Induction cons?

Question

My goal was to have a natural hospital birth. I hired a doula to help coach me during the birth.

But now my OB is saying they are firm about inducing by 41 weeks. (I am 40 + 3, 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced, so it is looking likely that I will see 41 weeks). Does anyone have any good resources to share about pros and cons of induction?

My doula is saying that I shouldn't need to induce yet and is strongly discouraging me to just go along with what the docs say, saying that they have poor reasoning for inducing. While I agree that my healthy pregnancy and baby don't need to be pushed, I am feeling pretty cornered. I feel like I have to advocate for myself with both my doula and my OBs. And yet I really know nothing about birth. Bleh.

Answer

I'm 40 and 1 today. What I was just told at my appointment today is that they don't induce unless there's evidence that the placenta is not doing well. So when I'm 41 weeks exactly, I'll have an ultrasound to check size and fluid levels and an nst to check oxygen exchange.  If it looks good we'll keep waiting,  if not they'll make a plan to induce. I am assuming they'll do the same at 42 weeks.  I don't see the need in induction as a flat rule, especially since due dates can be off.

Answer

It depends on the induction that they want to do to. There are many ways you can assist your body into going into labor naturally. I have had my membranes striped twice (two pregnancies) because the way my amniotic sac forms, it forms with a water bubble in between the layers so it doesn't put the proper pressure on my cervix to trigger labor naturally. But I wouldn't choose petocin or something like that as an induction method personally. You have to be hooked to a machine, they don't let you eat etc. It's up to you how your birth will go. If you want to wait for labor to start, you can tell your OB that you don't want to be induced. They will follow what you want.

Answer

There are more natural ways to be induced that I would ask for first. Stripping membranes can help, and then I would go for the cervical inserts next. My friend had good luck with cervadil. I think it was a gel they put on your cervix to help soften it and get it ready. It could be all you need for that extra little push to put you into labour! Even though it's medically put there, it won't affect your natural labour at all, since it's not a synthetic hormone like pictocin. Your contractions would be just as they would have if you went into labour without. You could do those two things right away, and then ask your doctor if you can wait just one more week to be induced with pictocin if it doesn't work? It's a bit of a compromise between your doctor's and doula's recommendations.

Answer

I was induce because the ultrasound said my son would weigh so much. I ended up having a csection and he wasn't bigger (8.3lb) then my first baby(9.5lb).  With this pregnancy I would like for my baby to come on her own and not be pushed. I don't want to ended up with a csection again.

Answer

Definitely try to avoid an induction unless there is a medical emergency. There are more natural ways to induce ( membrane sweep, walking a lot, Having sex etc) but if you have to go the pitocin route Your chances of having an all natural birth may be less since those drugs bring on stronger contractions that your body really isnt made to handle and then you get the epidural and its a snowball effect of interventions ( But not always!).  If I were you, I would try all the natural methods first, and listen to your doula! Doctors don't know EVERYTHING and a lot of times are just In hurry to be done with you and your pregnancy. Hopefully you do have a doctor who you like and trust, but know that your body and your baby know exactly what they are doing and what they are supposed to do!!! Good luck girl!!!!

Answer

Honestly, I am against induction too... But I would probably do it. Only because I think I'd be super tired of being pregnant! I would have my membranes stripped first, and then see how that goes. Baby #3 and we are thinking I will be induced... I didn't have to for the other ones

Answer

Following!

Answer

I'll also note that if I'm induced, I will not attempt a med-free birth. Which is disappointing and one of the cons of induction for me.

Induction cons?

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