There are good reasons NOT to induce labor! Here are 4 things expectant parents should consider before scheduling an induction.
Today, I’m delighted to welcome back Leigh Ann, from Intentional by Grace! Earlier in our pregnancy series, she educated us about birthing at a birth center. Today and tomorrow, she is posting about why she didn’t induce labor–and giving some natural ways to induce! ~ Erin
Guest post by Leigh Ann of Intentional by Grace
Based on our calculations, the due date for our first child fell during my husband’s biggest meeting of the year, which involved a lot of preparation, presentations, and traveling. Long before we even conceived, we had resolved to follow a more natural approach to not only birth, but our health in general.
We had made the switch to whole, real foods more than a year before and were convinced of the importance, for not only my health but the health of our baby, to avoid any interventions throughout our pregnancy and delivery (barring any medical complications, of course). We had even made arrangements to give birth at a birth center.
photo by Lillian Prince Photography
Toward the end of our pregnancy, we began to anticipate the arrival of our first child like any first time mommy and daddy. Due to my husband’s work responsibilities that were also quickly approaching, the question was asked repeatedly, “Why don’t you just go get induced?”
The idea was that we could have the baby a week early giving my husband plenty of time to be there for the birth and still be available for his meeting. I was called selfish and uncaring toward my husband for refusing to be induced while waiting for my child to come in his own time. Thankfully, I was not alone in my resolve. My husband was with me all the way.
These accusations were hurtful and frustrating because like any other first time mommy and daddy we had spent several hours researching what we thought was best for our baby. We had several reasons for not choosing a scheduled induction, but here are four of them.
4 Reasons Why We Chose Not to Schedule an Induction:
1. Just because I am ready does not mean that my baby is ready.
Because due dates are only estimates, only 3-5% of babies are born on their actual due dates (source). Did you know that your due date has a margin of error totaling 5-7 days?
Additionally, due dates are based on averages of baby’s gestation time, and does not take into consideration the individual baby’s growth. In our case, our baby was growing much smaller than the average baby. After several ultrasounds, we learned he was growing just as God had intended at the rate that was best for him.
All of this guessing and averaging means, we cannot with complete accuracy say when a baby should be born. To expel my baby before he has sent signals to my body that he is ready, increases the risk of my baby being admitted to the NICU, as well as his risk of suffering from jaundice. We didn’t want that risk.
2. Inducing increases the risk of further interventions.
For first time mothers, which I was, 50-75% of inductions end in a ceasarean section (c-section) (source). Based on our personal convictions, we were doing our best to avoid a c-section; therefore, this increased statistic concerned us.
Let’s say I went in and got induced “just this one time” so the man of my prayers could be at his meeting. The odds weren’t in my favor to avoid a c-section for our baby’s delivery. Did you know that a vaginal birth after a c-section (VBAC) can increase the risk of uterine wall rupture during a vaginal delivery (source)? Even if I disagree, and I think it’s not impossible and still perfectly safe to have a VBAC, finding a doctor to deliver my next baby vaginally would be difficult.
Additionally if vaginal birth does occur, epidurals are almost always used after Pitocin has been given* (source). This decreases the ability to push baby out, invoking the need for the doctor to use forceps or vacuum, which really means an increased risk of tearing or the need for a routine episiotomy. These are all things we were trying to avoid. This doesn’t happen in all cases, but again, the statistics weren’t in my favor.
3. Pitocin does not act like the natural hormones in our body.
Have you ever heard someone say that being induced hurt way worse than not being induced? The reason is that the synthetic version of oxytocin, in the form of Pitocin, does not act like our natural oxytocin hormone that is produced in our bodies (source). Therefore, many women who have experienced both a planned natural birth and a planned induction will tell you the latter hurt much worse*. I was one of those weird first time moms…I actually surveyed women about their experience. Weird, I know. But if I hadn’t asked, you wouldn’t know that little tidbit of information, so don’t laugh at me too much!
4. Pitocin–depending on the amount given–can have negative effects on the baby.
If too much is given, then hyper-stimulation can occur and the baby’s heart rate could become abnormal causing fetal distress, the uterine wall could rupture, and the baby could be deprived of essential supplies of blood and oxygen. Research shows that at average levels used for induction or augmentation/acceleration, a woman’s oxytocin levels will be 130 to 570 times higher than she would naturally produce in labor (source). All we could say was, “Wow!”
