Question about inducing

Why are so many people opposed to it? Is it dangerous for the baby? Is it because it takes long? Just curious.

I was induced with my first..i was a week late and thank god i was induced because my son was big..if i waited any longer i would have gotten a c-section.
My biggest complaint about it was that it took forever..about 16 hours in total.

I pretty much have an option to be induced a half a week early this time and i'm just wondering if i should or not..maybe i'm not informed on the dangers of inducing since so many are opposed to it.

Please give me feedback!!!!

Re: Question about inducing

I was scheduled to be induced, and my doctor said inductions are not favorable because many end up in a c section.
I ended up going into labor and haing my DS the day before my induction.

I'm not sure if there are any other dangers to an induction.
Hang in there!!

Re: Question about inducing

You're right, there are cases where an induction is absolutely the right (or only) path, depending on baby's weight and if someone will ever go into labor on their own or not. I think there is a perception that inductions more often may end up as c-sections (could be true, I'm not sure!).

Re: Question about inducing

I don't know if there are any real dangers of inducing but for me, I'd prefer a more natural approach. I feel like my body should somehow know when to start labor and that it'll happen whenever it was meant to happen.

Obviously there are cases when there is a medical reason to induce. It goes without saying that induction is definitely necessary in these cases.

Re: Question about inducing

I am 40w today and they are talking about inducing me at 41w, but honestly i would want to wait as long as possible and go on my own. (unless ofcourse baby or I are in danger, then induction is the way)


With my first, my water broke and i didnt have contractions - they wanted to start me on pitocin and induce me since my water broke. (i was already 3cm)
I asked if they could give my body some time... and said they would give me the night (from midnight to 8am to labor on my own) and if nothing happened my doc would come in and induce me at 8am.
at 4am i gave birth all on my own :)

Re: Question about inducing

You're going to hear all kinds of induction stories. Some people have great experiences, but many more do not. You don't know what kind of hand you'll be dealt until you get in there. There are real risks to inductions.

- Inductions risk the baby needing a NICU for breathing problems since their lungs might be immature.
- Labor inducing drugs like Pitocin go directly from mom to baby and it can stress them. Their heartrates can decelerate or become arrhythmic (which is an automatic c-section).
- Pitocin is linked to increased problems with breastfeeding.
- The contractions from the drugs produce contractions that are exponentially harder and longer than contractions when labor
- Since the contractions are harder, very few women are able to do it w/o pain relief. But the epidural has it's own risks. The longer it's in place, the higher the chances of it affecting the baby's heartrate. Mom runs a higher risk of developing a fever (which is usually a ticket to the NICU for the baby).
- Induction babies are more likely to have meconium in the water, and if they inhale it, it's a trip to the NICU.
- If you opt for an epidural, you can't get out of bed. This makes it harder for the baby to descend into a good position b/c gravity can't help you.
- B/c of all of this, the risk of a c-section is significantly higher with an induction. Something like 3/4 of inductions end in sections. Since they're becoming more common, people thing that c-sections are easy or even better, but they are NOT and carry multiple risks of their own to Mom, baby, and to future pregnancies.

eta: Keep in mind that not everyone is going to hit every item on my list. I just brought up what COULD happen. Unless there's a real medical issue and an induction is absolutely necessary, I'd let Nature do it's thing.

Message edited 5/15/2012 12:18:27 PM.

Re: Question about inducing

Like a PP said, everyone will tell you, yes do it, or no, let nature take it's course! I think it obviously depends on you and the baby, how dilated you are and more importantly, how effaced you are. I was 2 centimeters and 95% effaced so my doc told me I was a great candidate if I choose. After listening to him, I truly felt comfortable and went for it. I had an epidural, but not til I was 5 centimeters and I slept for 3 hours after it! I woke up, did some practice pushing, and pushed for 1 hour and had . I had a little fever, but Ava never made a visit to the NICU, thankfully. I guess it just depends! Good luck to you, follow your heart and the docs advice!

Re: Question about inducing

I'm so glad i didn't know any of this with my first induction........i think i will follow pp's advice and see what the doctor thinks....

Re: Question about inducing

yes, unless there is a medical reason i would not do an elective induction! let your body (and your baby) tell you when you are ready!

Re: Question about inducing

I asked my doctor this very questions last week since they are recommending I go for an induction at 39 weeks. She said the only downside is that some inductions do end up in Csection. She said there is no proven percentage, but it is a risk. However it's also a risk when you have a large baby gaining weight everyday...that you may end up with a C also.

I went into labor on my own with my DD but my contractions wouldn't regulate enough for me to dilate. I ended up getting the Pitocin and everthing ended up just fine. I just let them do what they needed to.