Inducing Labor

D.,
As a medical professional, I can unequivocally state that doctors will induce even if it is not medically necessary. Medical research shows that yes, there are true medical reaons for an induction - low amniotic fluid, preeclampsia and fetal distress among them. But the rate of inductions far exceed the rate of true medical reasons. One of the reasons our nationwide c-section rate is so high is due to failed inductions. One of the reasons we rank at the lowest end of industrialized nations in terms of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality (despite the huge amount of money spent on medical care and access to the latest and greatest in medical technology) is our high c-section rate.
Unless your doctor can give you a very specific valid medical reason, then really think hard about going ahead with an intervention that totally alters the onset and course of normal labor.
Our bodies are designed to go through pregnancy and labor! Humans have been giving birth for thousands of years without pitocin, hospitals, and electronic fetal monitors. Yes, interventions are required at times, but definitely not at the rate they are happening currently.
Off my soapbox. It is your body, your baby, your pregnancy, and yes, you absolutely have the right to say no. It is totally your choice, and you can even seek a second opinion if you like.
We hire doctors to serve us, not the other way around.
And for anything any doctor suggests, always ask:
1) what happens if I/we do it?
2) what happens if I/we don't do it?
3) what happens if I/we wait?
E.

I'm seeing alot of different responses; some helpful and some not so much. I saw one that advised that Castor Oil will help induce labor, and sometimes it will, as long as you are ready to give birth, but what it also does is causes the baby to produce meconium (bowel movement while in utero), and that isn't good. If they inhale it, which they will, it can cause an infection in the baby and you want to remove any risks that aren't necessary. Your body needs to be in a certain state in order for them to want to induce. In my case, I was 3 1/2 weeks overdue (and yes I was overdue, they didnt misjudge my due date) and my body was barely to the point that they wanted it in order to induce. There is a specific scale 1-4 indicating how ready your body is to give birth including how efaced (thinned out) your cervix is, how far the baby has dropped down, etc. There has to be a reason they induce, whether it is for health reasons, or at your request. But being induced really isnt that bad; there are two ways to induce. If your cervix hasnt thinned out, they take a quarter of a pill of misoprostol and insert it into your cervix, which thins it out and most of the time induces labor, but for the most part, they use pitocin which increases the severity and quantity of contractions you experience. Sometimes even if you've gone into labor on your own, they'll use pitocin anyhow if you arent progressing how you should be. There are alot of factors that play a part, so you need to talk to your doctor, or midife. Hopefully this information was helpful. Good luck to you and your family and your new edition!

Without a medical history it's hard to know why your doctor wants to induce you but I'll share my experience in case it's the same.
I was overdue. I began walking everyday about the week of my due date, then when I went past my due date I started walking two-three times a day, not just a brisk walk but to the point where I worked up a sweat and drank a whole lot of water. We tried stripping my membrane and that didn't work. There was the option of black cohosh but instead I was advised to try acupuncture.
They are natural points stimulated in the body. Now, the only trick is that if baby is simply not ready to come down, then the treatments will not induce labor...this is not like pitocin where you get contractions no matter what.
You can ask for another dr. opinion in the same practice. Tell your dr. that you would like to schedule an appt. with another dr. or ask if they can bring in another dr. during your next visit for an open discussion because your apprehensive and you would like to hear another perspective or explaination.
Another option;
You can call a local midwife or doula in your area, tell them the info of why your dr. wants a cesarean and they can help you understand the decision or at the vary least share experiences. The reason I mention a doula/or midwife is that they believe in the practice of babies being born without the least amount of medical influence. I've never met a midwife or doula who has refused to offer their advice when it's a critical situation, which this sounds critical because of the time frame your working around.

It's your baby and your body, follow your insticts right now, your body is in protect mode for a good reason.

Hi D.,
It is totally up to you. Don't let your dr. pressure you into it...especially if it is for convenience sake. If there are health issues, then you might think about it, but I think it is best for the baby to decide on its own when to come.
Kara (mom to 4)

Speaking from experience, being induced is not that bad. My doctor sang "Happy Birthday" while breaking my water. I know most women want the birth of their child to be as natural as possible but there are times when it isn't possible. Here is an excerpt from The Better Health Channel:

Overdue babies
Around five out of every 100 babies will be overdue, or more than 42 weeks gestation. If you have gone one week past your due date without any signs of impending labour, your doctor will want to closely monitor your condition. Tests include:

* Monitoring the foetal heart rate
* Using a cardiotocograph machine
* Performing ultrasound scans.

The placenta starts to deteriorate after 38 weeks or so, which means an overdue baby may not get enough oxygen. An overdue baby could also grow too large for vaginal delivery. Generally, an overdue baby will be induced once it is two weeks past its expected date. Some of the methods of induction include:

* Vaginal prostaglandin gel - to help dilate the cervix.
* Amniotomy - breaking the waters, sometimes called an Artificial Rupture of Membranes (ARM).
* Oxytocin - a synthesised hormone given intravenously that stimulates uterine contractions.

I hope this information helps you. M.

Hi D.!

I don't blame you! I let my doctor induce my labor with my son, much to my disappointment. Here is what I have learned since: Doctor's make more money inducing, especially because the majority of inducements end up in C-sections, which is where they make big money. Unless you have very small hips and the baby is huge, don't let them scare you into this. Get as many opinions from other doctors as you have time, money and energy for. The doctor who did mine casually commented to my father afterward that he didn't know why all women just didn't have C-sections because it was so much easier. These guys are surgeons!

Good Luck!
T.

Hi D.,
I believe it is totally your *informed* choice. Are you clear why your doc is pressuring you?

If its about being "late," you can decide to trust your body and trust your baby and know that he or she is going to arrive when he or she is ready.