So, these are just a few of the reasons why we chose not to medically induce labor. In the end, it came down to:
What risks am I happy to accept in relation to the benefits?
This is a personal question. One that, like us, you must decide for yourself. To me, caution should be used when we go against what God has naturally put in place for us. At the very least, we should take time to do our research. But ultimately, it is your decision to make. It was our decision to make regardless of what my husband’s future career would look like in the eyes of his peers. It was our decision to make when it came to the health of our baby.
There are times when naturally inducing labor can be a good thing, though. Tomorrow I’ll share with you 7 ways to naturally induce labor!
Have you ever considered inducing labor? Why or why not?
For help with preparing for a natural childbirth, check out the #1 bestselling online childbirth course, Mama Natural Birth Course. It will empower you to have the natural birth you want…and you can watch the course in the comfort of your own home! You may also like Mama Natural’s FREE introductory video on 8 Keys to a Natural Childbirth.
Leigh Ann’s life goal is to create a home where it is impossible to not think about God. At Intentional By Grace, she blogs about her journey of intentional living in order to make this goal a reality.
She is the wife to the man of her prayers, Mark, and mama to tree loveable children. Leigh Ann takes joy in spending her days creating memorable moments with her husband, conducting kitchen experiments, researching every natural alternative known to man, and making her children laugh. She does it all by the grace of God.
You can follow her on twitter @n10tionalgrace or by liking Intentional By Grace on Facebook.
*Note from Erin: I was not officially “induced” with my first labor, but my water broke before my body was ready (I was not dilating, etc.), and–because we didn’t know any better–my husband and I rushed to the hospital. Once there, my nurse immediately hooked me up to Pitocin, to “augment” my labor. I had desired a natural birth, but 8 hours into Pitocin-“augmented” contractions, I requested pain relief. An hour later, I requested an epidural. Thankfully, I was still able to deliver vaginally, but my desires for a natural, intervention-free labor did not happen. For me personally, my natural contractions with my second birth were MUCH more manageable than the Pitocin-induced contractions with my first birth.
Disclaimer: Neither Leigh Ann nor myself are pregnancy or birthing experts. We simply write from personal experience and personal research. Please consult your trusted health professional before making any decisions regarding pregnancy or birthing.
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents
Erin, the SAME thing happened to me with the water breaking….pitocin is a hard road to travel. 🙁
I read in Your Best Birth that they (researchers) believe there is a natural hormone that is released in your body when the baby’s lungs are fully developed…and that hormone causes you to go into labor – when the baby is ready, the baby comes (under normal circumstances).
Amanda
That is interesting. It would definitely fit with what happened with our first baby. I had wanted a completely natural birth but I was induced at 41 weeks. I ended up getting an epidural and then my blood pressure dropped low enough that I passed out and the baby’s heartbeat started dropping, so I ended up with an emergency c-section. Well, part of the reason for the induction was he was measuring almost 10 lbs and I wasn’t showing any signs of going into labor. But after he was born, he had to be in NICU for 1 week because he was having trouble breathing. So maybe if they would have let me wait the extra week, his lungs would have been developed more and he’d have been ready on his own. Every thing is always clearer in hindsight though. I just thank God for the kids I have now, no matter what way they came into the world.
Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace
Amen to that! I’m so grateful God has given wisdom to the doctors to be able to care for emergency situations and for safe happy babies. 🙂
Erin
Wow–it sounds like you had quite the traumatic experience! Praise God for the lives of your children!
Elise Martin
Omg! I was induced because most of my pregnancy they doctors & specialist all said my baby was measuring way underweight. By the time I got to my last visit, they said he was only about 4 pounds. They checked my cervix and said they could walk me down to the birth center THAT DAY. I was induced with the pitocin and was in labour for almost 24 hours & come to find out my baby was 6lbs6oz ? I really wish they hadn’t induced me & really wish I went to different doctors.
Erin
Thanks for sharing about the lungs, Stacy! I need to keep that in mind NOW as baby keeps baking! 😉
Wow, Amanda! What a story! Praise God your child is ok!
