“I’d really like to have a natural birth, if possible.”
“I just want to labor at home as long as I can.”
“I heard pitocin make contractions so painful! I want to avoid that.”
“I want my baby to finish cooking, and my body to do this on its own.”
As doulas, we hear things like this a lot. And what it all often means is “I don’t want an induction of labor.”
We get it. Lots of our clients believe that their pregnancy isn’t some sort of medical emergency that needs to be managed and messed with.
Sometimes though, your provider disagrees.
Maybe there’s a specific medical condition that they believe induction is useful in treating or preventing. Or maybe your birth is considered a higher risk because of your age, blood pressure, weight, or something happening with your placenta or baby. Maybe you’ve just been pregnant for an amount of time that makes your doctor suggest an induction.
Regardless of the particular reason (and there are valid reasons), sometimes an induction is on the table.
If you call us, your doulas, and say that your doctor or midwife wants to get your labor started the most important thing to know is that we’re ready and able to support you through this. There are times when induction is best for you and your baby! You’re still in good hands with DCMM.
So here’s how this conversation usually goes:
Client: “Dr. So and So wants me to come in to get labor started on Sunday.”
Doula: “Wow! The big day is coming, huh? What are you thinking? How do you feel?”
Sometimes, your answer is “Ya know, I’m really glad that I finally get to meet my baby.” And we’re happy for you, and talk about when you want us to join you.
Other times though, you make a statement like the ones above.
And for these clients, first I want to give you permission to feel your feelings. Whether you’re annoyed or sad about the change, or nervous about what’s coming, that’s cool.
I also want to reassure you that every induction is not the horror story that your cousin told you about. We’ve supported many inductions, and seen really beautiful ones.
We talk through each client’s scenario with you specifically, but there are always things that you can discuss with your provider. You can:
1. Ask about the reason for the induction.
There’s always a reason, and it’s okay to ask for more information about what’s happening with your body and your baby.
2. Learn what your Bishop Score is.
Your Bishop score checks on the state of your cervix and your baby, and is one way to tell how prepared your body is for labor, and the likelihood that your induction will go smoothly. It can also influence how your provider will help labor begin.
3. Find out how the induction will take place.
There are different methods. Sometimes your provider will begin by helping your cervix ripen, other times they will want to begin contractions with Pitocin. Learning about this ahead of time can give you a sense of control over the process again.
You can also explore “natural” labor induction methods. Google will tell you about things like sex, acupuncture, spicy foods, induction massages and evening primrose oil to induce labor at home. We’re doulas, so we don’t give medical advice over here on which is “best” for you. We can help you think it through with our BRAIN acronym though!
Just like with a medical induction, we can help you learn about general risks and benefits, and have a conversation with your midwife or doctor.
Once you’ve gathered all of this information, know that you don’t have to throw all of your birth preferences out of the window if you don’t want to, no matter how your labor starts.
An induction can still allow you to choose how you cope with pain and who is in the room with you. You still get to have conversations with your provider. You have plenty of choices about how to care for yourself and your baby postpartum.
So, do you need an induction? As your doula, I can’t answer that. But I can tell you that your birth can still be amazing. Contact us, let’s chat about it.
