Dissapointed by negative information offered on Induction

[Schmickers]

I guess another reason that many people will warn you about inductions is that you have to be prepared to stand up for yourself and ask for the additional pain relief, support, etc. that you may need. Many women aren't expecting the difference between a natural labour and an augmented labour, and so are not aware that there might be a need for increased pain relief, or as mentioned, the need to turn down the syntocinon drip.

[Inanna]

Goodluck Babushka Doll...

I am sorry you didn't feel supported - however the information available is factual and evidence based. Now, that's not to say that inductions shouldn't happen. Just that when a woman chooses/agrees to an induction that she has access to factual information to help her make that decision...

I have had spontaneous vaginal births for my children... However, due to a medical condition (APS) I require anticoagulant therapy for this pregnancy along with prednisone and asprin... I havae to cease the anticoagulants at 37 weeks "in case" of labour... I am not sure how my head will deal with that... Waiting for the birth and praying that I don't develop a clot in our placenta... (the risk is very very very minimal)... It's my head... So, I will consider an induction. I am fully informed and it's certainly not a decision I could ever forsee happening for me... But one that I am leaning towards at this early stage. I know how important head space is when you labour and I am thinking mine won't be so hot without the anticoags on board! So, my point is life gives us things to deal with and we have to deal with them in the way that fits comfortably with us...

Your decision for induction is right for you and your situation... I hope your birth is everything you hope for and that this time tomorrow you are tucked up tightly with your little one enjoying a lovely breastfeed...

[Ashlee]

I agree Beck, that sometimes induction is seen as "taboo" or "not right" here on BB and that people do sort of look down on you. I feel the same way for breastfeeding and c/s, and sometimes think that people need to tone down their opinion, everyone is entitled to one but sometimes it gets taken a bit far, and I personally have been made to feel small and insignifigant for one of the abovementioned reasons (that is that I'm not breastfeeding).

I believe you and your doctor know what's right for you and your baby - I wish you the best of luck sweetheart, and cannot wait for you to be holding your gorgeous surprise baby in your arms.

[DiannaQ]

The end result is what counts - whatever it takes to get there is totally up to you - i had the drip - my waters broke at 37w1d and I had Strep B - so the risk of infection was greater (i suppose....) - my labour was full on and i ended with an epidural - but i would have done it a million times harder to get the end result that i got - we have been blessed with a gorgeous, healthy baby boy and that alone was worth all the stress and anxiety - good luck hope you have a wonderful birth experience

[BellyBelly]

I disagree that people are looked down upon. I am passionate about getting information out there which is not often passed on through care providers, I know I wasn't given any. So I do like to inform but I never judge and I don't think many others do either. I think it's all how you perceive the comments, some find it attacking and judgemental but people see things differently. I certainly don't sit here and shake my head at anyone, I believe we all do the best we can with what we have, at the time.

[Liz]

This is probably too late for you to read, coz you're probably already in the hospital getting ready.. if not having your baby already!

It's interesting to read that people's uterus respond to the drip etc differently... perhaps my uterus appreciated the help? hehe. I was augmented with the drip (waters had already broken, and all contractions stalled) and went on to have a painrelief-free labour. After reading about how many people suffer terribly with the drip, I was surprised I could get through it the way I did.

So they're not all bad endings Good luck! Altho, having said that, I'll be doing my best to avoid that same situation this time

[Ashlee]

Kel, unfortunately you don't read everything that goes on, and the tone and intent in alot of people's post are that of being judgemental and "I am mightier than thou". I'm not saying that maybe I or someone else can't percieve something differently to what it is intended, but 9 out of 10 times I'm pretty sure I can pick up on the not so subtle hints in people's posts.

Just saying

[sushee]

I was induced with Charlie (he was in distress) and I have not had the experience of feeling like I had a 'lesser' birth than anyone else, personally. In fact, when I raised some doubts as to whether I should have been induced, it was Kelly that pointed out to me that my caregiver did the best thing he could for me.

Good luck Babushka Doll!

[Liz]

I think people come to the forums already defensive of their decisions, and that can make it easier to see 'judgement' in other peoples posts if mention is made that there are greater risks etc. I've never seen anyone being personally told they've done the wrong thing.. everyone has their own reasons for their decisions, often unknown to the rest of us, but people do take things personally thinking they're being called a bad mother or something. And really, I haven't seen that at all.

Did that make sense? I've never felt looked down on for having the augmentation in my labour.. I've learned that I could probably have avoided it, and that there was risk in having it, but have never taken it personally when inductions are spoken about as risky etc. And I'm reading the same posts as everyone else I'm sure

[Lucy]

Interesting.

I was induced with Charlie as I mentioned in a previous post. In hindsight it was not, IMHO, necessary. Kelly knew the whole story and detail of my previous birth and of the circumstances surrounding Charlie's induction. No doubt she could have been sorely tempted to say to me at any point post birth"I told you so", but she hasn't, bless her, despite providing me with great information as I debated my choices........

All that said, I have never felt like it was a lesser birth. I have never felt judged at all, by anyone. I have never felt like anyone looks down at me for it. I am confident it was a choice I made for the right reasons at the time.......so maybe my self confidence protects me? Dunno.........