If there is a "medical" reason why your doc thinks you should be induced and you have your own concerns, then you don't have to be induced in the hospital with pitocin, necessarily. There are alternatives: walking (30 mins or more at a stretch, but don't wear yourself out!); having sex with your male partner IF your bag of waters is intact/not broken (his ejaculate contains prostaglandins, which can help start labor); nipple stimulation (gently, but firmly, rolling the nipples between your fingers for a few minutes at a time & when you start having contractions, stop the stimulation - start again once its over and stimulate the nipples for just a few minutes at a time - alternate nipples).

There are also herbal tinctures and homeopathic remedies you can take, which I would consult an herbalist and/or homeopath about the specifics.

What I personally consider a "last resort" method is taking castor oil (mixed with a fruit juice is ok). It'll either give you the runs or make you vomit, but may either way help start labor, though not in a pleasant or easy way.

Good luck!
-L.

p.s. I also encourage you to contact a local midwife and get some of her thinking on it. Go to the California Association of Midwives website and you can locate one close to you there.

Hi D.,

When I was just at my due date with my second child, my doctor suggested induction. I was so completely miserable (and huge) that I agreed even though there was no medical reason for it. The doctor failed to warn me that the contractions from the pitocin would be off the charts and I was in so much pain that I could not bare it. I continued to ask for an epidural and never did get one.

It was pretty traumatic for me to the point that when I had my next child 7 years later I walked into the hospital and said "where's my epidural?" and again they wanted to "speed it along" with pitocin. It seems almost routine these days.

When my own daughter was giving birth, the doctor wanted to give pitocin just to "speed it along" and didn't want to give an epidural. There was no reason for it other than to make it more convenient for him. My daughter was very young and does not tolerate the slightest pain well at all. I told the doctor that there was no way he was giving her pitocin without an epidural and he got quite angry saying it would slow down the labor. Oh well! I absolutely insisted and he gave her the epidural and the pitocin. The baby was born 3 hours later and all was well.

My point is that you absolutely do have a choice and some doctors might try to force their choices on you for their own convenience. In retrospect, I would certainly ask to be told what the benefits and possible risks of induction are. I always regretted having allowed my son to be induced because he was a very fussy baby and just seemed so uncomfortable in this world for the longest time. I believe he just forced out too soon. Whatever YOU decide, don't let the doctor bully you into it!

Best of luck to you!

Hi, D.-

There may be medical reasons you must have an induction. Our son was overdue, and while only a few days, we went ahead with a planned induction. It was actually a good thing, because there was a lot of meconium. My OB/GYN said waiting a few days would have caused some health problems for my baby. In any case, I would read up on it if you think it would be a possibility. If you're generally healthy and not way overdue, then I wouldn't worry about. No one can force you to do it, but you need to consider if there will be a good reason for it.

If you do end up in that boat, like me, I would think about how your body responds to drugs. I have a slow response to drugs. Even with drugs given intravenously! The nurse monitoring my pitocin kept increasing the flow because my contractions weren't "regular enough", but then, all of the sudden, it was way too much! I was hyperventilating. I think if she had just waited for my body to respond, that wouldn't have happened. Then when I got an epidural to relax me and stop the hyperventilating, the anesthesiologist was surprised that I was on such a big dose, but I felt no difference. Well, if he'd just waited 5 minutes for my body to respond instead of upping the dose, I might not have been so freaking numb while trying to push!!

your doctor should only suggest it if it is medically necessary. is there a reason why you are worried about this? Being induced seems like it's becoming the norm, but it really shouldn't be. if they doctor suggests it, ask WHY and then if he/she is persistant, get a 2nd opinion if you are not satisfied with the answer. or even switch docs if you need to. if you use a midwife you will not have to worry about that...
good luck!

Oh, please please please read my birth story at www.newmomchronicles.typepad.com.

It is totally up to you.

I felt VERY strongly about not being induced, and was 15 days late with my first, and had gestational diabetes (which was completely controlled by diet). I signed 5 AMAs (against medical advice waivers), and every time I went to the hospital to have the non-stress tests (which indicated that baby and mom were doing beautifully!!) they tried to scare me into staying. I really did not want a C-Section or epidural, so I held fast to what I knew - that we were doing just fine, that I wanted Zoe to pick her own birthday, and that this was my best path towards the empowering and transformative birth experience that I so desired. Hang in there, and feel free to contact me privately if you'd like my list of reasons why I didn't want to induce. A Thinking Woman's Guide is a great book for this.

Yes, it is completely your choice. If you don't want to be induced, be sure your doctor, midwife, nurses, husband, doula, and anyone else involved knows this ahead of time. Also, make sure your husband or doula is there to advocate for you at the time. If all else fails, you can sign an "AMA" ("Against Medical Advice" form). My only recommendation would be that if you're 2 weeks beyond your due date, or if there is some extremely compelling reason (like your water has broken and it's been more than 24 hours, or the baby is in distress), you may want to consider it, but other than that, don't let anyone pressure you into it. Often times, doctors induce because it's convenient for them. Also, MANY inductions end up leading to other interventions, and often end up leading to unnecessary c-sections.

In my case, my son was 6 days late, had a head circumference of 38cm (the size of a one-month old), and I still managed to deliver him vaginally, with no episiotomy and no tearing. I pushed for 4 hours though (thanks to my wonderful midwife, who believed in me). Most OBs would have just cut me open by then.

Best of luck to you! You can do this.

I also did not want to be induced. My doctor was going on vacation. Yes, you have a choice!! Just ask what doctor would be on call. Everything went great for me.

I had 4 kids myself the 1st child, I had chicken spread on french bread 4 hours later I had given birth. The other 3 babies when they were born, 1989,90 and 92 I ate combination pizza in less than 12hrs I was giving birth. It works. When a friend of my had her 3 kid I told her what I did and she did the same in less than 6 hours for one and 10-24 hours for the other two. You'll be suprise what a COMBINATION PIZZA can do.

