Induce me doc!

 I was at a wedding a few weeks ago, and the bartender was obviously super pregnant. I casually asked her how far along she was, she replied, "I'm due in 2 weeks, but I'm hoping to be induced on Tuesday." Being the curious person I am, I asked her why she was going to be induced. She simply replied she was sick of being pregnant and wanted her body back. I casually said "Good luck!" and walked away, hands shaking with all the information I wanted to give her.

As I walked away, I knew I was going to have to respond to this lady via my blog.

Most people do not even thoroughly know what is going on during an induction. What is an induction? It is artificially starting or speeding up labor. The most common used drug in induction is Pitocin, which is synthetic oxytocin.

I wanted to tell her the affects of the drugs she is putting in her body. Here is a excerpt of an article summarizing the difference between oxytocin and pitocin:

"Synthetic oxytocin [AKA PITOCIN] administered in labor does not act like the body’s own oxytocin. First, syntocinon-inducedcontractions are different from natural contractions, and these differences can cause a reduced blood flow to the baby. For example, waves can occur almost on top of each other when too high a dose of synthetic oxytocin is given, and it also causes the resting tone of the uterus to increase (33).

Second, oxytocin, synthetic or not, cannot cross from the body to the brain through the blood-brain barrier. This means that syntocinon, introduced into the body by injection or drip, does not act as the hormone of love. However, it does provide the hormonal system with negative feedback—that is, oxytocin receptors in the laboring woman’s body detect high levels of oxytocin and signal the brain to reduce production. We know that women with syntocinon infusions are athigher risk of bleeding after the birth, because their own oxytocin production has been shut down. But we do not know the psychological effects of giving birth without the peak levels of oxytocin that nature prescribes for all mammalian species." 

and another article:

"The following adverse reactions have been reported in the mother:

Anaphylactic reaction
Postpartum hemorrhage
Cardiac arrhythmia
Fatal afibrinogenemia
Hypertensive episodes
Nausea
Vomiting
Premature ventricular contractions
Pelvic hematoma
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Hypertensive episodes
Rupture of the uterus

Excessive dosage or hypersensitivity to the drug may result in uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction, or rupture of the uterus.

The possibility of increased blood loss and afibrinogenemia should be kept in mind when administering the drug.

Severe water intoxication with convulsions and coma has occurred, associated with a slow oxytocin infusion over a 24-hour period. Maternal death due to oxytocin-induced water intoxication has been reported.

The following adverse reactions have been reported in the fetus or neonate:

Due to induced uterine motility:

Bradycardia
Premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias
Permanent CNS or brain damage
Fetal death
Neonatal seizures have been reported with the use of Pitocin.

Due to use of oxytocin in the mother:

Low Apgar scores at five minutes
Neonatal jaundice
Neonatal retinal hemorrhage”"

I wanted to tell her that because she didn't feel like being pregnant longer, not only is she putting her and her baby at risk for all the above, She is 2.6 times more likely to have a c-section. That's huge considering the c-section rate is up to 50% in some areas. 

Not to mention that it is very unlikely for a women to be induced without an epidural because as the above article mentioned, pitocin does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Oxytocin is the same hormone released during orgasms, in childbirth it releases pain relieving endorphins, and give you the gumption to carry on. (Here is a great post from my favorite blogger talking about how to get through an induction without pain medications. It CAN be done.)

Epidurals and C-section's have so much risk involved that I need a whole 'nother blog on each topic!

here and here are articles on those risks if you are interested.

I understand that I have never been pregnant. I do not know what it is like to be so ready to be done. To feel like a huge giant whale.  I know that we all want what is best for our babies.

Don't let the doctor scare you into an induction. Your body CAN deliver a big baby (one of the common reasons for an induction), here is an article of a momma delivering an 11 lb 12 oz baby at HOME!  It was a Home Birth After Cesarean even! Your pregnancy can even last up to 44 weeks, Here is another story of a mom delivering a baby at 42 weeks, safely at home. 

Our bodies know how to give birth. They know when the baby is ready. God in his amazing design created us that way. Let's not rush it. Know that God is in control of this. 

 I have no idea if she was induced that next week, quite frankly I hope her doctor said no, and maybe she is still pregnant. I just hope that whenever she does give birth, and however, that her and the baby are safe, healthy, and happy. 

Any questions you have considering inductions, reasons for them, etc, please contact me or comment on the blog! Have a great day!


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