When I was pregnant with my first baby I had an induction at around 41.5 weeks. Someone had told me the reason for induction was that my placenta would fail. So as soon as I reached 40 weeks every day that went by I thought my placenta could just stop working, so I actually wanted my labor to be induced at the time.
I remember naively thinking ‘Well, at least I will get to know when my baby is coming’. What I didn’t know was any of the risks involved with an induction as no one had mentioned them to me. All I knew was that it might be a bit more painful for me. I wish someone had sat me down and really explained the risks to me – I still feel frustrated about this even now. I also didn’t do any further research on placenta efficiency – if I had, I would have known the statement that my placenta ‘would fail’ was false.
Having had two natural labours since my induced labour, I know a labour started artificially is very different from spontaneous natural labour. In my experience it completely skipped the first stages of labour and went straight to very powerful, close together contractions of well-established labour – which meant neither my baby or I had a chance to get used to the sensations. My midwives were happy as the induction was ‘working’ but my baby and I didn’t feel so happy - I think we were both in shock!
My induction was followed later by an epidural, which I requested. The baby was in distress several times during labour due to the effects of the induction, the epidural and also the fact I believe I was stressed. There was a conversation about an emergency cesarean (unplanned) and in the end I had a ventouse delivery. My baby was taken to NICU after birth with no clear explanation why, apart from a possible chance of infection, which no one was certain about. So she was put on antibiotics just in case and we both stayed on the postnatal ward for around a week.
When I was pregnant with my second I was in a real panic about having to give birth again, and this is when I started Hypnobirthing. This helped me to process what had happened in my first labour, to understand why I felt the way I did and explained why my induced labour was so very different from natural labour. Because my labour had been started artificially this meant my body did not produce to the same level the cocktail of complementary hormones it would have if labour had started on its own - oxytocin ( feel good love hormone!) , endorphins ( calming & natural pain relief).
I knew that I would not agree to induction for post dates again as I just wasn’t prepared to take the risks – not just because it would be more painful for me, but I didn’t want to put those risks onto my baby. But this was easier said than done, and we did have to fight for our right to decline.
Our midwives were all very supportive of our choice, bar one. But we were placed under intense pressure by several obstetricians to consent to an induction.
One day in particular stays in my mind as my husband and I were ushered into a small room, the door was closed and we were made to feel like two small children as an obstetrician tried to coerce us into consenting. She didn’t look up from her paper as she insisted we must agree to be induced pretty much there and then.
We also had another doctor come to speak to us who was a bit more understanding - she basically said her job was to ‘induce women’ but it was our choice. It was incredibly stressful and if I was a first time mum there is no doubt I would have agreed, as we were made to feel there was only one option.
We had faced extra pressure because the baby was showing ever so slightly smaller than average on the growth graphs, though not a decline in growth at any point. He still is a very tall and slim thing now with long legs!
Luckily for us, although we were shaken up quite badly that day, we knew our rights. We asked to speak to the consultant midwife at the hospital and she lifted a huge weight off our shoulders. Without telling us what to do; she just gave us the confidence that our decision was right for us.
So after having one of the most stressful experiences of our lives we left the hospital feeling happy with restored confidence and looking forward to the birth. Labour started that very same afternoon and our baby boy was born at home at 42 weeks plus 5 days weighing a healthy 7lb 3 oz. The midwife reported that he showed no sign of being overdue.
With baby number three I was prepared again to last to around 42 weeks plus. I had already decided quite early on that I would decline even to have a sweep and the plan was to do everything possible to relax about the ‘due date’ . I had also learnt not to tell anyone the exact due date! It took me to my third pregnancy to actually do this and it was the best thing to do!
The thought of another slightly longer pregnancy wasn’t the most appealing especially with two small people to look after. I wanted to be in the right headspace to give labour the best chance to start. At my 36 week home appointment with my midwife I brought up the subject of induction for post dates myself. I said that I would decline induction (informed decision) and if I reached 42 weeks I would have a meeting with the consultant midwife & monitoring.
This was all put into my notes. I then asked for induction not to be mentioned again in any appointment and this was also on my notes. My midwife listened to me and supported my decision. I did this in the hope to relieve my body of any pressure and to minimise stress. It absolutely did the trick and baby was born at 40 weeks + 6 days - by far my shortest pregnancy! So it turns out I do not have a naturally longer gestation... my babies just don’t like being told what to do. And this non-compliance has lasted well into the toddler years !
By not being put under pressure to perform my body was able to relax. I’m so thankful my midwife listened and supported me. This was by far the most relaxed I’ve been towards the end of pregnancy. And I believe avoiding any pressure whatsoever about induction and several relaxing reflexology treatments was key. If my baby or I had been unwell at any point I would have re- evaluated and been extremely grateful to have the care available for us, but for me personally post dates was not reason enough. I’m incredibly grateful for the excellent care from my community midwives who supported me to have two satisfying home births.
If you are looking for further information to make your own decision around induction of labour, a good place to start is by reading the book 'Inducing labour: making informed decisions' by Sarah Wickham.