Dear D.,
I have 3 children, all healthy and happy. I was induced with 2 of them. The first was because my water broke, and I had no labor, and you should know that if your membranes have ruptured, there is a risk of infection to the baby if it is not delivered within 24 hours. The induction worked, and he was delivered with the cord around his neck 2 times. He is very calm and happy today at 17. My third child was induced because my placenta was failing. She was beginning to not be nourished by the placenta, which would lead to all kinds of developmental issues if not addressed promptly. I received an epidural; I also used my Lamaze breathing techniques to help with the pain. Preparation, mentally and physically, helped me through the induction with pitocin. Childbirth is a painful process, but can be managed if you are educated and approaching it with the realization that the outcome of a healthy baby, and a healthy, prepared mom is the goal. Otherwise, why not have your baby at home, and not ask your ob for his help? Your goal is to deliver vaginally unless a caesarian section is medically indicated; to use medications, including pitocin, judiciously and only when indicated; and to have a healthy baby. Take all the childbirth preparation classes possible, and you will learn so much that will help when your labor begins, whether naturally or with pitocin, which your body produces as oxytocin for labor anyway. Whether or not you are induced, labor feels like labor, so preparation is key, and much more important to your health than focusing on a maybe. I am an RN, and have worked in ob, as well as having 3 children of my own. After my last, a vaginal after c/s delivery, I had my tubes tied under epidural, and drove my children to school 2 days later.

D. A: It is your choice to a point. I am due in 4 weeks and JUST had this conversation with my doctor. After the 38-40 week mark, the environment in the uterus begins to deteriorate, including the fact that there will be less and less amniotic fluid. So, there will be a point where it would be risky to your baby's health to continue to wait for nature to take it's course. I think most doctors wait until 41 weeks these days, and then schedule you to be induced a week later (at 42 weeks). I encourage you to have an OPEN conversation with your practitioner about this so they know your wishes and can explain everything to you. Good luck!!!!

Don't worry about it. Sometimes it is for the health of the baby. My first was induced because the placenta (sp?) was shutting down and I was not even close to being dialated and I was a week over due. And I was scared about it. And everything worked out.
Sometimes it is for your well being if the doctor think the baby is going to be too big and might hurt you or itself durning delivery. (my friend has baby's 9 pounds plus and she is a small person.)
But the other side of it is a doctor didnt want to keep me at the hospital for my third when I was in labor and wanted to send me home. I refused because I knew I needed to stay. I lived 20 mins from the hospital and was scared that the baby would come somewhere in between the hospital and home. And I was right...I hung out at the hospital went to the bathroom and there she was...ready to come out...with the cord wrapped around her neck twice. So I guess what I am saying is..do what is right for you and baby ....and being induced is a controled enviroment that my husband liked better...hahahahah.... Neither one is right or wrong...it is just what the moment can sometimes called for....congrads and best wishes.....

Three of my four babies I was induced and had a great experience. My last labor after being induced lasted 2 3/4 hours! It helps if they break your water at the same time. Much faster. But everyone is different and just because someone else has a horror story does not mean you will too. Women can be very opionated when it comes to childbirth. Be careful whom you ask what. You really should discuss it with your doctor. Good luck.

I understand your feelings, but don't be unduly scared. My first baby was induced 10 days after her due date because the amniotic fluid was leaking. My labor was only about 5 hours and she was perfectly healthy and alert. It was very intense (I ended up not getting an epidural) but in the end one of the better labor and birth experiences I have heard of. There is only so much you can do to start labor naturally, and if being induced becomes necessary that doesn't mean that it can't still be a perfectly wonderful birth experience. BTW, it was my midwife who decided I had to be induced.

D.,

There may be a legitimate medical reason as to why you should be induced . . . . like you have limited amniotic fluid. I wasn't induced, per se, but on my due date my doctor did something called stripping the membrane and I went into labor that night. I would ask you doctor why he wants you to be induced and trust him.

You always have a choice! As long as baby is fine, and you are fine, there is no reason to induce. Is your OB going on vaction? Are there any problems with your pregnancy? Do you have high blood pressure or are you past 43 weeks gestation? Is the baby not thriving?

If your OB pressures you for no medical reason, then just politely decline and tell him you wish to wait until baby is ready.
When left alone women WILL go into labor.

Good Luck.
If you want to email me privately, feel free.
T.
____@____.com
I have had 6 babies, never induced. I am now pregnant with #7.

D., I don't know where you are in your pregnancy. You tend to have more choice if you go with a midwife and a doula instead of a doctor. Doctors are notoriously more likely to induce. Sometimes it is necessary--if, for example, your water breaks and you haven't gone into labor, your doctor may induce labor to prevent a C-section. Do you trust your doctor? If you do, you should talk to him/her about it now before you go into labor.

It is your choice. What I understand is that if you're in a smaller, family-oriented hospital, they are less concerned about getting you in and out and therefore less likely to rush or pressure you. In a larger hospital, I've heard that they are more concerned about making women "progress" within what they consider a reasonable time frame. When it's crucial to be open to being induced is when your contractions are irregular, no matter how strong they might be. I also hear that it's helpful to have a doula there to stand for what you want, or someone in the family or a close friend who stays level-headed and can be both your eyes and ears and your spokesperson when needed.

Incidentally, I was induced and hadn't initially wanted to be. However, I wasn't progressing in either regularity of contractions nor in dilation, so I had to look at my particular situation and follow my instinct, and I ended up doing everything I hadn't planned to do! However, what I did was right for my well-being and sanity, and ultimately, my boy's, too.
I still would encourage you and all moms to try as hard as possible to do it without inducement, but the bottom line is, go with your gut instinct. It will lead you.
I hope this helps!

