Avoiding Artificial Labor Induction

Labor induction for convenience, a baby that is supposedly "too big", or for going "overdue" is not supported by evidence.

The U.S. induction rate doubled from 1989-1998. It rose from 9% to 19.2%. There has been no increase in the size of babies, the length of pregnancies, or the rate of serious maternal illness that would require induction.

Most of the increase in inductions has been due to convenience factors (for the doctor or the mother) or simply because labor didn't begin by 40 or 41 weeks.

The World Health Organization recommends that induction rates not go over 10% for the best outcomes for women and babies.

Truly Necessary Medical Reasons For Labor Induction Include:

--hypertension (high blood pressure)

--true diabetes (not gestational diabetes)

--kidney disease

--a baby that is not growing well

--a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid

--death of the baby in utero when labor doesn't start for several weeks.

The risks of artificial labor induction outweigh the benefits unless labor is induced for the reasons given above.

How To Avoid An Unnecessary Induction--

Here's What You Can Do:

--has a low induction rate in general

--doesn't induce for large babies

--doesn't consider you "overdue" until 42 weeks of pregnancy

--gives you at least 24 hours after your water breaks for labor to begin if their is no sign of infection.

2. Hire a midwife and give birth at home. This pretty much assures that you won't be induced, unless it is medically necessary.

Giving birth in a hospital automatically increases the rates of every intervention.

It can be very difficult to stick to your birth plan once you are on medical turf. Do not underestimate the pressure that you will feel to do what the medical staff want you to do.

3. This may seem obvious, but I will say it anyway--Just say NO! when your doctor or midwife suggests induction.

You are in charge of your body, your baby, and your birth--not your doctor or midwife. Unless you have a true medical reason to have labor induced, it is safer for you and your baby to wait for labor to begin spontaneously.

3. Stay hydrated and well-nourished. Get plenty of rest.

4. If you are concerned about your baby's well-being, talk to your baby.

Ask your baby,"How are you doing in there?" As mothers we are very intuitive. If you take the time to get quiet and tune in to your baby, you will get a pretty good sense of what is going on in there.

5. You can also count the baby's movements.

Pick a time when you know baby is awake and count how long it takes for baby to make ten distinct movements. If, over several days, the time it takes for baby to make ten movements lengthens, or if there is a big drop in the number of movements, contact your care provider.

5. Don't have an ultrasound to estimate the baby's weight or to change your due date. Unless an ultrasound is done within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, it is not very accurate at determining size and due date.

6. If you know when you got pregnant and have calculated when you are due, refuse a change in due date.

7. You may want to refuse fetal well-being tests. These tests commonly have a false positive rate of as much as 30% or more. Basically, this means that the test will show something is wrong when it really isn't.

If you have a test done that is positive, consider having it repeated or having a different test done before agreeing to an induction.

In It For The Long Haul

If it is your first baby, it is the last time you will have alone with your husband or partner for a long time.

Treat yourself to something special--a massage, a pedicure, a night out.

Enjoy your solitude.

Soon enough your precious little bundle will be in your arms and you will be thinking of nothing else.

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