It may not be exactly how you envision child birth, but there can be some important reasons to choose induction. Here’s what I wish I knew before getting induced.
Like many first-time moms, I had a preconceived notion of how I’d deliver my baby: my water would break, we’d rush to the hospital, I’d tough it out through the pain, and I’d hold a perfect baby on my chest. Just like it happened in countless TV shows, movies, and books.
If there’s anything I’ve learned about pregnancy, child birth, and any other situation you can think of, it’s that real life is far different than how its depicted in media.
Getting pregnant through IVF was already a departure from what I expected, and giving birth followed suit — I delivered my baby by induction at almost 39 weeks. While I was lucky that everything (mostly) went according to plan, here are some things I wish I knew before getting induced.
Your doctor may suggest it early
When I had my very first prenatal appointment with my OB/GYN, she told me we’d be inducing a week before my due date. I was a little shocked — wasn’t it way too early to be making that call? Induction is saved for when you’re past your due date, right?
Wrong. According to my doctor, there have been studies that indicate induction may reduce the chances of serious complications in mothers over 35. Since I was already 40, induction seemed like a no-brainer for my doctor.
You may go into labor before your induction date…
Once I knew that I’d be getting induced at 39 weeks, I started to plan everything. I’d arrive at the hospital at my scheduled time on my scheduled day — a Thursday — with my bags packed and my last-minute work assignments completed.
Wrong again.
My OB/GYN performed a procedure called a membrane sweep at my last prenatal appointment, which was a Monday. I knew that it could start labor early, but since I was barely dilated at all, I figured I’d still be heading in on Thursday. I didn’t even bother packing my hospital bag or rushing to finish work. I had days to do it!
Tuesday night at 10pm, my water broke.
After shoving all my things in a bag, my husband and I drove to the hospital. I still halfway expected to be sent home — I didn’t have to be induced after all, right? This was labor just starting on its own? I’d go home for a bit, wait for contractions to get closer, and then come back?
…but still be given induction drugs
Wrong yet again.
We checked into the hospital, and even though I still wasn’t dilated that much, my doctor made the call to start induction with medication.
Even if you have an induction scheduled, you should still be prepared for things to start earlier than expected.
The medications can make contractions more intense
It should come as no surprise to anyone that child birth is painful. I wanted to try going through the process without any pain relief, and my doctor cautioned against it at first. I even remember her exact words: “If you don’t want to do an epidural, we’re going to have a really hard time.”
When I made it through the membrane sweep without flinching, she could see that I tolerated pain well and told me I could try with no epidural.
I made it to 3 centimeters before I tapped out.
The medications they use for induction — namely Pitocin — makes contractions more intense. Not only that, but they come closer together. I’d go through excruciating pain, get 15-30 second break, and then the next contraction would start.
Your birth plan is up to you, but be aware that induction can make things more painful.
You can decline
Again — your birth plan is up to you. There’s no law that states you have to induce, no matter what. You can decline and wait for nature to do the job.
I was considered a high-risk pregnancy because of my age and previous fertility treatments, so I wanted to do whatever my doctor felt was safest. I trusted her opinion. If you don’t want to induce, discuss that plan with your doctor.