Things that I’ve seen that frustrate me.

1. Cervical checks are not needed( unless there is reason to suspect preterm labor) really at any point, keep your pants on! You doctor does not need to know how you body is working. Your cervix tell them only where you are in that moment and it posses risks! Bleeding, irritation of the cervix, none productive contractions that lead you to go to l&d thinking your in labor only to be turned away or given pitocin for “stall”. It also chances the risk of your water breaking then you are on “their clock”

2.membrane sweeps carry their own risks. This is a form of induction. They are shoving their finger through your cervix and tearing your membrane away from your cervix in hope it will trigger labor. This can cause everything a cervical check can but in higher numbers.

3.going past your due date is ok. In fact American college of gynecology and pediatrics supports going to 42+6 prior to induction in otherwise healthy pregnancies, even in “advanced maternal age”. Yes still birth rate goes up by 0.4%. Did you know still birth rates are higher at 38 weeks than at 41 but you don’t see providers stopping labor. Yes it sucks to be a 10 month momma but it happens.

4. Induction or c-section for big baby or too small of pelvis, is a not supported by ACOG. Yes the rates of baby getting stuck goes up with a big baby big baby is defined as over 11lbs! Not over 8 and ultrasound can be very off and are not supported as the only method of measurement to determine an induction. Small pelvis is also incredibly rare like less that 4% of the world population most of which have had some sort of injury to the pelvis. You CANNOT measure your pelvis without multiple x-rays outside of pregnancy.

5. Low fluids, if your doctor wants to induce over low fluids, unless your level is below 5cm, medical protocol is iv hydration for 24 hrs then to remeasure. Fluids get lower the closer you get to labor. If your doctor wants you to come back in three days for induction because of low fluids, decline! It’s obvious not that important or dangerous if they are willing to let your baby sit in a hazardous condition for three days.

6. Inductions themselves come with risks. Cervical softeners some of which are literally the abortion pill, can cause over stimulated uterus which cannot be stopped or lessened, seizures(leading to emergency c-section before induction has even stated). Epidural will cause your blood pressure to tank which is why they require you to have a bag of fluids first because they are trying to counter the side effect. Can also cause life long back pain. Pitocin can cause fetal heart rate decline which is one of the leading causes of c-sections.

What does cause labor to start. Baby being ready for the outside world.

1. Relaxin a hormone released during pregnancy in greater amounts toward labor, this hormone loosens your joints so your hips can spread during labor.

2. Oxytocin receptors on the uterus are multiplied when labor starts so that contractions are more productive less painful than synthetic ones.

3. Babies full lung development. Which is the last thing to mature.

4. You being calm and relaxed, oxytocin causes contractions and if your are stressed and creating cortisone your body cannot start labor.

I do not judge women who have inductions, get epidurals, or need a medically necessary induction or c-section. But for the love of God, Allah, or Mother Nature, whom ever you choose, stop blindly trusting your providers and ask questions and know the pros and cons of everything you agree to. Yes they went to school for this. I went to school too, knowledge is not privileged you can look up anything your provider says to you to find out if it is supported by the medical community. You can decline ANYTHING, doctor, or hospital policy is not law and it does not trump your body autonomy. If your doctor wants to induce by x date or start cervical checks at such and such appointment you can decline it is your right.

If you have made it this far I’m sorry my soak box sits so high in the sky. Anyone who has questions is welcome to message me or ask. ~birth doula, pregnancy and fertility junkie, momma of one planning a HBAC.