induction at 41 weeks, it is always your choice. An induction for no reason could put you and your baby in danger: http://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

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Anna R
6/18/2015 01:30:17 am

Thanks! I already cancelled the one she scheduled for two days after my due date. I have another appointment with her on Monday.
I've already decided she will not remain my Dr after my little one arrives.

Jess
7/13/2015 05:39:05 am

So glad I just found this post! I'm 37 weeks and have been monitored the last 2 weeks for a "small" baby and "old" placenta. Everything was normal before this. My midwives have been making me come in for NST'S and ultrasounds. I go in Thursday for another ultrasound to see if she has grown in the last two weeks. If she hasn't, or has gotten smaller they want to induce me! Which I totally agree with! But then my midwife told me that even if she's growing, they want to induce me at 38 weeks next week! I don't understand why they would want to do that if she is growing. She said it was the perinatal drs opinion.

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Mel
4/6/2016 07:43:37 pm

My daughter has placenta circumvallata, which makes him small and High risk. They will induce at 38 weeks <which is in 6 days> she is sad to have to induce because she wanted natural, but the doctor was adamant about not going any longer. I just worry with induction with a messed up placenta and she worries about a c section. Just want them both to be safe. I know she is sad about not being able to deliver naturally, but this will give me some ideas to discuss with her. To keep her calm. Thank u

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TJ
7/5/2016 04:12:52 am

How did it go? I am in the same exact boat. Being induced at 38 weeks for the same reason.

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Emily
7/30/2015 08:18:10 am

Thanks for sharing such great advice. I have a rare diagnosis of polyhydramnios, (too much amniotic fluid), along with a large baby and one that keeps changing positions! It can cause some serious risks during labor. I've gone from one end of the spectrum to the other, as far a labor and delivery goes. I was all set for a total natural birth, then was told I could only do a csection. After switching my doctor to a midwife at 38 weeks pregnant, I have been approved for an attempt at a vaginal birth via induction! After facing the possibility of a csection, my perspective on getting an induction has completely changed. I am so relieved and excited about the the alternative, yet still vaginal, birth this induction will make possible. With 2 days to prepare for my induction, this article is very helpful. Thank you!

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Cori Gentry link
7/31/2015 03:34:56 am

I'm so glad this was helpful, I hope you have an amazing birth!

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kristy
9/7/2017 12:39:47 pm

How did you make out with your polyhydramnios? I am being induced in a few days because of the exact reasons.

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Jaimie
8/29/2015 03:14:45 am

Thank you so much for this post. I will be induced Tuesday at 41 weeks if baby does not come on her own and am really worried about the risks. I don't have GD, but baby is measuring big and they are concerned because I am obese. I'd love to fight it, but I don't honestly think I can keep up the wait any longer either.

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Katie
6/1/2016 11:14:26 am

Anyone who reads this, is obese, and is doubted by medical professionals.. you are not alone and fyi I am BMI over 40 and delivered two babies naturally at home who were both approaching 10 lbs. each!

I may not run as fast as the fit, but my body has no trouble squeezing out little ones. It's different muscles I think, so don't doubt yourselves, but don't expect support from most medical pros either.

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J
9/4/2015 04:26:43 pm

Also wanted to drop by and say thank you for this post.. I found it at the right time! I am being induced in a few days at 41 weeks and have had a very hard time accepting this for all the reasons listed above. I need to revamp my birth plan and focus on the outcome - my sweet baby. Everyone has been more than forthcoming with "helpful advice" but what I really need is the permission to feel the way I do and I got that from your post. Thank you.

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Cori Gentry link
9/14/2015 09:26:40 am

I'm so glad, I hope you had a satisfying birth.

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Kathrine
9/14/2015 08:29:27 am

I am 40 weeks with my first child today, and according to my doctor's office, I should have scheduled an induction last week. I have had the perfect pregnancy with zero complications, zero morning sickness, no GD, no BP problems...and my doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks. I told him no that I really wanted to go into labor on my own. They told me they'd give me to 40 weeks and then schedule an induction, so they've scheduled for me to go in tonight at midnight and induce tomorrow at 7AM. I am not on board with this plan, but they've said my only other option is to wait until September 24th to schedule an induction, and I'm worried that's a little far out if she hasn't come on her own by then. I am so very upset and angry and your post has helped tremendously to know that there are other options during an induction than to just lie back and do what I'm told.