Christina Poulsen
I was induced with both of my children. The first time, I was young and scared, so when I was 9 days over my due date I allowed them to induce me. I did get an epidural and although was still able to have a vaginal birth, the entire experience was terrible. With my second, I was determined to not be induced. I read about natural birth and chose to go for an all-natural birth. I had a new midwife and a birth plan. Unfortunately, my midwife strongly advised me to be induced 6 days passed my due date because of low fluid. I was upset, but was still able to have a pain medication free birth that followed my birth plan. I am now 31 weeks pregnant with my third and again hoping to avoid induction. Unfortunately, I have gestational diabetes this time around and my midwife said they probably won’t allow me to go more than one week passed my due date 🙁
Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace
Christina, I definitely think each situation is different, and there are medical reasons for induction, no doubt. Of course, we’d all like to avoid these issues, but sometimes they are inevitable, and I think it gives us opportunity to praise God for the gifts He has given our doctors (and those who discovered pitocin) so we can bring our babies safely into the world. I will pray that your baby comes when he/she’s good and ready (and before induction). 🙂
Erin
Wow! I can’t believe you did it without pain meds while having pit.! I caved after 8 hours on pit. with my first. I found my natural labor much more manageable. I pray you can have the birth you desire this time. I had diabetes with my second….and I was able to have the natural birth I desired!
Joanie @ Simple Living Mama
I have had two inductions, and luckily I did not have any complications from my inductions. My first birth was rough, but my son was huge. I’m not sure if it was medical intervention that made it more difficult or what. My second birth was a breeze. I’m hoping to avoid an induction this time, but my due date is coinciding with a deployment, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen!
Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace
Thanks for sharing, Joanie! I believe we’re all called to do what we are in faith for, and deployments sure make things … interesting to say the least. A little bigger in my mind than a meeting! 😉
Bonnie Way
I’ve also heard from moms who’ve had both natural labour and induced labour that natural labour is way easier. My first daughter was born on her due date; my second was a week late. My doctor threatened induction with my second, simply because several other women at the hospital were due the week after I was and she didn’t want all of us there having our babies. I had done my research and come to the same conclusion that Leigh Ann did, so there was no way I was having an induction – I was very glad when Lily decided to show up two days before the “scheduled” induction (and on a weekend when my doctor, whom I didn’t like anyway, was away so that we had a different doctor who was great). 🙂
Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace
Isn’t God kind? He’s even in control of who attends our birth. The night I finally went into labor, we called the birth center to see who was on call that evening. It wasn’t our “preferred” midwife (though all of them are amazing). But there was one we really connected with and had been praying for favor to have her attend our birth. We labored at home for a while and then when we arrived at the birth center our “preferred” midwife greeted us with a smile and a surprise! Another lady was also in labor at the hospital and the on call midwife was attending her. So our midwife was the backup on call. Praise God for her! She prayed with us and was absolutely wonderful through the entire process. God grew so much bigger in my mind and heart that night! That he could orchestrate the events that perfectly amazed me!
Erin
My natural labor was much more manageable than my pitocin-augmented labor for sure!
Brittany G.
I love this post! I was three weeks late with my first born (yes, you read that right, THREE WEEKS) and people were telling me that I was being selfish and putting my baby at risk because I was “scared”. However, my awesome midwife is in contact with a wonderful OB who is a Christian man and totally on board with natural, even home, birth. He reviewed my file and reassured her that my baby would come when he was ready. He said to go home and relax and don’t think about the pressure coming from everyone else. I was going in for sonograms every 3 days and everything still looked great. I had a very healthy pregnancy and I did EVERY trick in the book to try and naturally induce labor. That baby came when he was good and ready! I did acupuncture three times that last week, I ate all the special foods, walked miles and miles, bounced on the exercise ball, etc. When baby was born, he was healthy and amazing and only just over 9 lbs. I’m so glad I didn’t let people pressure me into turning a perfectly healthy and normal situation into an emergency!
Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace
That is so wonderful that you had such an understanding (and knowledgeable) midwife and doctor! Three weeks overdue? Wow! The patience and perseverance you gained is amazing! What grace, my friend. 🙂
Erin
I’ve never tried acupuncture…may have to give it a try! LOL!
