I gotta know in the comments — which one of these do YOU believe and did I change your mind? — tell me at the bottom!

While we’re here, no decision is right for every pregnant family, so be sure to talk with your provider about what is best for you — this is just a good, general read that hopefully informs you a bit more on your options!

I also have a Youtube video on this:

Elective Inductions are Bad

Man oh man did I believe this one. I just felt like we pushed mother nature into something she wasn’t up for. But, I changed my mind after I read the ARRIVE trial. It’s a study that compared people who were electively induced at 39 weeks vs those who were not. It showed outcomes for babies were similar, with a slightly lower cesarean rate.

Now, some providers seem to have done a 180 shift and are recommending all pregnant women get induced at 39 weeks — and I definitely haven’t gone that far.

But I do feel like, if a pregnant patient wants to be induced at 39 weeks, they should be able to.

And yes, that means even if there is no “medical” reason.

I feel like often we act like “medical” reasons are the only ones that are valid. And frankly — there’s a lot of good reasons:

• Partner can only be there on a specific day
• Mom/help can only come at a specific time frame
• They just want to plan it (the anxiety of “birth at any time” is real)
• People are uncomfortable

And those are just a few. I just don’t think it’s the medical establishment’s job to decide what’s best for people, as long as they’re choosing something that is safe.

That being said — if you’re going in for an induction, you definitely need to know what to expect. A lot of people think an induction is “the answer” and are surprised by how long and hard it is — so be sure to go through this induction checklist with your provider:

And, if you’re a person who really feels like people shouldn’t be able to choose to be induced, I’d ask you to re-think that statement. Overall, it’s been proven safe and people should be able to choose. The just shouldn’t be forced to do it. Those are two very different things.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that the choices made during labor matter just as much as what happens before it starts. Things like elective inductions aren’t simply yes-or-no decisions—they come with timing, trade-offs, and options that can change how labor unfolds. That’s why I created The Online Prenatal Class for Couples: to help you and your partner understand common interventions, ask better questions in the moment, and make decisions together with confidence instead of fear.

Oxytocin and Pitocin are the Same

So, I had to take a lot of chemistry to be a nurse (in fact, I got to take biochem twice because I wanted to be so great at). And in terms of chemistry Oxytocin (what’s made by our body) and Pitocin are exactly the same. Yes, there’s something in the Pitocin vial that allows it to be shelf-stable, but the actual active hormone is exactly the same.

I also knew that our receptors on organs in our body can’t tell the difference between the hormone made by our body vs synthetic ones. This is why insulin works so well!

So, I always figured that they acted the same in the body.

But the big difference is that Oxytocin is made in our brain, and is allowed to bathe your brain this feel-good hormone. Oxytocin is the love hormone — and we feel it when we’re falling in love, or just feeling good around other humans. You know that feeling, and we all love it.

It is also the hormone that starts labor (kind of a mean trick, right?).

Pitocin, is given IV and is not allowed to the brain (our body has a protection mechanism called the blood-brain barrier that keeps specific things out of our spinal fluid and going to the brain to protect us). BUT since the Oxytocin is already THERE in the brain it is allowed there.

So you do miss some of those feel-good hormones. However, once labor really gets going, I’m not sure how much of that is present. That’s something I wondered with my own induction.

Beyond that, we pump Pitocin in via IV and it does get ramped up much quicker than regular Oxytocin in our bodies. But, that’s what an induction is — it’s us forcing our bodies to go into labor, and it makes sense that it will happen faster than “natural” labor. But, something important for you to know as well.

Fun fact: During an induction you can still control the Pitocin drip. If it’s going up too quickly or you’re overwhelmed by your contractions you can tell them not to increase it. That being said — if you aren’t allowing them to actually start contractions that help your body go into active labor, maybe you don’t actually want to be induced. So, it’s a balance. Learn more in my post on Pitocin inductions.

Want more information on inductions? Checkout these posts:

• Signs You’re Ready to Be Induced
• Pumping To Induce Labor? Will it work?
• 5 Things NOT to do Before Your Induction
• Inducing Labor at 39 Weeks: Pros and Cons
• 5 Reasons to NOT Get Induced

The Epidural Causes Back Pain

I’d heard this for so long as a new mom and from friends (and oddly, from a lot of men — but that’s a story for another day) so I figured it was true — that the epidural causes long-term back pain.

And is is true that there can be some bruising and pain at the epidural insertion point for a few weeks after birth. The same will be true for your IV site — just because we’ve punctured that area and irritated it running in fluids, etc.

However, studies show that those who got an epidural don’t have any more long-term back pain then those who did not.

I think the epidural gets a lot of the blame for all the back pain caused by:

• Pregnancy (SO hard on our backs to have our center of balanced changed by our protruding belly)
• Labor (and all the crazy positions we get in as we’re in pain)
• Birth
• Postpartum/Life with baby — which includes
  • Positions we sit in to nurse (not a good habit to get into — but easy to do)
  • Carrying the car seat (the worse)
  • Bending over to put baby in the crib, etc
  • Carrying baby (possibly bad front pack carriers too — I had a bad one)

Don’t believe me? I have a whole article with the studies linked about long-term back pain from the epidural.

Now, I don’t believe the epidural is for all patients, and there are definitely risks but I think there are some people out there who really push their own agenda on something like this. It’s important to be aware of it! Want more information on the epidural be sure to check out my guide to epidurals during labor.

Many epidural myths—like the idea that they cause long-term back pain—are repeated so often they start to feel true. For busy couples, trying to sort through conflicting advice can add unnecessary stress. My Online Prenatal Class for Couples focuses on clear, evidence-based explanations and real clinical experience, so you and your partner can feel prepared, calmer, and confident in your choices—without spending hours researching on your own.

Want to know more about pain management in labor? — check out these posts:

• Why People Get An Epidural Even When They’re Not Planning On It
• Why Labor Pain Can Feel So Different For Each Person
• 5 Simple Tips for a “Natural” Labor & Delivery
• 4 Things to Know About Birth Pains
• Is an Induction More Painful than “Regular Labor”

We Don’t Need National Maternity Leave

Confession that I am not proud of: I did not get maternity leave on my first pregnancy, and that really made me feel like no one else should get leave either. It was really tough heading back to work 5 weeks postpartum thinking my uterus was going to fall out on the nursing home floor I worked at ().

Not only was it really hard to leave my baby, my body was entirely NOT ready either (I had a pretty big tear). I carried a lot of pain from that — but somehow in my mind I thought it made me a better mom (coping strategy).

On my other two kids I subsequently got a 6 week leave, and then a 12 week leave (which I split up). And frankly, SO much easier. Sure, recovery from having a baby still wasn’t my favorite, but not having to count every penny was nice.

(BTW, I used California state disability on my 2nd two children — and I believe that states may have to be our answer on this one).

After being in the social media birth sphere for a bit I realized my own bias that because I didn’t have something I felt like no one else should either. That it wasn’t necesary.

But I was wrong. I checked my own biases and I am now a strong proponent of paid maternity leave, and I try to voice my opinion as often and as loudly as I can. I’m embarrassed I ever really felt the other way, but we all are just who we are, and I am grateful we can change our minds. As shown by a few different things in this article.

As mothers, we all have to stand up to make a difference for paid maternity leave. Either through states or the federal government. I hope you’ll join me in that fight and speak with your congressional leaders as often as you can too.

Of course, there is still the tricky situation on when to go on maternity leave << I have a whole post on that.

Birth Classes Don’t Make a Difference

Honestly, in my career someone taking a birth class was the exception.

Most people don’t take birth classes, and I figure their births went alright and maybe birth classes weren’t all that helpful.

Frankly, I also took my own birth class which didn’t really highlight the information I truly needed for a better birth & postpartum recovery, but that’s a post for another day (or watch this Youtube Video to learn more) — so again, my own bias told me maybe they’re not all that important.

But then I started to teach birth classes for my hospital. And then I had patients who had taken my birth class and it was a big eye-opener for me.

• How much they already knew, so they didn’t have to be overwhelmed with information the day-of.
• How much easier it was for them to make choices and not be “bullied” in the hospital
• How much easier they transitioned into life postpartum because they knew what was coming.

And then I started to read the studies on how birth classes effect birth and I was so excited to learn that birth classes:

• Reduces cesarean sections
• Reduces induction rates
• Reduces your need for forceps or vacuums
• Improves birth satisfaction

Which frankly all makes sense. Be sure to read that article if you want more of my thoughts on that.

Many couples worry it’s either too late to prepare or too hard to fit a birth class into an already full schedule—especially when hospital classes are booked out or don’t work with real life. The Online Prenatal Class for Couples is designed for exactly that season: short, practical lessons you can do together, on your time, so you feel prepared, calmer, and confident heading into birth without adding more stress to your plate.

Want to know more about birth classes? — check out these posts:

• Alternatives to Hospital Birth Classes
• How Much Do Birth Classes Cost?
• Best FREE Childbirth Classes
• Why are Birth Classes So Expensive?
• Are Childbirth Classes Covered by Health Insurance? 

Kick Counts are Useless

I believed this for so. long. And, in fact, I didn’t do kick counts until my last baby.

And honestly, the studies on “ten kicks in 2 hours” do show that’s pretty unhelpful as every baby is so different. And, after doing kick counts I am here to say that if it took 2 hours for my babies to give me 10 kicks something was SERIOUSLY wrong and I should have high-tailed it into the hospital for help.