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Cori Gentry link
9/14/2015 09:25:47 am

This does not sound like a medically necessary induction, and more about conveniently scheduling your birth for your provider. Please consider if you want to double your chance of cesarean for your provider's convenience. An induction should only be done with medically necessary. You don't have to go in, I've not gone in to several induction appointments. Your only other option is not to wait until 9/24, you could just... go into labor!

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Brianna
9/15/2015 04:57:11 am

I am also scheduled for an induction on Thursday morning. So glad I read this! My baby is healthy but I'm so small that I cant move around or walk comfortably and I went in yesterday to get my membranes swept to see if that could get me going naturally and left having an induction planned instead :/ I've always wanted a natural birth in the tub and this is my first baby so I'm so sad that I can't go on in this pregnancy. I wish my doctor was more cooperative!

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Amber
9/20/2015 10:19:17 pm

For everyone reading this post, and those who have already commented.....if you are being pressured by your doctor bc you are at your due date, to get an induction, please reconsider and if you feel at all uncomfortable, DO NOT go through with it. Remember, your "due" date is not set in stone, it is a rough estimate based on early signals. There are rarely, in normal pregnancies, complications due to going past the due date- and most of them are designed to put your body into natural labor! Of course, there are medically necessary reasons to induce, but convenience for your doctor, or feeling forced into it when you know it doesn't make sense is not. You are well within your right to refuse! Even if they say your baby is too big; out of all the pregnant people I know who have had measurements taken before birth-- not a single one was correct on the baby's size!

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Cori link
9/20/2015 11:19:02 pm

We always have the right to refuse an induction... always!

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Gina
9/21/2015 01:59:58 pm

thank you so much for this. It really is huge comfort to me. Our first daughter was stillborn on our due date due to two rare blood disorders I have that were not discovered previously. Because of this I am deemed high risk and was told prior to ever getting pregnant again that I would be induced early. The specialist wants 37 weeks, I am pushing for minimum 38 weeks. We are both in agreement that nothing is set in stone right now at 22 weeks. Luckily the wonderful doctor that delivered our daughter will be delivering this baby as well and knows how important a natural birth had been to us. So I feel I am getting all my answers on the how and whys, along with side affects. But from your post I specifically like your advice to celebrate and prepare for a long stay. It is on my to do list to book us massages and a dinner date before we check into the hospital! And puzzles and books have been added to the hospital bag pack list.

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Laura Green link
10/29/2015 06:58:23 am

Thank you so much for this post, I am 38+6 with my second baby and booked for induction tomorrow morning (with no choice about timing, 7.30am only admission). My son was a planned homebirth, he arrived at 40+3 in a pool in our kitchen and it was one of the most positive, empowering experiences of my life. My little lady however has other ideas, she is small and growth has slowed over the past few weeks so know there are doubts over my placenta function, I have have been monitored frequently this week to give spontaneous labour a chance but now it hasn't happened they feel the safest option is induction. I have had discussions with the consultant and day unit midwife who have been so supportive but still recommend we proceed and I feel if I've been advised so, I'd be silly to ignore them.
This is such a brilliantly helpful and balanced post, it has enabled me to look at things that I can control and those I can't, reminded me about the importance of positivity of communication and generally left me feel alot more positive about the experience. It has also made me prepare mentally for the possibility that my baby won't be arriving tomorrow and will make me focus further ahead. Thank you x

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Deena
11/3/2015 12:35:59 am

Hi Laura, thanks for your post- congrats! How did it go? I also had a very natural birth with my first child yet am also a scheduled for induction late this evening (39 weeks) due to low baby weight/possible placental dysfunction. If you have any advice/feedback based on your recent experience i'd love to know!

