Mostly we imagine we’ll go into labor while at home. In our childbirth education classes, or at prenatal meetings before the birth with labor doula clients, we talk about how contractions will gradually build, and their water will break eventually, and various signs will tell them that it’s really labor, and it’s time to go to the hospital.
But sometimes our bodies need a bit of assistance getting the party started. This is an induction.
Your doctor or midwife can talk to you about when they would take medical steps to get labor started. In the hospital DC Metro Maternity works in, throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia, inductions are done for the health of mother and baby.
As doula, we don’t come between you and your providers, when it comes time for medical decisions. We’re just there to support you every step of the way.
You might imagine that our support is different for an induction, versus spontaneous labor. But much of what we do as doulas is the same.
One thing that might be different about your experience though, is that labor can seem SLOW when it starts in the hospital via induction.
You’re out of normal routine, in a place that very few people find cozy. You are likely to be hooked up to monitors for at least a portion of your time. And depending on what your body and your baby are doing, you may have a lot of work to do before it seems like anything is happening.
Many times, towards the end of your pregnancy, your cervix starts to prepare for labor without you even noticing. But if it hasn’t done any of this before your induction, you’ll notice every hour that it takes before you can measure progress.
As DCMM doulas, we tend to spend a lot of time on the phone with clients getting inductions. We don’t usually sit with them for all of it, because just like a watched pot never boils, a uterus under pressure may not contract.
Here are a few things we suggest to pass the time:
1. Get comfy. Put your nesting instinct to use.
This isn’t just if you think you’ll be there a while. Some inductions will pick up pretty quickly! But even if they don’t, it’s nice to be in an environment that feels welcoming.
In fact, a feeling of safety and coziness can get good hormones like oxytocin flowing, which will only help your labor progress.
So light some battery operated candles, or twinkle lights. Bring a pillow from home. Put up a picture of a loved one.
2. Binge watch something you’ve been meaning to see.
This is what most people do, in our observation. Cue up the Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There’s nothing wrong with zoning out until your body calls your attention back to labor. In fact, I encourage it.
3. Sleep.
Speaking of things that should be encouraged, take a nap!
Now we know this one is easier said than done. Between fluorescent lights, beeping machines and nurses working hard, it can be hard to relax.
But if you can sleep, or even “rest your eyes”, as my grandfather would say, it’s a good idea. Think of it as conserving your energy for the main event. You’re giving your baby an eviction notice, and eventually, you’ll have to help him move on out.
4. Talk to your partner
If you’re having a baby with someone you love, the time before active labor can be a time to reconnect. You may have been pretty busy lately, with doctors appointments, gender reveal parties, putting together a nursery, attending childbirth education classes and planning baby showers.
It can be easy to lose track of each other during pregnancy, so this pause can be a time to check-in, and get excited about meeting your little one.
And as a bonus, this connection with your partner can get some of that natural oxytocin flowing.
5. Make an L&D cocktail.
Depending on where you’re giving birth in the DC metro area, you may not be able to eat much during your induction. Most hospitals do at least allow clear liquids. But that may only include things like broth, jello and popsicles.
To mix it up a bit, a nurse taught me a trick, early in my doula career, that gives DCMM birth clients a boost of sugar, and feels like a treat.
Mix the following:
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1 part apple juice
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1 part cranberry juice
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1 part ginger ale
Serve over crushed hospital ice in large pink cup. Enjoy!
Hopefully, by the time you’ve made it through this list, your baby is well on its way.
Inductions may require you to spend more time in the hospital, but the good news is, no one stays pregnant forever!
Learn more about our labor support here, we want to be there through every step of the way.
