Pregnant women are sometimes pressured to undergo labor induction, that is, to have labor artificially begun. It should always be understood that induction is a choice. The mother should choose freely, without manipulation, coercion, fear mongering or mansplaining. Indeed, induction of labor should be offered with kindness and compassion, and only after asking open questions of the mother. It should be offered because the mother deserves the choice, not merely because the guidelines say so. And it should be offered gently, because the woman receiving the offer is in a vulnerable state.
Key Takeaways:
- Pundits are noticing an insidious tendency in the medical community to lead women by the nose to induce rather then go for a natural birth.
- Persuasive arguments abound, from assuaging anxiety to having a specific date to plan ahead for.
- Scary inducements to induce include, you are at high risk, your placenta could fall, or your baby might be too large.
“Because there is something worse than a difficult choice. There is having no choice at all.”
My second birth was induced because my water broke three days earlier and I was developing infection and starting to pass blood. It was the most excruciating physical pain I have ever felt and I started going into shock just before my baby was born. I am glad I did it however, because I feel that the outcome would have been much worse for the baby and me if we had waited. It is something Hong that I would never choose to do for convenience.but only for the health of the baby and mother.