The Truth About Inductions

The Trend of Inductions - and that's exactly what it is, a trend - has increased drastically over the past 30 years! Why this increase?

Inducing Labor

According to Eugene Declercq in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (see citation), the induction rate has risen from 9.6% in 1990 to 25.7% in 2018.

The reality is that the numbers may even be underreported as the Listening to Mother's survey in 2019 reported an astounding 47% of respondents stated that an attempt had been made to induce their labor.

37% of those moms reported that the induction was for "elective" reasons.

Most cited reasons for inductions:

- Cephalopelvic Disproportion (or big baby)

- Post Dates (over 40 weeks)

- Failure to Progress (prolonged labor without increasing dilation)

- Premature Rupture of Membranes

- Convenience (Doctor going on vacation, or mom's preference)

Why is this a problem?

Induction of labor (without valid medical necessity) increases the risk of cesarean section due to increasing risk of uterine hyperstimulation (too many contractions), fetal distress in labor (due to too many contractions), placental abruption, stalled labor progress (due to being hooked up to monitors or mom's body not being ready). Risk for postpartum bleeding also increases if Pitocin is used for a prolonged period.

Induction is also a risk factor in increasing need for NICU care - and here's why.... Any induction started before a mama's body starts naturally contracting may mean the birth of a baby whose lungs are not yet mature! (baby's lung development is the key component in starting labor naturally - another post for another day!)

A mom who desires the healthiest outcome for her and her baby should be educated on the risks of induction as well as the benefits and weigh carefully whether it's actually worth it.

The next couple days we will look at each of these reasons for induction and contemplate whether it's the wise choice or not . . . stay tuned!

(Declercq, E., Belanoff, C. & Iverson, R. Maternal perceptions of the experience of attempted labor induction and medically elective inductions: analysis of survey results from listening to mothers in California. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 20, 458 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03137-x)