I have a mom who is due July 7th. I have an assignment for work(my full time job) that I could partake in that is several hours away starting on July 9th going til July 15th. I have made arangements for someone to cover me if she has not yet had the baby,but....

She is already very uncomfortable (sitting, sleeping, etc.). So here is my question...

Would it be unethical of me to try natural methods of induction on her due date. OBVIOULSY with her consent. I know about the pressure point on the back of the ankle that can be used to start labor, and other "tricks" Nothing dangerous of course.

What do you ladies think.. I know the baby will come out when it wants, do you think it would hurt to give him a head start??

Please dont bash me, if I am wrong, I am just trying to get a sense of your feelings on this.

THanks for the help.

I'd not do anything until she was at least at her due date. Then if she is ready to try some stuff go ahead! Of course, she can try sex, nipple stim, etc. before that with no worries as they only help things get ready. But as for introducing any active means for induction, I'd wait until her due date at the least.

I wouldn't do a thing and she may still be pregnant when you get back! Good luck.

I wouldn't do a thing and she may still be pregnant when you get back! Good luck.

LOL I just can't believe I didn't think of that!!! Very good point! :notworthy

I'm with Georganne! :thumbs

No induction, no matter how 'natural' is without risk. If you mess with the beginning, very often you end up with a messy labor. And often, natural inductions don't work, either, and then you've got to deal with the aftermath of that. It's hard for a 40+ week mom to go from hopefully thinking the baby may come soon, to resignation that it very well may be another 2 weeks (speaking from personal experience). I completely understand the desire behind your thoughts, but I wouldn't suggest to clients to induce a labor.

I wouldn't do anything if something goes wrong she could come back after you and sue you telling them that you "induced" her. Plus it would be unethical because then you are doing the same thing the doctors do - put mothers on a clock and threaten induction if they do not perform by a certain date. Instead I would just make sure that you have a back up available to them and let them know the situation.

Sorry, but I agree with the others on this.
Induction is induction whether using natural means or Pit and even if a mom is at her EDD there are so many other variables that need to be in place for labor to be really effective...and only her body and baby know when those things are ready and labor should begin.

I had a labor client several months ago that wanted suggestions when she hit 40weeks...but she told me that the day before at her prenatal appt. she was 3cm, 50% effaced and the baby was -1. I just told her gently that I wasn't comfortable helping her start labor since the baby was still high, I didn't think it was a good idea. But I also told her that if she really wanted to, she could find the info out herself on the internet, but that I wouldn't supply her with ideas. :) Well, she went into labor the next day on her own! :wiggle

Wait and let it happen...things will work out as needed.
Amy

I've got to say here that I've struggled with taking my original response down because it was really out of character for me. But I'm leaving it because I've been there and I understand the temptation. I've been there.

To be very honest, I've had two clients who opted for natural induction over hospital induction. I have a 'natural induction recipe' that I will not give my clients under any circumstances until they are up against hospital induction. It works and it works fast. They get to check it out a couple of days before though to decide if they want to go that way and I explain that it is completely their decision and they must take full responsibility. But, knowing the recipe and that it does work has tempted me more than once. I can honestly say though that I couldn't be ok with it afterward in a situation other than as an alternative to hospital induction.

I'd also like to add that I am a big believer that we each have certain days we are supposed to be born and shouldn't mess with that. We really have no idea what we are messing with. There certaily are natural ways of forcing the baby out, but the 'urging' techniques like sex, nipple stim, a glass of wine, etc. we all know don't do that. So, go ahead and employ those to the fullest. Just steer clear of the herbal stuff, that's what can do it. Sometimes it can be hit and miss, but get just the right combination and you've got a baby!

