Labor induction – this is a topic that comes up a LOT in my DMs over on Instagram and in the MLN community in general!
So, today on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I’m doing a Q&A-style episode all about planned inductions. Your most burning labor induction FAQs, answered!
I see it all the time, women are nearing the end of their pregnancy, and not planning on an induction, and then all of a sudden, they need one!
When this happens, there’s not always a ton of time to research, prepare and sort through all the info that’s out there. So, I thought I’d put together this episode with some of the most common questions I get about inductions. Let’s go!
- What is the most common reason that someone gets induced? (6:30)
- What are some of the things used to induce labor? (11:27)
- Do I have to be on continuous monitoring when I am induced? (18:18)
- Do I have to get an epidural if I get induced? (20:25)
- Will my postpartum experience be any different? (22:30)
- Want to take it a step further? (25:00)
- Want to feel in control before birth?
What is the most common reason that someone gets induced? (6:30)
This is a great first question because there are SO many reasons why you might get induced. One of the most common reasons is that you are overdue, and most practices consider this to be past 41 weeks. But many practices nowadays wait even longer up to 41 and 6 days before inducing.
So, the main reason we induce people when they go past their due date is that sometimes placentas start to sort of act up at the end of pregnancy and not work as well. So inducing you before this becomes an issue is much safer!
When you tune into the episode, you’ll hear about three of the other more common reasons for inductions, including:
- Preeclampsia
- Intrauterine Growth Restriction
- Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (your water breaks too early!)
What are some of the things used to induce labor? (11:27)
In this part of the episode, I give a brief overview of some of the methods used for medical inductions. Pitocin is definitely the most common method, but you’ll also hear me talk a bit about Foley bulbs, and medications that are used to help prep your cervix.
Because Pitocin will most likely be part of your medical induction, I went into some more detail about what to expect and how that is given. (13:40)
You will have an IV placed, and when you listen in you’ll hear a bit more about the timeline of what to expect, how the dosing works, and how some of the other induction methods mentioned fit into the process to help with the Pitocin’s effectiveness.
Do I have to be on continuous monitoring when I am induced? (18:18)
This is a really important question because I think it catches a lot of moms off guard. If you need a medical induction, you will definitely be on continuous monitoring. This is super important for baby’s safety during the induction!
I know this makes some mamas disappointed. But the good news is that with continuous monitoring you can usually still get out of bed and move around! And if wireless monitoring is an option, it’s really not a big deal at all to be mobile.
This is a great question to ask your provider ahead of your induction!
Do I have to get an epidural if I get induced? (20:25)
This is a question we hear often over on Instagram (and at the hospital!) because so many mamas have the goal of an unmedicated birth. They then hear about how inductions can often be more intense (and more painful) than spontaneous labor and worry an epidural is a must.
Well, the answer is no! You do not HAVE to get an epidural if you get induced. And over in our Birth It Up Facebook group, which is full of moms that have taken one of my birth courses, I hear amazing birth stories all the time from mamas that had an induction and achieved their goal of an unmedicated birth!
Learning lots of pain coping strategies and as much as you can about the birth process can make a natural birth during an induction more attainable! If this is your goal, go check out Birth It Up: The Natural Series to learn how to make it happen.
Listen: MLN Podcast EP36: Haley’s Positive Induction Story
Will my postpartum experience be any different? (22:30)
A lot of moms are surprised to hear that your recovery probably won’t be any different! It’s pretty much the same recovery and postpartum experience as someone that went into labor spontaneously.
The only difference you might experience is a bit more swelling due to the IV fluids that you get. I talk a little bit more about what to expect from this, and why it happens in the episode!
Related: Postpartum Recovery Tips for Every Mom
Want to take it a step further? (25:00)
In this episode, we go over some induction FAQs, but check out our birth courses for even more induction information!
This episode was meant to be a little prep for those courses because all of these questions (and so much more!) are unpacked with tons more details, information, and tips.
Our birth courses include a deep dive into natural induction methods to help you prep your body for labor, and maybe even avoid an induction if that’s your goal!
But if you DO need an induction, it’s going to get you completely prepared for what to expect. You’ll erase the unknown of your medical induction, and approach the big day with confidence.
Want to feel in control before birth?
Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire.