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I was induced and I hate that - no one here has judged me for it, but I feel like a failure myself. Yes, I was really overdue and yes, it needed doing, but I'm still not happy about it. I can't read anyone else's birth stories here just because I feel so bad that I wasn't able to birth my son the way I'd wanted to. I can't talk about birth without wanting to cry, I feel that much of a failure. (Yes, I know this isn't right, but it's just who I am; I have very high standards for myself and you just learn to live with feeling this way about even one dirty dish left in the sink.)

You don't need pain relief for it, btw, it isn't really that much more painful. I didn't have the problem of drugs not being given, I had the problem where I was fighting them off for hours, then as soon as I said OK I had an epidural in before I could blink; I think my midwives were worried that I was going to change my mind!

[Inanna]

Yes, I wonder too... I will debate having an induction for reasons I have outlined above. Am I afraid of criticisim on BB for that? Not on your life! Some people may make different choices (as may I as the time draws closer).

I believe when we make decisions we make them from an educated perspective, listening to our heart... That is self confidence...

Again, nobody knows what is happening internally for folk - here on BB we hope to provide evidence based information and the shared experience of women from all different backgrounds...

[Lil MG]

Well, I hope Beck is holding her little one now!

From reading these boards through the course of my pregnancy, I formed the opinion that I would avoid induction at all costs. Now I don't particularly recall a specific post that said "Inductions are bad, don't do it" but I guess it is the overall vibe that one gets reading BB. Same goes for b/f and c/s - in my experience.

Now I've been diagnosed with GD, I have been told an induction is on the cards and therefore, my thinking has changed (understandably). When it wasn't an option, it was easy for me to say, "I definitely won't be doing that!" Now I have to seriously consider the implications. In order to be more informed, as well as trying to understand where Beck was coming from in her opening post, I read Kelly's article. I thought it was informative and perhaps only slightly biased. I will say that some language used like reasons for having an induction deemed "inappropriate" could be read as a judgement. But I'm sure that is unintended. However, when this less than perfect option becomes a real possibility for you, every word is charged with high emotion (by the reader).
The inclusion of the possible side effects as listed for the drugs used to induce is important but I think, serves to scare maybe a little unnecessarily. I would never have taken a prescription drug if I were to pay too much mind to these possible side effects. Legally, they must cover everything but the reality is that many of them are extremely rare. Having said that, I'm still grateful to have access to this information. But when you're dealing with the life of your baby, so much is amplified. It's easy to become very frightened.

So in the end, if I'm advised to have an induction, I will almost certainly agree. But I am grateful to have been informed prior!

[BellyBelly]

The bit where it says inductions are appropriate / inappropriate etc were the words of midwife, Brenda Manning, who is both a birth centre and homebirth midwife. Not my own.

I have had clients diagnosed with GD who avoided an induction despite being post-dates, it's something you do have to watch but also something do-able.

[Trillian]

I just want to say that in regards to the Group B Strep - I have tested positive as a carrier for it this pg and not once have I been told that I will need an induction because of it. Antibiotics yes, but induction no. In fact having had two spontaneous labours and one induced one (my last) I am more determined than ever to avoid another induction and my Dr is with me on this as I had two of the more severe complications from the syncto (retained placenta and PPH) and I can even go the full 72 hrs with broken waters before we have to condsider that because I will already be on the ab's. Avoid induction is the best chance I have of not having a repeat retained placenta and another subsequent PPH.

[Freya]

I had an awesome induction, due to pre eclampsia, it certainly wasnt as bad as everyone makes out! It was 3hrs from drip insertion to placenta delivery and I had no pain relief. I hope yours has gone as well.

[Inanna]

I had GD with my last pregnancy... Induction for GD is certainly not routine for many obs/hospitals so it may be something you want to explore further. Evie was born around her due date.

I think it's really importaant to understand the side effects of drugs - even when it is scary... The to's and fros' need to be weighed up but I believe being fully informed is important...

[Lil MG]

The bit where it says inductions are appropriate / inappropriate etc were the words of midwife, Brenda Manning, who is both a birth centre and homebirth midwife. Not my own.

Figured as much, Kelly. Again, if people are emotionally attached to an issue, then all language runs the risk of being misconstrued. It's the nature of this very special but often bewildering time for women. And given this bewilderment and in many cases, straight up fear, it is imperiative that women can become completely informed.

Before discovering BB, I would have deferred to my carers every time for important decision-making. I would have assumed they knew best and would be unlikely to question it (which is so not like me in general life matters). So the service that BB and Kelly provide really is invaluable. But I also think there are still some women who don't want to know, aren't interested in being informed and are far more comfortable leaving it in the hands of their medical team. And I respect that choice too.

I have had clients diagnosed with GD who avoided an induction despite being post-dates, it's something you do have to watch but also something do-able.

I've been told "they won't let you go over your EDD" and it's great to know that I, in fact, do have the right to refuse the induction. But the truth is, if I look like going over, I don't honestly want to. I don't agree that the only time a c/s, induction etc are necessary is if there is a life-threatening condition. For me, the whole point of being informed is to open up my choices, not limit them.

This is why I didn't vote in the poll on outcome versus experience. I just don't know how I really feel about it. Of course, if I could have an ideal birth and a healthy bub, I would. But all I'm really attached to is a well baby at the end. But then I've never had a traumatic birth experience where I feel decisions were made that were unnecessary or erroneous. Gosh, it's a real minefield of emotion!