Induction is one of the most common unnecessary medical interventions in pregnancy. There are many different reasons that a doctor may offer an induction. Some are genuine medical reasons, such as a mother with preeclampsia or other serious illness, while other reasons may simply be for the convenience of the doctor or the mother.
A mother, for example, may wish to go on a family vacation that was planned and not wish to go if she is in danger of going into labor while on vacation. Another reason might be that the doctor is expecting to go out of town himself, and may not be around when his patient goes into labor. One of the most common reasons for induction of labor is babies that are “overdue.
The reason that doctors believe that babies born after their due dates are more in danger is because the risk of the baby dying in utero after 42 weeks gestation, does increase, but these numbers are still so small as to be nearly nonexistent. Approximately 1 in 1,000 babies die within the womb at 42 weeks of pregnancy and this number increases to only 2 in 1,000 babies after 43 weeks.
Due dates are approximate. They are not exact. Some babies are born even over one month “early” while other babies are over one month “late.” It is not uncommon for women’s due dates to be off, either because they miscalculated, or because they received incorrect information from an ultrasound, and this is one reason that some babies are supposedly born before or after their due dates.
Babies are born when they are ready to be born. There has never been a case of a woman who stayed pregnant forever. The internal programming or instinct which knows how to conceive a baby and grow it into a perfect and functioning human being also knows when the baby is ready to be born. Babies do not come when we want them to or when we are sick of being pregnant. They are born when their bodies are in the best shape and the most likely to survive when outside the womb.
It is interesting to note that people are concerned about humans giving birth before or after their due dates, but when a beloved pet or other animal is pregnant, no one bothers with due dates. Everyone knows that the animal will go into labor when the babies are ready to be born. The mother does not worry that her offspring may remain in the womb too long. Babies are simply born when they are ready to be born. That is the miracle of nature.
It is true that some babies have been born too early and were still able to survive. This does sometimes happen, but this is not the safest scenario for the baby. It is not fair to the baby to say that it is possible for it to survive if it is born early, therefore it must be okay for it to be born early. It is best for babies to gestate inside the womb until they have developed completely enough to be born, unless there is a true and serious medical emergency. Going over your due date, even one month over, is not a real emergency.
Doctors may also use the excuse that the baby is “too big” to be born or that if the baby gets any larger, there will be complications. Large babies are not a danger in unassisted birth where a woman is able to labor off of her back. Ultrasounds are also unreliable in determining fetal size and in my own experience and in the experience of friends and family, ultrasounds have been quite off almost all of the time.
Induction can be done a variety of ways and is commonly achieved by stripping or “sweeping” the mother’s membranes. In this case, a finger is inserted into the woman’s vagina and is used to separate the baby’s amniotic sac from the surrounding cervix. This releases hormones which may or may not induce labor. Sometimes, this stripping of membranes is done without warning and without the mother’s knowledge or consent.
This method of induction, aside from being painful, can introduce infection into the uterus and cause complications during labor. Inducing labor can also cause problems because the uterus is not yet ready to give birth. Without the proper preparations and exercise, the unprepared uterus may contract more violently and more painfully than it would during a normal labor.
Cytotec (misoprostol) is also used to induce women. Cytotec is NOT approved for use in pregnant women or for induction of labor by the FDA. It’s use is experimental at best, yet women are prescribed misoprostol regularly and for reasons no better than for the convenience of the mother or the doctor. Because misoprostol is not an approved drug, doctors are not required to have women sign consent or to inform them of the risks or dangers of the drug which are as yet, unknown.
Cytotec, originally meant as a treatment for stomach ulcers, may result in hyperstimulation of the uterus in which contractions are painful and may be unbearable, resulting in epidural and possible c-section. Any other dangers of using this medication are not yet known as it is still in its early experimental stage and there is not yet any official research being done on the use of this drug to stimulate labor.
Inducing labor before the cervix has ripened can cause more painful labor and labor which “fails to progress.” If a labor fails to progress, the mother may either be given strong drugs such as pitocin to speed up the labor or the mother may be sectioned. Induced labor is also more likely to result in use of epidural and caesarian section.
Induction may result in a baby that is not yet ready to breastfeed or a baby who may not be a strong feeder or have problems because the digestive system is immature. Babies who have problems with breastfeeding may be tube fed and may result in mothers who give up on breastfeeding and decide instead to formula feed. Babies with immature digestive systems may be required to stay in the hospital longer than babies who did not have this problem.
When the baby is ready to be born, the presenting part engages in the pelvis. If the baby is not yet ready to be born, it may not yet be engaged. An unengaged baby increases the risk of prolapsed cord which is an emergency situation requiring immediate caesarian section. A baby which is already engaged is extremely unlikely to experience a cord prolapse.
It is normal and OKAY to feel impatient about the birth of your baby. Try to relax and enjoy being pregnant. You may feel terrible and sore and just want your baby out, but remember, this is a very special time in your life and you will never be able to interact with your baby in this way again. Take time out to rest as much as possible and enjoy the little miracle growing within you.