I have a whole article on kick counts (that explains how to do them and goes more into the studies on them) but let me give you the cliff notes (and why this is now a huge soapbox of mine):

• When done correctly, kick counts have been proven to save 1 in 3 still births, that’s 33% of still borns!
• Studies show that it does not increase anxiety but overall increases bonding with your baby
• Often it shows a problem with mom and not baby (but baby shows the effects of the problem) — this can have health benefits for both of you!

Want to know more — check out this video!

And, grab my cheat sheet right here to do them right:

I’m just here to say that a lot of us believe things that aren’t true — and that doesn’t make us bad or dumb. The real measure of a person is if they’re able to change their minds — and expand their thought process to something that might be more true.

So, hopefully these lies of labor helped you realize that maybe some of what you’re thinking isn’t true either. Did any of these change your mind — tell me in the comments!

And I’d love it if you let me hang out with you for the rest of your pregnancy:

The post Lies I Used to Believe about Labor & Birth appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

This (or any article on The Pregnancy Nurse) should be taken as medical advice, this purely educational. Please talk with your provider about your specific needs and circumstances.

Before we get started, make SURE that you understand what you’re in for when you get induced. Many inductions fail mostly due to unmet expectations around birth — and I don’t want that for you, so I created this induction checklist that you can go through with your provider when you’re making your choice:

Your Choice

I want you to remember that induction is YOUR CHOICE. Your provider may say dumb things like:

• We’ll schedule you to be induced at 39 weeks
• I won’t let you go past 37 weeks with that blood pressure
• It’s time to schedule your induction

But that’s just them, being dumb — and not using their words right.

Induction is always your choice

I never want you to feel forced into an induction.

When you’re feeling pressured (or forced) into an induction, that’s the time to pause and get some questions answered. Hopefully this article will help answer a lot of those questions.

Pro Tip: inductions aren’t something that we do to save someone’s life right now. We a C-section if that needs doing. Inductions are something that take time, which means you have time to get your questions answered.

Ok, onto the signs you’re ready to be induced:

What’s Your Cervix?

You may have heard some smart talk like:

• Your cervix isn’t a crystal ball
• Your cervix doesn’t tell you anything
• Cervical exams are meaningless

But, as a nurse with experience since 2001 seeing inductions, I’m here to tell you that your cervix can tell us a lot.

Mostly, it tells us how ready your body is to go into labor.

Caveat: Bodies are weird, and some cervixes dilate very quickly (surprising us) and some just say where they are no matter what they do (surprising us) — so this is an art not a science, and bodies do what they want to do.

While providers just “know” after we check a cervix — we articulate that with something called the Bishop Score.

Honestly, every facility sort of has a different “scoring metric” — I like this one, but it just gives you an idea of what we’re looking for…. These are the usual things (want more info on the bishop’s score — see this)

• Dilation
• Effacement
• Station
• Position
• Consistency

Let’s give some examples:

If your cervix is closed thick and high (what most people’s cervix is until it starts to prepare for labor) — your score would be:

• Dilation 0 points
• Effacement 0 points
• Station 0 points
• Position 1 point (your cervix was easily reached)
• Consistency 0 points (your cervix was hard)
• Giving you a total of 1 point. This shows your cervix is likely not ready for labor, and it’s going to take a while.

Let’s say your cervix is 3 cm, 80% effaced and baby is -2, cervix is mid-position and feels “medium” (between hard and soft) This is a very normal “due” cervix…

• Dilation 2 points
• Effacement 3 points
• Station 2 points
• Position 1 point (your cervix was easily reached)
• Consistency 1 points (your cervix was hard)
• Giving you a total of 9 points (out of 13). This is a decent score. In our experience, your body could tolerate an induction pretty easily.

As a provider I very much know there is a BIG difference in an induction on someone with a 1 point bishop score, vs someone with 9 (or more) points.

Many facilities don’t offer an elective induction on lower bishop scores (the # depends on the facility). Likely it just takes too long, and in their experience those patients may be more likely need a cesarean.

While the ARRIVE trial didn’t take bishop score into their metrics, they did show an elective induction regardless of your bishop score doesn’t increase cesareans — but many people say their experience differs — I think both things should be acknowledged by patients (experience & the data). Want to know more about the arrive trial? I have a bonus video in here on it.

I think that knowing what your cervix shows is important before you head in for an induction. Most often providers want to check it so they know the medications they’ll order, etc. (cervix under 3 cm usually needs some cervical ripening first).

Want to know more about inductions — check out these posts:

• Pumping To Induce Labor? Will it work?
• 5 Things NOT to do Before Your Induction
• Pitocin to Induce Labor
• Inducing Labor at 39 Weeks: Pros and Cons
• 5 Reasons to NOT Get Induced

What is the Reason?

Now, we’re going to talk about OUR reasons here in a second — but I want to know why your provider wants to induce you.

Now induction reasons can really vary, including:

• Your blood pressure is too high, you might have a stroke
• I induce everyone at 39 weeks

As a reminder, providers don’t “induce us” — we CHOOSE to be induced, but I digress….

And then everything along that spectrum.

Honestly, there are very few black and white reasons in the land of induction. Many of them are things that we see “trending” towards something, and we figure we should give you the option to get the baby out.

However, if we go back to Sign #1 and you realize your bishop score is LOW — you might want to try some cervical prep on your own before getting induced.

OR, you decide — yeah, I think I’d rather not have a stroke, let’s do this.

You’re balancing what your provider is seeing (remember, they’re the expert in the room, but not the one that makes decisions) vs what you’re hoping for from your birth.

You’re not a horrible person to want to wait and get a bit more testing, or talk more about what your doctor is seeing beyond the test results.

For instance:

Your blood pressure is always high when you get back to the room, but settles nicely as your appointment progresses. Your provider thinks you should get induced, but you would prefer to get a blood pressure cuff and monitor it at home for a few days. You really don’t think your blood pressure is high, but you respect whey your provider would say that.

Your provider had an ultrasound done that showed your baby close to 8 pounds at 39 weeks. They encourage you to get induced so baby doesn’t get too big that you need a cesarean. You prefer to not get induced, so you probe your provider more about what they’re seeing as they monitor your belly from the outside, and consider getting another ultrasound in a few days. FYI, I have a whole post on what to do if your provider says you have a big baby that you might find helpful in this instance (that happens a lot).

You have gestational diabetes, and your blood sugars have been well-controlled. Your provider says they induce ALL diabetics by 39 weeks — but you know it’s your choice (not theirs). You ask them to check your cervix, and maybe order a size ultrasound as you make your mind up as to when you’re ready to be induced.

Again, in ALL of these instances, you’re pausing, asking questions, and deciding what’s right for YOU.

BTW, if you have NO idea what’s right for you — grab my birth plan tips here — it’s going to help you get clear on what’s important for your birth:

I don’t want you to think that I’m blithely typing here that you can just refuse any induction without consequence — we’re going to get to that, but I want you to remember that you get to make the choice (and also have the consequences). Keep reading!

Coping with Pregnancy

While we have mostly ignored this entire part of pregnancy, I think it’s important to think about how you’re coping with pregnancy, as it brings a lot to our bodies & our brains. Things like:

• How much pain you’re in daily
• Other health conditions it is exacerbating
• How you’ll manage other kids when you go into labor
• The relentless nature of prodromal labor that happens every night and you’re just over it.

All of these are valid.

Yes, there are people who will tell you to just tough it out — but the reality is that the arrive trial did show that a 39 week elective induction is safe. While there are always risks with an induction, there can also be risks to staying pregnant, including risks to your mental health.

I am not here to say that those reasons aren’t valid as well. They are. But, they have to be balanced, and you have to be aware of what you’re getting into.

So, you’re in a lot of pain, but they check your cervix and it’s still closed thick and high. You realize that being induced will not be a “quick fix” so you decide to take off work early and be as kind to yourself as you can.

Or, you’re 40 weeks, you have prodromal labor every night that toys with your emotions, your cervix is 4 cm, 90% effaced and baby is 0 station — you might realize an induction would stop you having to wonder every night if tonight is the night.

The key to all of this is balancing:

• How ready your uterus and cervix is for labor
• The important reasons your provider might be giving you
• Your mental health & how you’re managing life right now.

There are other factors, but I think these three are often what it boils down to.

Want to know more about induction?– check out these posts:

• What to Expect at A Foley Bulb Induction
• What Happens if Your Induction Doesn’t Work?
• How to Prepare for an Induction
• 6 Things to Know About Your Fetal Growth Ultrasound
• How to Ask Your Doctor to Induce You

But, right now I want to talk about:

The Case for Induction

People often get frustrated that providers want to induce so quickly. And I get that, I refused an induction on my 3rd baby until my cervix was VERY ready, but honestly I’m not sure she’d ever have come out if I hadn’t been induced.

But, there is a case for induction.

Many of the things I’ve talked about can increase your risk for still birth.

For a moment I want you to remember the devastation that a provider feels when their patient has a stillbirth. They think back to what they did wrong, how they could prevent it — and I bet you can understand how they want to avoid it at almost all costs.

As you head past week 39 your risk of stillbirth increases exponentially every day. Your placenta has a “shelf life” — and this is well known and studied.

Big babies can get caught in your pelvis with devastating consequences that we try to avoid at all costs. Which is why we take an ultrasound that is large very seriously. Even though ultrasounds can be off, they are often our best indicator of how big baby can be.

Provider see patients just miserable at the end of their pregnancy and they want to help them — so they offer inductions.

There are REASONS providers — the experts in the room — offer inductions, but it’s always you to balance those reason, what your body is showing and what you need.

It’s really easy to say early on “I won’t get induced” but as you see baby isn’t’ growing in the womb, or your blood pressure is out of control — you realize that you need the tools and skills to make choices in the moment. It’s just not a choice you can make earlier.