Crazy babe
My first child was a day short of being 3 weeks overdue. And was also just over 9lbs. I was planning a homebirth and the doctor was putting pressure on me to be induced 10 days overdue. I asked if I could have a homebirth if I was induced (gel not pitocin) and they said no. So I said I would rather wait till baby decided to come. He gave me the speil about the “Hannah study” which when I got home, I found out that it was a wrought. I had 50 hour labour, with a cervical lip and the cord around the baby’s neck very tight. My midwife managed to cut the cord to free her and she had an APGAR of 3. Thankfully the Lord’s hand was there and my midwife gave her oxygen and she bounced back to 7 within a few minutes.
My second child I was planning a homebirth again but after 24 hours of labour, I was getting scared that it was going to end up like my first (IE long labour) and went to hospital. I got a needle in the bum which did nothing for the pain and so opted for epidural. I was in real agony. They stuffed up the epidural and so had to redo it. By the time I got relief it was an hour after I requested it. The dr did an exam and I was 9cm dilated but baby wasn’t engaged. I had a cervical lip too. Dr said if nothing happens within half an hour he was going to use the vaccum. I negotiated with him and asked for longer. He gave me an hour. I went on my side and started rocking my hips (I remembered instinctively doing that with my first). Half an hour later, my daughter was born (without vaccum – 30 hrs labour). Because of the drug they gave me before the epidural, my daughter was drowsy and didn’t latch on to feed straight away. An hour after she was born, she stopped breathing. Luckily a midwife walked in and saw that (I was just getting out of the shower) and gave her oxygen.
My third child, I had borderline gestational diabetes and excess amniotic fluid. The dr said I couldn’t have a homebirth because of risk of cord prolaspe. Normally they would induce a pregnant women with those conditions at 36 weeks. But again, my stubborness, I put up with the uncomfortableness for as long as possible. The dr let me go until my due date and I was given the gel in the morning. I had slight contractions but nothing major. At 4.30pm the dr came and broke my waters (I was 3cm dilated by then). In 3 hours, I had my baby. The pain of the contractions were not as bad as what they were for my first two and so when he was born I kept saying, “I can’t believe it’s over… I should be going longer than this.” So for me, induction was actually less painful than natural. That saying, I did try to wait as long as possible to give baby the chance to be ready to enter this world. My 3rd ended up being my lightest baby as well (which was another reason why they wanted to induce because they thought he was going to be a big baby)
Erin
It sounds like you had quite the experience!! I am currently 2 days–going on 3–overdue…and I’ve never been overdue before. :/ I cannot IMAGINE 3 weeks overdue!
Paula @ Whole Intentions
I totally agree with ‘letting nature take it’s course’. I was induced with two out of my six deliveries. They were both for very emotional reasons.
The first time we found out our little girl was stillborn (it was 4 days before her due date) and I decided to induce and take all the pain killers I could as I wasn’t sure what I could handle at that point emotionally.
The second time was with our next baby – they wanted to induce to prevent whatever it was that had caused our first stillbirth so close to her due date. The pain was incredibly worse.
I’m happy to say that we’ve had two more children since then and we didn’t induce or use pain meds. Both deliveries were great!
Erin
I am so sorry to hear about your baby girl! I would probably want to be induced or even have a C-section if I were in that situation. My pit-“augmented” labor with my second was more more intense/painful (until, 8 hours in, I opted for the epi!) than my natural labor with my second.
Darcy @ Message in a Mason Jar
I love all the research you did. I came at my natural childbirths with intuition that I felt it was best, and vaguely remembered mention of some of the topics here, but I love how detailed you were and how able you were to give a defense for your choice to go all natural, including waiting until the time was just right for baby. I wouldn’t dare trade my natural births for medicated births, which may take away the sting but also steal the amazing experience of humility and empathy that come through being fully immersed in the process.
Erin
I love all the research she put into it as well! I wish I had researched that much with my first birth–so glad I did with my second!
Kristen @ Trial and Error Homemaking
I completely agree with this statement! I didn’t research at all and trusted the doctors and nurses to do whatever was best. I didn’t realize there were so many options. I didn’t realize that I had the option to say “no” to things (like breaking my water)!! I’m so glad I was more informed for my second’s birth!
Erin
I was the exact same way my first pregnancy!