Well - it is up to a certain point. It depends on how big your baby is right now versus how big it is projected to be by its due date. The bigger the baby trying to make its way down the birth canal, the greater the chances for some kind of complications. It seems to me that you need to ask your doctor why he/she wants to induce - if it is due to the size/potential size of your baby, you may want to consider inducing or scheduling a C-section.

It is TOTALLY your choice!! Why wouldn't it be? It's your body and your baby. I work in a hospital and have been involved in countless deliveries and it is usually unnecessary to be induced. It is usually a male doctor that is growing impatient and wants to control the situation that decides you should be induced. Do you believe in God? He perfectly made us to have our children and He decides when they will be born. When you are induced there is more "pain" which leads to pain meds or an epidural and then to a c-section more times than not. The pure pleasure from natural labor when your precious baby is ready to come out without any help but your faithful pushing is the best gift you will ever experience. Best wishes and God's blessings to you.
A mom of 3 natural healthy births.

D., As far as I know, it should be totally your choice unless there is some problem and your doctor thinks you need to be induced instead of natural childbirth. A word of caution, I elected to be induced because my Doctor was going on vacation and I did not want to be delivered by just any Doctor. Long story short, I ended up with a "C" section because my son would not come. I never in my wildest dream ever thought about having a "C" section. I knew nothing about it. I have experieced all three forms of delivery. In fact, that day they broke my water, they tried natural, then drugs then C section. My first was natural. My second drugs. Third "C" section. Out of the 3, when I would suggest drugs over natural, I would never recommend C sections unless it is your only option. The recovery period is long and can be hellish. D.

Dear D., I know how you feel. My first baby was induced and I was terrified because of the stories I had heard. But, my doctor insisted and I was induced. First of all, it was no different than having "natural" labor.
I didn't understand why I needed to be induced. You didn't say how many weeks gestation you are. Are you over 40 weeks. Babies who are two or more weeks overdue can have physical problems brought on by their lateness. They can have a meconium stool inside the uterus, then inhale the meconium into their lungs which could potentially cause a serious problem. Are there any indications that the fetu might be in some kind of distress? Is the fetus getting too large? There are so many reasons why inducement might be the best option. Talk to your doctor, ask him why he feels this is necessary. If you have confidence in him, then I suggest that you listen to him. I am a strict advocate for the fetus who is to become your beautiful new baby. I am a NICU nurse for thirteen years and I have seen what can happen to late babies. Give a great deal of thought before you refuse inducement and don't listen to your neighbors and family. Listen to your doctor. I pray that you will make an informed decision. God bless you and your soon to be new baby. God is good, pray to him for help in making your decision. Good luck, C. f

I have 5 children, 3 girls & twin newborn girls. I was induced with the first 3 (c/section w/twins). The contractions come hard and fast with no warm-up time. Unless it is a danger to the pregnancy, I would wait. Unfortunately, my 2nd was 10 days over and I had to induce, but I don't recommend it unless there is a risk, you need to discuss it with your doctor, but yes, you have a choice until it becomes dangerous for you or the baby, then yes, you need to do it. I tried to hold out, but my body would not go into labor on its own. In my opinion, inducing with my first set the standard with the other two, that my body would not go unless pushed. I could be scientifically wrong, but I don't think so!!! Weigh out the benefits/risks and make your decision wisely, no matter what, delivery is painful but it is all worth it to hold that little precious life.

the doctors don't want to induce you unless they have to. If you are late or over your due date, or if your pee tests come back with high protein or if you begin to have pre-clampsia they will induce and you have no choice. But with these situations it is better to be induced because all of these could lead to other issues if not resolved. These should be the only reasons a doctor would want to induce you. If you are early or your water breaks like normal you should be fine.

I was induced with both of my babies and it worked out great. It just gave me that extra push my body needed to get going. I think it is your choice and your Dr. should respect that. Don't be scared of it. Kim

When I was over a week past my due date my doctor told me, look, if you don't deliver by such and such date we will need to induce you. I delivered on my own eleven days after my due date. The thing is, if you go too far past your due date the baby may be in danger of not having enough amniotic fluid, and that is the reason they were talking to me about inducing me. The other reasons a mother may be induced would be for the health of the mother or the child. I think that doctors are unlikely to suggest it for any other reason. You have a right to hear the doctor's reasons for wanting to induce and to decide if it is right for you.

I get the feeling that this may be your first pregnancy and that you may be concerned about all the possible pitfalls. You probably have everyone you know telling you their horror stories about their neighbor's birth that was difficult or someone they knew from work that got induced. Try to relax. As your due date gets closer you may find that you feel more and more calm and confident about your approaching labor. I was suprised to find that I did. Every day I told myself I can do this. I can push this baby out. It really helped me to think positive. Good luck!

I think if you are a couple weeks past your due date they do have to induce you but there are natural things you can do now to help. There are food, herbs and I know of a couple massage therapists in Marin that can give you a massage that can help get the labor going. Email back if you want the massage info. Check out herbs and food online.

Good luck.

ITS soo totally your choice and your body and your baby.. remember that hospitals are big bissiness and anything they do adds $$ to the bill and isnt all the time neccesarily in the mothers best interest. plus I hear its very painfull, why torture yourself? You can use natural remidies like pressure points. Learn more from an Accupunturist or Chriopractor.

Inducing labor can trigger a lot of other invasion procedures you probably want to avoid. A good accupunturist with experience with chinese herbs can help you. Much better choice in my view. Most doctors want to induce so it is convenient for them to deliver our babies. If the baby shows no stress just wait it out. I was 12 days late. J.

If you have a medical condition (like gestational diabetes) or if there is a danger to the baby (like not enough amniotic fluid) they will induce you. I have 3 boys, my youngest is 6 weeks old and I was induced for the first and last pregnancy because of those reasons above. I didn't like it and I think it caused some problems afterwards with me and liked it much better when I wasn't induced. I had to wait 2 weeks which was a little difficult, especially in the middle of the summer.
N. E

I did not want to be induced either as most people I knew who were ended up needing an epidural. I really wanted to deliver naturally. When it was strongly suggested to me I declined firmly and my decision was respected. I delivered my 8lb. daughter naturally after about 12 hours of labor. My 9.5lb. son came after about 6 hours of labor and more easily too. :-) Best wishes!