(You can, however say you’d prefer not to be induced — that’s fine, and important to know about yourself).

Why NOT to get induced? Overall, there is more risk and you do have a higher chance of a cesarean with an induction — but all that data must be taken (by an expert) and used for YOUR pregnancy and what your risks are at this point.

In order to make choices at the time you need:

• A provider you trust to be an expert
• A foundation of knowledge to draw from as you learn what’s going on (I recommend this one)
• Confidence that you know how to balance both what you need & what’s going on.

Honestly, I hear so many people saying their provider “forced” them to be induced because they ultimately didn’t want to make the choice, so they left it to the provider.

That brings on birth trauma, and a slew of other feelings.

Studies show that when you’re engaged in your care, and are making choices yourself (with their guidance, obviously) you’re much more likely to have a positive birth experience.

You may not feel confident — but I really recommend this to help you get that way and learn more about the choices you’ll have to make during labor, birth & postpartum.

So, take back the reigns, make the choice that suits you, and remember you can always change your mind (on most things) if things change.

Are you planning on an induction? Tell us in the comments!

The post Signs You’re Ready to Be Induced appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

Before we get going, you clearly don’t want to be doing any nipple stimulation to induce labor until at least 37 weeks of pregnancy. I go into that more in my post on if you can breastfeed your husband during pregnancy (yes — I saw it was a question that got asked enough I thought it needed a thoughtful answer so I wrote a post). And, as always this is going to be a jumping-off point to talk with your provider about how it applies to YOU and YOUR circumstances.

This (or any article on The Pregnancy Nurse) should be taken as medical advice, this purely educational. Please talk with your provider about your specific needs and circumstances.

Before we get going, have you created your birth plan? I think it’s a great way to go through the choices you might need to make in the hospital in a very low-stress environment. I can help you do just that right here:

I should also mention that all of these studies were only done on low-risk pregnancies. If you have something that increases your risk (diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, any placental issues, etc.) that is something you REALLY want to talk to your provider about.

Research on Nipple Simulation Inducing Labor:

First off we’re going to look at this study. It is a Cochrane meta-analysis, meaning they looked at a bunch of studies and drew broad conclusions between the data gathered overall.

Kavanagh J, Kelly AJ, Thomas J. Breast stimulation for cervical ripening and induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Jul 20;2005(3):CD003392. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003392.pub2. PMID: 16034897; PMCID: PMC8713553.

First off, they compared Breast Stimulation vs nothing (meaning either they did the breast stimulation, or they just lived their lives per the usual).

The first thing to know is that some of these studies had these women doing breast stimulation for THREE HOURS daily (broken-up into one-our chunks). Some of them used a pump, and some used hand stimulation — but, wow — that’s a lot of time.

Most of them only talked about hand stimulation vs only one used a pump. We have to remember that methods like this could be extremely helpful in areas without medical care and they often don’t have pumps either.

Ok, what did they see?

Little difference in caesarean section rates between those who did or didn’t use nipple stimulation.

In this study there were no instances of uterine hyperstimulation among the participants — meaning your uterus contracts too much.

This one was interesting — there was no big difference in the number of women who had an unfavorable/unchanged cervix after 12 to 24 hours — meaning it didn’t really soften people’s cervix in the first 24 hours or so. Want to learn more about a favorable cervix << check out that article.

Which leads us to think it’s not going to put you into labor tonight.

Sadly, there were three perinatal deaths all of which were in the breast stimulation arm of one trial. They didn’t discuss this any more, but it should be noted that there are risks in pregnancy and that’s why you have to talk with your provider about you, and your circumstances. It also reminds us that this might be best done with some monitoring for you and baby.

Understanding the risks and benefits is SO important to anything in labor including this. I think taking a great birth class can help you mange those better — I recommend this one.

There was a small reduction in the rates of meconium staining. This usually happens if baby is stressed in the womb, or ends-up being delivered late.

I was happy to see a reduction in the rate of postpartum hemorrhage when breast stimulation was compared with no treatment. That’s great news!

And for me — my big take away is that there was a decrease in the number of women NOT in labour after 72 hours in women who had used breast stimulation when compared with no treatment. That means more people went into labor in 72 hours compared to those who did not.

They also studied nipple stimulation vs Pitocin, but there weren’t really any broad conclusions drawn between the two (meaning they’re pretty similar).

Quick reminder that these women were DUE. I saw one study that allowed it at 37 weeks, but most were 39+ weeks.

Want to know more about other things putting you into labor? Check out these posts:

• 3 Things to Know About Perineal Massage
• 40 weeks + a day and No Sign of Labor?
• Can You Push Yourself Into Labor?
• When Should I Start Drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea?
• Can Curb Walking Induce Labor?

Ok, that’s the Cochrane, but there’s a few others I checked out that had some good conclusions:

This one DID show an increase in hyperstimulation when used (which caused decreases in baby’s heart rate in one out of 10 participants) It also tested plasma levels of oxytocin and it DID show an increase for those who used nipple stimulation. This study also found oxytocin increased with nipple stimulation

Christensson K, Nilsson BA, Stock S, Matthiesen AS, Uvnäs-Moberg K. Effect of nipple stimulation on uterine activity and on plasma levels of oxytocin in full term, healthy, pregnant women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1989;68(3):205-10. doi: 10.3109/00016348909020990. PMID: 2618602.

Schröcksnadel H, Sachsenmaier M, Reider W. Erfahrungen mit der Mamillenstimulation zur Weheninduktion [Experiences with breast stimulation for labor induction]. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1990 Jul;50(7):569-71. German. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1026302. PMID: 2391024.

As someone whos talked patients through this process (read more about my experience below) — I will say that when contractions get to be too much (hyperstimulation), most people just naturally stop vs Pitocin where we can just keep it going. Just something I thought about. Just because baby’s heart rate went down once, doesn’t mean it didn’t recover and baby was fine. I promise that if we monitored all of you 24/7 we’d see heart rate decelerations among your babies. They are created to be fine with it. BUT it is something to be aware of, and a important talk to have with your provider.

I was impressed by the results in this study — it showed that those who started labor induction by performing nipple stimulation for at least 2 hours had a shorter time to delivery and later received less total IV oxytocin. That feels like a win in my book.

Nipple stimulation therapy promotes uterine contractions at lower plasma oxytocin concentration than intravenous oxytocin during labor induction McAdow, Molly E.Shabanova, VeronikaSon, Moeun et al.American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, Volume 6, Issue 3, 101307

This study concluded that it should not be done without medical supervision, and said that the “lay press” should NOT recommend it. I sort of did a eye-roll at that — this is something people can do on their own… Sort makes you feel like doctors want control rather than good outcomes, but I digress….

Schröcksnadel H, Sachsenmaier M, Reider W. Erfahrungen mit der Mamillenstimulation zur Weheninduktion [Experiences with breast stimulation for labor induction]. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1990 Jul;50(7):569-71. German. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1026302. PMID: 2391024.

I found this one pretty interesting — while it did show some progress, most of the women actually needed oxytocin to really go into labor (but it showed they were in labor 4 hours, on average — from 20 hours down to 16 hours). That study was pretty interesting – it showed that on average women needed 69 minutes of nipple stimulation to get into a contraction pattern of 3 contractions in 10 minutes averaged over 30 minutes. Most women in the study did 198 minutes of nipple stimulation (that’s over 3 hours) But patients found it acceptable in their births. I’m sure they could stop at any time and obviously many of them did, and they went to Pitocin

The thing is that a lot of people getting induced get super frustrated by the induction process. If we can add some nipple stimulation time either at home (with guidelines for hyperstimulation or any issues) or at the hospital — maybe patients would be happier with their induction process, and feel a greater sense of control?

Elisabeth L. Stark, Zoe G. Athens, Moeun Son,
Intrapartum nipple stimulation therapy for labor induction: a randomized controlled external pilot study of acceptability and feasibility,
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, Volume 4, Issue 2, 2022, 100575, ISSN 2589-9333,

Want to know more about inductions — check out these posts:

• 5 Things NOT to do Before Your Induction
• Inducing Labor at 39 Weeks: Pros and Cons
• 5 Reasons to NOT Get Induced
• What to Expect at A Foley Bulb Induction
• 6 Things to Know About Your Fetal Growth Ultrasound

And while we’re here — have you packed your bag yet?

Will this affect breastfeeding?

I didn’t see any studies that showed any affect on breastfeeding after using this.

Keep in mind while you pump you may get a little colostrum, which you could save in syringes, but for most people they won’t be necessary and may just be one more thing to do.

What I’ve Seen:

We know nipple stimulation causes contractions. Since I started working L&D we’ve done contraction stress tests to see how baby reacts to contractions in the womb. In order to do this we either have to start an IV and give small amounts of Pitocin, or we ask patients to do nipple stimulation.

Most patients would prefer nipple stimulation over getting an IV and having Pitocin run in. We then watch how the baby does and then if baby is good we tell them they can stop and they go home.

Most often it only took a few minutes and patients had contractions and then they were done. Most often they didn’t come in labor a few hours later — because it would cause contractions, and then stop — similar to giving Pitocin for 30 minutes and then stopping. Labor would then stop… unlikely to keep going to birth.

Nipple stimulation at home during early labor has seemed to push things along. I’ve seen this in patients who have breastfed another child during early labor and then seemed to progress quicker than others. Most patients don’t come in and tell me they tried stimulation or pumping, so I don’t have a ton of knowledge, but I have seen this.

I mostly have seen patients who are frustrated by the length of the induction at the hospital, so if there is something we could do to try things at home prior to coming to the hospital, it might be helpful.

