Induction. You probably have strong feelings about it. Whether it’s fear, dread, acceptance, embrace etc., it is a word that many women do NOT want to hear at the end of their pregnancy.
Why?
“Inductions lead to a higher C-section rate.” “Inductions are unnatural.” “Inductions force your baby to come out before they are ready.”
But are these statements actual facts? Or opinions?
In trying to become pregnant or being pregnant in the last 2.5 years, I’ve learned that there are too many topics in pregnancy and motherhood that separate us into monumentally different camps. The exclusive breastfeeding/pumping camp vs. the formula feeding camp. The sleep training camp vs. the co-sleeping camp. The disposable diapers vs. the cloth diapering. The natural labor and delivery vs. the epidural or planned induction camp. The list could go on for days.
What lies deep within us as women that makes these topics so sensitive? Is it feelings of insecurity? Fear of “failure?” Loss of control? And if these are strong personal beliefs, then why can’t we keep our opinions to ourselves?
I have followed many Instagram accounts during this pregnancy that have broadened my knowledge of in different kinds of births. While I may have a specific idea in mind for my own delivery, I’ve seen over the years that it is generally not the best idea to go into something as insane as labor with rigid instructions and a set plan. No matter how you envision your labor going, there are some things that are completely out of your control. One of the hashtags that has surfaced recently on the accounts that I follow is #optionssupportrespect. I realized during this pregnancy that I didn’t feel respect towards all camps of women who chose a certain type of delivery over another. I took a good, hard look in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw because I was one of those opinionated women. Every woman deserves the respect to make her own choices regarding her own birth story. Every woman does the best that she knows how to do. Every woman relies on the means that she has at that time to help her through pregnancy. Every woman deserves a break from judgement and criticism– especially from other mothers.
So back to the “i” word. Inductions can sometimes be medically necessary, acting in the best interests of the baby and the mother. Preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, cholestasis, and severe growth retardation are a few of the main reasons to medically induce. Sometimes inductions are elective, because a woman might just be “over it.” And sometimes inductions are encouraged based on the infant being well past “due.” Are any of these wrong? Arguably no. But they sure can be controversial.
When I met with a diabetic counselor after receiving my diagnosis of gestational diabetes, I was handed an educational brochure highlighting all the ways that diabetes could harm, and even kill my unborn child. It read that having gestational diabetes increases your risk of having a stillborn baby. My risk for having a large baby, causing a difficult and prolonged delivery are higher. This is why many doctor’s recommend induction for gestational diabetes at 39 weeks to avoid the risks associated with birthing a large for gestation (LGA baby) such as shoulder dystocia, meconium aspiration, failure to descend etc.
At my 34 week appointment, babygirl was measuring right in the 50th percentile for growth. My controlled blood sugars were keeping her growth exactly where she should be and that felt great. At 38 weeks, we measured her again during her routine ultrasound where I was told that her growth was in the 86th percentile. I didn’t handle that news particularly well. Guilt. Frustration. Fear. You name it, I felt it. My blood sugars remain to be well controlled. Why the boost in growth? The 86th percentile translated to an estimated weight of 7# 11 oz. With still 2 weeks left until my due date, I was picturing a difficult delivery, possible C-section and possible neonatal complications caused by gestational diabetes. I was really discouraged.
So with the guidance of my doctor, and all that I know (too much) about birthing and neonatal complications, I have been scheduled for an induction. Could this mean a prolonged labor? Yes. Could this result in my need for a c-section? Yes. Could this mean that my baby needs help with breathing, eating and blood sugars? Yes. But these are all possible outcomes for any type of labor scenario- induction or not. And NONE of these are worth the risk of serious injury to my baby. So I will ask for your prayers, patience and well wishes as begin our induction experience in the near future.
There is an AMAZING article from the October 2017 issue of Time magazine that I read last fall. It seems only right to end this post with a quote from the article “The Goddess Myth: Why Many New Mothers Feel Guilt and Shame“- (and then go check it out for yourself! It is such a good read- covering everything from birth plans to breastfeeding struggles.)
“Motherhood in the connected era doesn’t have to be dominated by any myth. Social media can just as easily help celebrate our individual experience and create community through contrast. Moms have to stick together even as we walk our separate paths. We have to spot the templates and realize there are no templates. We have to talk about our failures and realize there are no failures.”
Let’s support each other in this crazy realm of fertility, birth and motherhood that only other females can TRULY understand. We need each other’s support- not each other’s opinions.