I think you will have TONS of responses about this topic! Please know that I was induced with my second son, and very nervous because of all the "hype". But it wasn't anything to worry about. In the end, it was a normal, beautiful, delivery. Plus, you have a few days to plan for it.

Good Luck! You'll be just fine!

Hi D.,

I would ask the doctor (if he/she pushes) is there a medical reason why they need to induce. They need to give you a medical reason. Otherwise, it may be just for convenience and their planning. My daughter was 3 1/2 weeks late, I was born a month late (I'm 55 yrs. youthful:), and we were all fine. I was a labor coach, took Doula training. For me, if they couldn't give a medical concern, I would wait. In the meantime, there are natural things you can do with reflexology, etc. that may help your body without pressuring. Call me and I'll go into more detail, if you wish.

Happy Birthing,

B. C., CR, SCCI, BCRS, LSH, EFT-CC
Natural Health Specialist
Certified Reflexologist
Certified CARE Instructor

EVERYTHING about your labor and delivery is your choice. DO NOT let any doctor pressure you into anything. Some books/experts recommend that you have a labor and delivery plan typed up and ready to hand to whomever is involved in the process at the time (i.e. if your doctor is on vacation or you have a strange nurse) Make sure your labor coach/husband/partner has a few copies of it and is aware of your choices, in case, heaven forbid, some situation arises wher eyou're not able to assert yourself. That person should absolutely enforce your wishes except in case of a medical emergency when you then need to cede to a medical professional.
Good luck and stand your ground!

Induction is your choice. If you doctor pressures you about it, ask why the induction is necessary. There ARE some medically sound reasons for induction. Some sound reasons for induction are Pregnancy Induced Hypertension if it is getting out of hand, Intrauterine Growth Retardardation, compromising postdates gestation and any other medical situation that compromises your health or the health of your baby. There are risks associated with medical inductions so make sure that it is a sound reason that the doctor gives you for inducing your labor.

M.White, RN

I ended up being induced but I tried like crazy to avoid it. i went for long walks, bumpy car rides, spicey foods, foods with high prostagladins like butter and steak, sex, castor oil, nipple stimulation and more walking and none of it helped in the end. I regret doing the castor oil because after I did it. I later read that it can cause the baby to have meconium which my baby had. The only thing that really helped and this is my guess is the nipple stimulation because I had no problems with milk production. Good luck!

I highly recommend you seeing an acupuncturist who can perform a treatment on you (possibly multiple times) to see if she can help get the baby moving along. One of my friends just did this and had the baby the next day instead of needing to be induced. Make sure to go to a licensed acupuncturist who is trained in obstetric care.

Two acupuncturists that I would recommend are: 1) Jennifer Moss in San Francisco www.mossacupuncture.com and 2) Beth Schiffman in Redwood City www.manylives.org.

Good luck!

Inducing labor isn't a bad thing, only if they feel the baby is in stress or there is a complication. I was induced and the baby came 9 hours later. Its not something to worry about. Sometimes the baby doesn't want to come out on his/her own. I hope this helps.

I've 3 natural births, but that doesn't mean everyone is eligible. You must make an informed decision. There are natural ways to encourage labor. One way is to read the book called "Birth" published in or before 1979 - very helpful. Contact a group of midwives or get a second opinion. If it is necessary for the baby's health you should at least consider it, and perhaps your health as well. Just be informed, ok? All my best -E.

Hi D.,
It seems like all of the responses about your doctor respecting your choices, and involving you in the decision-making process are quite true, but I thought I'd add my experience just incase it might help...
I started having false labor about 6 weeks before my due date. I had so many contractions, but everytime I went to the hospital they would stop. I was in a lot of pain, and worried about what was going on, but the baby showed no signs of distress, so I just waited it out. Finally, after 4 weeks of going through this, I was losing my mind, and my doctor finally told me he could induce me even though I was technically 2 weeks early.
And now to the reason I'm telling you all of this... The induction went perfectly! I cam into the hospital at about 7:30 AM, and by 10:30 we had a beautiful baby girl! The contractions were very strong due to the pitocin, but not horrifyingly so, and the whole process was actually very comfortable despite my concerns about pre-term labor and induction. I think a great deal of the success was due to my doctor. He made me smile, laugh, etc... and just made me very comfortable with the whole process.
So just keep in mind that if he does have a good reason for inducing you, it doesn't have to be scary... If you have a doctor you like and trust, the joy of your new baby will be just the same as a natural labor :) Good luck!

like any medical procedure, it is 100% your choice. Do listen to his arguments as they may be more than just pressure, they may hold key information you need to make a choice that is still your choice, but well informed and not necesarily the choice you thought you would make. Be open minded is all.

Hello, My daughter was born 11 days after my due date and I had to be induced with Pitocin. I wanted to have a natural birth and thats what I had. The Pitocin turned out to be exactly what my baby and my body needed to get her out. I put off the Midwives as long as I could to let my labour start on its own, it didn't so I had to be induced. As it turns out my Placenta was beginning to harden so I am grateful for the Midwives decision to convince me that taking Pitocion was O.K. Don't be afraid. Your Baby will come out and you can do it anyway you like.
Try to keep you eyes and heart open to this incredible moment in your life, have fun with it.

I was induced with my first child but not with my second. I enjoyed my second labor and delivery much more than my first and was very glad that I didn't have to be induced again (I really didn't like it at all). However, for medical reasons the induction was necessary the first time. Sometimes this is so, but unless you or your baby is at a real risk then it shouldn't be an absolute. If your doctor is pressuring you, you can always ask for a second opinion.