I have also seen a lot of postpartum hemorrhages in people who have had a long induction. If we could mitigate that by using some nipple stimulation instead of just Pitocin, maybe that would give us some big benefits?

Personally, I gleaned the most from that last study — that people were willing to give it a try, did so in the hospital without issue and then went on to have shorter labors. So, I hope we study it more.

As always, we’re going to ask for more studies on this, to look at safety and actual effectiveness — but I would hope that some birth locations are coming up with some protocols where they tell patients risks, benefits and then things they need to watch for if they try this at home — and then we check results.

Should you try pumping to induce labor?

I should say that some hand stimulation (especially if done with a partner in the right way ) may stimulate things differently than you sitting attached to a pump watching TV.

Personally — I’m not sure that I really see this as a way to “go into labor”. There was that study that showed after 3 days of doing it 3 hours/day — people were more likely to be in labor than those who did nothing. But, that’s NINE HOURS of nipple stim, just to find out if it will work. It’s hard to say if that would be worth it to me.

However, if I was in early labor at home, where I was getting more than 10 contractions in an hour (because I recommend to ignore it prior to that point if you’re past 37 weeks — which I talk about in here) I would probably throw a pump on. Most of you have a breast pump, so there’s no additional cost. Personally, I doubt I’d just sit there and stimulate them by hand for an hour — but that’s me. It’s an option.

You definitely want to watch out for contractions that are lasting too long, or are super painful. If you feel those you need to stop and call your provider. Maybe that means it’s time to go to the hospital.

There isn’t really a reason you couldn’t continue trying to pump or use nipple stim in the hospital. It might be against “policy”, but you can always say you know/understand that but you plan to keep doing it — and ask them to let you know if they see your contractions are too much, too long or are affecting baby. Clearly, just doing hand nipple stimulation would be pretty easy to conceal vs a pump in the hospital. HOWEVER there’s no reason to conceal this. You tell the hospital what you’re doing, and they can tell you if they see problems arise because of it. That’s OK.

FYI, you nurse can’t give you a breast pump if it’s not ordered (that is how hospitals work), but bringing your own in gives you more control over the situation.

Honestly, knowing how to handle incorporating your own ideas into labor and birth into the hospital is one of the hardest things.

I know that once you get in that bed you suddenly sort of feel like a little kid who doesn’t get to make choices on their own.

Taking a good birth class can help you navigate making these choices and communicating with your healthcare team. I recommend this one.

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post Pumping To Induce Labor? Will it work? appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

Before we get going — grab my induction checklist to be sure you know what to expect heading into your induction:

I also have a video on this topic:

What to NOT Do Before Your Induction:

Pack a Ton of Luggage

Yes, DO PACK YOUR BAG. That’s one of the great things about an induction, that you can pack for it. BUT, over-packing will end up with you having a TON to put away when you get home. So, ask the hospital if they have a list of what they recommend you bring (some hospitals have different things they do or don’t supply) and then add a few things you think will help, and then stop.

Here’s my hospital packing list just for your info:

Want to know more info on hospital bags — check out these posts:

• What to Pack in a C-Section Hospital Bag: 4 things you’ll want from an L&D RN.
• What to Pack in Hospital Bag for Baby
• Hospital Bag for Dad
• What to pack in your bag for after baby
• When to Pack Your Hospital Bag: Get prepared with The Pregnancy Nurse

I DO think it’s smart to bring a few extra things that may occupy your time with an induction because it will be longer. Things like cards, a tablet to watch movies on, crosswords — whatever you like to fill boring time with. Want to know how much time to fill? Check out my post on how long your induction will be.

Watch All the Tiktoks

Yup, I’m on Tiktok and yes I have a LOT of information on there.

But don’t go to your For You Page and just ingest all the information from there. I can’t even begin to tell you how much of that information is wrong, or just was the case for that person. I am a fan of getting those snippets of information from someone you can trust.

BUT, just take a prenatal class, so you make sure to hit all the good parts, and then move on with your quiet confidence that you’re ready. That looks good on everyone!

People love that this class has key point videos you can quickly watch the night before for a refresher.

If you really want info and don’t want to take a class, I’d recommend Youtube as a better place to start. I have an induction series here:

Eat a Ginormous Meal

Eat. Yes, please eat (unless your provider said not to, but in that case I’d find out why and make sure you agree with their reasoning) but just a regular-sized meal.

Being SUPER full when you come in to start contracting isn’t great. Often your stomach wants to get in on some contracting, which means you’ll see that meal again.

Just a regular meal, full of things you love. That’s what I recommend. And just eat to “full” not “bursting”

I love that you’re here, but labor (especially inductions) is a team sport. Get them prepared with you!

Try to Go Into Labor

If you and your provider have decided that an induction is best, don’t try the “natural” methods (like castor oil) the night before your induction. Many of those methods aren’t safe (or fun — looking at you castor oil).

Sure, you could try to ripen your cervix with some sexy time with your partner, but there’s no reason to stress yourself trying to induce yourself when the hospital is just going to do it for you tomorrow.

Got more questions as to what will put you into labor (or what won’t?) — check out these posts:

• Does Sleeping Stop Contractions?
• 3 Things to Know About Perineal Massage
• Can You Push Yourself Into Labor?
• When Should I Start Drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea?
• Can Curb Walking Induce Labor?

Stay Up and Worry All Night

SO common to have a hard time getting to sleep before an induction, but laying in bed with worry or concern isn’t a great plan.

You may even want to ask your provider if there is something you can take to sleep the night before (or, to take to sleep if you’re going into the hospital for a night induction where they hope you can get some rest). Sometimes they recommend just a Benadryl or might offer something stronger.

If you’re thinking HILARY — how on EARTH can I sleep the night before something I’m so scared of… I’m here to say that you do NOT have to be afraid of birth.

The Online Prenatal Class for Couples is really the easy way to get prepared for birth.

• We’re talking MINUTES not MONTHS of preparation (because I know you’re busy)
• Get that partner in on the game as a teammate, not just a cheerleader (yay!)
• Do it entirely on YOUR timeline instead of mine — I’m available 24/7 in there!

>> GET STARTED HERE <<

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post 5 Things NOT to do Before Your Induction appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

It is REALLY important that you take your information on Pitocin from an expert. There is a lot of VERY POOR information out there about this drug. Be very mindful of who you’re listening to. Pitocin saves lives, so when you hear it demonized — think again.

Grab my hospital packing list while you’re here;

What is Pitocin?

In nursing school we quickly learn that our entire body is made who we are by hormones. A hormone is just a little chemical our body puts out to make our body do certain things. I think we all think that hormones are sexual, but that’s not true.

We have hormones that control our hunger, our blood pressure (hello baro- and chemoreceptors — I haven’t forgotten you since my nursing school days), and pretty much every other facet of our body functioning.

In this instance, Pitocin (the synthetic version of Oxytocin — the hormone that starts labor) helps put women into labor. It’s certainly not the ONLY thing that does that, but it’s a hormone your body produces to make your uterus contract.

Well, we figured that out and when babies were really needing to come out (I have a whole post on 37 week inductions) we could use Pitocin to make that uterus contract and have a baby.

Most of all, I want you to remember it’s a drug that chemically (that’s all the C’s, H’s and O’s with links between them you remember back in high school chemistry) looks exactly like the hormone your body makes naturally. Yes, we have recreated that, and put it in viles or IV bags. That vile does have a compound that allows it to stay in that vile and not turn bad — but, essentially that vile is the same thing that your body is making.

And, millions of women and babies have had their lives saved by that little vile or IV bag. Synthetic Oxytocin (Pitocin) is a very good thing. I have been VERY grateful for it on a number of occasions.

BTW if you really like learning the actual things about an induction, I explain it all in here. A whole chapter on it (and don’t worry even if you’re close to an induction you STILL have time to get this class in — it just takes a few hours).

Pitocin in Labor and Delivery

Now, let’s set aside the fact that your body has been making this hormone for YEARS, and we’re just going to talk about it in labor and delivery.

Pitocin is used for two things in labor and delivery:

Pitocin Before Delivery

In general, Pitocin before delivery is used for an induction. That means we start uterine contractions to get the baby out. We’re going to talk much more about this part.

Pitocin After Delivery

After delivery, we use pitocin to make your uterus cramp back down, so you don’t bleed as much. You see, after the placenta peels off your uterus, it is left with a placental scab where you can bleed like crazy until your uterus applies direct pressure to itself (think back to your first aid days) and shuts it off.

Honestly, this makes it a miracle drug. Imagine how scary it would be to have just had the joyous delivery of a baby and having a mom who was losing all her blood (because the uterus gets so much blood flow during pregnancy it allows you to lose a lot of blood in that same area after delivery) and you had no tools to stop it.

I, for one, am extremely grateful for Pitocin and I hate the bad rap it’s gotten on the interwebs by well-meaning doulas and lay midwives who aren’t really explaining the whole spectrum of Pitocin. But, that’s why you’re here today.

Pro Tip: Pitocin is routinely given after delivery to help your uterus cramp back down and help you have decreased blood loss. Meaning 99.9% of women likely had it after delivery unless they directly refused it and probably didn’t even notice it was helping them have a healthy outcome.

And yes, I know that a LOT of people on social media have given Pitocin a bad name — which is why you need to take a birth class with someone who has a lot of experience.

Why Does Pitocin Have a Bad Reputation?

Like all things, Pitocin can be used for both good and evil. And that really depends on you, your circumstances, and what you’re using it for.