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy
Regarding the water breaking, Erin, I was in the same boat, but thankfully the nurses and midwives were anxious to avoid the Pitocin on my behalf and instructed me to walk as quickly as I could all around the maternity ward until real labor started. So I did. I walked until I couldn’t walk anymore, and the labor started on its own!
Leigh Ann, I was nervous with both pregnancies that i would go “late” and be forced to induce b/c both my mom and sister were late with all their pregnancies. Thankfully, I didn’t have to worry about it, since both my babies were born between 38-39 weeks!
Erin
I really hope if my water breaks prematurely this time that they will do the same! I had no clue to even ask for them to hold off on the pit. the first time around!
Hannah
I went 41 weeks ith both my girls and NOPE never considered getting induced… for all the reasons you stated. I had my 2nd little gilr just four weeks ago, at home!
Erin
Thanks for sharing your encouraging story!
Carol
Great post, Erin. I liked reading about the research that you did. As a labor/birth nurse I find that when a woman waits until her body goes into labor, labor progresses more smoothly–in most cases. Interventions are needed in some situations, but God has designed our bodies well.
Erin
My friend Leigh Ann actually wrote this post..but I am so glad to hear that a nurse agrees!
Heather
This is an interesting post and I’m glad you shared. I’ve gone overdue with both of my babies and I can’t tell you how many people acted like I was nuts because I wouldn’t get induced.
I had my first child drug-free and went into labor on my own (a week after his due date). It was lovely. After I had him, I clearly remember feeling like I could do it again — I even wanted to do it again because it was such a neat experience. I felt so good! My second child was 9 days overdue and I was pretty much scared into getting induced. The stress tests were fine and the fluid levels were okay, but they made me feel all nervous about my placenta getting old and the possibility of a c-section. I was so ready to be done, so uncomfortable, so tired of getting stress tests, and so scared about getting a c-section that I went along with induction. I had my second baby drug-free as well, but after I had him, I also clearly remember saying, “That was rough.” The thing that makes me a little bitter to this day is that after I had my healthy little boy, I asked to see the placenta and the doctor (probably forgetting that he told my placenta was getting old just a couple days before) held it up and showed me how it was so healthy, pointing out how the color was just as it should be. Don’t get me wrong, the birth of my second child was just as special as the first (different, but just as special. I love it because it taught me that I can do really hard things and I prayed more during that labor than I did in the other!), I I won’t ever get induced again unless it truly is an emergency. As many have said in the comments, babies will come when they’re ready!
'Becca
Great article! My due date was Dec. 28, and I was amazed at how many people urged me to induce if I went a couple days late so that we could get the tax deduction for that year! As if that’s more important than baby’s and my health! And then I was really shocked when talking with an older lady at church who told me she went into labor naturally on Dec. 31, 1964, and the maternity ward was full because of people inducing to get the tax break–I hadn’t known they were able to induce labor that long ago, and it’s really sad that this prioritizing of the tax break has been going on for 40 years.
Erin
My due date is tomorrow…no plans to induce!
Cassie
Hello there, I would never advise anyone to induce. Out of impatience and I got tired of being pregnant, I induced at 42 going for 43 weeks and the stress of thinking whether the baby will be ok or not after birth, the worry the mother carries, the guilt of if anything goes wrong (what have I done to my baby)these words will ring and ring in your mind and no doctor or anyone can take such words out of your system. Please don’t rush your baby he or she is not ready yet. Please be patient, most of all pray about it.
Heidi
I’ve never considered inducing, but this pregnancy has really been drawn out and it seems like everyone around me has an opinion – most think I’m being irresponsible or silly. I’m glad I found your post!
Erin
Congrats on the baby!!
Kelli
With our first child we did NOT induce. He happened to be turned the wrong way and I had a tough labor and delivery. Our second had serious complications, so I was induced early. (She is a healthy and happy 13-yr old today). I did not have an epidural, they did do a vaginal block, but it didn’t really matter because she came FAST once the real labor started. I don’t think I would CHOOSE to be induced under normal circumstances, but of the two experiences, hers was the better one. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about hard labors with induction and I’m very glad that was not my experience! I was not aware of the c- section rate for 1st time mothers being induced, and that would cause me to avoid it if at all possible.
Erin
Yes–the C-Section rates are staggering among inductions!