Inductions?
This is a good article about the “elective” induction, going over the results of some studies that were done: Rigging the Election: When it comes to elective induction, are women asking for it?
I admit, I utterly bristle when I read articles about how women are asking for inductions all the time. Every time someone tells me a story about being induced it’s the doctor who suggests it – and for reasons that are not medical indications for induction. I hear from women about how they get to their due date and the doctor induces the next day (average gestation for a first-time pregnancy is around 41 weeks, not to mention that due dates are hardly set in stone unless you have done fertility treatments!). Sigh. A big baby is not a reason to induce – inductions before your body is ready has a high chance of ending in c-section, which is usually the very thing the patient is wanting to avoid by inducing early before the baby gets “too big”!
Induction is a very good tool in some situations. But, like any tool, it has its risks and side-effects and should be used only when it’s actually needed. Baby and mother both benefit by going into labor on their own.
I was induced for a good medical reason (serious gallbladder issues), and I would NEVER do it again unless entirely medically necessary. And yes, it ended in c-section. I don’t think women have a good grasp on what an induction is. It doesn’t mean you’re just going to deliver earlier, that’s for sure.
I agree, I don’t think most women really understand what a rough ride an induction can be. I think many women are under the false impression that it just starts labor earlier – or they understand it’ll be harder, but they think the epidural will balance that out.
I could not agree with you more! One of the things I loved about my doctor was that he told me that unless there was a severe medical reason, he would not talk about induction until I passed 41 weeks. He also told me that he would not suggest a c-section unless he really believed it was the best option we had, and warned me that labor is just that. It could be long, hard, and intense but I could get through it. And you know what? I did!
I think it’s great that you had an OB you could trust! My midwives were the same way, and I know if they ever said I needed a c-section I really would have needed one and would not have argued.
Even with fertility treatments, due dates aren’t set in stone! We did IVF/FET and at my 6 week scan, my due date moved up by one; after my 9 week scan, the date got moved up another four days! I told the doctor that he could write whatever date he wanted, the baby would get here when it wanted to get here. I find it amusing, because we know exactly when this baby was put in there but the dates still keep changing. :)
Good point, Erica! Babies each develop at their own rate, so even if you KNOW what day they were conceived it doesn’t mean they are all on the same schedule.
Though the best ones I hear (sarcastically speaking) are doctors who ignore the mother about what they conceived, change the due date by a week here and there, and then when the due date arrives acts like it is the magical “best-by” date. I just want to shake my head!
I agree that inductions should not be undergone lightly. My best friend was induced when her water broke but labour didn’t start. She ended up being in hard labour for about 40 hours and only dilating to 9 cm. Ended up with a c-section.
Heh… SO glad I passed all the hoops for natural home birth. ><
I was induced twice. One time was to deliver my dead son at 35 weeks. The next time was to make sure that my second son did not suffer the same fate. I am so grateful that the option was available.
As was I, anon – I was induced with Devin when he died, and am glad I did. But you have to admit, that is not why most people are induced.
I was induced with my first because of fetal demise (a twin). With my second I thought I was in labor, went to the hospital and the doctor said that since I was there he’d induce me. I was miserable and agreed. I do wish I had let my body do it on my own. With my third I was induced as well, due to issues with my pubic bone (I could not walk and was in horrible pain) and even though I was induced I opted for no epidural since I figured it was the closest thing I’d come to “natural” birth. I don’t regret the third induction and am glad I opted out of the epidural. I hope, however, to let nature take its course with my fourth.