Like all drugs, Pitocin needs to be used properly to get its fullest potential and not cause harm. So, how do we do that?

Oh, and if you’re thinking of getting induced — grab this questionnaire to go over with your provider:

Pitocin Used for Inductions

Induction of labor can start in several ways. The medication your provider chooses depends on:

• Reasons for induction — if you need to get baby out quickly (but not so quick you have to have a C-section) Pitocin is often the drug of choice, it can make things happen quicker.
• What your cervix is (I have a whole post with a video about cervical exams and what they mean) — because Pitocin just starts banging out contractions, sometimes we like your cervix softened and a bit open before we start Pitocin.
• Cost — Pitocin is cheap — because it’s been around so long.
• Any other risk factors you have — this is why you attend prenatal check-ups so your provider has a vision of your whole spectrum and what you need.

I have a whole post on the pro’s and con’s of an induction that lays it out a bit more clearly.

Pro’s and Con’s of Pitocin

Like anything, you have to weight the pro’s and con’s of using a medication.

Benefits of Pitocin

Easily Controlled

Because Pitocin is given through an IV — we can control it with our pumps to be very sure of what you’re getting. And, because that medication goes directly in your vein (bypassing your stomach like a pill might) we know exactly how much is getting into your system.

This allows us to easily increase and decrease the medication with just a push of a button. Pitocin doesn’t last super long in your system, so within minutes Pitocin can be “washed out” of your system and you go back to “normal” (in chemical terms we say it has a short half-life).

Also, hospitals have policies about how they start it and increase it. They start with a very small dose.

Makes the Uterus Contract

Clearly, the biggest one is that it makes the uterus contract. It’s a big win when you need a baby out or a uterus to stop bleeding.

It most often creates a vaginal delivery.

Easily Accessible

Hospitals have it, even in the middle of nowhere. ER’s have it, we all have it. It’s easily stocked, and doesn’t have to be refrigerated (when in the vile), so that’s a big win!

Risks of Pitocin

Uterus Contracts too Hard

That’s the big one. Pitocin can make your uterus contract too hard. We’re going to talk more about why this can be a big issue for babies.

Because we are using medications it can be a problem vs actual spontaneous labor.

Your Body Gets Too Much and it Stops Working

Like all good things, there’s always a chance it won’t work. Also, when we fill up all the uterus’s receptors with Pitocin, they can’t take any more (think of it as puzzle pieces with all the “spots” filled) your uterus might not contract as well AFTER the baby (hence, bleeding).

BUT, we do have other medications that can help with bleeding after baby (hopefully). It’s definitely a risk of Pitocin, and one that good providers always have in the back of their minds.

What Happens When Your Uterus Contracts Too Hard?

There are a few things that happen if your uterus contracts to to hard:

Baby / Your Uterus Gets Less Blood Flow

Imagine clenching your fist. It turns white, right? Because less blood flow gets in there with all the muscles being so tight.

Same thing can happen to the baby. We know that baby gets less blood flow during a contraction in general (but the baby and the placenta are are both made to allow for that — otherwise we’d all die when we’re born). This shows as fetal distress on the monitor, and can lead to a cesarean section.

That’s definitely one of the most major side effects of pitocin.

Your Uterus Can Tear

Like any body builder, if you lift weights your body isn’t ready for (remember, your uterus is both a home for baby and a VERY strong muscle) it can tear (called uterine rupture). Your uterus can do that to, and it’s extra likely if you’ve previously had uterine surgery (think caesarean section or a removal of fibroids).

That’s clearly a really big problem which can lead to problems with baby, problems with your uterus, and bleeding.

So, Why Would We Risk Using Pitocin?

Pitocin has been used for years very safely

Because we’ve used it for years, we have lots of policies and procedures that are used to make sure it’s done safely. We’ll talk more about those later.

Sometimes babies NEED to come out

Sometimes babies HAVE to come out. I talk about most of those reasons in my 37 week induction post — but medical reasons can include:

• Baby not growing (too small)
• Baby growing too much (too large)
• Diabetes
• Pregnant women has preeclampsia
• The pregnant person is sick with flu/covid
• Problems with the placenta or cord
• And more, this is something your provider would decide on

And yes — I think even if your induction is medically indicated, you should still go over these questions with your provider:

Sometimes people want their babies out

Sometimes moms want to plan their delivery. Or, doctors want to plan the delivery. This is considered an elective induction (meaning you’re choosing it rather than it being medically indicated).

Lots of moms make this choice, and they have many valid reasons. Lots of pregnant people choose to wait for natural labor to start your labor contractions.

However, most often they don’t allow these til’ about 39 weeks, or really close to your due date.

BTW, I have a whole bonus chapter on communicating well with your provider, so you can get the answers you need in here.

How Can a Pitocin Induction Be Done Safely?

Like I said above, we have LOTS of policies and procedures that we use when we use a drug like pitocin. Use of pitocin may vary hospital to hospital but they include:

• What we start Pitocin at and how quickly we can increase it (remember, it’s all done from an IV pump).
• We have continuous monitoring of your uterus and your baby (to make sure contractions aren’t too frequent), and your nurse along with other nurses are constantly monitoring all the strips in the nurses station.
• Nurses will check your uterus by touching it to make sure it’s relaxing well between contractions.
• We take your blood pressure to make sure you aren’t reacting to the larger amounts of the medication.
• Studies are showing that once Pitocin get your body into active labor you can turn it off and the body will just keep going on its own. I don’t always see this to be true, but I think it’s worth a try to decrease chances of bleeding afterwards.

After 20 years at the beside, I can assure you that Pitocin can be done safely. It just needs competent staff and providers. That being said I think we blithely run Pitocin and aren’t always clear on the risks it could be causing to possibly speed labor up a bit — so that is an important discussion to have with your providers.

Alternatives to Pitocin

Pitocin tends to be the gold standard for induction, but often if your cervix isn’t open much we may try things like:

• Medication placed in your vagina or given orally (like Cytotec – also called Misoprostil, Prepidil or Cervidil) — to start your cervix softening and opening (called cervical ripening).
• Mechanical means — like a foley bulp, stripping membranes or breaking your amniotic sac.

I talk all about these methods in my induction posts.

These methods aren’t as “controllable” — meaning, if you break someone’s bag of water, you can’t “take it back” unlike Pitocin where you can just turn it off. So, that is something to consider.

Pitocin FAQ’s

Ultimately, the decision to have a Pitocin induction lies in your and your providers hands. You need to be informed on:

• The risks
• The benefits
• The alternatives

That’s called an informed consent.

And, unlike this article — those should all be tailored to YOUR specific condition and the baby’s condition. That’s why you have your own provider that you hopefully trust to help you make the right choice.

Remember, providers offer things — but it’s up to YOU to make the choice.

It is NEVER your provider’s choice to induce you — it’s YOUR choice. Remember that.

If you’re looking for more information on inductions I have a whole chapter in my Online Prenatal Class for Couples that talks about the reasons for inductions, and what to expect if that’s what you choose to do. It also gives you tips to talk with your providers to make the right choice for you and your family. There are three price points to fit any budget, and if you’re busy — it can be done in just 3 hours! Use code PN10 to get 10% off.

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post Pitocin to Induce Labor appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

Note: While ACOG does recommend that patients should be asked if they’d like an induction at 39 weeks, this may vary depending on your delivery facility and if they can accommodate inductions like that. SO, not everyone has this option and it is an important talk to have with your provider.

At the same point, if your provider OFFERS a 39 week induction, that doesn’t mean you have to take it. It’s just an offer, so don’t feel pressured.

It’s definitely worth a conversation though, and I have a checklist you can go through with them so you’re very sure of what you’re facing if you do choose an induction.

Before we get going, I HAVE to ask if you’ve gotten your birth class in yet? For me, I think they should be mandatory. The good news is that it is NOT too late, I recommend this one and there is STILL time to get prepared for your hospital birth!

History of Inductions

I think it’s important to know the history of inductions. Early in my career (think, mid 2000’s), providers could pretty-much induce whenever they wanted even if there wasn’t a reason. I had one doctor who routinely induced people at 37 weeks because “she didn’t want them to deliver on the side of the road.”

BUT in around 2011 hospitals were required to track why inductions prior to 39 weeks were happening, and there were strict guidelines of diagnoses in which we could allow patients to be induced. Things like diabetes, high blood pressure, low fluid. I actually have a whole post on 37 week inductions that goes over more on that.

This still allowed some grey area after 39 weeks for a while.

Until the Arrive Trial came on the scene in 2018.

The cliffnotes version of that trial is that they showed that waiting wasn’t any safer and didn’t have any more risk of a cesarean section than being induced. It did show some very small improvements in outcomes for babies who were induced rather than waiting. I actually have a whole deep dive on the Arrive Trial in a bonus video in here if you want to know more about it.

Since the Arrive Trial, other trials have tried to replicate it with mixed results. Some showed an increased cesarean rate, some showed other results.

This is the point in time where I mention if you want to find a trial to support your point of view, I think you can find it, so much of it depends on how they interpret the data. There doesn’t seem to be a clear answer on this one.

Many providers are 100% on board with the arrive trial and strongly encourage patients to be induced, and some aren’t. Some still recommend no elective inductions until closer to 41+ weeks.

Definition: Elective induction is one without a medical reason — so, you’d just like to be induced.

Personally, I think the data in that study is strong enough that people should be offered to be induced at 39 weeks of pregnancy. Some are tired, some really prefer to schedule things, and some will refuse. All of those are valid things. There really is not ONE right way to birth.

Of course, some birthing facilities are too crowded to accommodate all these elective inductions, as I talked about above — so, some people can’t be given this option.