Inducing labor will start your body on a course. If it is not ready then things could get really bad. Try not going into the hospital until you are in labor. Or try some homepathic things first. Castor oil will taste nasty and make you sick, but it is better than the PIT (Pitocin) that the hospital gives (Labor on speed). Watch the Business of Being Born. Our C-section rate is climbing. Our death rate is the second largest in the industrial world. Hospitals are a great place for sickness and emergencies. Having a baby is neither. Just get informed, make informed decisions.

I do think it is your choice, but remember that your doctor may have good reasons for pressuring you on it. The health of both you and the baby has to come first.

I would do all the reading you can on when and why labor should be induced, and listen carefully to your doctor's reasons. Then listen to your instincts. If you feel the doctor is being overly cautious or inappropriately hasty, you can repeat the guidelines you discovered in your research. But, again, listen carefully to your doctor's responses, for he may have good counter discussion. A doctor has to rely on his own instincts, as well, and it is putting together your instincts with his that will yield the best results.

Not much went as I expected or hoped with the birth of my first child, but I know looking back that my doctor's instincts were right on. It's difficult to deal with at the time because we tie so much other emotion up into the whole process, and we want to be in control of things that really cannot nor should be controlled. Still, there were things I took control of when I delivered my second child, because I had birthing demons to slay so to speak, and I am glad that I did. We didn't have my regular doctor, he was out of town when I went into labor, but it turned out my instincts were right on even it seemed they couldn't be (my contractions never became regular, for example). We still deviated from the "plan" quite often, for flexibility is always required.

Be informed, then turn inward. You will do what is right.

It is your choice, but there comes a point where the pregnancy has gone too long and not only puts your baby at risk, but you as well. I don't know all your circumstances, but if your doctor has given a sound medical reason for induction you might just want to play along. (I induced my dtr and I wouldn't have changed a thing.)

Hi D.-

Your doctors should not pressure you into anything you don't want to do. But realize, there may be a legitimate reason why they want to induce. At 36 weeks, I was put on bedrest with preeclampsia. When my numbers still didn't decrease after 10 days of bedrest and every-other-day lab and blood pressure tests, we decided to induce. The induction took place over 2 days, and labor resulted quite quickly once my water was broken by my doctor. Yes, it was not the labor and delivery I had pictured for my first baby. But, with high blood pressure, it was no longer a healthy situation for me OR the baby. Plus, he was essentially considered "full-term" once he hit 38 weeks. Make sure you get all the facts about the situation up front from the doctor, and realize that they don't want you OR your baby at risk any second longer than necessary! Good luck!

don't do it if you don't want to!! the drug that they use isn't really all that safe and it makes the labor very difficult, which greatly increases the chance that you'll request an epidural. and i don't think epidurals are good for the baby. the drugs that induce labor begin labor when the baby and the uterus aren't ready. you want the baby to initiate labor, not some synthetic drugs.

i was 11 days overdue and since i was with Kaiser, they were wanting to induce me when i was 1 day overdue. i kept putting it off. so i'd make an appointment for the induction, to make whomever i was meeting with happy, and then i'd call and cancel it the night before. then i took homeopathic pills of blue & black cohosh (i think that's what it's called...) and those got the labor rolling. you can also try getting a massage with a person who knows the trigger points to start labor.

good luck!

Actually you do have a choice in the matter. So many women assume that if the doctor advises or mentions induction that they don't have other choices. A good book to consult is Henci Goer's "A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth." There are a number of ways that induction can be brought on naturally, for example, if baby is overdue. Also, your doctor may be willing to wait for the baby to come if he/she is reassured with other tests. It is important to communicate to your OB that you do not want to be induced. It may be necessary to advocate for yourself, but just remember that each intervention tends to increase your chance that other interventions will be used.

It is your choice... (If the baby is fine)Talk to your doctor let him know how you feel.. and why.. This from a mother of FIVE i had my last one at home with a midwife. Good Luck. Have your husband back you up on this..(Do you have other children?)

Hi D.
Unless your health or the health of the baby are REALLY at risk, please please please dont get induced. It's the worst pain ever!! I have been induced once, and had two other deliveries completely natutally..and the pitosin was the worst delivery ever! If you don't care about getting an epidural (I'm against them) then go for the unduction. I am a stong beliver in natural is best when it comes to delivery so I'm against both induction and epidurals, but to each their own! I wish you all the best to a safe, fast delivery and a healthy baby. Good luck. Oh, and YES..you have every choice you can think of. Don't let the doctors, nurses, or any other hospital staff scare you to think any differently! you have the choice to EVERYTHING! Make a birth plan, those help. the minute you get to the hospital you tell the nurse that is on staff taking care of you exactly what you want and don't want..PERIOD. .they will push drugs as much as possible...unless you tell them from the second you enter that drugs are NOT an option. GOOd luck.

There comes a point when labor needs to start - whether by nature or inducing. Your doctor will let you go as long as they can, but sometimes it's necessary. Funny thing though, I was two weeks past due with my first and we set inducing for Monday, I went into labor Sunday night.

Hi D.,

this is briefly my experience with induction due to medical reasons (at Stanford).

I was induced on the due date. Mine was considered a high risk pregnancy (I have a bicornuate uterus and Grave's disease) and they were all very excited that the entire pregnancy was beautifully uneventful.

When I went in for my last check and monitoring (on the due date) I already had some very light contractions, but nothing really significant. During the monitoring, however, they noticed what they call, I believe, "inflections' (if I remember correctly), that is, my daughter's heartbeat would drop (more than it is usually expected) every time a contraction would be a bit stronger. Consider that these were very, very mild contractions. Later that afternoon I accepted to be induced and I am glad I did it. My daughter did suffer during the strong contractions and I was happy this did not happen while I was away from the hospital. In the end, it all went well. The delivery was long, but my daughter was born healthy and in perfect shape.

