It’s the most wonderful time of year, for inductions that is. Did you know that if your due date falls around a major holiday such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years or 4th of July you are more likely to be encouraged to have an induction? 

Let’s think about this for a moment, the fewest number of births fall under various late November dates, December 24th, 25th & 26th, January 1st & 2nd, and lastly July 4th. The most births occur in the days preceding these major holidays. Why is that? Well some doctors may want to induce you to avoid working on the holiday, which is completely understandable, but if you want holidays off you should pick a different profession. Am I right? However, they won’t tell you that, instead they will say:

“You need an induction for gestational diabetes”

“Baby is too big”

“Your blood pressure seems a little high”

“Your fluid is a little low”

So, watch out for these conversations, as long as you and your baby are both healthy, whether you get induced is your choice. You shouldn’t be held to anyone’s time table, but yours and your baby.

It’s so important to know the risks and benefits of inductions, but let’s start with the veggies:

1. You increase the risk of a cesarean delivery. Especially for first-time moms when your cervix is not favorable, you increase the likelihood of a prolonged labor, which is the #1 cause of most cesareans.
2. Fetal Distress. The induced contractions can be more intense and more frequent than natural ones, which can reduce blood flow and oxygen supply to the baby creating an abnormal fetal heart rate. This is the #2 cause for most cesareans. 
3. Maternal complications. Medications like pitocin can create postpartum hemorrhage due to overstimulation of your uterus, and also prolonged labor can create an infection.

Now onto dessert:

1. Controlled timing when continuing a pregnancy might pose risks to the mother or baby such as preeclampsia or going post-term (beyond 42 weeks).
2. Convenience and planning. If you have other babies or pets it’s easier to plan for the birth by organizing support systems. Also, knowing the timeline can reduce stress when seeing an end date in sight.
3. Fetal risks. Inductions can help if there are concerns about the baby’s well-being, such as poor growth. Starting labor earlier doctors can avoid potential complications.

Keep these benefits and risks in mind as your doctor poses these recommendations to you, but it is also within your right to refuse an induction.

Here are some helpful ways you can politely decline one:

“Thank you so much for suggesting that, I’d like to fully understand the risks and benefits before making a decision. Can we discuss other options for now?”

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m hoping to allow labor to start naturally, unless there is a clear medical reason to intervene.”

“I’d like to better understand the reasons for recommending an induction. Can you share any evidence or guidelines related to my situation?”

“Thank you, but I prefer to stick to my plan of waiting for spontaneous labor, unless there is a pressing medical reason. If things change, I’m open to revisiting.”

“I appreciate your recommendation, but I’d like to explore alternative approaches first. Can we monitor things closely and decide if induction becomes necessary?”

These statements are polite and assertive, while maintaining a collaborative tone, but still emphasizing your autonomy. Keep communications lines open, and make sure you’re being open with your care provider, when you are they hopefully will be too.

It’s your baby, and your body, so always remember to listen, but trust your mama instincts, you have them for a reason.

Love & Light Mama!