BUT, just because you’re offered an induction, doesn’t mean you should take it. So, let’s talk about WHY.

Want to know more about inductions — check out these posts:

• Navigating Induction: Empowering Choice and Educating Yourself with Dr Elizabeth
• Induction: Reasons Pregnant Women are Induced
• 5 Reasons to NOT Get Induced
• What Happens if Your Induction Doesn’t Work?
• How to Ask Your Doctor to Induce You

Pro’s of a 39 Week Induction

Your baby will be be born — and you’re done being pregnant

This is clearly the big one. You’re tired of being pregnant, for a variety of reasons — and this ends your pregnancy. I see lots of people VERY happy with a chosen induction for this very reason. They were miserable, and now they’re not.

Possibly Healthier Babies

The arrive trial did show that waiting doesn’t improve outcomes for babies. We do know that as you get past your due date, your risk of stillbirth increases. It increases dramatically after 41 weeks if you look at the data.

The thought behind this is that your placenta has a “shelf life” and after 40 weeks it is done doing it’s job and just doesn’t give baby the blood supply it needs.

However, with things like kick counts, and checking baby on ultrasound, we can see how baby is doing in the womb. There are ways to check on baby. Kick counts being my favorite. If you don’t know what they are — grab my cheat sheet here:

That being said there is also another thought that pushing babies out of the womb “before they are ready” can lead to life-long issues. Some have suggested autism or allergies. However, no study has really pinpointed these issues.

My personal opinion on that is it’s hard to know when a “baby is ready” or when your body just won’t go into labor. I know a lot of people will say nature is best, but I have definitely seen times that nature was absolutely NOT best. I also strongly believe that some people will not go into labor on their own. They just won’t. I have no idea why — I just think this is a truth.

You Can Schedule It

I was induced on my last baby (12 days overdue) and I was surprised by how great it was to wake-up, get the kids to a friend’s house and have it all planned (rather than rushing around trying to figure out who’d watch them, etc).

A lot of people don’t like the anxiety of “when” baby will come or how they will be prepared.

So, ultimately an induction helps you to have an “end” date.

That being said — your baby really can come at any time, so it may still wreck your schedule, as babies do.

I honestly think that anyone considering an induction needs a birth class even more than others. I recommend this one to everyone having a baby — but it has lots of good induction information in it!

Con’s of a 39 Week Induction

There are some con’s that I think a lot of people don’t consider, and are really important as you make your choice… and yes, this checklist gives you the questions to ask your provider to make sure you’re getting it right for you:

They Tend to Last Longer

The arrive trial did show that those who were induced were in labor longer than those who waited.

Of course, this is a broad study over a wide population, and there was no segmenting of the data to show us how long it took for some people vs others based on their vaginal exams prior to the induction.

So, yes — if your cervix is closed, thick and high you’re in for a long induction and you should be aware of that before you go in.

However, if you’re 4 cm and your cervix is nice and soft (perhaps you’ve even already had another baby) than you’re more likely going to have a shorter induction.

We tend to call that the bishop’s score, and I talk about a favorable cervix << in that post.

The other annoying part is that these are all just guesses. We actually have no idea how long your induction will be. Sometimes those closed thick and high cervixes respond really well to induction agents and move along quickly. And sometimes those 4 cm cervixes go mind-numbingly slow.

And we, have no idea how yours will react, we can only talk in generalities that we have seen from others in your situation.

Want to know more about how long induction takes — check out these posts:

• Being Induced at 37 Weeks: What should you expect?
• How Long Does an Induction of Labor Take?
• How to Dilate Faster
• What To Do If Your Labor Goes Long?

Poorer Baby Outcomes?

Some people still believe babies have poorer outcomes when we induce.

I’m not sure the studies really show that. Even in studies that show increased cesarean rates, I haven’t really seen worse outcomes in babies, especially at 39 weeks.

That being said — we are definitely just looking at short-term outcomes like APGAR scores, admissions to the NICU etc. I haven’t seen long-term studies of these babies that has any definitive data.

And, I’ve seen plenty of term “came when they were ready” babies not do awesome out in our air-breathing world as well. It’s tricky.

You’re In The Hospital

This is clearly a given, but being a home for all of labor just isn’t fun. Much of early labor involves cramping and sort of feeling “bleh” but still living your life at home. I always recommend you get engaged cooking, cleaning or watching a show you love on your yoga ball.

Mostly just to distract yourself, and maybe even be a bit productive.

You can’t do that in the hospital. You’re likely needing to be monitored, which can limit movement.

It doesn’t mean you CAN’T move, you just sometimes have to be creative about it. I talk about how to be creative about your movements in here.

Increased Risk of Cesarean

Although the arrive trial didn’t show an increase in caesarean sections, some of the further studies have shown some small increases. Again, because it all depends on how you decide to interpret the data.

I am a believer that the more we “do” to you (medically-wise) the more we may have to fix down the road. Baby may not like induction contractions, that may necessitate a cesarean section. I’ve definitely seen it — but I’ve also seen people in “natural” labor having the same thing.

Personally, I do think you need to think you may have a small increased risk of a cesarean section. So, the big question — is that worth it to you?

And, for every person the answer to that question will be different.

Adverse Drug Reactions

I almost didn’t include this, because I think it’s pretty rare, but we are giving you medications or trying things with your cervix (like a foley bulb). Like any intervention, these can have an adverse reaction. Your body can react to the medication, or it can go crazy with contractions.

As with any intervention it’s so important to know about — and your provider should discuss all these risks when they talk about a possible induction.

They Are Higher Risk / More Medical

Along with possible adverse outcomes from the drugs being induced just put you at higher risk.

We need to monitor you throughout the induction (we can’t not do intermittent auscultation). We need to do vital signs, we may need to check your cervix more.

It’s just more medical interventions.

By wanting an induction you’re asking for more medical interventions, and you will get them.

Most people, honestly, don’t mind them — but when you ask for the induction you’re asking for some extra things — and if you were to refuse them, we’d have to stop the induction.

Note: For some people, it being more medical is a PLUS, and for some people they absolutely hate it. SO considering your feelings about being in the hospital is important before you make a choice! Either way, you’re going to want to be prepared!

So, So Tired from Induction Process

This is the main thing I’ve seen.

Couples who just were not prepared (at all) for how long this induction was going to be.

How mentally draining it would be to hang out in the hospital and wait for something you so desperately want ASAP.

How much pain it will include — and this includes pain and sleeplessness before you’re really even ready for an epidural. It can just feel very crampy, very tiresome — you just can’t get comfortable (not to mention the hospital just SUCKS as a place to sleep).

I just did a post on if an induction is more painful than “regular” labor:

I see far too many moms wanting to throw the towel in early in the induction game and just wanting a cesarean. I worry they weren’t educated enough on what it would be like in advance. It’s honestly why I created the induction questionnaire. It’s really important to be fully informed on what your induction could look like. Here it is in case you missed it:

While that questionnaire is a great starting point I really believe every couple needs a prenatal class. AND if you’re considering an induction you REALLY NEED need one. More interventions just can lead to more anxiety, but not if you’re prepared — I recommend this one.

I will say the tired-ness of the induction, birth, and your postpartum stay in the hospital builds-up. You’re overwhelmingly tired by the time you get home, and yet you still have a baby that will wake you up at all hours. It is a LOT — and I would make sure you have a great support system waiting for you when you get home.

I do think that this may lead to….

Postpartum Complications

This may mean increased anxiety after birth, or possibly postpartum hemorrhages.

The use of Pitocin has been shown to increased postpartum hemorrhages (which is amusing since we also use it to stop them). Mostly because you’re drug is so full of it, it doesn’t care about the rush your body will send naturally after birth.

Again, these are rare — but important to talk with your provider about in advance.

Knowing the complications to watch for is also super important. I talk about that in my free class called Postpartum Care Made Easy. It’s so smart to learn about them ahead of time.

I mostly see a lot of people who think an induction is an easy way out of pregnancy. And frankly, for some it is. My own induction was pretty fast. I was already 5 cm when I came in, I was overdue and if I had let them break my water earlier I bet I could’ve had her within 5 hours of walking into the hospital.

This is because my cervix was VERY ready, and my uterus just needed a little help getting contractions strong enough to move that baby into the birth canal.

Every person’s situation is different. You need to decide:

• What’s important to you (is it being home, is it being done pregnant, is it not using medical pain management options)
• What’s your body showing you — are you already dilated, or is baby very low in the birth canal?
• What’s best for you & baby — of course, some inductions are very necessary and that choice is very different than an elective induction.

Reminder: There is no ONE RIGHT WAY TO BIRTH. Don’t fool yourself into thinking there is a right answer. There’s looking at data, looking at what’s important to you, and looking at your personal health situation right now, and then make the choice that feels the best to you.

One of my best pro tip’s is to be sure to take a birth class that doesn’t act like there is one right way to have a baby. Some instructors really put their own bias into the class, and I don’t think you need that. Again, I recommend The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — but whatever class you take — make sure it supports you in whatever type of birth you end-up having.

The post Inducing Labor at 39 Weeks: Pros and Cons appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

As a reminder I’ve seen THOUSANDS of inductions, and I’ve been induced on one of my babies (after being 12 days overdue). I see a LOT of pro’s and con’s to both sides — so I’m a great one to take this information from!

If you’re considering an induction your #1 thing to do is to get in a birth class. I 100% recommend this one — it only takes a few hours and has an entire chapter on what to expect in an induction.

5 Reasons to NOT Get Induced

First off, before we get started I want to state the obvious. If your provider thinks there is a real MEDICAL reason for you to be induced you really need to take their opinion into deep consideration.

