10 Things Only A Mum Who Has Been Induced Would Know

During pregnancy, it’s always better to be safe artificially than be at serious risk naturally. Yes, we all ideally prefer natural pregnancy with no complications, but this is about life (pun intended), so expecting mothers need to be practical and prepared for detours.

Many mothers go through induced labour. Labour needs to be induced for multiple reasons: your pregnancy is overdue, your water breaks but no labour yet, an acute condition such as pre-eclampsia gets in the way, or different reasons restrict your ability to regulate contractions.

In conversations with mothers who have experienced induced labour, some interesting learnings came into light:

In This Article

1. Uncertainty

With little time on your hands on the occasion of multiple contractions, a mother could really struggle with her body and mind and feel out of control. It’s one of those experiences when one needs to just remember: this too shall pass.

2. Restricted mobility

Pitocin Drip: check. Foetal monitor: check. Hooked and immobile: check. That’s right. When you’re attached to cables for observation purposes, it’s kind of really hard to move around.

3. Big Sister is watching you

The midwife is with you during this entire time. She will be what you want her to be – a friend during hard times or an intruder you wish were present only when you called them.

4. Lack of response

It’s possible that you go through the entire process and still the body is not okay with induction. In such cases, an alternative method of delivery such as a Caesarian-section may be recommended.

5. You make decisions too

That’s right! The doctor doesn’t decide everything for you. You’re eligible for making requests! Ashleigh, for instance, asked that they wait for drips until after her water broke. She was curious to see if her body were inclined towards moving things on its own. Turns out, it was.

6. Removing clothes is a good idea

As soon as you are on the drip, movement is a challenge. Be prepared to remove clothes before the procedures begin so you don’t have to worry about long sleeve tops interfering with labour.

7. Vaginal birth is not a guarantee

Yes, we wish that struggle must end in some kind of fulfillment. There are times, however, when struggle just means accepting whatever comes your way. Inducing labour is about saving a life, and sometimes even after intense inner wrestling, the doctor tells you to get a C-section. It’s okay because, in the end, you and your baby matter.

8. Keep calm during crazy contractions

During induced labour, it’s hard to tell where one contraction begins and the other ends. Yes, it can be difficult to induce a sense of humor into that pain sensation, but we can always try to laugh at the pain while remembering that it will be over.

9. Contractions turn around

Labour can reverse and cause a reduction in cervical dilation. Hence, backing of the drip or serious laughter may be needed to avoid unregulated contractions that are further apart.

10. Stay hydrated

Your veins function better when your body has plenty of water inside. So, before entering that hall of labour, be sure to drink lots and lots of water!

Induced labour or not, giving birth to a new life is not a joke. No wonder that mothers truly feel nature within them after sustaining those nine months of intensity. It’s something every mother is extremely proud of! Inducing labour is one way of ensuring that the baby is born, so take it in your stride. Also, let’s face it – the real challenge comes after the baby is born and that, my friend, stays for life.

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