Ok, now I feel much more at peace with that reply and more like myself. Sorry for having to do this, but I honestly just couldn't stand that I said what I did before. :eek

Jackie...I know how you feel but unless your clients says something I would not say anything. ..and even if you does advise her not to do it. I know it can be hard to miss a birth or wantng a mom to deliver in a day that is best for us...been there however know that their will be a another mama. ..besides I have learned it sometimes works out for the best what ever happens. :)

Thanks ladies, that is kind of what I was thinking, but the temptation was really tugging, especially, since she is complaining how uncomfortable she is and how she wants to have her child now. But I understand there are stonger forces at work. So I will let you know how the birth goes!!

THanks for the advice.

MsDoula,

I am curious about the "natural induction recipe" that you use.

Have you already shared this on this site? I would love to hear it! If you are willing to share it of course! :)

Let us know how it goes Jackie. Hope your momma waits for you to get back.

Nothing dangerous of course.
Any time you introduce induction it can become dangerous.
No form of induction (natural or otherwise) should be attempted without someone trained to do so (in my opinion, at all - trained care provider or not), especially nipple stimulation!
If she has a care provider that is pushing for induction and she feels like she can't say no, then and only then would trying a natural method be an alternative in my eyes. Even then it needs to be monitored (all inductions carry risk).
This is going to sound kinda negative and I apologise (it's early, I just woke up, and have no finesse lol), but it's quite serious.
What would you do if you told a client to try nipple stimulation (for example - but a scenario could be drawn from any other suggested method of induction) and the release of oxytocin triggered immediate, strong, fast contractions that basically kept smashing the baby's head into the cervix, possibly lacerating/tearing it... can you see where this is going?
Basically forcing a woman's body and her unready child into labour is risky business. Suggesting induction methods (which could arguably be outside the scope of a Doula's practise) can leave you being held liable should anything go wrong.
While there are countless women who will praise these natural forms of induction (and it may be true that in a controlled setting guided by an experienced hand this type of thing is "okay"), when it comes down to it induction is usually performed due to mama's/care provider's impatience and not because it is in the best interests of baby.
Be careful with what you suggest to clients :hug.

No induction, no matter how 'natural' is without risk. If you mess with the beginning, very often you end up with a messy labor. And often, natural inductions don't work, either, and then you've got to deal with the aftermath of that. It's hard for a 40+ week mom to go from hopefully thinking the baby may come soon, to resignation that it very well may be another 2 weeks (speaking from personal experience). I completely understand the desire behind your thoughts, but I wouldn't suggest to clients to induce a labor.
Exactly! (She said it much more delicately than me :blush)

Well, just to let you all know, my trip had been cancelled so I was no longer worried about her delivering with me not here. BUT mom had high BP and small amounts of protien in her urine. I did nothing to induce her. Her OB induced her on 7/6 at 11am she was 3cm dialated at the time. He AROM'ed and put her on pit, they also put her on mag because of the high BP. She labored really well (this was the best part, breathing was perfect) considering she had pitocin until about 7pm that night when she was only at 4cm. She then decided to get an epi because she was extreemly tired. When she was checked at 11pm she was at 6cm. I thought we would be there forever, BOY was I wrong. Her epi started waring(sp?) off. The anastesiologist came in a gave her more and more, but her contractions were strong and fast, and she could feel every bit of them. Nurse came in at 2am checked her and announced that she was complete. We were all shocked!! They wanted to see how she could push, because her legs were completely numb although she could still feel her contractions. On the practice push I could see the baby's head! They told her to stop and they would call the dr. Dr arrived, mom pushed 3 times, baby was out!! Beautiful baby girl! Healthy, although she had mag in her system so she was a bit groggy. Not really interested in BFing at first, but Mom said as soon as 24 hour mark hit, baby was more alert and started latching on herself! So this turned out to be an awesome birth despite all of the interventions. Mom went in with a "lets see how it goes" additude, which was awesome she was so flexible. I tried to get her in a few different positions, but none were comfortable except her left side, so we breathed together the whole time and relaxed in between contractions. Mom is very satisfied with the birth and I must say I love this job!

:woohoo
That is so awesome! Way to go Jackie!

I'm glad you posted the update! Sounds like you did an excellent job with her. Way to go mama! :)