Why Do Inductions Typically Lead to More Interventions?

Why Do Inductions Typically Lead to More Interventions? 

Hey mama, have you ever considered labor induction as a part of your birth plan? Induction can sometimes feel like a shortcut, but it’s important to know that it often leads to a cascade of additional interventions that might not align with what you envisioned for your birth. 

Labor induction, the process of stimulating contractions to initiate childbirth, has become increasingly common in recent years.  

According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology(2023), in the United States, the rate of labor induction rose from approximately 10% in 1990 to 31.4% in 2020. 

While induction can be medically necessary in certain situations, it's important to recognize that it often causes a series of additional interventions during labor and birth.  

In this blog, we will explain four reasons why inductions lead to more interventions. 

4 Reasons Why Inductions Often Result in Additional Interventions 

Labor induction is a very common intervention in childbirth, often recommended for medical or personal reasons. However, the truth is that induction comes with other consequences that must be considered.  

Below we’ve outlined and explained three reasons why induction may result in further interventions:

  1. Increased Use of Medication to Stimulate Labor

Labor induction often means using medications like Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin, to start or speed up contractions. Pitocin-induced contractions tend to be much stronger and more frequent than the contractions your body naturally produces during labor.  

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes that these induced contractions can be more intense and frequent than those occurring naturally, which may lead to increased discomfort and a higher likelihood of requesting epidural analgesia. Learn more about epidurals here.   

 Ultimately, an epidural alters your natural rhythm of birth, making it a decision that should be taken seriously by you and your care team to make the best choices for your birth journey. 

   2. Higher Risk of Fetal Distress

 As mentioned previously, induced labor can lead to stronger and more frequent contractions. The contractions may reduce blood and oxygen flow to your baby, increasing the risk of fetal distress.  

The Mayo Clinic notes that medications used to induce labor might cause excessive or abnormal contractions, potentially lowering your baby's oxygen supply and altering the fetal heart rate. In such cases, emergency interventions, including cesarean births, may become necessary if your baby's condition does not improve.  

 A cesarean birth, or C-section, is when your baby is delivered through incisions made in your abdomen and uterus during a surgical procedure.  

 Notably, approximately one in three women in the U.S. undergo cesarean birth (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.), reflecting the broader context of childbirth interventions and potential outcomes linked to labor induction. 

   3. Prolonged Labor and Labor Stalls 

Inductions can disrupt your body’s natural birthing process by bypassing its hormonal cues and signals that prepare for birth at the optimal time for both you and your baby. This can create a hormonal imbalance that may affect effective contractions and cervical dilation, making labor potentially more uncomfortable and less efficient.  

When labor slows or stalls as a result, medical teams may intervene with escalating doses of Pitocin or manual techniques like amniotomy to break your water. If these measures do not progress labor, assisted vaginal birth methods, such as using forceps or vacuum extraction, may become necessary. 

A forceps or vacuum extraction is an assisted vaginal birth method where your healthcare provider uses specially designed instruments, either forceps or a suction device, to help guide your baby out during childbirth.  

In some cases, this can also lead to an unplanned cesarean section to ensure the safety of both you and your baby. Therefore, it is so important to talk with your healthcare provider about whether induction is really necessary for your journey to birth. 

Choose What Aligns with Your Body and Birth Vision with Stork Helpers 

Your birth journey is deeply personal, and it's vital to make decisions that resonate with your unique needs and goals.  

Labor induction, while sometimes medically necessary, can lead to a cascade of interventions that may not align with your vision of birth. Understanding these potential outcomes and discussing your options with your healthcare provider empowers you to choose what truly feels right for you and your baby.  

If you would like to learn how to prevent a medically needed induction, check back next month for our blog on preventing a medical induction! 

At Stork Helpers, we believe in supporting you through every decision, providing insights and compassionate care to help you navigate your birth experience with confidence. Trusting your body, being aware of your options, and embracing informed choices ensure that you can shape a birthing journey that honors your wishes and supports your well-being.  

 Start a conversation with us today by following this link!    
 
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