Now, one may object that she may have suffered thorough my contractions precisely because of pitocin. I also had an epidural which may have worsened the situation (although these are all questionable and controversial objections). In any event, I am sharing my story as a case in which induction may have been the better option. As many others already suggested, talk to your doctors, make sure they explain exactly why they believe this would be also your best option.
And good luck, of course!
M.

You have a constititionally recognized right to refuse medical treatment, so yes, it IS totally your choice.

If your doctor pressures you, you are right to be leery of him or her. Doctors who push induction are putting their desire for control over your need for a safe and comfortable birth.

Unfortunately, induction is soooo pervasive today. Doctors like to do it because it gives them a sense of control over the process which really belongs to you and to nature. It can introduce new complications, not to mention added pain!, which you certainly don't need.

You have several options- home birth, birth center birth, or hospital birth where you will have to practice ahead of time doing good communication with the doctors, nurses, etc...

The Bradley Method offers a lot of help practicing communication skills with doctors and nurses so that you can benefit from their skills without being pressured into agreeing to procedures you don't want or need. You can go to www.bradleybirth.com to find an instructor, or lookup the books on Amazon.com.

The baby will come when he/she is ready. Don't let anyone rush the two of you.

I've heard that Kaiser Elk Grove is a great hospital in this area because they have nurse midwives available who are much more mother-friendly. Is there any chance you can go there if you're planning a hospital birth?

As for me, my doctor was calling me "to schedule my induction" a couple weeks before I was even due! And I was having a totally normal pregnancy. There was just no reason for it. By that point, I was planning a home birth anyway and it was the best thing for me and my family. http://californiamidwives.org/... click here to find a homebirth midwife if you're interested. And remember there are many "in-between" options like the nurse midwives at Kaiser Elk Grove or a birth center.

Best wishes! :)

It's really not that bad with an epideral. I was induced with all 3 of mine for different reasons but the main one being my body does not labor on its own. Tell your Dr how you feel and just relax. They won't do it without a reason. Good luck!

Unless there is a medical problem with you or the baby there really isn't a reason to have to be induced. If the doctor is talking about it he or she should be giving you the reasons why.

sometimes being induced makes sense, but doctors definitely use it more than many moms would. whatever happens, just realize that getting that kid out is the ultimate goal. that eing said, make sure you have a doula!!! i didnt have one, had a long labor that wasnt progressing, and was successfully induced with no pain meds, no stitches, and a healthy boy. however, i think that if i had a woman there to help me with the correct positions (nurses and your dr can be busy and they are not by your side the whole time) and some mental support that maybe i would have been able to do it on my own. the doula can also speak up for you if she knows you intentions and you are having a hard time communicating. good luck

Your doctor should not pressure you unless there is a medical reason the baby should come out. Most doctors will induce at 12-14 days past your due date. My doctor offered for me to be induced when I was 7 days overdue and I just ask to wait until I was 12 days overdue. I ended up going into labor on my own at 11 days past. Good Luck!

Hi D.,
My first two children were induced because they were already eight pounds two weeks before their due date, however, my third baby came naturally 2 1/2 weeks early already weighing 8lbs. 2oz. and that was the best delivery of all three. Your doctor can't force you to be induced but if its best for both you and your baby then following his/her advice would be wise.
Blessings,
T.

I personally think we interfere too much with this natural process of Birth. Medical intervention & drugs have a place in this world - but we are using them too much when they aren't necessary. We must remember that there are always risks associated with any medication. Don't worry & don't allow anyone to pressure you uness it becomes necessary.

Best Wishes

Great advice here.

Lots of people responded from the point of view of not *inducing* labor per se as much as *speeding it along*. Most doctors IME won't induce labor without a good reason - like, a real problem, or you're getting past that 2 week after your due date mark. Many doctors will, IME, try to *speed labor along* once it's started. There is a difference, and I think it's important that the difference be clear.

I wanted to reiterate a couple of things that others have mentioned, because they are important. One, the placenta really does start to break down after a certain point. My younger was about a week late and you could already see in the placenta where it was calcifying in spots - the midwife said that was evidence of it starting to age/break down. It looked entirely different than my older's placenta (born within a few days of his due date). And speaking of my older... he actually ended up with pneumonia due to breathing meconium (long crowning, went into slight distress, pooped, took a breath, got sick). He was in the hospital for his first week of life and nothing sucked more than that. I don't know about potential meconium complications due to babies being past their due date, but that's what I know about how bad meconium is - yuck.

So if your doctor is suggesting that you will be induced because you are in that 2 week window, I'd try some of the many suggestions you have received here to see if you can help speed things along naturally. They're really good suggestions. Good luck!

D., THIS IS YOUR BIRTHING EXPERIENCE, NOT YOUR DOCTORS.!!!! YOU ARE THE ONE IN CONTROLL HERE. DO NOT EVER LET ANYONE GUIDE YOU DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU WANT UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY WITH YOU OR THE BABY. YOUR BODY WILL NATURALLY DO WHAT WE AS WOMEN ARE DESIGNED TO DO, YOU WILL NOT STAY PREGNANT FOREVER. I had two of my three babies at home and the one thing that my midwife strongly expressed is that this is our time. You and your partner should construct a birth plan and give it to your dr. and the nurses at the hospital once you are admitted. But start on the plan early when you are in your right state of mind because we are easily persuaded when in labor. Good luck and stay strong. -V

Yes, it is your choice. Just remember you know your body best. Also try to come up with a plan of what you want your birth to be (a flexible one) and make sure you have someone their to advocate for you (like your partner, husband, friend, midwife, doula). I had a totally drug free birth at home with two midwives and my hasband and it was amazing - yes, it was hard work, but also a beautiful, incredible experience.

