What are OBs saying about Inductions?

photo credit: Lars PlougmannI found this SCARY yet very telling page on an OB’s website about her Induction Policies.

Here are some highlights and my thoughts.

Induction of Labor

Many patients will opt to have an induction of labor for the following reasons: discomfort at the end of pregnancy, a desire to have family present, a desire to have me present at the delivery, or concerns about planning ahead for childcare or work responsibilities. If you choose to have an induction, the following information will help you understand the process.

These reasons are all about convenience, nothing about medical need. I am curious about what her induction rate is?

Will induction increase my risk for C-Section?

Because I make sure you have cervical dilation that is favorable for a vaginal delivery, most studies show this will not increase your risk for C-Section. Since I feel that induction affords a delivery that will occur with a baby that hasn’t had time to overgrow, we have a greater chance to achieve a vaginal delivery. My C-section rate has traditionally been below the national C-section rate of 25%. I do not feel that induction of labor in a properly selected patient will increase the risk for C-section.

It sounds like she does take the Bishop’s Score into account.  It is pretty apparent she uses the Big Baby Scare Tactic.   She needs to update her statistics.  The national rate is way above 25%.

Some other random comments in her FAQ section.

Most women in spontaneous labor will usually need additional IV pitocin to achieve adequate contractions to deliver vaginally.

Seriously?  How did women ever manage to have babies before IV pitocin?  Amazing that mankind has survived!  Maybe care providers just like to speed things up!

CYTOTEC INDUCTION:

If you are a first time Mom, achieving a delivery whether through natural or induction methods takes a longer time. Therefore, I have all first time Mothers arrive at the hospital the night before your delivery day to ready your cervix for labor.

Nice, every first time mom gets to be induced!  There is no mention at all of the risks of cytotec!

Procedure:

Arrive at The Hospital at 6:00 pm the night before your delivery day.

You will receive 1-3 doses of oral cytotec starting at 7:00 pm to 1:00 am.

At 5:00 am, pitocin will be started thru the IV.

Between 7:30 and 8:30 am, I will arrive to rupture your water. (This is not more uncomfortable than a vaginal exam, except you will feel as though you have urinated on yourself afterwards.)

Most first time moms will deliver between 2:00 and 5:00 pm on the day of delivery.

How convenient that the baby is born by 5 pm the next day.  What if it takes longer?  What if the baby shows signs of distress along the way?  Any mention to mom of the risks of induction for her and the baby?  No, just reassurances every step of the way.

For second time moms, they only need pitocin and again, “Delivery usually occurs prior to 5:00pm on the day of delivery.”

This is actually great that she puts this all out there.  Moms can ask, “What are your thoughts on induction?”  She can send them here and they can see what they are up against if they want a low intervention birth.

ALL pregnant moms should ask their care providers at their NEXT appointment.

• What are your thoughts on inductions?
• What reasons do you like to induce?
• What cervical ripeners do you use?
• I would like to be able to go to 42 weeks if me and the baby are OK.  What are your thoughts on that?