Inductions

Bree · 08-30-2005, 01:20 AM

HI everyone!

I was wondering how you seasoned Doulas handle inductions.

My first labor as a doula happened to be an induction & now my second client is scheduled for an induction on Friday.

The first labor was totally intense and very fast, but this happened to be the Mom's third baby.

This next client of mine is pregnant with her first child and her EDD was today (8/29/05). She said it was her Doctor's "policy" to induce labor a week after the EDD. (I know that's a dumb reason.)

Anyways, I told her to call me when she needs me & to have her or her husband keep me up to date on what is going on during the induction by phone. I don't see why I need to be waiting around for the labor to start.

Does anyone do things differently? I'd like to hear your opinion on this! Thanks!

Tiffany · 08-30-2005, 07:43 AM

Well, a few days before the induction I always work with mom on trying to get her labor naturally started. I've used a lot of articles that have some good, noninvasive, natural ways and we go over them and she does what she can.

I had one mom go into labor on her own the night before her induction, and I did a belly massage on a woman who would be induced in two days... she had the baby about 3-4 hours after the massage.

Matrescence · 08-30-2005, 09:39 AM

Before the scheduled day, I try to get them as much literature as possible about medical induction and natural induction. During an induction I like to be there with them to see how it's going, if things are slow and it's a hospital close by I may go home to take a nap, change, eat, but for hospitals farther away I stay simply because things can change so fast.

raspberrymoondoula · 08-30-2005, 01:24 PM

I also try to give the mother as much info as possible, including a list of hher patient rights, many dont seem to realize that "policy" is a load of bullshit. I've had one client induced so far and i just did my tihng as doula, supported her as much as possible and it went really well, she didnt even need pain medication.

tlcdoula · 08-31-2005, 01:56 PM

I share with moms right from the very start literature on inductions, and at one of the prenatals we discuss the Bishop's Score and what inductions really mean. I feel that by discussing this with them ahead of time they are much more educated when the time comes. After all when they are getting close to their "due date" they want to be done, and trying to discuss risks and benefits with a mom then is so hard to do because they want it over with.

If on the other hand, I speak with them about it at one of their prenatals - way before they are feeling done or are close to their due date then they can take that information in and really process it logically. I haven't had a mom yet (that I spoke with about inductions early on) have an induction. In fact the last mom I worked with I was so proud of her - she was really nearing the two week past due date day and she held strong. She was so glad that she did and was educated because her doctor wanted to induce her on her due date when there was absolutely nothing going on inside of her. Her baby waited, she waited and they both did great.

I have just found that when you are trying to talk with a mom about it later on she feels pressured - pressured by you and pressured by her doctor and she can't go in both directions which can make her feel very torn. Plus by talking prenatally about it then as she gets closer to her due date many moms have read more about it - educated themselves more.

Of course, I would never not support a mom if she chose an induction and I NEVER try to sway a mom, but I have found that prenatally so many potential issues can be avoided by discussing them before they come up.

raspberrymoondoula · 08-31-2005, 02:40 PM

i hand out the article "induction and circular logic" from midwifery today at the first meeting lol

08-31-2005, 11:36 PM

Hey All,
Just checking in now. My last 2 deliveries were inductions. One was fine. The other not so fine. What a mess. Pitocin, Mag, Epidural that failed twice, o2, 20 hours later we had a baby, and a third degree lac. Not pretty at all. Thank God he was o.k. There's something about telling a mom she needs to go early because of a borderline blood pressure that REALLY bothers me. Somethings just don't make any sense at all. Anyway, It was a long labor and she needed so much support. I'm glad I was there... I've had three births this week so I'm gonna nap for a while. Take care all. Praying for everyone in the south!!