Is Induced Labor Worth the Risk?

Has your doctor mentioned the possibility of maybe having to induce labor? Is this really necessary? Why does he want to induce labor? What should you do? Just because he is a DOCTOR does not mean he is RIGHT! Check out his delivery record. Some doctors would prefer to deliver babies around their schedule instead of nature's schedule, especially around holidays. Compare how many natural births he does each month to how many induced labor births he performs. How many of these induced labors ends as a C-section? My best advice is to get a second opinion from another doctor, especially if you are not comfortable with your own doctor's reasons for wanting to induce labor.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends against induced labor before 39 weeks. If you are not experiencing any health conditions, you may want to let nature take its course. Make sure you have one of the true reasons to induce labor before you consider it. According to the American Pregnancy Association, true reasons for inducing labor include:

*Medical complications such as: hypertension, preeclampsia, heart disease, or gestational diabetes

*Your water has broken but labor hasn't started within 24-48 hours.

*You are more than 42 weeks pregnant.

*You have an uterine infection known as chorioamnionitis.

*You have an active case of herpes

There are several ways of inducing labor including rupturing the amniotic sac, prostaglandin, cytotec and oxytocin (Pitocin). Induced labors can sometimes last for 2-3 days and end in C-section, forceps deliveries, serious infections, and greater complications for both mother and baby in 75% of induced labor cases.

What are the Risks?

*When rupturing the amniotic sac (breaking your water), there's a risk of infection to both you and your baby, especially if the membranes are ruptured for a long time before the baby is born.

*The baby may turn to a breech position, if rupturing occurs before the baby's head is engaged.

* Umbilical cord may slip into the vagina first (prolapsed cord) causing a life-threatening emergency for the baby .

*.Cytotec, prostaglandins, or oxytocin can over stimulate the uterus, making the contractions come too frequently or too strong. This can cause stress on your uterus and distress to your baby.

*Oxytocin can cause low blood pressure and sodium which can cause seizures.

*Prostaglandins or Pitocin can cause placental abruption or uterine rupture.

*Amniotic fluid embolism, which has a high maternal and infant mortality rate, can occur.

*Passage of meconium (the baby's first stool) into the amniotic fluid, which can cause a type of newborn pneumonia if inhaled, is possible.

*Oxytocin can cause a greater probability of newborn jaundice.

*Oxytocin may also cause brain damage or death to the baby.

*Induced labors are usually more painful, which can increase the need for epidurals and other pain medications.

*There is a higher risk of the cord wrapping around the baby's neck because of induced labor.

*If the body isn't ready, an induction may fail and, after hours or days of trying, a woman may still end up having a C-section.

If induced labors causes so many complications and usually ends up as a C-section delivery anyway, then why take these risks? Why not just schedule a planned C-section and avoid all these risks to Mommy and Baby?