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Induction of labour is rapidly becoming the norm in the western world. Women & birthing people are being increasingly categorised as 'high risk' for a multitude of reasons, from age & BMI to low Papp-A or predicted as carrying a 'large baby' plus so many more. Risk factors are multiplying by the year & intervention is hot on it's heels. Doctor's deciding that baby would be safer if born than continuing with the pregnancy. Normal pregnancy & spontaneous labour onset is fast becoming the abnormal.
Choosing whether to accept induction is a huge decision & very often it is a decision that is not completely informed. Doctors booking induction without even asking if it is accepted or not giving all of the balanced information to enable an informed decision. Families are often scared into consenting to induction of labour, as otherwise there baby may die.
There are pro's & con's to everything, & to make an informed decision it is imperative to have all of the facts. Below are a few of the facts to get you started.
1. Induced labour is not like spontaneous labour.
It probably sounds quite obvious but not to everyone. An induced labour is very different to one that starts on it's own. Everyone is different & everyone's experiences will be unique, however some things are universal. When you are induced your body is being forced to labour with fake hormones (Oxytocin). These man made hormones do not trigger your natural pain relieving Endorphins. Endorphins build up gradually when your body goes into labour on it's own & that combined with movement enables birthing people to progress through their labour.
2. Induced labour is often more painful than spontaneous labour.
When labour is induced, pains often increase much more quickly, are often sharper & often do not make quick changes to the cervix & labour progression. With less or no endorphins & maternal movement is often restricted due to the requirement for closer fetal heart rate monitoring. This mix often leaves people feeling scared, out of control & stressed which leads to increased reliance of Epidurals.
Induction of labour often takes a long time. Again, everyone is different, however it is very normal to be in hospital for 2 or 3 days trying to get things going. With spontaneous labour, being in your own environment, while your cervix starts softening, shortening & opening means that keeping busy & using distraction can be really helpful. In a strange, hospital environment with constant buzzers & medical checks people are often exhausted before labour even starts. Add onto this process the frequent vaginal examinations & IV cannula's, it is no wonder that people often feel traumatised by the induction process & realise they did not truly understand what they were consenting to.
3. When you consent to induction of labour you consent to the whole package.
Waterbirth, physiological 3rd stage, intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring & more is generally not possible when your labour is induced. This is due to the strength of medication needed to make your body labour. Much closer monitoring is required, to look for any serious side effects as they develop. Medication's used for induction of labour can cause a multitude of side effects, including uterine rupture, so very close monitoring is imperative to safety.
4. Labour is more likely to fail when it is induced.
Due to all of the reasons above, when labour is forced, a Caesarean birth is much more likely. Current UK statistics show a continuous increase in intervention & Carsarean with a matching decline in spontaneous vaginal birth. There are so many reasons that labour can fail & it is not the birthing person's fault. There is nothing wrong with your body, it just wasn't ready yet.
5. Consenting to one intervention often leads to another.
We are so lucky in the western world to have medical assistance when it is needed. Sadly, it is being overused & negatively affecting women & birthing people's ability to give birth naturally. Once one intervention is agreed, it so often leads to more due to all of the points above. NHS trusts are desperately trying to make birth 'safer', & avoid litigation. However, research has shown that despite their efforts, & the birth trauma which has been caused, stillbirth rates have not been significantly reduced.
So, my advice to you is to question everything! Ensure you do your research into what is being offered & why. Take time to consider your options, there is often no need to make a rush decision. Use the B.R.A.I.N.S tool to ask the right questions.
B = Benefits
R= Risks
A= Alternatives
I= Instincts
N= Nothing
S= Second opinion
After all of this you may still decide that induction of labour is right for you & your baby. But make sure it is an informed decision & that when you look back at your baby's birth it was the right one on the day with all of the information provided to you for informed consent.
Your body, Your baby, Your choice!
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