Remember, you should always get informed consent which means your provider helps you to understand:

• The Risks — what could go wrong?
• The Benefits — why they think you SHOULD do this
• The Alternatives — what else should we do?

Even before making the choice for an elective induction (that is an induction that doesn’t have a medical indication) you should go over that informed consent to make sure you’re taking into consideration ALL the facts.

Remember, induction is ALWAYS your choice (not your provider’s) and be sure to grab my induction question checklist so you’re not left unprepared:

Inductions Start at the Hospital

While some people call a membrane sweep (also called stripping your membranes) an induction — that isn’t what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about an induction that will happen in the hospital. I talk about the most common methods of inductions in my post on 37 week inductions (and I go into detail in each one in here).

That means that most often you will be in the hospital from your first contraction to you last.

The hospital doesn’t have your things, your food, your TV, your comfy items. It just isn’t as comfortable.

It just means you’ll be in that environment the whole time.

Totally doable, but I think it’s something to think about.

While we’re here, grab my hospital bag packing list, you don’t want to miss essential items with a induction:

Inductions Give Up Your Control

I think a LOT of people plan an induction because they want to control the birth. Mostly the timing.

I totally get that it is easier to plan somewhere for your other kids to be… but in reality you lose a lot of control.

Because you’re asking for an induction, that means you’ll need an IV. Also, like I said above you won’t have all those comfortable items you normally have at your disposal.

Your provider may recommend you not eat (and even if you can’t, it’s certainly not the variety of things you could eat at home).

Because inductions are higher risk (stay tuned as to why) you will likely need to be monitored more than if you were in spontaneous labor.

It just has a lot of requirements I think a lot of families don’t think about.

Want more info on inductions, don’t miss these posts:

• What To Expect At A Foley Bulb Induction
• What Happens If Your Induction Doesn’t Work?
• How To Prepare For An Induction
• 6 Things To Know About Your Fetal Growth Ultrasound
• Can You Push Yourself Into Labor?

Inductions are Higher Risk

Inductions are always considered a higher risk than spontaneous labor. We are providing medications that are telling you uterus to do something it wasn’t planning on doing.

Again, normally, that works out just fine — but sometimes your uterus or the baby says no thanks and we have to do some stuff to make them happy again.

Before you schedule your induction, be SURE to ask your provider about the risks you should be considering.

Remember these risks are mitigated if your cervix seems a bit more ready (also called “favorable“). I talk a bit about that in my post on how long your induction will take.

Quick reminder, I used to think affirmations were total garbage, but I’ve changed my mind — and I believe that being positive about your induction can help a LOT! Grab my affirmations here:

Inductions Involve Us Doing More Things

The staff will be doing more with you.

More blood pressures.

More checking your belly to see how strong contractions are.

More visits to your room. Possibly more lab work and you’ll definitely need an IV (or a saline lock).

Possibly more vaginal exams to see how your cervix is opening (we need to make sure the medications we’re giving are working).

It just requires more of us. Which, in turn, can be annoying to you (although some people find all of that comforting).

A lot of people get nervous every time we’re in the room even when it’s something dumb like a blood pressure check or adjusting the monitors. Understanding WHY we’re doing these things helps SO much and you’re anxiety level will plummet. I explain all of that in here << you need that!

Inductions aren’t “Nature’s Way”

As a nurse, I tend to feel like the more we can let nature take it’s course, the better.

That’s always my belief as a nurse, and also one who doesn’t enjoy being at the hospital (surprise!).

If your cut can heal well without us adding sutures, let’s just let it heal on it’s own.

If your bowels can move without medication, let’s let them do their thing.

If the baby can come out safely without a cesarean section, let’s let it.

THIS ISN’T TO SAY THAT SOMETIMES THOSE THINGS AREN’T SOOO NECESSARY.

New studies are showing that an induction can be just as safe at 39 weeks as waiting, so talk it over with your provider if you think that’s a better option.

Honestly, just understanding the induction process, what to expect, and how you’ll feel is a HUGE step up in your care. So many people start waiving the white flag early in an induction (begging for a C-section) because they simply didn’t know what it was going to be like (long, and painful)…. that’s why I 100% recommend The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. Even if you’re planning on an induction soon, it’s the class for you!

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

There are my 5 reasons to NOT be induced. Now it’s your turn. Tell me in the comments why you DO need/want to be induced. I’m not saying that an induction isn’t the right choice for a LOT of people — I just like to have people educated before they come into the hospital.

This post was originally written October 28, 2021 but has been updated.

The post 5 Reasons to NOT Get Induced appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

Before we get going, understanding your induction is PARAMOUNT for being induced. Grab my induction questions right here (they’ll help make sure you know what to expect before it. The length & pain of inductions catch FAR TOO MANY patients off-guard).

How Does a Foley Bulb Induction Work?

It varies a bit by facility, but the basics (and a few options) are:

They will place a foley catheter balloon in your cervix. Often it looks like this (I photoshopped this baby together). You see the “groove” in the middle of the two ovals, that’s what will go in your cervix.

That place it when it is not “full” (so just a tube) and then we place sterile saline in it that blows-up those balloons.

The idea is that this sort of “cranks” your cervix open manually.

Some places place just a regular foley balloon in the middle. Most depends on what is available.

This balloon is then left to hang out in there and stretch that cervix. At this point there’s a couple of options.

Some providers place “traction” on it (more necessary when it’s a regular Foley balloon vs the cook’s) — either stretched a bit and taped to your leg, or some have an IV bag placed on the end. I’ve heard studies on this are mixed as to if it helps vs just the pressure of the balloon.

I actually just read a study on how patients can self-perform the traction on the foley according to their pain tolerance and wishes — I thought that was really cool (and it says that traction does increase dilation and decreases the amount you need it in). Patient felt more control and happier with their induction. Read the study here.

Some providers may start induction medication at the same time:

• Low dose pitocin
• Cytotec/Misoprostil

Most often it depends on what’s going on for you.

Some providers even place the foley bulb in the office prior to a medication induction and let you go home with it in until the next day or whatever (usually only done if you aren’t getting medication in addition).

Want more information on inductions, check out these posts:

• Your Myth-Busting Guide to Induction
• Navigating Induction: Empowering Choice and Educating Yourself with Dr Elizabeth
• What Happens If Your Induction Doesn’t Work?
• How To Prepare For An Induction
• How Long Does An Induction Of Labor Take?

How long will it take?

It should make the induction shorter than it would have been without it (see the studies below) — but it depends more on the ripeness of your cervix and how well your body responds to all of it, more than anything else.

However, your provider should have an idea (frankly, just a good guess) — which is part of my induction question checklist:

How exactly do they do it?

They use an instrument to push the tip into your cervix. Some providers use a speculum to visualize the cervix to do this (some just do it by feeling).

Then, once the balloon is in the proper place, they fill it with a certain amount of water.

Are there risks to it?

As with anything in the hospital, there are always risks. It’s similar to a membrane sweep, so there’s a chance of infection and also the possibility of breaking your water while they are inserting it.

However, risks vary — so be sure to ask your provider what the risks are for YOU.

Want to learn more about things you should learn risks and benefits for — check-out these articles:

• Considering A VBAC: What To Do
• Should You Let Your Provider Break Your Water?
• Epidurals During Pregnancy & Labor
• Can You Refuse A Urinary Catheter During Labor
• Tips To Saying No To Your Provider

And now, the biggest question I get:

How much does a Foley bulb induction hurt?

GREAT question, and I’m here to say this REALLY varies. Some people don’t have an issue with it at all, and some find it VERY painful.

I tend to see a lot of that depends on the skill of your provider (if they get it in the right place), your cervix and managing exams in general.

I have heard that many facilities offer pain medication via IV when you’re getting it placed.

The good news, you could always try to get it placed without IV meds, and then ask for the IV meds if it’s too much. They work pretty quickly. The ones I’ve heard offered were Fentanyl and Morphine in case you’re wondering.

Those are likely to make you pretty sleepy too, so just go with it.

In my experience, the people with the most pain tend to happen when the practitioner has it in the wrong spot. If you’re having severe pain make sure you’re speaking up so it’s done correctly!

The other good news is that it’s not a long procedure. So, if you’re able to breathe and relax for just a few minutes it’s done.

I recommend everyone have some natural pain management techniques, and I also know every patient needs to know how to navigate choices at the hospital. If you’re having an induction you will definitely need both of those things. The Online Prenatal Class for couples provides both!

What happens then?

The doctor will leave the foley bulb in for a prescribed amount of time, or may choose to remove it at some point.

OR, it falls out on it’s own once your cervix is dilated. The foley bulb alone can only get you to about 3 cm (because that’s how big it is).

What happens then is a SUPER common question in labor and delivery, and SO normal to wonder that. Which is why I created this.

What do studies show?

Great question, I think that’s important.

This study showed that the Foley bulb plus some misoprostol worked better than misoprostol alone.

This study showed that getting the Foley bulb prior to coming to the hospital to be induced showed that it took less time from admission to induction.

Tips for Placement

There are things you can do to make the placement easier.

The biggest one is to relax. The more your tighten-up with the pain, the worse it makes it (and makes it harder for them to place). Check out my post on painful cervical exams for more ideas there (including one you probably won’t think of).

If you find you’re not able to relax I’d ask them if there’s any medication you can take.

Pro Tip: Ask your provider if there’s something you could take about 30 minutes before placement. Some may recommend oral meds.