Hi D.,

I just think that it is what is safe for the baby, not the schedule of the doctor. I think it is good to talk to your doctor about what your expectations are before your big day. I was induced for my second baby as I was three days past my due date and I wish I would have talked to my Doc about what would have been best for the baby...Not his desire only to be at the hospital during bankers hours...I wish you a SAFE and beautiful delivery.

It's your choice. That being said, speak with your doctor about his or her reasons for wanting to induce. If you have high blood pressure, or your baby is showing signs of distress, then it would probably be a good idea to induce. But if your doctor wants to induce so he can go on his Hawaiian vacation on time, that's not a good reason.

My first baby was induced because my doctor had "other plans" for the week I was actually due. It was such a nightmare. Labor was long and difficult, I almost ended up in an emergency c-section, I was absolutely terrified. (The baby ended up just fine, thank goodness!)

With my second baby, I switched doctors and when my due date came and went, we just kept a close eye on her development, and she showed no signs of distress. Finally my water broke, and it was a fast and very easy delivery (under 4 hours start to finish!). I really think my first labor and delivery would have gone better if we'd gone with the baby's schedule instead of imposing our own. Some women just take longer to make a baby than others. A friend of mine went to 44 weeks on ALL 4 of her children!

So I don't know - every pregnancy is different and every baby is different. If your doctor has a good reason for wanting to induce, then you should probably do it. But if the doctor is just wanting to impose his judgment over the baby's, I say forget it!

Good luck to you and congrats on your upcoming arrival!

My second son was induced after he was five days late. There was some light meconium staining, so I'm glad I didn't wait any longer. Plus, the baby's getting bigger all the time, so you might want to find out if this is a concern with the doctor.

Blessings,
You might want to give nipple stimulation a try before being induced. It naturally gets the contractions moving. I have seen 3 births successfully use this technique, when the doctor felt the labor needed to move more quickly for Mom's or the Baby's sake. (a loving partner can assist the magic of birth in this way.) Nipple stimulation produces the same chemical give to speed the birth. D.

Hi sweetie
First question how long have you known your doctor ?
is your doctor trying to help or does it seem that he/she just wants the baby out
I was blessed with a doctor to deliver all my children but I have been to other doctor because she retired so I have seen other doctors and all they want is money they didn't show that they cared for me and my family of so ask your self is my doc trying to help me and care for me and a new mother and new baby or the other way
and no I am not trying to scare you but there are still good doctors out there congrats on you new family
GOD BLESS Danielle mother of 4

I begged my Doctor to induce me with my second child as I was so miserable three days past my due date. I had such a positive experience being induced then and with my firstborn (who was induced 3 weeks early). From the time they started the pitocin drip to the delivery, I was done in 7 hours...even shorter with my second born. The main thing to keep in mind, as noted with other responses, is that the Dr only induces if he/she feels it is medically necessary to do so. In both cases, my kids had a slow heartbeart with every mild contraction and for the babies' safety, they needed to start labor. In the end, I am a total proponent for pitocin!

Hi D., I don't blame you for not wanting an induced labor.I think that unless it's an absolute medical reason, a pregnancy can go up to almost 3 weeks overdue, without inducing. That's what happened with my first pregnancy, although my baby was born with wrinkly skin. The night before I was called in for induction, my baby decided on her own that it 'Was Time'. Only because during labor at the hospital that I stopped dialating at 8 centimeters, was I hooked up to the pitocin. Fast forward 27 years... the same baby, now pregnant with her 3rd child, doctor wanted to induce her labor at 1 week over. The baby had other ideas and mid way through the induction, he did a summersault, resulting in birth by C Section. I personally think that when a baby is 'ready' he or she will do so without inducing.

Hi D.,
My ideal birth was to go to the hospital, push a couple of times and pop! out comes baby. That's not exactly what happened.

I had pre-eclampsia with my first (hypertension, extremely high blood pressure) and needed to be induced to protect me. The result: a healthy daughter and mother!

My water broke with my second and labor never followed. I was induced again, this time to protect the baby. The result: a healthy son and mother!

There are many medical reasons, for your health or the baby's health that an induction may be necessary.

I'm the kind of person that likes to know everything that's going on so I read a lot. What to Expect While You're Expecting is a great book for that.

Good luck. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor why? and also what the other options are.

You don't have to have anything done you don't want. BUT, make sure you make an informed decision. There are risks involved to keeping the baby in the uterus too long after the due date: the placenta could be too aged to properly provide oxygen and nutrition to your baby, you might not have enough room and amniotic fluid to properly cushion your baby, the baby might get too big for your pelvis and not have the room to get through (I know my daughter's weight totally exploded in the 12 days past her due date. I thought I was going to burst!), the baby could get too stressed and then not be able to handle the labor well later on, or the baby could have its first bowel movement in utero (meconium in the fluid) and then risk choking on it during the birthing process...The standard is to let a pregnancy go 14 days past the due date, and if no signs of labor onset, then induce. 14 days allows for a miscalculated conception date, but doesn't let the pregnancy go so long that it puts the baby at risk. My doctor explained to me the 14-day past-due policy, I did some reasearch on my own, and we scheduled an induction for day 13. Happily, my baby decided to come on her own at day 12! I was so relieved I didn't have to be induced; the contractions do get very intense, and with the use of pitocin, the hospital staf needs to keep a closer watch over the mother to make sure everything is going OK. And that means a nurse in your room every 15 minutes, being hooked up to a fetal monitor...the works. Not my style. At the same time, if for some reason nature hadn't kicked in, I wasn't going to put my baby at risk. And since I was certain of the conception date and knew she was way overdue, I would have had the induction if I needed to. As it is, there was meconium in her amnionic fluid and her lungs had to be suctioned immediately after birth; but she was fine. So, the decision is yours, totally and completely, and no doctor with any numnber of initals after his or her name can make you do anything. But do your homework, hit the library, talk over all the information with your doc and make an informed decision.