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Kristen
11/2/2015 06:15:44 pm

This post was so encouraging to me! I have been crying all day because I felt like I had to give up my birth! I am 40 weeks on Friday and they are gonna induce me because of blood pressure issues. I am not preeclamptic (no protein in urine) but I have daily BPs up to 150/100 so my doc is concerned about risks to placenta, baby, and myself. This post encouraged me that I still have a say over how my birth goes!

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Annie
11/6/2015 05:21:57 pm

Just found this post, I am 39 weeks and according to my OBGYN must be induced immediately due to mild preeclampsia. However just last Friday he said I was fine that everything looked beautiful and we could put it off. What is really going on is he insisted that I induce at a hospital that is 20 miles away from where I live, although he delivers at the hospital of my choice which is 2 miles away and one of the best hospitals in the country. He is adamant that my husband make the drive to appease him as he lives nearby. He tried to dissuade me by saying the hospital I chose is ill equipped and run by incompetent nurses and staff. I did not buy it and insisted that this was my choice and that I am fine using the on call laborist if he is not available. This upset him .and he has since behaved unprofessional and unethical way. He threatened to drop me as a patient if I went to my hospital, which I did but after being monitored was told by Dr. On call that an induction at the time was unecessary and sent home Dr. also insisted I demand to be seen my obgyn as he could not abandon me at this stage. When I called the office to make an appointment, they refused saying I was no longer a patient. Dr. Then called and said I needed to go to my choice hospital and get induced, however when I called the hospital to verify? I was told ni inductions were scheduled and that he had not called. I let him know and he said I was lying. Now he is insisting that I go in now, I really don't trust this man as he is manipulative and deceitful and am afraid he is only wanting me to be induced as a firm of revenge. Please I need advice ASAP! AM supposed to go in tonight.

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Cori Gentry link
11/6/2015 06:42:24 pm

An unnecessary induction puts both you and your baby at risk, it doubles your chance of cesarean which comes with risks like infection and hemorrhage, and puts baby at risk of not getting enough oxygen, being born prematurely, and if your birth ends in cesarean, with all the risks associated with that. It sounds like your physician is acting spitefully and is not making decisions based on evidence or medical need. Continuing care may be putting you in danger, I cannot give you medical advice, but it may be safer to go to your desired hospital when you go into labor and take who is on call. Meanwhile, for prenatal care, you may be able to find another provider or midwife, see if you have a local birth networking or ICAN to connect you with a supportive provider, I have known providers who have taken moms at 39 and 40 weeks. You never HAVE to go in for an induction, it is always your choice, even though it is not always presented that way.

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Cassie
11/12/2015 05:18:17 am

I am currently pregnant with my 3rd. I went into labor naturally on my own (1st was 3 days late, 2nd came 5 days early) and I was able to go through both labor & deliveries naturally at the hospital. They were also both quick L&D's (1st was just 4 hours start to finish, 2nd was just 3 hours). Due to previous quick L&D's, my doctor wants to schedule an induction at 39 weeks with this one to ensure that I have her in the hospital (we also live 25 mins from the hospital). I am very nervous and unsure about induction for this reason; however, my husband really is for this because he is afraid of delivering a baby at home or on the way to the hospital (he's not afraid of the actual delivery process, he's afraid that something could go wrong and put me & the baby in danger and we wouldn't be at the hospital). Any thoughts on early induction due to previous quick L&D's? I am also nervous that induction would prolong my labor.

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Lisa
12/10/2015 03:56:35 am

I'm currently 35+2 with my first baby. I'm in the UK so you may not be able to help me? My consultant has planned for me to be induced next week but I don't have a date yet. She's been telling me for around 10 weeks now that I won't be allowed to go past 37 as baby is small. They say he's symmetrically IUGR, just below the 5th centile, but he has been growing, just not as much as they'd hope. I'm devastated. I really wanted a natural birth, drug free, and water as my pain relief. They're probably gonna need to monitor constantly so I won't be allowed a water birth. I really just wanted him to come in his own time, without intervention. Ive had a second opinion but the same outcome... The risks to baby just aren't worth it. They say if he doesn't tolerate contractions well enough, it's likely I'll need a c section. What am I going to do? Is there anything I can do to avoid that? I really really don't want an epidural, more than anything!

