Saying “No” to Induction

Abstract

Induction rates have increased dramatically. A childbirth educator wonders how she can help pregnant women say ''no'' to induction. This column describes the last days and weeks of pregnancy as vitally important for both the mother and her baby, insuring the baby's maturity and the mother's readiness for labor. Women are encouraged to appreciate the last days and weeks of pregnancy and to have confidence that when a woman's body and her baby are ready, labor will begin spontaneously. This information, as well as knowledge of how induction alters the process of normal labor and birth and increases the possibility of having a near-term infant, is the foundation for informed refusal.

Psychiatric Induced Births in Jamaica: Homicide and Death Effects on Pregnancy

“…While the issue of natural birth is highly preferred over induced labor, induction is a reality for many pregnant women because of medical problems, psychiatric orders or other issues that are brought into the making of the decision for induction. It is not easy for a pregnant woman to say yes to induction; but no may a life threatening issue that may rule out such saying otherwise [14,15]. The issue of induction of birth has been clinically examined because of the vulnerability of women during pregnancy, treatment approaches and the rationale of wanting births to be a natural thing for women.…”

Midwives and Nonmedically Indicated Induction of Labor

“…We do women a disservice if they do not hear about the beneficial effects of the endogenous hormones of spontaneous labor that may be overridden or adversely affected by the exogenous hormones used for induction. These hormones include endorphins to relieve labor pain; catecholamines to inspire final pushing efforts and euphoria at birth; prolactin to promote uterine involution, infant attachment, and the initiation of successful lactation; and of course oxytocin, which produces efficient contractions without undue fetal stress and also has multiple roles in supporting the maternal–infant relationship …”

“…These hormones include endorphins to relieve labor pain; catecholamines to inspire final pushing efforts and euphoria at birth; prolactin to promote uterine involution, infant attachment, and the initiation of successful lactation; and of course oxytocin, which produces efficient contractions without undue fetal stress and also has multiple roles in supporting the maternal-infant relationship. 31,32 A recent public education campaign about the benefits of spontaneous labor and the harms of nonmedically indicated induction is the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses' Don't Rush Me . .…”

How midwives’ discursive practices contribute to the maintenance of the status quo in English maternity care

“…In maternity care, medical knowledge has been normalised, as evidenced by widespread incorporation of medically-based (rather than midwifery-based) notions of risk and definitions of 'normality' and 'abnormality' (NMC, 2004;Lankshear et al, 2005). In consequence, obstetric practices such as pharmaceutical induction of labour are widespread (Lothian, 2006), while midwifery practices such as supporting homebirth are often considered dangerous (Hagelskamp et al, 2003), despite evidence to the contrary (Duff and Sinclair, 2000;Johnson and Daviss, 2005).…”