I am a HUGE fan of learning to relax your pelvic floor. Breathing can be REALLY helpful as it’s hard to tense up when you’re concentrating on breathing. My natural pain managment bonus video in here is SO helpful for it.

You may be thinking that an article or two, and you’re good to go but I can’t say any more strongly that EVERY couple needs to take a prenatal class that prepares you from pregnancy through your postpartum life. It’s not just about pain management, it’s about making choices for yourself. You need to know how to do that, especially if you’re going in for an induction.

Anyway — that’s a soapbox of mine. I hope you have an amazing induction, and this article gave you a bit more on what to expect on your special day.

Sources:

• Ausbeck, Elizabeth B. MD; Jauk, Victoria C. MPH; Xue, Yumo MS; Files, Pamela BSN, ANP; Kuper, Spencer G. MD; Subramaniam, Akila MD, MPH; Casey, Brian M. MD; Szychowski, Jeff M. PhD; Harper, Lorie M. MD, MSCI; Tita, Alan T. MD, PhD. Outpatient Foley Catheter for Induction of Labor in Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology 136(3):p 597-606, September 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004041
• Anjali, Jain S, Pasrija S, Kille HC. Labor induction with combined low-dose oral misoprostol and Foley catheter vs oral misoprostol alone at term gestation-a randomized study. AJOG Glob Rep. 2022 Jun 11;2(3):100060. doi: 10.1016/j.xagr.2022.100060. PMID: 36276789; PMCID: PMC9563989.

The post What to Expect at A Foley Bulb Induction appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

Before we get going, be sure to grab my induction checklist. Having an idea of what to expect before you go is SO important. Grab this for sure:

I also have a video on this same topic:

Before we get going, let’s talk about a couple of things about it “not working” (because you may not know what that means)….

Why would an induction not work?

Great question — and one we should answer before we get going. They normally “don’t work” for a few reasons:

• Your body won’t respond to the medication (fairly rare — most people at least contract)
• Your body is SURE it is not time to have the baby and won’t let your cervix dilate
• Either your pelvis or baby’s position is keeping baby from descending into the birth canal

Want to learn more about inductions, check out these posts:

• Your Myth-Busting Guide to Induction
• How To Prepare For An Induction
• Navigating Induction: Empowering Choice and Educating Yourself with Dr Elizabeth
• 6 Things To Know About Your Fetal Growth Ultrasound
• Why You Might Want an Induction with Juli Pyle CNM

How can we tell an induction isn’t working?

Most often you’re having strong contractions but it isn’t moving baby into the birth canal, or opening your cervix.

We may place something called an IUPC that measures the strength of the contractions — see if they’re “adequate” (it’s sort of hard to tell otherwise). This is the most scientific way to measure the contractions.

I bet some of you are thinking this seems complicated, and let me say YES — labor CAN feel quite complicated, but having an expert with you makes it SO much easier. Get prepared!

SO, what happens if it’s not working?

There are 3 paths if we feel like it’s not working (or not working fast enough):

• Have a C-section
• Send you home
• Try the induction longer, or take a break (for a few hours) and try again.

Things we consider when deciding:

• Reason you’re being induced (if baby needs to come out we can’t send you home)
• What products we’ve tried (can we try something else?)
• Your preferences

Ok, let’s talk about those 3 more in depth:

Have a C-Section

If baby needs to come out and no amount or type of medication seems to be doing anything, you may have to have a cesarean section.

This most often happens when we don’t think that waiting (aka, sending you home) is good for you or baby. Perhaps baby is big, you have high blood pressure or a variety of reasons we decide it’s safer to have a C-section than to continue to labor.

While this, normally, isn’t an EMERGENCY c-section, it often happens quickly once the decision is made.

Not having some basic preparation about a C-section is one of the biggest mistakes couples make before birth, and I hear their regret all the time. Get prepared here!

Send you home?

Maybe your body just isn’t ready for this. If you are choosing to have an elective induction and the medications aren’t working — let’s send you home for a few days, and maybe try again.

People hate this one (most of them). But I think it’s a really viable plan. Better than trying to force baby more or a C-section if baby and you are doing well.

Often, patients beg to just have a C-section rather than go home, but I really think you should consider going home if everyone thinks it’s safe. AND, you should know it may end up happening if labor doesn’t get going.

BTW while we’re here — have you worked on your birth plan yet — let me help you out:

Continue Induction

We can just keep trying the induction. We could switch medications, we could break your water, we could try a variety of things.

Most often we choose this if you need to have the baby, but baby and you are both tolerating labor well.

We may encourage you to get an epidural if you have been dilating but have stopped — it might help you relax and sleep, to allow your cervix to open.

Want to learn more about pain management in labor — check out these posts:

• How Many CM Do You Need To Be To Get An Epidural?
• Weird Side Effects From The Epidural That No One Talks About
• What To Do If You Can’t Decide If You Want An Epidural Or Not?
• Pain Management Options in Labor?
• Does an Epidural for Labor Completely Take Away The Pain?

Prior to this…

Of course, if you’re not progressing there can be other signs that this needs to be done. Baby’s heart rate may show some signs of distress (limitless contractions aren’t what babies are made for), you may start to bleed or possibly even get a temperature — so baby’s progress isn’t ALL that we follow….

Also, WAY prior to this you need to ask those questions:

SO many people come in for an induction because they’re “done” being pregnant, only to realize that they’re looking at 24+ hours of labor on a closed/thick/high cervix.

Franky, I’m here to support whatever you want to choose after 39 weeks of labor but I REALLY want you to be informed on what to expect, so be sure to go through those questions with your provider.

I can’t tell you how often your expectations (often not based on reality, just a few birth stories) are ruining your birth.

This is true of inductions, but also other types of labor as well! That’s why I created The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — it’s going to give you realistic expectations of what to expect and what types of choices you’ll confront as you’re in labor.

No more “no one told me….” because YOU have learned from an expert!

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post What Happens if Your Induction Doesn’t Work? appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

If you’re looking to get prepared for your induction be sure to grab my induction questions checklist:

Also, if you’re short on time, don’t miss my post on what to do the day before your induction.

First off…. I want you to know (and this is 100% a fact):

Induction is always YOUR choice

I hear a lot of people saying “my doctor said I had to be induced” and that isn’t the case at all.

An induction is always YOUR choice. It is YOUR job to weigh the risks and the benefits that your provider is giving you and then make the right choice for you and your family.

I will say that often the doctor is correct — an induction is the right choice. but if they induce everyone at 39 weeks and you’re just not feeling it — it’s ALWAYS up to you.

I talked about that a bit in this podcast with one of my favorite OB’s I’ve worked with — might be helpful:

Ask the Questions

You need to know:

• Why you’re being induced (and knowing you’re making the right choice — like we talked about above)
• How they plan to induce you
• How long it’s likely going to take

Pro tip: don’t let the doctor say they “have no idea” — they have a basic idea when they schedule you for the induction. No, they’re not fortune tellers but they know if it’s likely to be really long — and it’s important you have realistic expectations.

Having a hard time talking with your doctor or midwife — grab my best tips here:

Stretching & Movement

Moving your body is important for a couple of reasons:

• You’re just killing your body by just living this late in pregnancy — it needs some TLC
• It can help open your pelvis and help baby find their best spot

It can feel like you have SO much to get done, but don’t ignore it — get stretching in. Find a good youtube channel and do it every. single. day. It’s nurse’s orders.

If a particular pose is hurting, skip it or modify it to less deep. — you’re looking to do stuff that feels good

Hydrate

This honestly is never not going to be a tip of mine.

BUT I have to say that when you take the time to hydrate like crazy it’s going to pay off so much. You’re going to FEEL better, and just be able to go about your day better.

It’s also going to shove off false labor pains that can come when you’re dehydrated. Some people think “oh, this is labor” — but in reality it’s just pain that isn’t doing anything.

And no one needs that.

Be sure to hydrate EXTRA the day before your induction, it’s going to help your veins be an easy find for your nurse and make the IV an easier part of all of it.

If you’re close to your induction don’t miss these posts too:

• Debunking Induction Myths With My Own Induction Story
• 11 Easy Ways To Prepare For Your Labor Induction
• Can I Get An Epidural Before My Induction Of Labor?

Learn What to Expect

One of the biggest reasons you’ll hear from women that they hated their induction is because they don’t know what to expect. They didn’t know it might be boring, or that it could take a while, or they may just get an epidural because they desperately need to sleep….

This has a whole chapter on inductions that I think should be mandatory watching (I love that whole class).

OR if you just want to learn about inductions there’s this too.

Anticipate Pain

While studies show that the pain of an induction and labor doesn’t vary (from the arrive trial which I talk about in here), I find that it’s just insanely more boring.

When you’re at home you can do things to ignore the pain. Make brownies, sleep in your own bed however you want, or clean…. at the hospital, less so.

You just need to know it’s going to be painful. You need some ways to manage that pain. Is it going to be worse than everyone else’s labor pains? I don’t think so. It’s just more boring, and tiring because of how bored you are.

This has a whole natural pain management bonus video.

Wondering what the hospital can do to help you manage your pain — grab the options here:

Prep Your Partner

A lot of this induction stuff has just talked about you. But, there’s another teammate on this pain and you want to make sure that THEY are prepped as well. Remember, they can:

• Advocate for your wishes when you’re too tired to
• Help you move to make sure that’s a priority (this helps SO much)
• Encourage you and remind you of the plan

But, if they’re overwhelmed by the medical-nature of all of it, that is no help for you.

A great partner can often be THE key to a birth you love. THIS is created to help both of you prepare for labor in just a few hours. It’s so easy and couples love it.

The post How to Prepare for an Induction appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.