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Cori Gentry link
12/10/2015 08:08:00 am

Hello Lisa. Can you switch providers? This is not medical advice, but some providers recommend careful monitoring instead of induction. This study shows that induction did not improve outcomes over expectant monitoring. http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c7087

You always have a choice, you can always say no, however, it would be nice to have a care provider whose opinion you can trust and who will give you all the options and let YOU make the decision about your baby and your body. Goodluck!

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Alicia
3/5/2016 09:26:24 pm

Excellent article, Cori! I look forward to sending clients to your site to read this.

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Helen
4/21/2016 03:00:34 am

This post was so helpful...I am at 38 weeks today. Since I was 32 weeks or so I was told that I might need an induced birth. Reason was because of the baby's head being so big (also during that time baby was at 90 percentile). The baby's total size was at 70 percentile at 36 weeks and the size of the head was about 10 cm already. My doctor told me to get induced at 39 weeks on May 2nd but I really want a natural birth..My original due date is may 5th..should I delay or refuse the induction.? But I am concerned about possible c section due to big baby..

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Brooklyn
6/12/2016 06:38:26 pm

I'm glad I found this I'm being induced tomorrow night. At 37 weeks. My LO has been battling fetal hydrops since 20 weeks... My perinatal says it will be much safer to go ahead and deliver while the hydrops is low almost completely gone. Unfortunately I can't be taken off the monitors for any reason. Hoping to avoid a c section but am open to it to make sure my baby boy is healthy.

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Amy
6/17/2016 04:41:38 pm

I'm so thankful I came across this. I'm currently 35+3 with my 3rd. I have birth at 36wks in both previous pregnancies. My 1st I went into labor on my own but then was given pitocin because my labor stalled and water broke already (trying to avoid a c-section ) after 25 1/2hrs of labor my 1st was born. With my 2nd I had preeclampsia, and was considered "high risk" because with my 1st I was out on bedrest from my fluids leaking. So at 36wks I was induced with pitocin and 12hrs later my 2nd girl was here. This time around I was diagnosed early on with preeclampsia though my bp has been good recently, even low. However I was just diagnosed 2wks ago with "OC", and told if I don't deliver by 37wks then there is a high risk of her being a stillborn. No mother ever wants to hear that!!!! They currently have me scheduled to be induced at 37wks until my bile acids come back before then and have increased. While I know that pitocin is no fun, I do understand that at times is necessary. I really want a birth where I'm not hooked up to iv fluids, and monitoring is kept minimal. I want to be able to have my husband massage my lower back, etc with essential oils, to have oils diffused (I packed my diffuser ) and I want to be able to eat or drink as I see fit. Also I want skin to skin right away, and to breastfeed asap, delayed bath, and nothing where she's out of my room. No vaccines either. I'm very nervous because I don't know if they will do all of this. Anyone else go through this? With my 1st I had a birth plan which didn't get followed. With my 2nd I didn't do a birth plan but had a great birth even with being induced. Should I go with the flow or do up a birth plan again? Hubby know what I want, and I've asked him to help speak up for me/us.

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Sharon Romero-rose
2/3/2018 12:11:15 am

Hello,

I am 38 weeks and my doctor keeps telling me hes getting me induced on the 12th my due date is the 17th and i keep asking why cant we wait he said if wanted to wait to the due date hed have to make me sign a form. He keeps telling me im ready and baby is ready but i dont like the idea of being induced instead i would like to wait until the due date and when i asked why he gave me a speech about baby could be too big by then which he did an ultrasound and my baby is 6-7 lbs soo seems pretty normal to me i havent had complications or anything and i dont understand the induction decision 2 weeks ago i told him no and we agreed to wait and last week he told me i had my appointment to go in on the 12th for an induction. I dont want to go it seems to me as though because valentines holiday is before this hes trying to get me in and i want to wait for my due date of the 17th. Can i keep refussing to get induced i dont see any reason as to why inducing is the best option?

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Maria link
4/16/2019 09:54:49 pm

Great blog, I'd love to become a doula!

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    PictureI'm a childbirth educator, birth doula, and birth activist with 4 little boys and occasionally enough time to write.



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